Emmanuel: God is with us! (with sermon video)

Matthew 1:18-23 ¹⁸Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.¹⁹Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily.²⁰But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. ²¹And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.²²Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,²³Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

       The name Emmanuel means God is with us.  God is with us regardless to our problems or circumstances.  Isn’t that good news!
 

       Our text begins by letting us know that Joseph, Jesus’ step father, was engaged to be married to Mary, the virgin mother of Jesus.  Yet, Virgin Mary discovered that she was pregnant with Jesus, although she had never been touched by man.  For Joseph, this pregnancy suggested that Mary was unfaithful to their commitment to be married.  Scripture provides some indication that Joseph struggled over this conflict.  In that Joseph was a just man, he was concerned about doing what was acceptable in God’s eyesight.  You can imagine the distress, heartache, and despair that this posed for Joseph.

       However, God had appointed an Angel to inform Joseph that the child that “Mary has conceived was of the Holy Ghost.” Also, the Angel told Joseph the name that the Son of Mary shall be called.  His name shall be Emmanuel, which means God is with us!

       It is good to know that God is with us in spite of our circumstances or problems.  God is with us even in the midst of our heartache and pain. In this Holiday season, we should strive to be sensitive to the fact that some are struggling with pain and despair.  Yet, regardless to our circumstances, it’s comforting to know that God is with us. God will never forsake us. God has promised that He will always be with us, even to the end of the World.

       If you find yourself overwhelmed with economic despair, loneliness, depression, or sadness, I urge you to draw close to a forever loving God.  The Word declares that if we draw close to God, He will draw close to you. (James 4:8)  To the lonely, God will be your company keeper. To those loaded with burdens, God will be your burden bearer, and your heavy load sharer.  God is with us!  Praise His Holy Name!

Committed to Serve,
Rev. Dr. A.L. Purham, Sr., Pastor
Freedom Baptist Church
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Emmanuel: God is with us!