“Jesus Is Immanuel”
Matthew 1:18-25
Sermon Series: “Jesus Is”
Introduction: John MacArthur writes, “We’re in danger of losing Christmas. It may now be the biggest and most popular of all our holidays, but Christmas is in jeopardy just the same. A subtle but sure erosion is eating away the season’s true significance…..What Christmas is really about is the birth of Jesus-Immanuel, God with us, the promised Messiah-who came to save His people from their sins (Matthew 1:21).”
Main Idea: Jesus is not just a baby in a manger, but He is God with us.
1. Explanation: Jesus Christ is the eternal God who came into the world through the virgin conception and birth. He added deity to him humanity. He is fully God and fully man simultaneously, two natures in one person (John 1:1, 14). This is called the Incarnation, and it is what Christmas is ultimately about!
2. Implications (Hebrews 2:14-18): A. Jesus identifies with us.
B. Jesus sympathizes with us (see also Hebrews 4:14-16).
C. Jesus saves us.
Conclusion: The Christmas story is not just a sweet little story about a baby in a manger that gives us an excuse to get together with loved ones and exchange gifts, but it is an integral part of the greatest story ever told. The birth of Jesus was prophesied and brought about through the virgin conception. However, the heart of the issue is the fact that God came into this world to die so that we could be forgiven and be restored into a relationship with Him! Will you receive Christ by faith this Christmas?
