First Christian Church of Huber Heights
Sunday morning worship message.
Advent is the season to anticipate the celebration of Jesus' birth.
Isaiah (9:14) prophesied the child of a virgin would be Immanuel. In Scripture the names of God come from the need of the people in significant circumstances.
We often want God to provide some thing to meet our needs but He wants Himself to be our provision.
John 1:1-5 NIV
Jesus as the Word of God revises human understanding of God.
Hebrews thought of 'word' as God's activity and communication. This 'word' was highly regarded but impersonal and detached from human experience. Greeks thought of 'word' as intellectual activity--concept, reason, and logic. This was mostly philosophical.
John says the Logos (Word) was Theos (God). Jesus is not just a representation of God, but the very physical appearance of God Himself.
John 1:6-11 NIV
For centuries Israel hoped for a Savior.
When He finally arrived, they did not recognize Him or receive Him.
"Receiving" Jesus is more than reluctant acceptance. It is delighting to take Him.
John 1:12-14 NIV
The glory of God means He is weighty and substantive.
His perspective is greater than ours and we would have been crushed by His appearance except He came in grace and truth.
John 1:15-18 NIV
Do you wonder what God is really like if you could sit down with Him in person?
Jesus is the clearest picture and best understanding humans can possibly get. He is everything you need to know and hear. God's glory and substance are wrapped up in Jesus. He is not just a good teacher or prophet. He is God incarnate--in human flesh.
It is not enough to just believe this. Belief alone drifts into empty religion. More than believing, you have to embody it.
"Immanuel" is mentioned only in Matthew's Gospel by reference to Isaiah's prophecy (Mt. 1:23) and by concept (Mt. 28:20).
Matthew 28:19-20 NIV
Immanuel--God is with us--when we are going through difficult and challenging situations, so we don't go through it powerless and alone. He also is Immanuel when we are being Christ to our world.
We have been loved by the king. Why wouldn't we invite everyone we know to hear about it? Go tell it on the Mountain!