Immanuel - God With Us, God In Us

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God In Us

Core Theme: The name Immanuel ("God with us") describes not just an event (the birth of Jesus), but God's plan to draw near to and dwell permanently with and within His people.

I. God WITH Us: The Incarnation (Luke 1:26-38 and John 1:1-5)

This section focuses on the supreme act of God's presence: the moment the eternal God became a physical human being.

1. The Divine Identity of Immanuel (John 1:1-5)

John's Gospel begins not with Bethlehem, but with eternity, establishing who the one being born is.

• "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God" (v. 1): The term "Word" ‘ Logos’ reveals that Jesus is the eternal, divine self-expression and agent of God. He is distinct from the Father ("with God") yet fully divine ("was God").

• "All things were made through him" (v. 3): The one who would be born on earth is the Creator of the universe.

• The Light and Life (vv. 4-5): The Word is the source of all life and is the light that overcomes the darkness of the world.

Conclusion: John 1:1-5 confirms that the one fulfilling the prophecy of Immanuel is not merely a man, but the eternal God.

2. The Miraculous Means of Immanuel (Luke 1:26-38)

Luke provides the narrative of how the eternal Word entered human history.

• The Annunciation (vv. 26-33): The angel Gabriel announces the birth of a son named Jesus, who will be great, the Son of the Most High, and will receive the throne of David—a clear Messianic claim.

• The Virgin Conception (vv. 34-35): Mary asks, "How can this be...?" Gabriel's answer is the key to the Incarnation: "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you."

  • This supernatural event ensured the child would be uniquely the "Son of God" and confirmed the depth of the sign promised in Isaiah 7:14 (the virgin conceiving). God himself, through the Holy Spirit, initiated the physical presence of the Son.

• The Final Sign (v. 37): "For no word from God will ever fail." The impossibility of the event is the proof of its divinity.

Key Concept: Incarnation

In John 1:14, the Word "became flesh and made his dwelling among us." The Greek word for "dwelt" means "tabernacled" or "pitched his tent." This directly recalls the Old Testament Tabernacle, where God's glorious presence (the Shekinah) literally lived with Israel. Jesus is the ultimate, living Tabernacle of God.

Discussion Point: 

• The Incarnation means God fully experienced human life. How does the humanity of Jesus make the idea of "God with us" more comforting or relatable to you?

II. God IN Us: The Promise of the Helper (John 14:15-21)

This section bridges the gap between Jesus' physical presence on earth and the believer's experience today. It is the continuation of the "Immanuel" presence.

1. The Helper is Promised (vv. 16-17)

Jesus promises that when He leaves, He will ask the Father to send "another Helper" (Paraclete—one called alongside).

• "The Spirit of truth" (v. 17): This Helper is the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity.

• With You --- In You (v. 17): Jesus highlights the transition of God's presence:

  • Now: "He dwells with you" (The Spirit is present with the disciples because Jesus, the Word-made-flesh, is physically with them).

  • Future: "He will be in you" (This promise of an indwelling presence is the new covenant fulfillment, beginning fully at Pentecost).

Conclusion: The presence of God moves from being external (Jesus walking alongside them) to being internal (the Holy Spirit living within them).

2. The Outcome: Manifestation and Indwelling (vv. 18-21)

Jesus assures the disciples that they will not be left alone.

• The Return of Christ (v. 18-19): Jesus promises, "I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you." This is realized in two ways:

  • The Holy Spirit: The Spirit's presence is the effective presence of the Risen Christ in the believer.

  • The Second Coming: The ultimate, physical return of Christ.

• Intimate Knowledge (v. 20): Jesus says, "On that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you."

  • This is the culmination of Immanuel. The Holy Spirit creates an intimate, reciprocal dwelling: the believer is in Christ, and Christ is in the believer.

• The Link to Obedience (v. 21): The proof and experience of this dwelling is linked to love and obedience: "Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them."

Discussion Points: 

• In what practical ways does the Holy Spirit's indwelling presence ("God in us") help you love and obey Christ ("show myself to them")?

• How is this relationship different from simply having God "with us" (like a friend or helper standing nearby)?

III. Synthesis and Application

The story of Immanuel unfolds in three continuous phases:

Phase	Title	Scripture	The Meaning of Presence
Phase 1	The Promise	Isaiah 7:14	God's presence is pledged to His people.
Phase 2	The Incarnation	John 1:14 (Luke 1:35)	God WITH Us—Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh, physically dwelled on earth.
Phase 3	The Indwelling	John 14:17	God IN Us—The Holy Spirit dwells permanently in every believer.

Final Application: The good news of Immanuel is that God does not merely send help from a distance, nor did His presence end when Jesus ascended. Through the Holy Spirit, the Creator of the universe is actively living and working in you today.

• What specific sin or area of struggle do you need to surrender to the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit (God in us) this week?

• How does the assurance that "God is with you" change your perspective on an upcoming challenge or fear?