Emmanuel Sermon

I. Introduction—God “with us” gives us hope.
“…and He shall be called Emmanuel” (Mt. 1:23).

Even as we celebrate “God with us,” realistically we still face life in a fallen
world, a world of tribulation. But it’s this same Jesus who gives hope for life
beyond this world as well as hope for life abundant even now!

Each occasion we embrace to celebrate Emmanuel can stir our hope in a
hope-challenged world. All around us:
Life events, whether personal or global seek to steal our joy. Personal
losses, health challenges, and economic downturns challenge us
personally. World events seemingly out of our control all around us, bring
destruction, concern, and even terror.
Relationships are imperfect and often disappointing. Holiday celebrations
can remind us of loved ones lost this year and even, sadly at times, bring
out the worst of family dysfunctions.
Irrelevant religion continues its battle to crowd out the real thing.
Materialism crowds out the sacred, and parties often forget the Person.
Being greeted with “Happy Holidays” sounds empty, and again the
Person is forgotten.
But, when God shows up, so does hope!

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“Paul, an apostle of “Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of
Christ Jesus by the many nations, just as it had been said to him, ‘So shall your offspring be’”
command of God our (Rom. 4:18).
Savior and of Christ “Against all hope …” What an accurate description of faith in the midst of
Jesus our hope. . .” obstacles! This Old Testament story revealed how Abraham and Sarah’s
old age, combined with Sarah’s unbelief, produced a staggering faith in
(I Tim. 1:1) God. In the midst of all that seemed to challenge the promises of God,
hope prevailed to bring forth Isaac. An entire nation was born!

“Therefore our hope Scripture Reinforces the Truth that Hope Is a Person
is in you for you are The Apostle Paul begins a letter to young Timothy with these words, “Paul,
the One who does all an apostle of Christ Jesus by the command of God our Savior and of Christ
this…” Jesus our hope. . .” (I Tim. 1:1).
Similarly, Jeremiah reminded those who would listen: “Do any of the
(Jer. 14:22) worthless idols of the nations bring rain? Do the skies themselves send
down showers? No, it is you, O Lord our God. Therefore our hope is in you
for you are the One who does all this…” (Jer. 14:22).
This same prevailing hope will enable us to face the obstacles in our world
today.
After all, Scripture reminds us: “In this world you shall have tribulation”
(John 16:33). This word, “tribulation” or Pësréí in the Greek, speaks
particularly of trouble, distress, hard circumstances, or suffering. During
this Emmanuel Season, let’s acknowledge that life’s tribulations bring
stressful life events, relationship disappointments, and sadly at times,
irrelevant response—BUT through it all there is a Person—Jesus—who
brings hope!

“Let the Word of Christ dwell Life Events (of all types) Can Challenges Us
deeply in you . . .” (Col. 3:16). Life’s events can catch us by surprise. Unfortunately, some of our biggest
Pastor/Presenter, is there a time challenges can come without warning or possibility of control. Changes
in your life when you have been in your health, death of a loved one, infertility, traffic accidents, physical
in trouble or tribulation? Could trauma, violent crimes, and natural disasters are just some of the sources
you share about a personal time of personal pain.
of distress or suffering when you
needed a hope that prevailed? [Opportunity: Pastor/Presenter, you may also want to use a regional
Also, be sure to have asked permis- or local example from your own community.]
sion from anyone whose story you Without the possibility of avoiding these challenging life events, how do
are telling if it is not entirely your we maintain hope? If we can’t control or predict these events, how can we
own. find hope in the midst of them?

I remember when I faced Imperfect Relationships Bring Pain
_____________________________ If those unpredictable life events are not challenging enough, the most
but God profound stressors can often come from our relationships with people.
_____________________________ Much of life’s pain is often closer to home as conflict and betrayals rip the
fabric of trusted commitments. What happens when unfaithfulness and
violence have torn our families apart; when loss of health brings trauma
and this life’s ultimate loss—death?

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Allow this Emmanuel During our time together today, we’ll be addressing these questions:
Season to touch your Where do we find a source of hope for our challenging relationships?
What do we do when marriage loses its sacred bond, or our children
„ Pain-filled life violate the values we’ve worked so hard to instill in them? Each of these
events can prompt incredible despair—hope can be lost.
Not only do life events and close relationships often bring pain, but these
„ Disappointing struggles are compounded because. . .
relationships and Irrelevant Religion Discounts Hope
More personally, most of us have experienced the well-intentioned
„ Experiences with response of spiritual platitudes.
irrelevant religion
You know God is with you.
with the Person of God will bring you out of this.
Hope—Jesus! God is refining His work in you.
While true, they do NOT address the need of the moment.
W-6 Encountering Jesus in the Word “Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a
for deepened transformation word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so
in Christ-likeness that it will give grace to those who hear “ (Eph. 4:29).
Again, we don’t have to wait long before we hear about the latest ministry
201812 leader who has made the headlines because of unethical behavior. The
more subtle misuse and abuse of spiritual truth for personal gain is
becoming more and more widespread.
Even in our own homes and our own community, we must take a hard
look at the real impact our faith is making on the next generation. When
surveys indicate that as many as 80 percent of church-attending youth
will leave their faith after college, it begs the question: Is our faith
relevant? Are we making a real difference in the lives of young people?
Are we passing on a faith that will bring hope in the midst of a challenging
world?
Let’s invite the Christ of hope into the problems of our day! Have you ever
considered inviting Him into your struggles or stresses?
Experience Scripture: “Call unto Me and I will answer you” (Jer. 33:3).
[Pasutsoer,apnadusperaynda saplleocwifitchpercaoynegr rtehgaat tiniovnit/epsaCrthicripstainnttsotyoopurrapyearsonal
scpheaclliefincgpersaayenrdtlhifaetsintrveistseosrCs.h“rLiostrdin, tIocothmeeirnpoewrsotonaclacllhuaplloengyeosuatnhdat
lyifoeusmtreigsshotrssh. “oLwormd,eI cEommmeannouwel—torceavlel aulptoonmyeouJetshuastiynofuremshigwhatys.”]
show me Emmanuel—reveal to me Jesus in fresh ways.”]
“Looking for hope in all the wrong places”might be an accurate description of
today’s world. Yet in the Gospel of John, we find an example of hope in the
tribulations of life. A man, who was blind from birth, found hope in spite
of his circumstances, in spite of his family relationships, and in spite of his
religious irrelevance. This man was not one of our more “famous” heroes of
the Bible, but his interactions with Jesus can inspire our hope. In this
Emmanuel Season, let’s embrace these lessons from Jesus who is our hope!
“As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him,
‘Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?’
‘Neither this man nor his parents sinned,’ said Jesus, ‘but this happened
so that the work of God might be displayed in his life. As long as it is day,

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we must do the work of Him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one
can work. While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.’ Having said
this, He spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on
the man’s eyes” (Jn. 9:1–6).
So whether our tribulation comes from painful life events, close
relationships, or even struggles to live out our faith God gives hope.

Jesus—the Person of II. Emmanuel Gives Hope in Spite of Life Events
Hope—notices and “And as He passed on, He saw a man blind from birth” (Jn. 9:1).
cares about your painful This man was born into suffering. His predicament was not of his own
life-events. choosing; life simply dealt him this blow. Jesus stepped into the hopelessness
of this man’s life and brought healing and restoration. Isn’t it amazing
to consider that we have a Jesus who notices and cares? The blind man
made no effort to stop Jesus; he made no plea for help. Christ noticed the
man and his apparent struggles and was so moved with compassion that
He took initiative to care.
It’s also important to remember: It was the blind man’s tribulation that
allowed the opportunity for Christ’s work to be displayed and God’s glory
to be revealed (Jn. 9:3).
Lastly, the blind man’s condition must have brought the same rational
questions we often ask in the face of tragedy and loss. Even his family or
his friends must have asked:

Why him?
Why now?

Where was God?

When we face our own challenging life events or when we struggle to
understand the pain of others, two truths from the Gospel of John can
guide our steps and sustain our hope:
1. Jesus—our Emmanuel notices, and He cares.
2. The works of and glory of God are often displayed through our tribulations.

Jesus—the Person of III. Emmanuel Brings Hope in Spite of Disappointing Relationships
Hope—notices and cares As the blind man, now healed, finds himself before the Pharisees, we
about your disapointing observe the disappointment of close relationships.
relationships. “The Jews still did not believe that he had been blind and had received his
sight until they sent for the man’s parents. ‘Is this your son?’ they asked. ‘Is this
44 ..ccoomm the one you say was born blind? How is it that now he can see?’ ‘We know he
is our son,’ the parents answered, ‘and we know he was born blind. But how
he can see now, or who opened his eyes, we don’t know. Ask him. He is of age;
he will speak for himself’” (Jn. 9:18–21).
John revealed the relational complexities that came with the blind man’s
healing. First, he was summoned to appear before the Pharisees—an
undoubtedly threatening and intimidating experience. Rather than the
Pharisees rejoicing over the miracle of his sight, they questioned the man

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Jesus—the Person of about Jesus’ conduct on the Sabbath.
Hope—notices and Secondly, we learn that the man’s family was also summoned before the
cares about our painful Pharisees in order to verify his lifetime of blindness. Rather than offer
experiences with supportive care to their son, the man’s family does nothing to help him.
irrelevant religion. In fact, their response suggests self-protection, emotional abandonment,
and even personal rejection. The blind man experienced his own
tribulation related to family pain. Yet, we will find that he encountered
hope in the person of Jesus.
Likewise, some of our most significant tribulation can come from the
challenges of close relationships. Imperfect spouses, difficult-to-parent
children, dysfunctional patterns of relating, emotional distance, betrayals,
and rejections can cause us unbearable pain. Yet, we too, can find hope in
the person of Jesus.
IV. Emmanuel Brings Hope in Spite of Irrelevant Religion
The verbal attacks from the Pharisees illustrate the irrelevance of faith
when we move away from the person of Jesus. The religious leaders were
preoccupied with rules and man-made expectations rather than the
life-giving presence of Jesus. How about you and me? How much are we
preoccupied by the rules of religion or man-made expectations, instead of
an intentional focus on intimacy with Jesus?
The blind man’s situation with the Pharisees deteriorated. The temple was
filled with arguments over keeping the Sabbath (Jn. 9:16), whether to fol-
low Moses or Jesus (Jn. 9:28–29), and who had the right to exclude people
from accessing the things of God (Jn. 9:34). Finally in frustration, the
Pharisees “put him out,” separating this man from the blessings of
covenant. The blind man—now healed— most certainly identified with
the pain of irrelevant religion.
You may feel confused by the claims of men concerning the things of God.
You may feel uncertain about whose truth is really truth. Religion may
have let you down, disappointed you, or even rejected you. The Bible’s
encouragement during this Emmanuel Season is this: Jesus is the way and
the truth. As we come to know “Emmanuel,” we will come to know truth
(Jn. 14:6).

“Let the Word of Christ dwell V. We Can Have Hope, Because Hope is a Person!
deeply in you . . .” (Col. 3:16).
Pastor/Presenter, pause at this “Jesus heard that they put him out; and finding him, He said ‘do you
point and share a part of your believe in the Son of Man?’” (Jn. 9:35).
story with others. Tell about a
time of your own tribulation, but The same Jesus who heard about the man born blind and all that he had
how Jesus came to find you and experienced, still hears our pain and comes to FIND us!
brought you hope.
I remembered when I was Listen to these words of encouragement from the Scriptures:

____________________________ “You will call upon me, says the Lord. And I will be with you in trouble; I will
but Jesus deliver you, and honor you” (Ps. 91:15).

____________________________ “I will not leave you comfortless, says the Lord. I will come to you” (Jn. 14:18).

201812 “The Lord will not abandon His people on account of His great name because
the Lord has been pleased to make you a people for Himself” (1 Sam. 12:22).

“I am the Lord; I have called you in righteousness. I will also hold you by the

hand and watch over you” (Is. 42:6). ..ccoomm 55

W-1 Frequently being led by the Spirit hand and watch over you” (Is. 42:6).
into deeper love for the One
who wrote the Word How about you? Could you take a moment and recall a time of your own
tribulation? Think about any specific life events, close relationships or
Hope irrelevant religion that brought compounded pain. During those times of
IS A PERSON heartache, can you identify ways in which Jesus sought you out and
ministered hope? If you are unable to see or remember evidence of
Christ’s care for you, could you give Him that chance today? Could you
allow God’s Spirit to guide you into His truth? He’s pursuing you. Receive
Him as He does.
Finally, we read the blind man’s request as he responded to Jesus, “Who is
He that I might believe …” (Jn. 9:36). The man who was healed of his
blindness seemed to ask: Just point me to the Person in whom I am to
place my hope, and it is done. Notice the importance of word choice:
In WHOM shall I trust? Hope is a person, and His name is Jesus!
Experience the Person of Hope

[Opportunity: Pastor, take this time to lead the congregation/
participants into a personal encounter with Jesus. During a special
time of reflection and meditation, gently guide others to see a Jesus
who comes to find them and care for them in the midst of life’s tribulation.]
Encountering Jesus: A Meditation
Think for a moment about one of the painful life events that you’ve
experienced. Reflect on the highs and lows of your life’s journey and recall
the times when life has been at its hardest. It may have been one of those
life-altering events that was completely out of your control. You may have
gone through struggles with family members or close relationships. You
might have experienced the painful realities of irrelevant religion and
the compounded pain when even God’s people do it wrong. Remember
those times when you were saddened. Remember the places where you
experienced grief or loss. Close your eyes and think back to those moments.
Now imagine that you are in the midst of that painful time. Your mind
is filled with rational questions that have no answers:“Why did this happen?”
“Where was God?”You hear someone draw near to you. He gently calls
you by name. As you turn toward His voice, you see Christ standing
nearby. Jesus has come to find you. He has noticed you and pursued you.
The Christ of glory is near to you. Your unanswered, rational questions give
way to a “heart reality.” He cares! You may never know why this happened,
but Jesus notices, cares, and pursues. He reassures you as surely as He did
the blind man.
“I want you to know that I will be with you in this trouble; I will deliver
you, and honor you” (Ps. 91:15). I will not leave you comfortless, my friend.
I will come to you (John 14:18). I will not abandon you on account of My
Father’s great name (1 Sam. 12:22). I will also hold you by the hand and
watch over you (Is. 42:6). I love you and I will never, ever leave you.” (Matt.
28:30)
Could you spend the next few moments allowing God’s Spirit to confirm
the truths that He pursues and He cares? Talk with God about the
GRATITUDE that’s in your heart. We find hope in Jesus, who pursues us.

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