Who God is...E

December 16, 2015

Who is God... E-Eternal, Everlasting, Elohim (Creator, Judge of the universe), El Shaddai (Almighty God), Excellent, Emmanuel, Earnest of the Holy Spirit.

Emmanuel: God with us

Earnest: a pledge or down payment

Matthew 1:23b "...and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us."

Ephesians 1:13b - 14 "... in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of                               promise, "Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the                                         purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

Text: Genesis 39 (especially verse 21)

I. God with men in the Bible

• Joseph (Gen 39:21)
• Isaac (Gen 26:24)
• Isaiah (Is 41:10, 43:5)
• Jeremiah (Jer 1:8)
• Paul (Acts 18:10)

II. Jesus, Emmanuel, God with us

• Prophesied (Is 7:14)
• Name given (Mt 1:23b)
• Word be came flesh... (Jn 1:14)

III. God in Me (Holy Spirit)

• Holy Spirit dwells in me (Jn 14:17, 1 Cor 3:16, 1 Jn 4:13)
• He is the earnest, a down payment, an investment in me (II Cor 1:22, 5:5, Eph 1:13b-14)
• I will dwell with God in Heaven forever (Rev 7:15, 21:3)
• He will never leave me nor forsake me (Heb 13:5)

IV. The Effects of God's Presence

• In nature (1 Chron 16:33, Ps 68:8, 97:5, 114:7, Ezekiel 38:20, Nahum 1:5)
• In me (Gen 3:8, 4:16, Ex 33:14-15, Job 23:15, Ps 16:11, 51:11, 95:2, 100:2, 1 Cor 1:29, 1 Thes 2:19)

Challenge:

1. Acknowledge God being with you.
2. Thank Him for His presence.
3. Make His investment in me worthwhile.
4. Let His presence have a good and holy effect on you, your heart and actions, and those around you.