Introduction: How is Christianity different than the world religions? One of the primary differences is how Christians understand God’s nature. Whereas these faith traditions believe that God is active in our world, Christians claim that God is present in a more personal and intimate way. We believe that God is with us in the life of Jesus. 

“What is God like?” 

Rather than answering in theological precision (although there’s a place and time for this), we can (also) point to Jesus. Jesus’ birth, prophesized by Isaiah the prophet 2,700 years ago, was to signal something unique: He would be “Immanuel”—which means “God with us.” Jesus is Immanuel in the sense that he is God in human flesh. The Word, the Second Person of the triune God, also became human (fully and completely) and lived among us (John 1, 14).  

1. How does God feel about the hurting and needy? Jesus heals and feeds the hungry.

2. How does God feel about social outcasts? Jesus reaches out to the socially marginalized.

3. How does God feel about injustice? Jesus acts of generosity and justice change lives.

4. How does God feel about serving? Jesus serves in the power of the Spirit.

5. How does God make Himself known? Jesus is God with us.

The Prophet Isaiah: Isaiah (“Yahweh is salvation” or “Yahweh will save”), the son of Amoz, was married (his wife was a prophetess) and had sons (1:1; 7:3; 8:3). Called by God while in the temple (6:1-11; c. 740 BC the year that King Uzziah died), he was an eight-century BC prophet. Jerusalem was Isaiah’s hometown and he served in the southern kingdom of Judah under Kings Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah for over forty years (c. 740–681 BC). Some also regard him as a “political” prophet because of his good relationships with kings and access to the palace. 

While the book of Isaiah has many significant themes including (1) God as the one and only true God, (2) humanity’s sin, (3) God’s holiness (“the Holy One of Israel”), (4) salvation and redemption, and (5) God’s sovereignty, our Christmas series will highlight four pictures of Jesus found in Isaiah: Sacrifice (53), King (9:1-7), Servant (11:1-5), and Savior (7:14). 

 

These four pictures of Jesus sum up Pathway’s 2017 Christmas series. Entitled “God with Us: Christmas Through the Eyes of Isaiah,” we will learn about one central truth—God with Us. And how is God with Us? God is with us in the life of Jesus. Using Isaiah as our guide, our four-part series will focus on Jesus as the Sacrifice, King, Servant, and Savior (please read the introduction to each sermon).