What If God Was One Of Us? | Rediscovering Christmas, Part 2

What If God Was One Of Us? | Rediscovering Christmas, Part 2

Matthew 1:18-25

18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the HolySpirit. 19 And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. 20 But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of theLord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:23 “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son ,and they shall call his name Immanuel”(which means, God with us). 24 When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, 25 but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.

1. God is with us

Matthew 1:20

“Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.”

Matthew 1:23 (ref. Isaiah 7:14)

“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,and they shall call his name Immanuel”

John 1:1-2, 14 

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God….14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Jesus forgave sin (Luke 5:20)

Jesus said he would judge the earth (Matthew 25)

Jesus claimed equality with the Father (John 5)

Jesus uses the divine name for himself (John 8:58)

“God became man; the divine son became a Jew; the Almighty appeared on earth as a helpless human baby, unable to do more than lie and stare and wriggle and make noises, needing to be fed and changed and taught to talk like any other child…The babyhood of the Son of God was a reality. The more you think about it, the more staggering it gets. Nothing in fiction is so fantastic as is this truth of the Incarnation.” – J.I. Packer

Extreme reactions to Jesus:

Anger

Terror

Worship
“If Jesus is NOT who he said he is, then he is someone to hate or run away from. If he is who he said he is then you have to center your whole life around him.” – Tim Keller

2. God is with us

He had a human mother (Matt 1:25)

He was hungry and thirsty (Matt 21:18; Jn 19:28)

He was tempted (Matt 4:1)

He experienced pain and suffering (Matt 27)

He died (Matt 27:50)

What does it mean for us that Jesus was human?

Philippians 2:5-7

Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.

Isaiah 53:2

he had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him.

Christians are called to care for others, especially those without beauty or power.

“The Christmas spirit does not shine out in the Christian snob. For the Christmas spirit is the spirit of those who, like their Master, live their whole lives on the principle of making themselves poor—spending and being spent—to enrich their fellow humans, giving time, trouble, care and concern, to do good to others—and not just their own friends—in whatever way there seems need.” – J.I. Packer, Knowing God

Hebrews 2:17-18

Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect…18 For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

When someone who has suffered comforts you, you feel comforted.

3. God is with us

Mark 3:14

And he appointed twelve (whom he also named apostles) so that they might be with him and he might send them out to preach.

Immanuel/God with us means that we can have a personal relationship with God.

Exodus 33:18-20

Moses said, “Please show me your glory.” 19 And he said, “I will make all my goodness pass before you and will proclaim before you my name ‘The Lord.’ And I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy. 20 But,” he said, “you cannot see my face, for man shall not see me and live.”

OT—God is high and unapproachable

NT—through Jesus you can meet God

“God with us”

Are we with him?

Matthew 1:24

When Joseph woke from sleep…

Matthew 1:24

When Joseph woke from sleep he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him:

Application:

1. Take courage

2. Give up your rights

3. Admit you need a savior.

Matthew 1:21

She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”