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This is the audio from the December 26, 2021 sermon, “Emmanuel: God With US”, shared by Tom Lemler at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

Text:  Matthew 1:23, John 1:14,16

Jesus came to be God with us and then calls us to represent Him as we allow God to interact with others through us.

God Through US
John 14:11-12, 2 Corinthians 5:17-21

When we consider what it looks like for Jesus to live on earth as God with us, we should get a glimpse of how we should represent Him as His ambassador to those who need to not only see God with us, but they need to know God with them.  We do that most effectively when we put into practice the characteristics of Jesus as God with . . .

• Understanding.  Luke 2:47, James 3:13, Hebrews 4:15-16
  • Not only did Jesus have an understanding of scripture that was unrivaled, He displayed an understanding of people through His willingness to be with them.  In fact, the Bible tells us that we have a high priest in Jesus that understands fully all of our struggles and temptations and comes to us in mercy and grace.  We live as those whom God is with when we pursue a life of understanding and display that understanding through humble interactions with others.  Our willingness to listen to others with an attitude of grace and mercy will help show others that God is with us . . . and that He desires to be with them.
• Service.  Matthew 20:27-28, 1 Peter 4:10
  • Not only did Jesus come to be with us in understanding, He came to serve.  His entire life of ministry and serving led to the ultimate act of service in going to the cross to pay the penalty for our sin.  We live as those whom God is with when we learn to serve others according to their need.  God’s understanding of the sinful nature of people did not lead Him to distance Himself in condemnation.  Rather, through Jesus, He humbled Himself and took on the form of a servant in order to become servant to all.  Our willingness to serve others, regardless of how much we think they do or don’t deserve it, will help show people that God is with us . . . and that He desires to be with them.

Since God is with us, how is He being seen through us?