Immanuel

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[0:35] All right, let's get into the words. Say Emmanuel. Say it again, please. Emmanuel. Emmanuel. What's the meaning of Emmanuel? That's the title of my message today. Emmanuel.

[0:48] Somebody shout, Emmanuel. Emmanuel. Emmanuel. Every time when you wake up in the morning, remember, Emmanuel. When you are going on the plane, remember, Emmanuel.

[1:01] Because of Emmanuel, you can't be involved in a plane crash. Can you imagine Jesus in a plane crash? Or Jesus on the hospital bed?

[1:13] He can't even eat. Remember Emmanuel. Emmanuel. When you hear some bad news, remember, Emmanuel. See, see, see. It is not the absence of problems, of troubles that guarantees peace.

[1:28] It is the presence of God that guarantees your peace for tomorrow. So even when the troubles, when situations stir up themselves, troubles arise, remember that God is with you.

[1:43] Say Emmanuel. Matthew chapter 1, verse 18. Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows. After his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child.

[1:57] And they asked her, Mary, you're pregnant. What? He said, it's the Holy Ghost. She was found with child. And Mary said, it's the Holy Spirit.

[2:07] Joseph said, no, no, no, no, no. I can't. What kind of woman is this? I just, because Joseph was such a decent man, he decided that I'm going to do it in a decent way so it will not humiliate Mary or put her to public shame.

[2:26] So he was planning to put him aside gently. Because who wants this one? In those days, unlike these times, in those days, women are all very protected.

[2:39] So when you find a woman, in fact, Bible use this word to relate to an unmarried woman. Bible says that in, I think, 1 Corinthians chapter 7. Talk about if you have a virgin and you can't wait, then marry her quickly.

[2:56] Bible use that word, virgin, to symbolize an unmarried woman. That tells you how women were viewed in those days, those times.

[3:08] Brother, marry her. Stop using her. Marry her! Oh, I don't have money at the moment. And so what do I do with her then?

[3:20] Oh, wow, you know, we love each other. And we are busy. But we don't have the money to marry now. So then if you don't have, it's like someone who has not finished your driving test. And you want to go and buy Jaguar and start driving.

[3:33] So then if you don't have the money now to marry, then why don't you also wait now? Why don't you also wait? But you are putting the cart before the horse.

[3:45] Now, what's the matter? Marriage is not expensive. All you need is, if you're a woman, you need a man. And witnesses. And if you are a man, you need a woman.

[3:59] And witnesses. So that's what marriage is about. It's not about your shoes. That's what marriage is about. So instead of going to live with that man or live with that woman in the other guise that we don't have money, we have good intentions, later we will do it.

[4:17] Then people actually know you are already living. So why don't you honor yourself? Show that you are responsible. You are decent by making some commitments. And then when we see you together, we know that these are responsible, decent people who understand commitments before they even move in together.

[4:34] And then later, you can throw a party if you want to. But your marriage is not a party. So you say, oh, I don't have money to do the party.

[4:45] But you have the strength to do it. All right. Say Emmanuel. No, no, no.

[4:57] Please don't take it personal. God is here. I don't know what God is trying to deliver somebody from. So Joseph. Let's go back to Joseph. Say Joseph. Verse 19.

[5:11] Then Joseph, her husband, being a just man, decent man, being a just man and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly.

[5:29] He planned it. So nobody will know that. Guess what? But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary, your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.

[5:56] The thing in Mary is Holy Spirit's thing. Who did her conceive? She had conceived. But the Holy Spirit was the one behind the conception.

[6:09] So angel told Mary that that thing Mary has conceived is of the Holy Spirit. All right. So don't put it away. Because it's for your own blessing. And I got the next verse.

[6:21] It's of the Holy Spirit. And verse 21. And she shall bring forth a son, and you shall call his name what? You shall call his name what? For he will save his people from their sins.

[6:31] So all this was done that it might be fulfilled, which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child and bear a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which means God with us.

[6:50] Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife, and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn son.

[7:05] And he called his name Jesus. All right. So I like the phrase that says that Joseph did as the angel has told him. And so David entry is telling you something.

[7:17] Please do it. I said sometimes my preacher, I won't only just say, Bible says, Bible says. I'll also be saying what the Lord is saying and what someone needs to do.

[7:29] All right. And that is all God talking to us to show us what we have to do. But interesting, I want to take you to, on a little journey, some key points in this text we read.

[7:40] But the first one is in the verse 21. She'll bring forth a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from his sins.

[7:52] So I'm going to talk about Jesus. Say Jesus. So all this was done that it might be fulfilled, which was spoken by the Lord through the prophets.

[8:06] Okay. So God, watch this. This is very important. I don't want you to miss this. All this was done so it might be fulfilled. It might be fulfilled, which was spoken by the Lord.

[8:20] God is a speaking God, and you never stop speaking. So this morning, God is speaking to someone. God doesn't stop speaking. He started speaking from the beginning.

[8:33] He said, God said, let there be. And he's been speaking from that time until now. And so God does not stop speaking. But watch this very carefully. God is a sovereign God.

[8:44] So when he speaks, his sovereignty begins to go into play. What does it mean to be sovereign?

[8:56] To be sovereign means to have authority to do things the way you want. Okay. So when we say a certain nation is a sovereign nation, that means that other countries or other nations cannot impose what those other nations want on them.

[9:13] All right. All right. It's only God who has absolute sovereignty can do whatever he wants to do. No one can question. In other words, when we say God has sovereignty, he can make it happen the way he wants it.

[9:25] That's what we say. God is sovereign. Somebody say God is sovereign. God is sovereign. Anytime we say that our God reigns, what we are saying that he's sovereign.

[9:37] He's sovereign. He has absolute authority. He has unmitigated authority. He has unhindered authority. He can do whatever he chooses to do. And so from the text, you can see, Bible says that all these things happen so that it might be fulfilled.

[9:52] Because God has said it, he was going to do it. In Galatians 4, for which I normally quote a lot, he says that at the fullness of time, God sent forth his son born of a woman under the law.

[10:07] So when God wants to do something, he's going to do it. If God said, I'm going to help you, it does not matter what you don't see around you. When God said, I'm going to help you, it's going to be just as God has said.

[10:18] The only thing that stops the sovereignty of God manifesting in individuals' lives is when they fail to conform with the dictates and the demands and the guidance of God.

[10:30] And so that's why the angel told Joseph, don't do it. And Bible said, Joseph did as the angel has told him. And so once we comply with God's instructions, it allows his sovereignty to play out in our individual lives.

[10:45] However, if we fail, it will not stop his sovereignty because he will still get it down. That is why Mordecai told Esther in Esther chapter 4, verse 14 to 16, if you don't do anything about this crisis facing the Jews, Esther, don't think that you will escape.

[11:01] Deliverance will come from somewhere else for God's people. Deliverance and assistance will come. And so Mordecai knew that God was sovereign and God has always been sovereign. And I submit to someone that God is sovereign and his sovereignty will play out in your life.

[11:18] Just to bring to light the sovereignty of God, the Jews went into captivity in Babylon. That's why they said, they sang the song, Psalm 137, verse 1, By the rivers of Babylon, when we sat down, when we remembered that.

[11:38] All right. They were in captivity and they sat down, they wept. But, say that that it might be fulfilled. I want to show you something.

[11:51] Before we go to, let's go to Micah chapter 5. Look at Micah. You will like this. You will like this. I want to just throw a little bit of light on the sovereignty of God, then we finish it up on the Emmanuel.

[12:07] Thank you, Jesus. Micah chapter 5, verse 2. Micah comes right after Jonah. Some of you know what I mean.

[12:22] We miss those days. Micah chapter 5, verse 2 says that, But you, Bethlehem, Ephrathah, though you are little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of you shall come forth to me the one to be ruler in Israel.

[12:45] Who's going forth of old from everlasting? Okay. So, if you see the text, if you have a good Bible, you realize that it said, yet out of you shall come forth to me.

[12:57] That means capital. The one. Capitalized. That is talking about deity. Right. So, this prophecy, which was prophesied years ago, was pointing to the fact that Jesus was about to be born where?

[13:13] There. You see, old Bethlehem, Ephrathah. Old little town of Bethlehem. How's this? See, it was prophecy.

[13:24] It was prophecy. It was prophecy. But the problem was, a few years before, it was prophesied so many years ago, but a few years before Jesus, or a couple of years before Jesus was born, the Jews went into captivity.

[13:42] So, there are no Jews in Judah. Bethlehem was cursed out of no existence. But there has been a prophecy. Ha! Somebody is getting it. There has been a prophecy that the Messiah was going to come from Bethlehem.

[13:59] So, then what's going to happen? Like, God has given you a word, and God has, some of us have words hanging on our head, but when you look at your current situation, and you look at your word, the word you have, they seem incompatible.

[14:12] God is sovereign. You see what I'm talking about? The sovereignty of God is what will be responsible for the manifestation of God. God is sovereign. God is sovereign.

[14:23] And so, the prophecy was there, but how would it happen when they were in captivity? And so, Bible talks in Ezra, I think chapter 5, verse 1 and 2, Bible talks about how they came back from captivity to come and build Jerusalem again.

[14:44] Ezra chapter 5, verse 1 and 2, it talks about, I think we should look at it, verse 1. It's interesting. I like the Bible. Today, it's good to go into some, some studies, sort of.

[15:00] I want to open your eyes and show you some stuff. Are you in Ezra? Yeah. Ezra chapter, what did I say? 5. 5. Okay.

[15:12] Ezra chapter 5, verse 2. All right, let's look at verse 2. Let's just stay on verse 2. So, Zerubbabel, the son of who? Who is the father of Zerubbabel?

[15:32] Shealtiel. Zerubbabel's father was called Shealtiel. So, Zerubbabel, the son of Shealtiel, and Joshua, the son of Josadak, rose up and began to build the house of God, which is in Jerusalem.

[15:52] And the prophets of God were with them, helping them. That's a nice one. Hallelujah. So, Zerubbabel began to build. Say, Zerubbabel began to build. Zerubbabel began to build.

[16:03] Do you know what Zerubbabel was doing? He was just following prophecy. He didn't know. So, when you read the book of Zechariah chapter 4. Zechariah, look at Zechariah.

[16:19] Zechariah chapter 4, verse number 6. Some of you don't know where Zechariah is. Use your sat-nav.

[16:29] Your tum-tum will show you. Hallelujah. Zechariah chapter 4, verse 6 says, So he answered and said to me, This is the word of the Lord to who?

[16:45] This is the word of the Lord to who? Let's read it together. Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, says the Lord. Verse 7. Who are you?

[16:56] Let's go. Who are you? O great mountain, before Zerubbabel, you shall become a plain, and it shall bring forth the capstone with shouts of grace, grace to it.

[17:08] Moreover, let's read it. Moreover, the word of the Lord came to me, saying, The hand of Zerubbabel has laid the foundation of this temple. His hand shall also finish it.

[17:20] Then you will know that the Lord of hosts has sent me to it. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. So, let's read the verse 10. Let's read the verse 10. Let's go. For who has despised the days of small things?

[17:33] For see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel. They are the eyes of the Lord, which come to and fro throughout the whole earth.

[17:43] Now, the whole point here is that Zerubbabel was declared or planned based on God's own intention for him to build a temple.

[17:54] And so, Zerubbabel returned from exile. Okay? They came from Babylon. What we read from Ezra. Jeshua was part of it.

[18:06] There are a few people who came back to come and build the temple, the house of God. So, Zerubbabel was actually a builder of the house of God. He came to. So, whoa, whoa, whoa.

[18:16] I like this one. When he started building, there was serious opposition. Then Bible talk about how the word of the Lord came. And he says that, who are thou great mountain before Zerubbabel. Why? Because Zerubbabel was on a mission to build the house of God.

[18:30] When you make the house of God your priority, God will make you a top priority. Then you can be saying that, who are you, oh, obstacle before me.

[18:41] Because obstacles reduce to nothing when you are on a quest going to build God's house. So, remember God is sovereign.

[18:53] Zerubbabel came from exile to come and build the temple. I want to look at Matthew 1, verse 12. Let's look at verse 11 and 12. Some of us say, genealogy is not necessary.

[19:04] Why is it the Bible puts all this, and this, and this, and this. And then sometimes you meet some people who are ignoring it and tell you that the Bible contradicts itself. Because they don't know the scriptures. Jesus says that you err because you don't know the scriptures.

[19:19] I like the way Jesus told the Pharisees. What he said to the Pharisees in John 5, verse 39. He says that, John 5, verse 39. You said to the scriptures, then you think you have eternal life. And these are the way we test it.

[19:31] The scriptures are testifying on me, but I am here. You can't recognize me. And yet you are basically searching through the scriptures. The scriptures are telling us about Jesus.

[19:43] Jesus is everywhere on every page of your Bible. Praise the Lord. And so the temple had to be built. God has planned for the temple to be built.

[19:53] He had his own intentions because Jerusalem, the Jews have to come back. Oh, I like this one. God needed people in Israel. God needed some people in Bethlehem and in Nazareth.

[20:07] So that his counsel shall be fulfilled. Isn't it interesting that in Luke chapter 1, verse 26, Bible talks about, we will come to Matthew chapter 1, verse 12.

[20:17] Bible talks about how, watch this, how now in the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named what? Nazareth.

[20:31] City of Galilee named Nazareth. Look at chapter 2, verse 4. It says that, in Luke chapter 2, verse 4, it says, Joseph also went up from Galilee out of the city of war.

[20:42] Joseph was in Nazareth. Mary was also in Nazareth. And these are the people God has in his own sovereignty, in his own eternal plan, purpose, plan to get them together so that Jesus can be born.

[20:56] Because Jesus, God didn't need a father for the birth conception of Jesus. But he certainly needed a father for the raising of Jesus. What I said is deep.

[21:11] Some people will get it later. Don't trivialize a father. Because if someone didn't need a man, it was Mary.

[21:22] But angels had to appear to Joseph. Joseph, please, don't put her away. His putting her away was not going to cause problems. And Jukwai was going to do it so decently, it won't create problems.

[21:32] So it wasn't putting her away to jeopardize her life. But Joseph's involvement was necessary. For the upbringing of the child Jesus, even God himself said, I need a mother and father together.

[21:46] Mary and Elizabeth could have done it. Now read your Bible. Bible says that when the angel told her and said, be it unto me according to your word.

[21:59] She left straight away and went to be with Elizabeth for a while. She left away. She went to stay with Elizabeth. That's when Elizabeth saw her and said that as soon as I heard your salutation, King James, the greeting of your father, the baby in my womb left for joy.

[22:12] They were carrying divinity. They could have been together and raised their children by themselves. With the support of Zachariah, the husband of Elizabeth. But angel told Joseph, Joseph, please, we need you on board.

[22:26] Because fathers are important. Hallelujah.

[22:38] Oh boy, I've got a lot to say, but I'm enjoying this one so much. So watch this. The reason I brought out Nazareth is that it all points to the sovereignty of God. God put them together.

[22:50] He knew what he was doing. Bible says that known unto God are all his works from the foundation of the earth. He knew. He always knows what he will do.

[23:00] In John 16, Bible says Jesus himself, for he himself knew what he will do. God never runs out of plan. He never runs out of program. He never runs out of ideas. Because he himself, he knows what he will do.

[23:13] Your life is in his hands. Your life is in his hands. Stop fretting. Stop thinking that you are done. You are not done. Because your life is in the hands of God. And he will take care of you.

[23:25] I said God will take care of you. Stop worrying about Christmas. Stop worrying about winter. Stop worrying about your job. Stop worrying. It doesn't add to your life.

[23:36] It rather makes you sick. Psychologist says there's a sickness which is, the cause of the sickness is psychosomatic. When we say psychosomatic, that means that it has to do with your emotions.

[23:49] That's what is triggering their sickness. Some of the skin condition is highly psychosomatic. Another way of putting it is stress.

[24:01] Stress kills faster. But the devil finds every means to keep you down. To keep you stressed. Listen, as a Christian, don't go around saying, I'm stressed.

[24:13] I'm stressed. I'm stressed. Some people is like the slogan. I'm stressed. I'm stressed. I'm stressed. I'm stressed. I can't take this anymore. I'm stressed. Draw up. You cannot be oppressed until you are depressed.

[24:26] If you don't allow yourself to be depressed, the devil cannot oppress you. If you go, I'm depressed. We are not trivializing your challenge. The challenges will still be there.

[24:38] Even after you die, it still will be around. You can't do anything about some of the things you... He says that you can't add a cubic to your days by worrying. Worrying is like a rocking chair.

[24:50] It gives you activity. But no productivity. You are busy, but you are not going anywhere. Rocking chair. And I don't see why you worry when you can't pray. Worrying is natural.

[25:01] Tell somebody, worry is natural. Worrying is natural. It's natural to feel worried, especially when you hear some disturbing news. I don't know if you know what I'm talking about. And then worse of it, if you have enemies.

[25:14] Who you know don't like you. They are waiting for your demise. Tell somebody, cheer up. Cheer up. God is in control. When we say God is in control, that's why I'm trying to paint the sovereignty of God to us.

[25:29] The people were in exile. Completely in exile. There was no way they could come back. But in the fullness of time, because of God's sovereignty and his purpose, he managed to bring them back.

[25:40] So that his counsel would be fulfilled. What word has God given you? Listen, you will live long enough to see it fulfilled. I said you will live long enough to see the word of God fulfilled in your life, fulfilled in your career, fulfilled in your marriage, fulfilled concerning your health.

[25:56] You will live long enough. You will not die. You will not die. But you shall live to declare the word of the Lord. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Don't entertain the threats of the enemy.

[26:09] You are dying. You are going to die. Something will happen. It's all lies. If you came here this morning, you feel down. You feel like it's not going to work for you. Things are going to fall apart.

[26:20] I'm telling you, the devil is a liar. Things will not fall apart. Things will hold together. Bible says that he upholds all things by the word of his power.

[26:31] If your chair has not broken down whilst you are sitting on it and everything is still in touch, then if your shoe doesn't decide to go apart, when you are coming on the way and the shoe doesn't decide, then that means that your life won't fall apart.

[26:44] Because the same word that is upholding everything is going to uphold your life. Say amen. We live in a city which is so busy and stressful.

[26:58] Stressful. Someone can get there and say, I don't even feel I want to go to church. I'm too stressed. No, that's when you have to go to God. Say Emmanuel. Emmanuel. Emmanuel. Matthew chapter 1 verse 12.

[27:10] Verse 11 better. I'm going to show you something interesting. Some people say the Bible contradicts itself. I'll show it to you. Very, very interesting. Quickly. We need to do some Bible exegesis.

[27:26] What did I say? Matthew chapter 1. Verse 11. All right. All right. Are you there? All right. I'm getting there quickly. All right. Verse 11. You see, this is the genealogy.

[27:38] What does verse 11 say? Jezreel begot Jezreel and his brothers about the time they were carried away to Babylon.

[27:49] Okay. Now go to verse 12. Jezreel. And after they were brought to Babylon, Jezreel begot Jezreel. Does that name sound familiar? Yes.

[28:00] Who is Jezreel? Father of Jezreel. Oh, yeah. Father of Jezreel. Okay. So Jezreel begot who? Jezreel. And Jezreel begot Jezreel.

[28:11] Jezreel begot Jezreel. Jezreel begot Jezreel. And Jezreel begot Jezreel. Say the sovereignty of God. Now, Jezreel begot was born in exile. Because verse 11 says that when his father was born, then they were taken into exile.

[28:25] Okay. Carried away into Babylon. So he was born in Babylon. That is what I will say in Ezra chapter 5. What I read earlier on. That verse 2. That Jezreel begot Jezreel and Jezreel, they came back to come and build.

[28:37] He was born in exile. Got it. Who is the father of Jezreel? Please, students. Who is the father of Jezreel? Jezreel. Who is the father of Jezreel?

[28:47] Jezreel. All right. Let's go to 1 Chronicles chapter 3. All right. Verse 17. What does it say? Where?

[28:59] I said, uh-huh. Jezreel. His son. So who is the father of Jezreel? Jezreel. Does that word, that name sound familiar? Jezreel. And whose father is Jezreel?

[29:11] Jezreel. Whose father is Jezreel? Some of you are not following it. It's not a trick question. It's straightforward. All right. Let's go to the next verse. Look at this very carefully.

[29:21] Look at the next verse. It says that what? And Markhiram. Markhiram did what? So now, now watch this. He's mentioning, go back, sorry. Go back. Go back verse 17. I want to show you something.

[29:32] The sons of Jeconiah. Okay. He's mentioning the sons of Jeconiah. So he says that the sons of Jeconiah were who? Asael. Sheetiel. And then he said, watch this. Sheetiel his son.

[29:43] He says the sons already. So why did Sheetiel his sons? All right? Okay. Let's assume. Sheetiel his son. Go to the next verse. See. And who? And Markira. Who? Pediah. Who?

[29:54] Pediah. Who? Pediah. Who? Pediah. Remember that. Okay. Pediah. And then who? Senaza. Senaza and who? Jecomiah. Jecomiah and who? Hoshamah. Hoshamah and who? Nedabiah.

[30:05] Those of you who are looking for names. You see. There are a lot of names in the Bible. Nice names. Nice names. Pediah. Who is Pediah so long as in relation to Sheetiel?

[30:20] Their brothers. Is that so? Yes. Okay. Their brothers. Yes. Read the next verse. Let's go to the next verse. Look at this. And the sons of who? Pediah. Who are they?

[30:31] Jehovah. Hey. Did you see that? Yes. Ah. Who is Jehovah's father? Sheetiel. So. The sons of. Someone said Jehovah's junior.

[30:49] Jehovah's father. Because his father. Jehovah. No. Sheetiel. Is the one we said is the father. Now they are saying that his uncle is his father. No.

[31:02] What's that? This. And this begat. This begat. I don't like it. That's why you won't see these things. All right. Then the son of Zerubbabel. The sons of Zerubbabel. They mentioned their names. But I want to show you something.

[31:13] Zerubbabel's father. So who is Zerubbabel's father? Zerubbabel's father. Okay. The previous verse didn't say anything about Zerubbabel. The previous verse just told us about the fact that Sheetiel was the brother of Pediah.

[31:28] That's what we found out from previous two verses. Then we found out that Zerubbabel's father is Pediah. So why is it that in Matthew. When they were mentioning the genealogy of Jesus.

[31:40] They said that Zerubbabel's father is Sheetiel. Say the sovereignty of God. Now for those of you in the Bible contradicts itself. It doesn't contradict itself. I want to just show you something quickly.

[31:51] Just to know that God is sovereign. He knows what he's doing. In the book of Deuteronomy chapter 25. You got to see this one. Deuteronomy chapter what?

[32:03] 25. Deuteronomy chapter 25 verse 5. Chapter 5. It says that if brothers dwell together and one of them dies and has no son.

[32:16] The widow of the dead man shall not be married to a stranger outside the family. Her husband's brother should go into her.

[32:27] To take her as his wife. And perform the duties of her husband's brother to her. What do you think he's talking about? What? All right.

[32:42] Some people are beginning to think up. Maybe if my brother dies that would be a good idea. So you can tell. Now this one is their brother.

[32:53] Those times. Some people are even extending it to this time. Church brother. You come to church. You see that sister. And they tell you the man is six.

[33:04] Oh God. Brother Francisco. Now. It says that. Take that wife. Of the dead brother.

[33:15] So that. Your brother will not be without a son. So that you can give your brother a son. So you can give the woman a son. But it will not be your son per se.

[33:26] Biologically it's your son. But genealogically. It's your dead brother's son. Go to the next verse. Look at it. Look at it. Look at the next verse. And it shall be.

[33:37] And it shall be that the first son. Which she bears. Will succeed. Sorry. Will succeed to the name of his dead brother. Did she see that? That his name may not be blotted out of Israel.

[33:49] Now. That name may not be blotted out of Israel. God had Jesus genealogy in mind. Yes. So could it be. That Padaya.

[34:01] Who has many sons. Had to go. To be with. Shiatiel's wife. Yes. Because God is sovereign.

[34:16] In God's plan. Watch this. That's the clip where he is. In God's plan. Shiatiel's name. Must be in the genealogy of Jesus. And the guy died. But because God.

[34:29] God has already planned. Who is going to be in the genealogy of Jesus. Padaya. Wouldn't be. By Shiatiel. So even though Shiatiel.

[34:40] Did not have a son. God. Had already put installations in place. That will make sure that. His name will make it. Into the genealogy of Jesus. Yes. Your name will not be missing.

[34:53] Yes. God is a suffering God. He knows how to bring his word to fruition. Yes. So you can tell. I pointed these things to you. To see. How God.

[35:03] In his own. Eternal wisdom. Has been working. Behind the scenes. Both in Shiatiel. In Padaya. And all those people coming back to. From. Guess what.

[35:14] Is Jeroboam who came to build that. He brought the people back. He was one of the. Because Jeroboam was a key person. In the plan of God. Some of us are seated here.

[35:25] You look. You may. Situation makes you feel unimportant. But you are so important. In the plan of God. In the eternity. In eternity. God has a plan.

[35:35] And you are an essential part of it. Don't let anything discourage you. You don't have money. And so what. You are still in the plan. You don't have a wife. And so what.

[35:46] You are still. I don't have a husband. And so what. Shiatiel could have said. I died prematurely. Without a son. And people didn't know. That God had made a provision already. But God. You prophesy that.

[35:57] The messiah will come through me. And now. Look. I'm sick. I'm about to die. My wife doesn't have a child. What am I going to do. See that's why they came to Jesus. They asked that. If a man dies. And marries their son.

[36:08] And then. Matthew chapter 19. Said in heaven. Whose wife shall he be? Jesus said. You. Matthew chapter 19. I think from verse 6. Jesus said. You err. Because you don't know the scriptures.

[36:19] But in heaven. Angels. They're just like the angels of God. We don't marry. So marriage is just for us. So they knew this. This law. With God. But God put it in place. Because of his own sovereignty.

[36:29] And his own plan. So God gave Shiatiel. And well. I believe. It could have been that. He had a prophetic word. That Zedah. Bazaar is going to come through you. And eventually. Now they're in exile. They don't have any hope of coming back.

[36:41] And Bazaar is going to be born. According to Micah. In Bethlehem. Where is Bethlehem? We don't even know. But God is sovereign. God is sovereign.

[36:51] And the sovereign. Listen to this. The sovereignty of God will take care of you. Did you hear what I said? God's sovereignty will take care of you. I like the sister's testimony.

[37:02] How things were going to be difficult to get to church. But she had made up her mind. That there's nothing. She know where she lives? Slough. And jumped on the bath with his little boy. Traveled all the way.

[37:14] Whilst some people leave next door. I've traveled and come. So I need to be resting. But God is a suffering God.

[37:27] He knows how to take care of people. Whose heart. And if God wants to use you. He always wants you to make yourself available. And pay the price as well. Don't say grace. Grace. Grace. I've done it.

[37:38] No. You have to pay the price. By following his dictates. Say hallelujah. And so Matthew chapter 1 verse 12. But we see the genealogy of Jesus. Then it goes into the verse 18.

[37:49] Genealogy throughout. Then the verse 18. Then it talks about how Mary was with a child. Joseph wanted to put her away. And then watch this. And the angel appeared. And he said that. That which is called.

[38:01] Is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bear a son. And his name shall be what? His name shall be called what? His name shall be called what? Verse 20. Yeah. Verse 21.

[38:11] Sorry. His name shall be called. His name shall be called. Now what's the meaning of Jesus? Watch this. I need to deny this quickly. Jesus. What's the meaning of Jesus? God our savior.

[38:22] Or God saves. Okay. So God our savior. Or God saves. So now. But then. When you go to the verse 23.

[38:33] When he was referring to Isaiah's prophecy. He says that a virgin shall be with a child. And bear a son. And they shall call his name what? Emmanuel. Emmanuel. Ah. So. Jesus or Emmanuel.

[38:44] Now watch this. The name Jesus was pointing to the name God. God saves. Okay. God said that he is the savior.

[38:56] So God our savior. Whilst Emmanuel is the confession of his people that God with us. Get it? Yeah. So God the savior with us.

[39:09] So Emmanuel is such an important name. Because the reason why we have Christmas is because God. Ah. God has always desired not to sit far.

[39:24] God has always been interested in being part of your case. Your life. He wants to be with you. He's not a transcendent. He's not just a transcendent God.

[39:35] Who sits far above. Leaving us to live our lives. No. He's always been interested in being part of your life. And so.

[39:47] Emmanuel means God with us. Jesus means God saves. Or God our savior. He wants us to know that in spite of any situation you go through. If God is with you.

[39:57] You are saved. Amen. If God is with you. You are safe. S-A-F-E. You are safe. Amen. Your safety is not in your job. Your safety is not in your pocket or your account.

[40:15] Emmanuel. Emmanuel. It's your safety. Somebody say Emmanuel. Emmanuel. Say Emmanuel. Emmanuel. That is why God came down.

[40:27] He's always wanted to be with us. So watch this. Watch this. Out of his sovereignty. Based on his own sovereignty. He started paving the way. From Adam. So when the Bible says that a virgin shall be with child.

[40:40] That word was going straight into what Adam and Eve said. In Genesis chapter 3 verse 16. And God said prophetically. That the seed of the woman. The seed of the woman.

[40:53] Right away in Genesis. He was talking about the seed of the woman. Who cries the head of the serpent. Look at verse 15. Yes. He shabbed the seed.

[41:06] You see. Watch this. He said that. And I put a myth between you and the woman. Talking about the serpent. And between you. Between your seed and her seed. See the seed. The second seed is capitalized.

[41:18] Talking about the seed. Talking about the seed. And the seed. And he. He will bruise your head. And you shall bruise his. Capital. Talking about Jesus.

[41:32] And so when Mary conceived. It was. God had already planned. And what did God plan. Because God had this desire. To be with you. That's what I'm trying.

[41:42] So. But where is Jesus. Has he not gone to heaven. No. In. In. In Matthew chapter 18. Verse 20. He said. That I am still with you. Matthew 18. 20. Let's read it together.

[41:53] Let's go. No. Matthew 18. 20. Let's read it. Let's go. For where two. Or three. Have gathered in my name. In my name. I am there. He said. You see. God has the desire.

[42:04] So when he was even going. He said. Wherever you gather. I am right there. I will be with you. In Matthew chapter 28. Verse 20. Matthew chapter 28. Verse 20. Let's read it together. Let's go.

[42:16] Okay. Let's go to verse 19. So they can make sense. Let's go. Let's read together. Go therefore. And make disciples of all nations. Baptizing them in the name of the Father. And of the Son.

[42:27] And of the Holy Spirit. Verse 20. Teaching them to observe all things. That I have commanded you. And know what? I am with you always. When? Even to the end.

[42:37] I am with you what? I am with you what? What's the meaning of Emmanuel? And what did he say? He said. I am with you always. God with us. He came.

[42:48] And to be with us permanently. And I am here to announce to you. The reason for Christmas. Is because God is interested in your life. The reason for Christmas. Is because you matter for God.

[42:59] The reason for Christmas. He wants to be part of your marriage. He wants to be part of your health. He wants to be part of your business. He wants to be part of your education. He wants to be part of your projects. God wants to be part of your life.

[43:11] So that the glory will come to him. And that he will be your salvation. God is our salvation. In spite of our contacts.

[43:23] That's why the psalmist said. The Lord is my strength. And my son. He has become my salvation. Hallelujah. Hallelujah.

[43:35] God wants to be with you. That's Christmas. The reason why he came. In Philippians chapter 2.

[43:49] Bible says that from the 6th verse. Talking about even though he was the very nature of God. He did not count it robbery. To put it aside. And take upon himself. Verse 7.

[44:01] He took upon himself. He was made. And he made himself. Of no reputation. Taking the form of a born servant. And coming in the likeness of man.

[44:12] He was so interested. He took something. He became like you and I. So that he can be with you. Say God is with me.

[44:24] Say God is with me. God is with me. Brothers and sisters. If you're going through something. If you catch hell. Don't hold it. And if you're going through hell. Don't stop.

[44:35] Because God is with me. He says that. Even though. I walk. Through the valley. Surrounded by death.

[44:47] I will fear no evil. For thou art with me. It is the Emmanuel factor in your life. That defines your future.

[45:00] The guarantee of your marriage. Has to do with Emmanuel in the marriage. The guarantee of your health. Stop saying I have good doctors.

[45:13] Stop saying I have good doctors. Thank God for the good doctors. But the guarantee of your health. Has everything to do with. Salmonish out Emmanuel. Emmanuel. The guarantee of your tomorrow.

[45:26] The guarantee of your children's future. Is not the school they attend. Not everybody at the top. Attended the best of schools. Yeah. If you don't know me.

[45:38] I say. And not everybody. Who attend the best of school. Get to the top. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. That's right. What are you talking about? We are aware.

[45:51] We are aware. And brothers and sisters. This must be strong in our minds. And in our consciousness. That it is the God factor. That defines our peace factor.

[46:03] Yeah. It's the God factor. And watch this. He's committed himself to be with you. That's why he came to die. Christmas.

[46:15] Is about God. With man. That's why. The angel says. Good news to all men. Because finally. God himself. Has stepped in your case.

[46:27] If you have a challenge. With you. You're going through something. Very turbulent. I'm here to submit to you. That Elohim himself. Emmanuel himself.

[46:38] Bible said. He stepped down. He laid aside. His majesty. So this is. Normally kings have robes. He laid aside. His royal robe.

[46:49] He put it aside. Watch this. He laid aside. His royal robe. And then took upon himself. The form of a servant. So he took upon.

[47:00] So in essence. He was still divinity. Okay. In essence. That's who he is. I don't want to say was. He is. So the historical Jesus.

[47:11] Was God. Man. Walking. But the historical Jesus. Became a reality. Because of God's. Interest in your life. He does not want to leave you.

[47:22] And I alone. So he took. As he laid aside. His majesty. And took upon himself. The form of a servant. Humanity. The highest form.

[47:33] Of any being. Is divinity. And the lowest form. Is the servant. But he took upon himself. The lowest form. So that he will pay any price. To be with you and I. That is why Bible talks about.

[47:45] How we do not have a high priest. Who cannot be sympathized. With our infirmities. But Bible says. We have a high priest. Hebrews chapter 4. Verse 15. We have a high priest. Who has been where we are.

[47:55] He sat where we sat. He's tested where we tested. He was tempted at all points. Just as we are. And so he. That's why. Bible so therefore. Let us come boldly. Before the throne of grace.

[48:06] That we may have mercy. And find grace to help. In time of need. Why? Because Emmanuel. Has come to be with us. Shout Emmanuel.

[48:18] Shout Emmanuel. God is with you. And God will never leave you. Nor forsake you. He will never leave you.

[48:28] Even when you go through the worst. Even when you do the worst. He will never leave you. Nor forsake you. In Jesus name. Did you get something? Oh come on.

[48:39] Let's celebrate. Thank you for listening. For more resources. Please visit caries.org. Or call us on. 0207-740-9960. God bless you.

[48:50] God bless you. God bless you.