Order of Service:
Praise + Worship: Worship Team
Offertory Prayer: Elder T Thangkhosiam
Special Nos.: BCD, BYF, BDF
Sermon : Pastor H. Biakson
Benediction : Elder Chinsum
Sermon : Pastor Biakson spoke on the topic Immanuel taken from Matthew 1:23.
In Isaiah 7:1-17 we can see find that King Ahaz did not want to ask any signs from the Lord even when the Lord was ready to give because he was very confident and trusted King Assyria instead. But the Lord still chose to give him sign which shows his love and care for his chosen ones for which the
Pastor praises the Lords name.
On July 1969, Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins landed on the Moon and when Armstrong stepped on the Moon he said, that’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind. This came to be known as one of the greatest achievements of mankind from that day onwards. But for us Christians one day is greater which is the day of the birth of our savior called Immanuel (God with us).
What is Immanuel?
- It is a combination of two words – Immanu which means with us and El which means God that is God with us / with us is God.
- It is found at only 3 places in the bible- Isaiah 7:14, Isaiah 8:8, Matthew 1:23. Though it is written only at 3 places, the presence could be seen throughout the Bible.
- In the old testament it was found in times of need but from the birth of Jesus Christ the presence of God was seen at all times.
Let us look at the Qualities/ characteristics of Immanuel-
- Present from the very beginning (John 1:1)
- Alpha and Omega (Revelations 22:13)
- Creator of all things (John 1:3, Colossians 1:15-16)
- Light and Life of all mankind (John 1:4)
- Human incarnation of God (John 1:14, I John 4:2-3)
Now why was it important for God to become flesh and come down on this earth? It was because of the following:
- Because of love- King Edward VIII abdicated his throne for a woman named Wallis Simpson because he loved her and wanted to marry her. It was only possible because of love. Now imagine Jesus Christ the Lord of the whole universe to just leave his throne and to live amongst us while he could just sit there and let the angels do the work for him but Jesus Christ himself came down on this earth solely because he loves his father in heaven and that father does not want you or me to be lost but to be saved so he sent his only begotten son.(John 3:16)
- Put to death but made alive in Spirit- He came to suffer for our sins and even died so that we could be one with God. (I Timothy 1:15, I Peter 3:18)
- To empathize with our weakness- he came to live like us and was even tempted like us but he overcame and even empathized with our weaknesses but did not sin even once. (Hebrews 4:15)
- To live with him for eternity- the reason Jesus Christ came down as flesh was because of his love for his father that he himself came down and paved the way for us to follow so that we may be able to live with him for eternity.
Let us take this Christmas as an opportunity to let the Holy Spirit fill us with his presence and may we know and celebrate the real reason of Christmas by freeing our minds of all the things that have been hindering the Holy Spirit. Let us make this Christmas a memorable one. Let us not be so busy in the preparation and celebration of Christmas that we forget the purpose of His birth.
