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God With Us: The Names of Jesus
December 21, 2025
On this Fourth Sunday of Advent, Pastor Ken continues our current worship series, "God With Us," by exploring the power of identity through the names given to the Messiah: Jesus and Emmanuel. In these two names, we learn of God's mission statement and the comfort God brings when God steps directly into our labors, our pains, our confusion and hardship. Together, we reflect on how to receive God's saving love and embody God's presence in the world this Christmas.
Sermon Reflections:
- Pastor Ken mentions "nominative determinism" — the idea that names can influence who we become. How does your own name or identity shape the way you move through the world?
- The sermon notes that "Jesus" means "God saves." In what areas of your life today are you crying out, "God, help me," and how can you surrender those needs to Him?
- Where have you felt "unplugged" from God’s source of hope and peace recently?
- Using the analogy of the friend who jumps into the hole, how does the image of Jesus joining us in our struggle change your perspective on God’s character compared to a "distant" deity?
- God with Us vs. God Through Us: Emmanuel means "God with us." How can you transition from merely knowing God is with you to allowing God to work through you to comfort someone else this week?
- Pastor Ken speaks about being the "hands, feet, and heart of Christ" through acts like providing meals or advocating for justice. What is one practical way you can be "Emmanuel" to a neighbor during this Christmas season?
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