HIS NAME SAYS IT ALL
We trust today’s message encouraged and guided you in your journey of following Jesus. These notes are meant to help you remember and reflect on the message, help you go deeper into study on the subject, or be used for a sermon group discussion.
Sermon Title: HIS NAME SAYS IT ALL
Main Scripture: MATTHEW 1:18-25
If you’re going through this discussion with a community group this week consider taking the time to read the provided scripture to catch everyone up!
Notes:
The meaning of names is significantly important in Biblical times. The names given to Mary's Son in just these few verses are full of meaning because they capture a specific purpose for His life. The destiny of Christ's birth plays a significant role in the life of every person. The meaning behind His name is also the reason Christians celebrate Christmas. Let us dwell and meditate on the names given to the Son of God. Let us consider what these names mean and how they relate to us.
Messiah
The Hebrew form means someone who is anointed and chosen to lead and to deliver. The Greek form is Christos, Christ. Jesus Christ means Jesus the Messiah.
Jesus.
Jesus is the Greek form for the Hebrew name Yeshua, which in English is Joshua.
Joshua’s name means, “The Lord saves.”
Jesus Saves us from what? The angel said to Joseph, “give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21).
Salvation from sins would not be on their radar as much as a Messiah, a ruler who would sit on the throne of David and deliver the people from physical tyranny and oppression.
But the Angels announce a greater foe than physical oppression, the enemy of sin.
The name of Jesus drives home a message that humanity must not ignore, our sin is the greatest enemy against the human race.
A simple definition of sin is: to rebel against God. Sin is to do something against God's will and teaching or to neglect to do something God has commanded us to do.
Sin separates us from peaceful fellowship with and eternity with God. Sin enslaves and holds us captive, the more we enjoy it the harder it is to let go.
It's so powerful that without divine help from God, we are powerless against it.
On this holy night, the night Jesus was born, God began the gracious rescue mission to save us from this foe. Essentially, Jesus' birth is the beginning of a rescue mission.
This was the good news the angels proclaimed the night Jesus was born…Hark! The herald angels sing "Glory to the newborn king Peace on earth and mercy mild God and sinners reconciled”…Born that man no more may die. Born to raise the sons of earth. Born to give them second birth. Hark! The herald angels sing. "Glory to the newborn king."
Surely, God would stay enthroned on high in the heavens and send His mighty angels to fight and rescue us from the clutches of sin…No. In this rescue mission, angels were only messengers and God himself would be the hero. This brings us to the name…
Emmanuel, “God with us.” Let us dwell for a moment on the implications for us…
John 1:14; 18 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…18 No one has ever seen God. But the unique One, who is himself God, is near to the Father’s heart. He has revealed God to us.
Colossians 1:15 “Christ is the visible image of the invisible God…”
Hebrews 1:3 The Son radiates God’s own glory and expresses the very character of God
Jesus is God, incarnate. God in the flesh.
Emmanuel...A glory and presence so mighty that the Old Testament says, "No man shall see His face and live." And yet, Mary would hold Him, kiss His face, and live. Emmanuel…the divine dwelling with the dust. From Majesty to muck and mire. From a boundless universe as a footstool to the dwelling of a stable. From the company of angels and endless praise to sheep and their “baa’s.” From the radiance of eternal glory to the manger in swaddling rags. From invincible to piercable. From Holy and pure to the sin offering for us all. This is Emmanuel, God with us.
Sin must be our greatest enemy for God himself to come and save us from it.
May the reflection of Charles Spurgeon speak to your heart as well: The very essence and glory of the incarnation is that he was God who was veiled in human flesh: if it was any other being who thus came to us in human flesh, I see nothing very remarkable in it, nothing comforting, certainly. That an angel should become a man is a matter of no great consequence to me: that some other superior being should assume the nature of man brings no joy to my heart and opens no well of consolation to me. But… “God with us” is an exquisite delight. “GOD with us”: all that “God” means, the Deity, the infinite Jehovah with us; this, this is worthy of the burst of midnight song, when angels startled the shepherds with their carols, singing “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill to men.” This was worthy of the foresight of seers and prophets, worthy of a new star in the heavens, worthy of the care which inspiration has manifested to preserve the record. This, too, was worthy of the martyr deaths of apostles and confessors who counted not their lives dear unto them for the sake of the incarnate God; and this, my brethren, is worthy at this day of your most earnest endeavors to spread the glad tidings, worthy of a holy life to illustrate its blessed influences, and worthy of a joyful death to prove its consoling power. -Spurgeon https://www.spurgeon.org/resource-library/sermons/god-with-us/#flipbook/
His Reception-How has the world responded to this great news…God with us…
John 1:10-11 He came into the very world he created, but the world didn’t recognize him. 11 He came to his own people, and even they rejected him.
Emmanuel came for all but not all would welcome Him. All people need Him, but unfortunately, not all receive Him.
The Bible records that there was no room in the inn. There was no customary procession and parade from the townspeople for Mary and her newborn son. And the hostility of Herod wanting Jesus dead reverberates the type of reception Jesus would receive on earth.
So who did believe and receive?
Those who would listen, seek Him and believe.
We need divine help to believe and be saved. There was no reception or celebration planned or prompted by man…no parade from below. But the heavenly angels intervened with their own joyful proclamation of the newborn king! The Shepherds were awakened by God to go seek, believe, and proclaim the great name of Jesus on earth. For those afar, God provided a star, which gleamed and provoked the wonder and intrigue of wise Magi. Providentially, they would journey to find the child with that great name (Jesus), the child who created the stars that drew them to himself.
Those who did believe…received a gift they would never forget or regret.
John 1:12-13 But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. 13 They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God.
Close
The apostle Paul wraps up this entire Christmas sermon in Colossians 1:15; 19-23: 19 For God in all his fullness was pleased to live in Christ, 20 and through him, God reconciled everything to himself. He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth by means of Christ’s blood on the cross. 21 This includes you who were once far away from God. You were his enemies, separated from him by your evil thoughts and actions. 22 Yet now he has reconciled you to himself through the death of Christ in his physical body. As a result, he has brought you into his own presence, and you are holy and blameless as you stand before him without a single fault. 23 But you must continue to believe this truth and stand firmly in it.
"Long lay the world in sin and error pining, Till he appear’d and the soul felt its worth." - O Holy Night
What does this mean? Well, here's what it means to me: When Jesus appeared, the hope for deliverance was born. When the light of the world appeared, sin's luster faded into darkness. When Jesus appeared the soul's longing and hope for eternity was found. When our Creator appeared, the worth we lost in the garden of Eden was rediscovered. Without Emmanuel, God with us, we could not see what we were truly created to be. The birth of Jesus, the savior who entered our world to save us, was grace that opens our hearts to seek and believe, do you?
Jesus came to save you and He came to be with you. This is the greatest gift you could ever receive. Believe and give Jesus the gifts of your love and worship.
Discussion:
What scripture verse stuck out to you from this sermon and why?
What takeaway stuck out to you and why?
Have you welcomed the Savior of all people into your life? If so, what has changed? If not, what holds you back?
How do you need to apply this message to your heart, mind, decisions, and every day life?
The most important decision you will ever make!
Are you ready to experience salvation and be transformed? We encourage you to process this decision with a strong believer and when you’re ready say a simple prayer like this from your heart: Dear God, I acknowledge and admit I have sinned. I see my need for Jesus Christ. I believe in Jesus as my Lord and Savior. I believe I am forgiven and cleansed of my sin by His death. I also believe I have eternal life because of His resurrection from the dead. I repent, I turn away from my old ways and I choose to live my life to worship you and follow Jesus, amen!
We would love to know if you made the decision to accept this wonderful gift from God. Let us know here.
Pray Together
We hoped you found this AFTER THE SERMON discussion helpful for your walk with Jesus. We pray you can find ways to apply it this week!