GOD IS WITH US

Gospel of Matthew Enclusio or “Book Ends”

1. He is with us at the
2. He is with us when we’re
3. He is with us when we can’t him
4. He is with us when we

Gospel of Matthew 1:18-23 NIV: Immanuel God Us

1. He is with us at the

18 This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. 19 Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. 20 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus,  because he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23 “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel”  (which means “God with us”).

• Biological Probability: 
  • The chance of a virgin birth (parthenogenesis) in humans is effectively zero.
• Historical/Prophetic Probability:
  • 1 in 10^17 (That’s 1 in 100,000,000,000,000,000)
  • One in one hundred quadrillion

“The Gospel begins by anchoring Jesus in prophecy. But more than prediction fulfilled, Matthew’s message is presence assured: God is with us not just in the cradle, but for the journey ahead.” — Frederick Dale Bruner, Matthew: A Commentary

Gospel of Matthew 17:1-9 ESV: Jesus is

2. He is with us when we’re

17 And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. 2 And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light. 3 And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. 4 And Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.” 5 He was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” 6 When the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces and were terrified. 7 But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Rise, and have no fear.” 8 And when they lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only. 9 And as they were coming down the mountain, Jesus commanded them, “Tell no one the vision, until the Son of Man is raised from the dead.”

• Ἁψάμενος hapsamenos: to fasten; bind fast; to fasten for oneself; to join; on; to fasten oneself to; cling to; hang

“The Transfiguration is not merely a moment of divine revelation; it is a pastoral act. When fear overwhelms the disciples, Jesus does not stand apart in heavenly glory — He steps forward, touches them, and speaks peace. God is not only majestic; He is present.” — Michael J. Wilkins, The NIV Application Commentary: Matthew

Gospel of John 20:1-10 ESV: Jesus is

3. He is with us when we can’t him

20 Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. 2 So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.” 3 So Peter went out with the other disciple, and they were going toward the tomb. 4 Both of them were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. 5 And stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. 6 Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying there, 7 and the face cloth, which had been on Jesus’ head, not lying with the linen cloths but folded up in a place by itself. 8 Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; 9 for as yet they did not understand the Scripture, that he must rise from the dead. 10 Then the disciples went back to their homes.

• Verse 1 Βλέπω blepō – see
• Verse 5 Βλέπω blepō – see
• Verse 6 Θεωρέω theōreō – see; to look at; view; behold; to inspect; review; to contemplate; consider; observe; to view
• It originally referred to someone watching carefully, especially in a theater (which also comes from this root), or contemplating deeply — not just casual seeing, but reflective observation.
• Verse 8 εἶδον eidon – Emphasis: Perception by sight or revelation — seeing to understand

“There needs to be a SHIFT in the way you THINK so you can SEE what others CAN’T.”  — Pastor Clayton

“The point of the resurrection appearances is not just to prove that Jesus is alive, but to show that He is present—still Lord, still Immanuel—even when we cannot see Him. John 20 assures the church that the unseen Christ is still the present Christ.” — N.T. Wright, John for Everyone

Gospel of Matthew 28:18-20 NLT: Great

4. He is with us when we

18 Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. 19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

“Jesus’ words, ‘I am with you always,’ deliberately echo the name Immanuel. The One who came to dwell with us now promises to walk with us as we go into all the world.” — N.T. Wright, Matthew for Everyone

Who’s ready to stop being afraid?

Who’s ready to see him?

Who’s ready to go?

APPLICATION: 

Upcoming Mission Trips: 

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC, DR – ADVOCATES OF LOVE July 2–9, 2025

UGANDA – DIVINE HOLISTIC MINISTRIES (DHM) July 14–25, 2025

HONDURAS-  MEDICAL Mission Trip October 22–28, 2025

R.O.L.E. Class: TODAY!

Notes:

(MULTILINE)