Immanuel - God With Us And Working Through Us

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God Working Through Us

Theme: The promise of Jesus’ presence, established at His birth, is the divine assurance that fuels our mission in the world.

I. God WITH Us: The Incarnation of Immanuel (Luke 2:1-20)

This passage narrates the fulfillment of the prophecy (Isaiah 7:14) that God would come to dwell with humanity.

1. The Humility of the Setting (vv. 1-7)

• The World Context: The birth is framed by the decree of Caesar Augustus, the most powerful man on earth. Yet, God's true King is born in obscurity.

  • Application: God works within the context of human government and history, but He is not controlled by it. His plan unfolds quietly beneath the noise of worldly power.

• The Humble Place: Born in Bethlehem (the City of David, fulfilling Micah 5:2) and laid in a manger (an animal feeding trough).

  • Meaning of Immanuel: God's presence among us is characterized by humility and accessibility. He did not wait for a palace; He came to the common, overlooked place.

2. The Divine Announcement (vv. 8-14)

• To Whom the News Came: The angels appeared to shepherds, who were generally low on the social ladder and considered unclean.

  • Theology: The good news of Immanuel ("Christ the Lord") is first announced to the marginalized, emphasizing the universal and inclusive nature of Jesus' mission (Luke's emphasis).

• The Message: "Good news of great joy for all the people" (v. 10).

• The Heavenly Response (v. 14): "Glory to God... and on earth peace..." Jesus' presence brings peace—reconciliation between God and humanity.

3. The Human Response (vv. 15-20)

• The Shepherds’ Action: They did not hesitate ("Let us go now") and hurried to see the sign the angel had described.

• The Shepherds’ Mission (v. 17): After seeing, they immediately "made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child."

  • Connection to Mission: The first witnesses of Immanuel were moved by His presence to become the first evangelists, setting the pattern for all subsequent believers.

    
    

Discussion Point: 

• What does the contrast between the power of Caesar and the humbleness of the manger tell us about the nature of the King who is "God with us"?

II. God WORKING THROUGH Us: The Perpetual Presence (Matthew 28:20)

This passage, the conclusion of Matthew's Gospel, forms the second half of the Immanuel theme. It transitions from Jesus' physical presence (with us) to His resurrected, spiritual presence, which enables His followers to continue His work (through us).

1. The Authority for the Mission (v. 18)

• "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me."

  • Foundation: The commission is not a human project but a divine mandate, resting entirely on the absolute authority of the resurrected Christ. This authority guarantees the mission's ultimate success.

2. The Commission (v. 19)

• The Primary Command: "Go and make disciples of all nations."

• The Means: This is accomplished through going (mission), baptizing (identification with the Triune God), and teaching (obedience to all Christ commanded).

3. The Promise of Immanuel (v. 20)

• The Great Assurance: "And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."

  • This is the final declaration and ultimate security for the Great Commission. The Gospel of Matthew, which began with the prophecy of Immanuel (God with us, Matt. 1:23), ends with Jesus' personal, perpetual affirmation of that same presence.

• The Nature of the Presence: Since Jesus physically ascended, this presence is accomplished through the Holy Spirit (as He taught in John 14).

  • "God with us" in the manger (Luke 2) is the basis for "I am with you always" on the mission field (Matthew 28).

Synthesis: The disciples are sent out to make disciples of all nations—an impossible, massive task—but they are not sent alone. Christ's continuing presence (Immanuel) provides the power, comfort, and authority to accomplish the mission.

Discussion Point: 

• If the promise "I am with you always" is the authority for the Great Commission, what does it mean that Jesus' presence is always connected to the command to "go and make disciples"?

III. Life Application: From Manger to Mission

The two passages guide us in how God's presence works in and through the believer:

Characteristic	The Incarnation (Luke 2)	The Commission (Matthew 28)
Focus	God WITH Us (Proximity)	God WORKING THROUGH Us (Activity)
Response	Worship and Witness (Shepherds)	Obedience and Discipleship (Apostles)
Assurance	The humility of the Manger	The authority of the King

• Motivation (Luke 2): We are compelled to share the news because we have seen and experienced the goodness and humility of God's presence in Christ.

• Enablement (Matthew 28): We can engage in the mission without fear because the eternal, authoritative Lord is with us every moment, providing the words, the power, and the harvest.

Reflection Question: 

• How does knowing that "Immanuel" is with you transform a specific fear or reluctance you have about sharing your faith or serving others?