Welcome to this Come to Jesus Daily Devotional as we begin our Christmas series, Emmanuel, where we're reflecting on the promises regarding God coming to us in Jesus. At present, I'm only posting on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
Today, from Isaiah 7:14, we reflect on the promise of Emmanuel and how this means that God has come and, added to this, that He remains with us.
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‘“Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.”’ (Isaiah 7:14)
The name Emmanuel - God with us - is to be understood in a particular historical moment. Jesus’ birth, ministry and death was God with us, on the earth, teaching and saving. When Jesus was on the earth for those thirty-three years, we could say that God was with us. John said of this period:
‘That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us.’ (1 John 1:1-2)
However, we must also understand that Jesus remains with us. His coming is not just an historic moment we read about in the Bible. His coming is an ongoing reality and His ministry continues in the earth. This is why Jesus said:
‘“I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. On that day you will realise that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you.”’ (John 14:18)
The church - The Body of Christ -is inhabited by Jesus. As Jesus had a physical body in His incarnation, so He has a body made up of human beings. He fills us and works through us. He wants to teach, comfort and empower us for service. The world is meant to see Jesus in His people. His ministry is to continue through His church.
Let’s pray together
“Lord Jesus, I thank you that you are Emmanuel - you are God with me and with your church. You have not left or forsaken us. Fill me with your comfort. Fill me with your power. Fill those that I’m concerned for with your comfort and power. Let me and your church show that you remain Emanuel. Amen.”
Community Group Notes
1. Notices
It might be good to begin with notices. Please share from this week’s Church News.
Let’s ensure that we are aware that we are carol singing in Roehampton on the 15th.
2. Icebreaker
How has God been speaking to you from His Word this week, and how has this helped you?
3. Worship together
Let’s begin our time together by lifting our eyes and hearts to worship our great God. Perhaps you have readings and songs that you would like to use together. Let’s be open to the gifts that the Spirit wants to give in order to encourage one another.
4. Study and pray together
On Sunday we continued in our Christmas series entitled ‘Emmanuel - God With Us’. During this series, we reflect on some of the Biblical promises regarding Jesus’ coming and His work.
On Sunday, from Isaiah 7:14 and Matthew 1:23, we considered what the promise of ‘Emanuel’ - God with us - means.
Please read Isaiah 7:14 and Matthew 1:23 and discuss:
Did God speak to you about anything from Sunday’s message that would encourage others?
What does the promise of God with us, fulfilled in Jesus mean for: God’s presence, power and peace?
How can can we live in, and enjoy the reality of, God’s presence more powerfully?
How do you think God wants you to respond to this promise of Emmanuel?
SIV - What does this promise tell us about our mission?
SIV - Do you have any encouraging stories to share - how have you served, invested and invited?
Let’s pray together: Pray for one another out of our study together and for anything else for which people would like prayer.
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