ADVENT 4 – December 22, 2019 – Romans 1:1-7
“IMMANUEL: GOD’S SON”
Introduction: Grace be to you and peace, from God our Father, and from our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ. Our text is the Epistle lesson just read, from Romans 1. We begin with prayer.
Dear fellow disciples of our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ:
- The promise was mysterious but real and sincere. It was carried out. His Name is Immanuel – which means “God with us.” It must certainly have been hard to fathom and hard to believe.
- The fulfillment took place some 2,000 years ago. Mary was the virgin who conceived. The angel confirmed it all to Joseph. Immanuel was also given the Name “Jesus,” because He did indeed “save His people from their sins.” This includes us; for He is “the Lamb of God Who takes away the sin of the world.”
- The apostle Paul emphasizes all of this in our text. It is the content of our faith, the content of the prophetic and apostolic teachings of Holy Scripture. The purpose is to “bring about the obedience of faith.”
- You have been included in this purpose of God, for you also “have been called to belong to Jesus Christ.” The outcome of all of this is also clearly stated: “for the sake of His Name among all nations.”
- God’s love is glorious. Christ is the love of God incarnate. You are the evidence and witness to this glorious love of God. You know and believe His gospel, His great redeeming love. You bring praise, honor, and glory to His Name.
- We consider these blessed realities this morning – so that we too may give Him all glory and praise!
I. Christ Jesus Is God’s Son – Immanuel
A. His Human Nature Is From David – Through Mary
Text: “Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, which He promised beforehand . . . concerning His Son, Who was descended from David according to the flesh.”
B. He Is The Eternal Son Of God – His Power And Deity Is Seen In His Resurrection
Text: “He was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by His resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord.”
C. He Was Promised In Holy Scripture – The Gospel [good news] Of God
Text: “Set apart for the gospel of God, which He promised beforehand through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures.”
Statement: Even today it is hard to fathom and believe. Immanuel! God Himself took on our nature, becoming one of us, to redeem us, to save us, to identify with us, to reveal and assure God’s great love to us! This was God’s plan from the fall of Adam and Eve into sin in the Garden. It has been His plan throughout human history.
Application: And now we are part of His plan too! His goal has come to fruition in us, we who believe His gospel and rejoice in Immanuel, in Jesus our Savior! Because of the proclamation of Jesus, His resurrection, His power, His salvation, we too have received grace and have been brought to “the obedience of faith.”
Transition: Now we are part of the church, “saints,” who are “loved by God.” And so we also contemplate that:
II. God’s Servants Are Set Apart For God’s Gospel
A. Proclaiming Repentance And Faith In Jesus
Text: “Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God.”
Mark 1:14,15 “Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.’”
B. Calling People To Belong To Jesus By Faith
Text: “Through Jesus we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of His Name among all the nations, including you who are called to belong to Jesus Christ.”
C. Speaking Grace And Peace From God To His People
Text: “Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”
1. Reminding one another that we are loved by God
Text: “To all those in Rome who are loved by God.”
2. Reminding one another that we are called to be saints
Text: “To all those in Rome who are . . . called to be saints.”
Statement: This then also becomes our status and purpose as beloved children of God. We praise and glorify Immanuel, Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God and the Son of man – our glorious Savior. We encourage repentance and faith in Jesus, God’s gospel, God’s good news. We do so hoping and praying that others will join us in the obedience of faith, that God’s Name be glorified throughout the world!
Application: Yes, we may have other tasks as well. Yes, we may be pursuing other honors and glory as well. But this is our eternal destiny as those loved by God and called to be His saints. May we find great joy and blessedness in this.
Conclusion: It may be hard to believe that we are also now called to be a part of this glorious work of God, the proclamation of His Son, Immanuel, our Lord Jesus Christ. We know that it was hard for Mary and for Joseph to recognize and receive their even more glorious part in this will of God.
But it was real. It is real. It is realized and accomplished. And we are “called to belong to Jesus Christ.” May we find great joy in all of this, especially in Immanuel, God with us, for as He has promised, He is with us always, even to the end of the age. Amen.
Votum: And the peace of God, which surpasses all human understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds in the true faith, which is in Christ Jesus, even unto life everlasting, Amen.