Love's Promise: The Advent Gift of Emmanuel
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· 5 viewsBig Idea: God’s love is a promise fulfilled in Jesus, who is our Emmanuel, and this love calls us to live with hope and assurance in our everyday lives. Summary: In Isaiah 7:10–14, the Lord offers a sign to King Ahaz—a virgin will conceive and give birth to a son named Emmanuel, which means 'God with us.' This prophecy reveals God’s intention to provide reassurance and hope during a time of crisis for His people. \Teaching: The sermon teaches that God's love is expressed through His promises and presence. The name Emmanuel signifies God's commitment to be near to us, offering comfort and hope even in our darkest times.
Notes
Transcript
SLIDE: Scripture Isaiah 7:10-14
Isaiah 7:10–11(NLT)
10 Later, the Lord sent this message to King Ahaz: 11 “Ask the Lord your God for a sign of confirmation, Ahaz. Make it as difficult as you want—as high as heaven or as deep as the place of the dead.”
SLIDE: Scripture Isaiah 7:12-13
12 But the king refused. “No,” he said, “I will not test the Lord like that.” 13 Then Isaiah said, “Listen well, you royal family of David! Isn’t it enough to exhaust human patience? Must you exhaust the patience of my God as well?
SLIDE: Scripture Isaiah 7:14
14 All right then, the Lord himself will give you the sign. Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel (which means ‘God is with us’).
SLIDE: Title
Introduction
Introduction
At a busy soup kitchen, volunteers noticed a woman who consistently looked worn down and despondent. One day, a volunteer named Jamie sat beside her, sharing not just food but also stories about hope and Jesus' unconditional love. As weeks went by, the woman's demeanor changed; her smiles became more frequent, restoring her sense of worth and belonging. This transformation illustrated how our active sharing of Jesus' love can change lives, filling the emptiness that so many feel in the world today.
In a similar manner God recognized and recognizes the need of our restoration and recognition of our need to have a way back to Him from the destructive nature of sin in our lives allowing us to recognise that we can be children of God with the full inheritance that comes with that.
Today’s passage is addressed to the evil , 20-year old King Ahaz of Judah , who reigned for 16 years. In Isaiah 7:10–14, the Lord offers a sign to King Ahaz —the virgin will conceive and give birth to a son named Emmanuel, which means 'God with us.' The name Emmanuel signifies God's commitment to be near to us, offering comfort and hope even in our darkest times. This prophecy reveals God’s intention to provide reassurance and hope during a time of crisis for His people.
We will be looking at how God's love is expressed through His promises and presence., today.
This prophecy points directly to Christ's incarnation, the ultimate expression of God's love, as Jesus is the fulfillment of the promise of Emmanuel. The thing that always amazes me is that throughout Scripture, we see God desiring to dwell with His people, culminating in Jesus who brings together heaven and earth.
An as a fulfillment of God’s love is a promise fulfilled in Jesus, who is our Emmanuel, and this love calls us to live with hope and assurance in our everyday lives.
Let’s dive deeper into the grammar of Isaiah's prophecy in Isaiah 7:14 :
First notice that the quote from the NLT is “The Virgin”.
Second, many older translations like the KJV, RSV and ASV translate as “a virgin”.
The original Hebrew is עַלְמָה [ʿalmah /al·maw/] appears 7 time in the Old Testament and means: virgin, young woman of marriageable age. or maid or newly married. The exact meaning of the word is found in context with the text and other defining words, as a result is translates as “virgin” four times, “maid” twice, and “damsels” once.
The word just prior to עַלְמָה [ʿalmah /al·maw/] is הַ (ha) [ which has 3 conjunctive forms הַ, הָ, הֶ ] ; the form used in this passage is the definite article form which is the used when making reference to a specific person or thing. Such as we would say The President referring to the current president of the USA. As apposed to the president as you would in referencing the office or postilion rather than the current or specific.
I bring all this up because is is relative to understanding the God’s plan that was set in motion from the creation. By using the definite article here in Isaiah 7 God is letting us know that his plan is via a specific virgin, namely the virgin Mary . God had the specific path of ancestors planned to bring His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ into human form.
You see God’s love and plan for use has existed from the very beginning, it was no accident it was a SPECIFIC PLAN to show and bring His real love and the presence of love into our existence to give us a way back to Him as a result of sin.
Main Teaching
Main Teaching
1. God's Gracious Gesture
1. God's Gracious Gesture
Isaiah 7:10–11 (NLT)
10 Later, the Lord sent this message to King Ahaz: 11 “Ask the Lord your God for a sign of confirmation, Ahaz. Make it as difficult as you want—as high as heaven or as deep as the place of the dead.”
You could begin by discussing God's willingness to give King Ahaz a sign, indicating His eagerness to reassure His people of His presence. This reflects the broader biblical theme of God's proactive involvement in our lives. For believers today, this is a reminder that God is willing to communicate His love and promise, alleviating our fears and uncertainties even when we don't seek His signs actively.
I remember the day my daughter took her first steps. With each wobbly move, I felt a surge of pride and love. Just as I embraced her unconditionally, God embraces us as His children, celebrating our smallest victories and guiding us when we stumble. Being a child of God means having the assurance of His unwavering love, cheering us on in our faith journey, just as a parent does for their beloved child.
2. Man's Misguided Modesty
2. Man's Misguided Modesty
Isaiah 7:12–13 (NLT)
12 But the king refused. “No,” he said, “I will not test the Lord like that.” 13 Then Isaiah said, “Listen well, you royal family of David! Isn’t it enough to exhaust human patience? Must you exhaust the patience of my God as well?
Ahaz's refusal here is not out of humility but rather a demonstration of his unwillingness to engage with God, highlighting a lack of faith and trust in divine intervention. The word "test" (נָסָה, nasah) in Hebrew can mean to try or prove.
Imagine a child who plays hide and seek but hides in the same spot every time, thinking nobody will find them. One day, their parent playfully asks, 'Why don’t you try hiding behind the couch?' The child giggles and replies, 'What if you can’t find me?' This scenario mirrors our reluctance to engage with God. We often stick to our comfort zones instead of exploring the depths of faith. God is waiting to help us discover new places of trust and encounter Him more fully!
This highlights our human tendency to doubt or ignore God's assurances. For us, this teaches us the importance of trusting God's words and welcoming His promises, a crucial step towards experiencing the peace that comes from knowing He is truly with us.
When I was a child, I wanted a new bike. I mustered the courage to ask my parents, but I was so filled with doubt that I barely whispered my request. My father, seeing my hesitance, joked, 'You need to ask like you mean it!' So, I took a deep breath and shouted, 'Can I PLEASE have a bike?' It turns out, asking confidently makes a difference – not just to my parents, but to God too!
This same lack of confidence and faith is often reflected in that lack the boldness of boldly asking for the truth of what we really want (i.e.: a complete and miraculous healing for someone or ourselves).
3. Love's Living Legacy
3. Love's Living Legacy
Isaiah 7:14 (NLT)
14 All right then, the Lord himself will give you the sign. Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel (which means ‘God is with us’).
The promise of Emmanuel served as a beacon of hope, indicating that God would not abandon His people, even in their darkest moments. The New Testament solidifies the identity of Jesus as Emmanuel, presenting Him as the ultimate fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecy.
The significance of the name Emmanuel reaches its peak in the New Testament with the birth of Jesus Christ.
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.’ ”
Here, the fulfillment of prophecy underscores the belief that Jesus embodies God's presence on Earth, bridging the gap between the divine and humanity. This prophecy's fulfillment in Jesus is the ultimate display of divine love. It invites us to live in the reality of God's presence, giving us hope and courage in every aspect of life.
One time, my family went to an amusement park, and my younger sister was terrified of the roller coasters. As we stood in line, my dad promised her he’d be right next to her. With that assurance, my sister’s fear turned into excitement, and she conquered the ride! This reminds us that God’s presence gives us the assurance we need to take on life’s roller coasters, transforming fear into courage and joy.
Conclusion
Conclusion
This passage serves as a reminder that God's love is not distant or abstract; it is tangible and present in our lives through Jesus.
An elderly man shared with a group of teenagers about his childhood during the war, how fear and uncertainty surrounded him. Yet, he recounted how there were moments when he felt an unmistakable peace and comfort, as if God Himself was walking beside him. That assurance carried him through the darkest nights of his life. Just as God was present with him and the people of Isaiah's time, He is present with us today, wrapping us in His love and peace amidst our struggles.
Understanding and believing in God’s love and presence can help us confront our fears, our uncertainties, and our struggles with the assurance that God is indeed with us, as He was with His people in the time of Isaiah.
Amen!
SLIDE: Let’s Pray
Let’s pray!
