1. Immanuel – God with us
John 1:1-5, 9-14

2. IMMANU-EL WITH-US-GOD

3. ‘I am with you always, to the end of the age.’
Matthew 28:20
‘I am with you always, to the end of the age.’
I WITH YOU AM

4. and made his dwelling among us.
The Word became flesh
and made his dwelling among us.
John 1:14

5. For this is what the high and exalted One says – he who lives for ever, whose name is holy: ‘I live in a high and holy place, but also with the one who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite.’ Isaiah 57:15

6. ‘God with us’: what it doesn’t mean:
God will bless me even if I deliberately choose to sin
I will feel him there at all times
God arranges for me to have a comfortable life and always find a parking space
I always know exactly what to do
I can hear his voice audibly speaking to me
he automatically blesses any relationship I have or want to have
I don’t have to organise my daily life

7. ‘God with us’: what it does mean
I have Jesus’ Holy Spirit as my Friend and Helper
I can turn to him at any time of the day or night
I can always talk to him
he will never abandon me, particularly when I need him most
I needn’t be frightened or worried what happens or could happen to me
he can share every aspect of my daily life, however routine or humdrum
I can rely 100% on his love and guidance

8. GOD WITH US – WHATEVER!