Jesus Christ, who is seated right now in heaven above upholding the universe by the word of his power, has a living memory of weeping with his friends at a funeral. And what does that have to do with us now? It has everything to do with us now because Jesus did not become a man just to ally himself with some people in the first century. He has entered into our reality. The Son of God has put on our humanity like a jersey, and he's not taking it off. He relates to us and our griefs as much in the 21st century as to Mary and Martha in the 1st century. He feels our sorrows now as much as ever.
Remember what Jesus says to the apostle Paul when he meets him on the road to Damascus? "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?" When did the Apostle Paul meet the Lord Jesus in his former life? We're not told that he did even one time. So how is it then that Paul persecuted Jesus? He persecuted Jesus when he persecuted those whom Jesus loved because that's how closely Jesus identifies with us even now. Whatever alterations heaven may have made on Jesus' condition in glorifying his human nature, there remains, as the 17th century Pastor Thomas Goodwin describes, “one tender part and bare place in his heart still unarmed, as it were, even to suffer with you, and to be touched if you be...He suffers with you, he is as tender in his bowels to you as ever he was; that he might be moved to pity you. He is willing to suffer, as it were, that one place to be left naked, and to be flesh still, on which he may be wounded with your miseries, that so he might be your merciful high priest. Jesus is as much with us in our grief now as ever he was, and this is all our comfort.
December 7, 2022 - Immanuel At a Glance
Sunday Resources
SUNDAY SERMON - Pastor TJ continued our Advent sermon series in John 11! View the sermon here.
SIDEBAR PODCAST - Look out for Season 2 of the Sidebar starting in January!
Wednesday Updates
WEDNESDAY NIGHTS AT IMMANUEL TONIGHT - We continue our time in the book of Acts tonight at Immanuel. Doors open at 6 pm. We hope to see you there!
Carolfest!
CAROLFEST- Carolfest 2022 is just around the corner this Friday, December 9th! Doors open at 5:30 pm with hot cocoa and hot dogs on the grill in the courtyard. Our Kids Carolfest Cookie Contest begins at 6 pm with over 40 contestants, and the Carolfest programming begins at 6:30 pm! This is a great event to invite your neighbors and coworkers to participate in!
PARK AVENUE SHOE & COAT DRIVE - You are welcome to bring coats and shoes to church on Wed. or Friday at Carolfest in support of the Park Avenue giving drive. We’ll also be collecting an offering on behalf of Park Avenue during our Carolfest event. These are all ways to make the real Jesus non-ignorable in our city and far beyond! Learn more about the shoe and coat drive here.
Our mission at Immanuel Nashville is making the real Jesus non-ignorable in our city and far beyond. Your generous giving enables us to plan for strategic gospel ministry as we seek to make the real Jesus non-ignorable in our city and far beyond. You can go ahead and give online here. We greatly appreciate your support!
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