Antioch Odessa
Sinners Reconciled
  • Joy To The World (Unspeakable Joy)
  • O Come All Ye Faithful (His Name Shall Be)
  • Silent Night
  • I want to take a moment and thank Brittni and all of our workers and our children who helped us to learn more about the birth of Jesus and to be joyful as we enter this Christmas season.
    Today December is here church. Are you ready for Christmas yet? I want to take some time over the next 4 weeks to talk to you about the importance of the birth of Jesus. When we think about Christ there are several names that come to mind, however I want us to think about one name in particular.
    Immanuel is one of Christ’s most precious names. It is a combination of two Hebrew words that together mean “God with us.” If you are a believer today than you need to know this. The gospel of Matthew explains that Christ received this name in fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy.
    The first time we hear this name is when Isaiah prophesied the virgin birth of Christ: “Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel” (Isa. 7:14).
    For many people, the name Immanuel has a nice ring to it because it helps us and gives us comfort and hope in times of trouble. Yet there is a lot more substance and significance to this name. The truth conveyed by the name Immanuel shows us a wonderful beauty and a great variety of blessings.

    The Beauty of Immanuel

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    In Isaiah chapter 7 where the news of Christ’s birth is prophesied we learn that Isaiah spoke these words to Ahaz, king of Judah, who was being threatened by surrounding nations. When you read the context you find that, sadly, Ahaz had no interest in God being with him. Despite that, Isaiah told him a person named “God with us” would come. He was talking about Jesus. In the fullness of time, Christ would become incarnate in order to bring God’s presence to us. He would be born of a virgin, thus escaping the corruption of David’s line while remaining David’s son.
    Christ is an incarnate Savior. The word “incarnate” means that Jesus was fully God and fully man. That’s the beauty of Immanuel. He didn’t come as an angel or some spirit manifesting itself from time to time. He became a man and took to Himself bone of our bone and flesh of our flesh. No other religion can give such comfort and hope.

    The Blessings of Immanuel

    Because the Son of God took to Himself our nature, there are some great blessings that are represented in His name Immanuel. Jesus came to reconcile us, to guide us and sanctify us. Jesus came to comfort us, and someday He will bring us to glory. Today we are going to look at the first important reminder of the name Immanuel.
    Immanuel is God-with-us to reconcile sinners to God. What comes to your mind when you think about the word reconcile? You may think about restoring, forgiving, or making something right.
    Story: After a long shift at the fire department, Matt Swatzell fell asleep while driving and crashed into another vehicle, taking the life of pregnant mother June Fitzgerald and injuring her 19-month-old daughter. Fitzgerald’s husband, a full-time pastor, asked for the man’s diminished sentence—and began meeting with Swatzell for coffee and conversation. Many years later, the two men remain close. “You forgive as you’ve been forgiven, and I wanted to reconcile so that this man could see Christ” Fitzgerald said.
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    This lesson about reconciliation is so valuable today church. So, why is this so important to understand? Well because there is a major problem. The problem is that mankind is born alienated from God, and God can have no fellowship with us because of sin. But the good news is that Immanuel came to save His people from their sins (Matt. 1:21). He gave His life as an offering for sin so that sinners can be brought back into fellowship with God (1 John 1:3). Think about the time when Jesus was on the cross and He could promise the repentant thief that he would be with Him in paradise (Luke 23:43), that is to say, to be brought into fellowship with God.
    The Apostle Paul writes and tells us this good news about Immanuel.
    Galatians 4:4–5 ESV
    4 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.
    And John also tells us this about Jesus.
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    John 1:14 ESV
    14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
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    Let’s take some time today to look at a wonderful Scripture that speaks about God reconciling sinners. Turn with me to 2 Corinthians chapter 5.
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    2 Corinthians 5:18–21 ESV
    18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. 20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
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    1. Reconciliation comes from God.

    Reconciliation as we see in verses 18-19 is in Christ and through Christ. Clearly reconciliation is not something we do. It is something that God has accomplished. In Christ Jesus God was reconciling those who are His to himself. Jesus the perfect God-man came to save those who are lost. Sometimes it helps us to see this in a very personal manner. Let’s turn to 1 Peter chapter 2.
    1 Peter 2:24 ESV
    24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.
    Insert your name where I do here, “He himself bore Matt’s sins in his body on the tree, that Matt might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds Matt has been healed.” When we really see what Jesus did for us it can truly bring peace and joy to our lives.
    Notice here that Paul tells us in verse 20, “We implore you on behalf of Christ be reconciled to God. Don’t miss the sense of urgency here loved ones. This is a plea to receive God’s offer of reconciliation. The atoning death of Jesus brings reconciliation and peace with God.
    Isaiah 53:5 ESV
    5 But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.
    So we know that it is God who reconciles us but this leads us to the question how does this happen?

    2. How God Reconciles us.

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    Verse 21 here explains to us that for our sake God made him (Jesus) to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. This verse and these 15 words found in the Greek version give each believer a wonderful hope, because it shows us what Christ has done. Christ made sin, or for our sake God made him to be sin. But what does that mean? If Jesus Christ lived a sinless life how could this be so?
    Hebrews 4:15 ESV
    15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.
    We must realize that Jesus still remained sinless when he became sin for us. Notice here that it does not say that God made him to be a sinner. In other words, Jesus became sin while remaining inwardly and outwardly impeccable. Jesus became sin as our substitute and sacrifice.
    It is important to see here that our sins were placed upon Christ while he was on the cross, and because of this he suffered the fiery wrath of God. As Jesus hung on the cross he bore our lies, our hatred, our pride, our lust, and jealousy. Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, however he did this so that we as sinners could be made righteous. In the dark hours while Jesus hung on the cross our sin was imputed to Christ, and therefore His righteousness was imputed to us who believe. The incredible thing here is that all of our sins past, present, and future were credited to Christ and then His righteousness was credited to us, this is why we can be declared righteous.
    And as God declares us righteous we should live in a right manner because we truly love Him. This means being done with fleshly things and being dedicated to Christ. This means living in the Spirit and free from the bondage of sin. This means men loving our wives as we love ourselves and serving them and leading them. This means embracing the ministry of the Lord and serving others. This means sharing the good news of Jesus with others so that they too can be reconciled.
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    Conclusion: Every year we can gather together for Christmas and easily forget why and what we are celebrating. As believers it is incredible that Jesus came in the flesh to dwell among us, and that He gave His life so that sinners could be reconciled to God. What a gracious gift we have been given loved ones. Are you thankful today for the birth of Jesus? Truly the birth of Jesus changed everything.
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    (Close in Prayer)
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    Closing Benediction:
    Ephesians 3:20–21 ESV
    20 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
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      • Galatians 4:4–5ESV

      • John 1:14ESV

      • 2 Corinthians 5:18–21ESV

      • 1 Peter 2:24ESV

      • Isaiah 53:5ESV

      • Hebrews 4:15ESV

      • Ephesians 3:20–21ESV

  • Doxology (Amen)
  • How Deep The Father's Love For Us
Antioch Odessa
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