Emmanuel: Where is God When Tragedy Strikes?
Pastor Zach Bearss
December 17, 2023
Matt 2:12-23, Hosea 11:1-2, 4-5, Isaiah 11:1-2, Genesis 35: 16-18,Jeremiah 31:15,17-18, Isaiah 53:2-5
Connect: Do you have a specific Christmas memory good or bad. What was that like for you? What part of the Christmas story do you find interesting or curious?
Engage:
Reread that part of Matthew 2:12-23, through looking at the humanness of this story?
Matthew wrote this 60 years ago – when Nero was on the rampage with believers and Matthew is reminding believers of Jesus coming for suffering. Where do you need to believe that Jesus is in the suffering?
1. Where is God for you when tragedy strikes?
- 1st Movement: Matt 2:14 – Hosea 11:1-5, Out of Egypt I called my son God is fulfilling the dreams of hope through Jesus. Story of exodus. How does that strike you?
- 2nd Movement: Jeremiah 31:15-18, Genesis 35:16-18 God is not caught off guard by corruption and sin.
How does sit with you? All prophesy points to this.
- 3rd Movement: Matt2:22-23 Isaiah 11:1-2, Isaiah 53:2-5
Shoot – netzer – stick -bud of green birthing through.
Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief.
Becomes fully human in His experience of the mess and tragedy to our sinful world.Jesus did not come to fix Christmas but to enter the world and say I am with you – Immanuel- I am with you. He is here with us. How does that make you feel amid your pain?
Apply: What is God inviting you too in this Christmas season? How is your expectation of Christmas going to be different in the light of this message?
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