Vandana Thavare - 18 December 2022
Immanuel: God with us
This Sunday we are excited to have another Vose student coming to bring us the message - Vandana Thavare will be speaking to us on Immanuel: God with us as we continue our Christmas sermon series Beyond Expectations. Vandana says “What is the one thing that you treasure in your life? I don’t know about you but God’s presence in my life is my greatest treasure. And the icing on top is that my experience of God is not limited to my own person lest it be reduced to it just being “my own thing.” It is experienced corporately by those who believe in Jesus Christ and this, through the Holy Spirit. It was through the Holy Spirit that the virgin Mary was with child (Matthew 1:18) and in fulfilling the prophecy of Isaiah 7:14, Matthew records the birth of Jesus and reminds us that he is the “Immanuel” who was to come. Matthew says, “The Virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son and they will call him Immanuel” which means, “God with us” (1:23). The very birth of Jesus was God showing that he cares for us and wants to be with us. And did Jesus not be with those who longed for a Messiah?…the lowly and afflicted…the pure in heart and untouched by religion…perhaps they expected a Messiah who would understand them and walk with them…those were the ones who experienced the presence of God. God wants each of us to walk with him like he called Abraham to walk with him and to be blameless before him (Genesis 17:1). Walking with God means we are to obey him and remain in him. Only by doing that can we really grow in knowing God, experiencing his love, hearing his voice, and witnessing his faithfulness. Immanuel makes this possible and hence we celebrate with utmost joy, the coming of Jesus to this earth. While the Extraordinaire chose to come in an unexpected ordinary way, his coming changed everything. Absolutely everything! Will you walk with God in everything? God is with us. Will you share this treasure with others and give them the gift of time and the ministry of presence in this weary world?”
From Series: "Christmas 2022"
Beyond our expectations, Christmas is a celebration of Jesus coming to be amongst people. Join us as we journey towards the 25 December together.