Immanuel: God Comes Close I. God . Matthew 1:22–23 (NLT) 22 All of this occurred to fulfill the Lord’s message through his prophet: 23 “Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means ‘God is with us.’ ” John 1:14 (NLT) So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son. The greatest distance in the universe was not between heaven and earth—it was between a holy God and sinful people. Jesus closes that gap by coming to us before we ever move toward Him. II. God . Matthew 1:18–19 (NLT) This is how Jesus the Messiah was born. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. But before the marriage took place, while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit. Hebrews 4:15 (NLT) This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. III. God . Matthew 1:23 (NLT) “Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means ‘God is with us.’ ” John 14:16–17 (NLT) 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. 17 He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive him, because it isn’t looking for him and doesn’t recognize him. But you know him, because he lives with you now and later will be in you. What Now? 1. Practice “God came near” awareness. 2. Be more honest in prayer. 3. Move toward others the way God moved toward you Continue the Conversation 1. What part of “God with us” changes how you see Jesus? 2. Where do you feel God’s presence most clearly? 3. Why does Jesus’ humanity matter for your everyday life? 4. Who around you needs the presence of Jesus through you?