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Jesus Brings Freedom

December 22, 2017

For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; and the government will rest on His shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

1. THE FORETELLING. When humanity first sinned, it was promised that a Savior would come. God is really good at following through, and all the prophecies in the Bible have been or will be fulfilled. Hundreds of years before Jesus’ birth, Isaiah, the Hebrew prophet, foretold of a Messiah in such specific terminology that, as we read it today, it produces faith, gives us bearing, and shows us God’s plan.

Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel. Isaiah 7:14

2. THE FULFILLMENT. Jesus is called Immanuel—God with us—a name that underscores God’s desire to be present and involved in our lives. God set eternity in our hearts and we are hard-wired for a relationship with Him. Sin separates us from God, and the only way to be set free is to be forgiven and redeemed.

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. John 3:16

3. THE FOLLOW-THROUGH. God so loved the world that He gave Jesus. But there has to be an action on our part. However much someone intends to give you a gift, it sits idle unless you reach out and receive it. Call out to Jesus today—if you ask, you will receive; if you seek, you will find; if you knock, the door will be opened to you.

Merry Christmas!
Pastor Jeff Perry

RECEIVE JESUS:
Dear God, in my heart I believe that Jesus truly is Your Son and that He died for my sins and rose from the dead. I repent for every time I have sinned. I accept Jesus into my life right now, to lead and guide me as my Lord. Thank You for saving me, and thank You that You have a great plan for my life! Amen.

Im·man·u·el, noun
Messiah. From Hebrew ‘immanu’el, literally: “with us is God.”

Copyright © 2017 St. Louis Family Church. All rights reserved. No part of this article may be reprinted or distributed in any form without prior written permission of St. Louis Family Church. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. “Immanuel.” Merriam-Webster.com. Merriam- Webster, n.d. 20 December 2017.