Emmanuel, The Mighty God With Us, Pastor W. F. kumuyi
Matthew 1:21-23; Isaiah 7:14; 9:6,7
“And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife.” (Matthew 1:21-24). This was not a man talking here, it was an angel that appeared to Joseph to reveal what was in Mary’s womb and to confirm that the virgin would bring forth a son and call his name Jesus in fulfilment of prophecy, “Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” (Isaiah 7:14). Emmanuel implies God the Creator, Divine Owner of the Universe and Miracle working God is with us to save, heal and deliver us from every problem the world has imposed on us. Isaiah had prophesied about 700 years before Christ was born to say that Christ would come to redeem us from the consequences of the fall of man. “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.” (Isaiah 9:6-7). The Lord has remembered us in our languish. In His mercy, He sent us the Only Begotten Son, the Mighty God with us. When we pray for salvation, Emmanuel saves us, when we pray for healing, He heals us, and when we pay for deliverance, He delivers us.
1. THE PURPOSE CONCERNING THE COMING OF EMMANUEL
Isaiah 7:14; Genesis 3:15; Luke 1:31-37; 24:44-45
“Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” (Isaiah 7:14). This is coming from God in heaven Himself as He had promised to cancel the consequence of the fall of man. The conception of Emmanuel by a virgin was unique to Mary. It never happened throughout history. After Adam and Eve had disobeyed God by eating the forbidden fruit, the curse came as a repercussion for their evil but God immediately gave the promise of the Coming Messiah, “And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.” (Genesis 3:15). The seed of the woman implies that Mary would not have intercourse with a man to conceive Emmanuel. Bruising the feet of the seed of the woman implies the crucifixion and the finished work of Christ at Calvary. “And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.” (Luke 1:31-35). The angel gives the description of the Saviour to the Virgin Mary. Christ was prophesied to reign over the house of Jacob forever. He reigns supreme over the world forever and ever from the millennial reign. Mary confirmed that she knew not a man as she wondered how she would conceive a child who would be called the Son of the Highest. As His conception, birth, life, and resurrection were miracles, so were our conversion, reconciliation to God and eventual resurrection miracles too. The angel emphasized that there was nothing impossible with God, so God could make a virgin conceive and bring forth a son. Sceptics and unbelievers who deny the virgin birth and the possibility of a holy life of Christians always forget that ‘with God nothing can be impossible’. We believe in miracles today because we believe that with God nothing shall be impossible. “And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.” (Luke 24:44). This passage again confirms the fulfilment of prophecies concerning the birth of Christ throughout the Old Testament.
2. THE PURPOSE CLARIFIED IN THE COMING OF EMMANUEL
Matthew 1:21-23; 1 John 3:5-10; Hebrews 7:25-26; Titus 2:11-14
“And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.” (Matthew 1:21-23). Jesus, the Saviour, Lord, and Emmanuel came to save His people from their sins. Emmanuel did not come to make us religious; He came to make us righteous. He takes our common, uncommon, visible, secret, and habitual sins away. He reconciles us to God as the Mediator; He is the Son of God and the Son of Man. He takes our hands and puts them in the hands of God in reconciliation. “And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin. Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him. Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.” (1 John 3:5-9). He came to take away our sins. The people who struggle by themselves to take away their sins cannot succeed. How can a man attempt to empty the ocean by himself? If you die in your sins without receiving forgiveness and reconciliation you will be on the dark side of eternity. Anyone who abides in Christ and Christ abides in Him will not continue sinning habitually. Religious activities do not save from sins. Sin does not originate from God, Christ, or the Holy Spirit. Anyone who continues in sin and transmits it to other people is the devil. If the works of the devil rage and reign in your life, you do not have the purpose of Christ fulfilled in your life. “Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens.” (Hebrews 7:25-26). God is able to give us a total transformation of life and character and give us the grace to live righteously. When Emmanuel comes into our lives, He makes us holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners and sit with Him in heavenly places. “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.” (Titus 2:11-14). If you allow the grace of God in your life, forgiveness and victory over sin will come to you. He does not want any transgression or iniquity to remain in our lives.
3. OUR PRIVILEGE CONFIRMED THROUGH CONVERSION BY THIS EMANCIPATOR
Acts 3:19-26; 15:3,28-29; James 5:19-20; Psalm 51:5-13
Our Emanuel is the Emancipator. Everything you could not do for yourself the Emancipator has come to give you power to do them because He gives total freedom and liberation. We must show our desire to obtain what He has brought. “Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.” (Acts 3:19). Quit all the habit and tendencies of sin, and be converted to a new man. When the Emancipator sees that you have repented of your sins, He blots out your sins and gives you the times of refreshing and renewal. If truly Christ comes into any life, there must be a transformation and renewal. He turns us away from every iniquity, infirmity and impossibility. “And being brought on their way by the church, they passed through Phenice and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: and they caused great joy unto all the brethren.” (Acts 15:3). The Gentiles Paul and Barnabas preached to experienced great emancipation and transformation of their lives. “Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.” (James 5:19,20). The backslider needs conversion and restoration. If the backslider is not restored, he faces eternal condemnation and death. “Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me. Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice. Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.” (Psalm 51:513). The Lord desires truth in our nature and heart of hearts. He does not want us to live in self-deception and inner hatred. When Emmanuel comes into us, He creates a clean heart and gives us the joy of salvation. It is a waste of time telling others about salvation when you have not experienced that same salvation.
