Bible Study - GOD'S Name (4) - The Salvation Expressed in GOD'S Name (Emmanuel/Immanuel) - December 24, 2023

 

Bible Study – GOD’S Name (4) – The Salvation Expressed in GOD’S Name (Immanuel) – December 24, 2023

Greetings to all and a very Merry Christmas to you and your family.

Everyone who calls on the name of JESUS will be saved.

Our focus scripture is Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1: 18-25.

There are several explanations regarding when JESUS was born. The truth is, we are not sure when JESUS was born but we do know what the Bible records. The fact JESUS, GOD’S only SON was born as a human.

In 325 AD, Constantine the Great, the first Christian Roman emperor, introduced Christmas as an immovable feast on December 25. He also introduced Sunday as a holy day in a new 7-day week, and introduced movable feasts (Easter). In 354 AD, Bishop Liberius of Rome officially ordered his members to celebrate the birth of Jesus on December 25, 36 AD.

It is likely that JESUS was born either in the Spring or fall of HIS birth year. It is vital to mankind that JESUS, the second Adam, was born according to GOD’S timetable and HIS redemptive plan. The first Adam sinned and his sin was passed along to every descendant – all mankind.

JESUS willingly came to earth to give HIS sinless life to atone for the sins of all who place their faith in HIM and especially just for you. But each person must accept what JESUS did for him/her.

The shed blood of JESUS paid the price for a person’s sin in full. Why did JESUS have to shed HIS blood? In Hebrews 9:22, we read, “²² According to the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.” We must keep in mind that up until this time mankind was under the law. GOD was delivering mankind from the law to usher in HIS Grace. However, each person must accept what JESUS did just for him/her.

Do you want to live under the law or grace? The law is harsh and unforgiving and punishes but God’s Grace forgives when a person asks for forgiveness.

Accepting JESUS as a person’s Savior sets into motion a miracle. When a person prays to JESUS and asks for forgiveness, the Holy Spirit/Divine Sperm unites with the human spirit (egg).  That person is instantly Spiritually born (born-again), eternally into GOD’S Family never to be unborn.

Suppose a person sins after asking JESUS comes into his/her heart?

That person confesses his/her sin and asks for forgiveness and asks for strength not to sin again. All Christians are sinners saved by GOD’S Grace, including me the greatest sinner, along with brother Paul who stated that he was the greatest sinner.

So, why did GOD send JESUS to earth to live as 100% human, to be tempted in all ways as humans, yet remain sinless, in order for HIM to give HIS sinless life to atone for all sins? It is because GOD and JESUS love us.

At Bethlehem, JESUS became GOD with us.

At Calvary, JESUS became GOD for us.

At Pentecost, JESUS became GOD in us.

Consider this, if you were the only person who ever lived, JESUS would have given HIS sinless life just for you to have eternal life through faith in JESUS. That is personal and reveals the depth of GOD’S love for each of us.

The coming of JESUS was foretold in the Old Testament and fulfilled in the New Testament.

Let’s consider Isaiah 7:14: ¹⁴ Therefore, the Lord himself will give you^[c] a sign: See, the virgin will conceive,^[d] have a son, and name him Immanuel.^[e]  (Immanuel – GOD with us)

Yes, this was written by the Prophet Isaiah about 734-732 BC. There are about 900 prophecies regarding the coming of JESUS before HE was born physically. JESUS was 100% human and subject to sin and physical death but HE was also, GOD. HE had the right to choose.

JESUS changes a person’s life. A changed life after a person receives JESUS as his/her Savior is important. We as a born-again person, also, have the right to choose. Choose wisely my friends.

When a person accepts JESUS as his/her Savior that person knows, by the indwelling Holy Spirit, that JESUS is his/her Savior and that person knows he/she is GOD’S Son/Daughter. How does a person know?

Scripture reveals to us in 2 Corinthians 1:22 - ²² who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.

GOD gives each and every person who asks JESUS into his/her heart the confirming Holy Spirit to guarantee he/she is GOD’S Child. Never to be unborn but his/her lifestyle can be a factor in his/her eternal rewards.

Let’s read 1 Corinthians 1:15: ¹⁵ If anyone’s work is burned up, he will experience^[e] loss, but he himself will be saved—but only as through fire. All of GOD’S born-again Children will go to Heaven but those who remain faithful build upon the solid foundation with materials that will withstand the test of fire.

Let’s read on – GOD’S Amazing Love for every human:

Let’s read Matthew 1:18-21:

The Nativity of the Messiah

¹⁸ The birth of Jesus Christ came about this way: After his mother Mary had been engaged^[d] to Joseph, it was discovered before they came together that she was pregnant from the Holy Spirit. ¹⁹ So her husband, Joseph, being a righteous man, and not wanting to disgrace her publicly, decided to divorce her secretly.

²⁰ But after he had considered these things, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, don’t be afraid to take Mary as your wife, because what has been conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. ²¹ She will give birth to a son, and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

Joseph discovered some startling news. His precious bride to be was pregnant. Mary knew what was happening within her body but Joseph did not.

How did Mary know? Let’s explore. First, let’s see GOD’S redemptive plan coming together. We begin with the conception of John the Baptizer or John the Baptist, JESUS’ cousin through Mary’s human blood line.

In Luke 1:19: we read the message the Angel, Gabriel, gave to the Priest Zacharias. Zacharias’ wife, Elizabeth, was barren. It is interesting that Elizabeth was Mary’s, the mother of JESUS, cousin. Gabriel told Priest Zacharias that Elizabeth would give birth to a baby boy. We know that their son, John, would be the forerunner or herald for the promised Messiah. A herald would run ahead of a King to let people know that the King was coming behind him. John the Baptist was six-months older than JESUS. GOD had chosen John to be the herald to announce that the King of Kings was coming, therefore get ready to hear what HE had to tell them.

The Angel, Gabriel had given Zacharias some exciting news that they had longed for, they were going to have a baby boy! Zacharias was on duty and he had to wait to give this good news to Elizabeth, his wife.

In Luke 1: ²³ So it was, as soon as the days of his service were completed, that he departed to his own house. ²⁴ Now after those days his wife Elizabeth conceived; and she hid herself five months, saying, ²⁵ “Thus the Lord has dealt with me, in the days when He looked on me, to take away my reproach among people.”

Gabriel is the angel who told Mary that she would give birth to the Messiah as we read in Luke 1: Christ’s Birth Announced to Mary

²⁶ Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, ²⁷ to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. ²⁸ And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; ^[e]blessed are you among women!”

²⁹ But ^[f]when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. ³⁰ Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. ³¹ And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. ³² He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. ³³ And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.”

³⁴ Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I ^[g]do not know a man?”

A very good question and to me reveals that Mary was very level headed and she asked a very good question.

As I understand, many young ladies, hoped they would be the one chosen by GOD to give birth to GOD’S promised Messiah.

³⁵ And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God. ³⁶ Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren. ³⁷ For with God nothing will be impossible.”

³⁸ Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

So, what did Mary want to do as soon as Gabriel left?

She wanted to go tell someone the wonderful news she received from Gabriel and go congratulate her cousin, Elizabeth. Do you think Mary might have been a little curious. Mary was one sharp young lady.

So, Mary goes to visit her cousin Elzabeth and confirms that Elizabeth is indeed pregnant.

Mary was excited but Joseph, well? He needed to be educated that with GOD all things are possible. Joseph had to be reassured that Mary being pregnant was a miracle from GOD.

In Matthew 1:20:
²⁰ But after he had considered these things, an angel of the Lord appeared to him (Joseph) in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, don’t be afraid to take Mary as your wife, because what has been conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. ²¹ She will give birth to a son, and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

WOW!!! To me this is so exciting. Yes, the Holy Spirit or divine sperm united with Mary’s egg and JESUS was conceived.

Know that once a person asks JESUS to forgive him/her for his/her sins, the pathway to JESUS is open for a person’s Spiritual birth to take place quicker than the twinkling of the eye and that person is Spiritually conceived and becomes a member of GOD’S Eternal Family. WOW!!!

That is Good Eternal News!

Let’s read Matthew 1:22-25:

²² Now all this took place to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet:

²³ See, the virgin will become pregnant
and give birth to a son,
and they will name him Immanuel,^[a]

which is translated “God is with us.”

Do you recall where this scripture was recorded?

Isaiah 7:14 -¹⁴ Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.^[i] 

²⁴ When Joseph woke up, he did as the Lord’s angel had commanded him. He married her ²⁵ but did not have sexual relations with her until she gave birth to a son.^[b] And he named him Jesus.

When GOD calls us to be obedient, HE prepares the way. We must trust and obey.

It is like, when recently our son and granddaughter were in Israel competing in a world robotics competition. After the competition, the rockets started. They went on their scheduled tour. The tour guide told them that their tour was going away from the fighting. While on tour, their flight was cancelled but soon they were contacted by a different airline. The LORD had missionaries on their tour and they assured them the alternate airline was safe.

When they got home, some of our granddaughter’s friends asked her, “If she was afraid?” She replied, “No, because I knew my dad had it.” WOW!!! That spoke to my heart.

When trouble comes our way, we need to take comfort and rest in our LORD JESUS because our DAD has it! We need to do what we are led to do but trust the leadership of JESUS and GOD.

Have you been Spiritually born into GOD’S Family? If not, please do so now! Spiritual birth is eternal and when your body, earth suit, dies, you will step into Heaven in the presence of JESUS WHO will be waiting to welcome you to your eternal home. Blessings!!!

The best is yet to come. Ask JESUS to forgive you for your sins and for HIM to come into your heart and be born-again as JESUS told Nicodemus in John 3:3: ³ Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, unless someone is born again,^[a] he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

Blessings!!! With Love!