21 December 2003                                                           1                                                           Emmanuel – God with us

 Emmanuel – God with us

1. Introduction:

(a)  God's Original Plan – Genesis 1:27-28  “Make Man in Our Image”

·   Man in the Image and likeness of God.

·   Man in Relationship, enjoying the presence of God.

·   Man expressing God's Image/Life/Character.

·   Man living in external purpose of God. 

(b)  Consequence of Disobedience/Independence:

·   Man lost,          Presence God                       - Alone!

·   Man lost,          Peace God                            - Guilt, shame, fear, covering

                                                                                  - Sickness, death

·   Man lost,          Purpose God                         - Live for self – selfish

2.  God's plan for Reconciliation:

·   Reconciliation             =  Bring back together two people separated – broken relationship.  

                                   =  Remove hatred, anger, hostility.

(a)  Jesus – Emmanuel – God with us.

Matthew 1:23 “Virgin with child – Emmanuel = God with us.

· Supernatural Intervention of God in Mankind – Hope!

Emmanuel:  Jesus came to “make God known”. 

· Presence of God   -  What God is like – character, love, holiness.

· Power of God        -  Meeting needs of people – healing, deliverance, words.

· Purpose of God     -  Reconcile man to walk in the will of God.

· Emmanuel: Jesus came to reconcile man with God.

·   Reconcile – remove the hatred, anger, and hostility.

·   Sin brought about the entrance of this hostility.

·   Jesus represented us a paid penalty to reconcile us.

·   Invitation to all man – be reconciled with God.  

Collations 1:19-22   “Having made peace through the cross”.

21 December 2003                                                           2                                                          Emmanuel – God with us

(b) Two Responses:

            (i)  Response of Unbelief - Luke 1:18-20  “How can this be possible?”

·   Unbelief

·   Trying to work it out

·   Resist to the plan of God

            (ii)  Response of faith – Luke 1:34  “How will it happen?”

·   Faith

·   Acceptance of the Word of God

· Yielded to the will and plan of God

·  Become a person who brought forth the presence of God in her day

(c)  The Church – The Temple of God – God with us.

1 Corinthians 6:19    “Don't you know your body is the Temple of the Holy Spirit?”

             (i)  Personal Responses:

· Presence of God          - What God is like – Life/Character

· Power of God               - Meeting needs of people - healing, deliverance, word

· Purpose of God            - Reconciling Man – Personal Evangelist

             (ii)  Corporate Body:

1 Corinthians 12:18-21  “God has sel members, everyone in the Body” 

                                                        Local Church = Practical Expression of the Body of Christ.

· Sel = 5087 = appoint, commission, purpose, place into function.

· Presence of God      - What God is Like – Life/Character 

· Power of God           - Meeting needs of people - healing, deliverance, word

· Purpose of God        - Reconciling Man – Great Commission

(d)  Two Possible Responses:

            Response of Unbelief                        -  How can this be?

            Response of Faith                  -  Be it unto me according to the Word.

·   Faith

·   Acceptance of the Word of God

·   Yielded to the will/plan of God

·   Become a person who brings forth the presence of God today