Do You Believe That God Is With You? Matthew 1:18-25

Matthew 1:18-25

Matthew 1:23

"Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel" (which means, God with us)." (ESV)

When life becomes uncertain, it is easy to wonder where God is. Joseph found himself in that exact situation. His plans had been disrupted, his heart was hurting, and the future seemed unclear. Yet in the middle of his confusion, God reminded him of an important truth: God was with him.

The same is true for us today.

1. God Knows Your Identity

Joseph was heartbroken and uncertain about the future. Yet when God spoke to him, He reminded Joseph who he was.

Matthew 1:20

"But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, 'Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.'"

Notice that the angel addressed him as "Joseph, son of David." God didn't identify Joseph by his struggle or circumstances. He identified him by his lineage and purpose.

God never starts with the circumstances you're dealing with; He starts with who you are.

What Joseph felt and what God knew were two completely different things. Joseph felt confusion and uncertainty, but God saw a chosen man with a divine assignment.

The same is true for us. God defines us by what He says about us, not by what we're currently experiencing.

God sees you as redeemed, forgiven, loved, and called.

We see this principle throughout Scripture.

Judges 6:12

"And the angel of the Lord appeared to him and said to him, 'The Lord is with you, O mighty man of valor.'"

Gideon was hiding in fear when God called him a mighty warrior. God spoke to Gideon's identity, not his circumstances.

God knew your identity before you were ever created.

Psalm 139:14

"I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well."

Before you knew who you were, God already did.

2. God Knows Your Doubts

Matthew 1:20

"But as he considered these things..."

Joseph was wrestling with questions. He was trying to make sense of a situation that didn't make sense.

Joseph doubted because he was human, not because he was weak.

The truth is that God knows every fear, every anxiety, and every question that keeps us awake at night.

Some of us can turn one small problem into a ten-episode Netflix series in our minds. We replay every scenario, every possibility, and every worst-case outcome.

But while we're worrying about tomorrow, God is already there.

Revelation 1:8

"I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty."

God always is.

He was there before your problem arrived, He is with you in it right now, and He has already seen the other side of it.

God is not worried about your tomorrow because He's already there.

3. God Knows Your Destiny

Joseph thought he was trying to survive a scandal.

God knew Joseph was participating in one of the greatest stories ever told.

Joseph saw confusion.

God saw purpose.

Joseph saw interruption.

God saw destiny.

God was inviting Joseph into something bigger than himself.

Many times, we only see scattered pieces of our lives, but God sees the finished picture.

He sees what He's building long before we do.

Romans 8:28

"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose."

This doesn't mean everything that happens is good. It means God is able to work through everything for His purpose and our good.

God wasn't simply helping Joseph get through a difficult season. He was positioning him to be part of His redemptive plan.

The same God who guided Joseph is guiding you.

Conclusion

God doesn't always give us perfect circumstances.

He gives us His presence.

He doesn't promise that every road will be easy, but He promises that we will never walk it alone.

When you have God, you have hope.

And hope has a name.

Matthew 1:23

"Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel" (which means, God with us)."

No matter what you're facing today, remember this truth:

God knows your identity.
God knows your doubts.
God knows your destiny.

And above all else—

God is with you.

Die Empty Philippians 2:17-18

"Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all. For the same cause also do ye joy, and rejoice with me." — Philippians 2:17-18 (KJV)

The Apostle Paul understood that the Christian life was never meant to be lived for ourselves. He viewed his life as an offering poured out for the glory of God and the benefit of others. His desire was not to reach the end of his life holding onto everything God had given him, but to spend it completely for God's purposes.

The challenge for every believer is this: Will we die full of potential, or will we die empty, having poured out everything God placed within us?

1. You Have To Empty Yourself For God

A life pleasing to God isn't a life spent holding everything to ourselves. Your life has a purpose bigger than your comfort zone. God didn't bless you to become a spiritual storage unit; He blessed you to become a river.

The gifts, talents, wisdom, resources, and opportunities He has given you were never meant to stop with you. They were meant to flow through you and impact the Kingdom of God.

Too many believers spend their lives preserving what God intended them to pour out.

Are you poured out for God?

2. Empty Yourself For Souls

We can't stay quiet about Jesus. Our walk with God was never designed to be a secret club. No one has to force you to talk about Jesus when He has genuinely changed your life.

Sometimes the greatest witness is simply saying, "I once was lost, but now I'm found."

Sometimes God allows pressure in our lives because He is positioning us to reach someone we otherwise never would have encountered. The trial you're facing may become the testimony that opens a door to someone else's heart.

God didn't call us to sit comfortably while the world slowly perishes. He called us to be ambassadors for Christ and to share the hope we have found in Him.

People all around us are looking for answers. The question is: Are we willing to be poured out so that others can find Jesus?

3. Empty Yourself With Integrity

Some people have two versions of themselves: Christian me and the real me.

The real test of your faith isn't how loudly you worship on Sunday. The real test of your faith is how you treat people every day. You can look spiritual publicly and actually be empty privately.

Integrity says, "I believe in God no matter who is watching."

Private obedience to God is what builds public power. Before God ever uses someone publicly, He develops them privately. The strength of your witness is built in the moments nobody else sees.

Daniel's integrity wasn't proven in the lion's den. It was proven long before he ever got there. Joseph's integrity wasn't proven when he became second in command of Egypt. It was proven when nobody would have known if he compromised.

Will people see Jesus while watching how you live your life in public?

Our lives should tell the same story in private that they tell in public.

Three Things You Don't Want To Carry To The Grave

"I Should've"

The opportunities God gave me.
The people I could have reached.
The calling I never stepped into.

"I Would've"

The good intentions that never became obedience.
The dreams that never became action.
The steps of faith I kept postponing.

"I Could've"

The regret of knowing God equipped me, called me, and opened doors for me, but I never walked through them.

You don't want to die full of excuses.

Paul said he was being poured out like a drink offering. His goal wasn't to preserve his life—it was to spend it for Christ. When our lives are over, may we not stand before God carrying unrealized purpose, unused gifts, unspoken testimonies, or opportunities left untouched.

May we die empty.

Empty of pride.

Empty of fear.

Empty of excuses.

Poured out completely for God.

Poured out completely for souls.

Poured out completely with integrity.

So that when we stand before the Lord, we can say that we gave Him everything.

Who Do You Think You Are? Matthew 5:14-16

Matthew 5:14–16

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.”
— Gospel of Matthew 5:14–16

Your Life Speaks Louder Than Your Words

Appearance has never been the true measurement of holiness.
Your life should preach before you ever speak.

Can people see God in the way you live?

One of the most beautiful things about light is that it changes the atmosphere without making a sound. In the same way, your life is always preaching something. And when pressure comes, it reveals what is truly inside of you.

Your life is either drawing people closer to Christ or pushing them further away.

As Jesus also taught in Gospel of Luke 6:45, “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.”

Stop Inspecting Everyone Else — Inspect Yourself

People often become experts at identifying flaws in others while ignoring their own pride, jealousy, anger, and hypocrisy.

Epistle to the Romans 2:1 reminds us that judgment begins with ourselves first.

Self-examination is biblical. David prayed in Book of Psalms 139:23:

“Search me, O God, and know my heart.”

God is not merely looking at outward performance — He is looking at the condition of the heart.

Grace Received Must Become Grace Given

How you treat people when they fail reveals your spiritual maturity.

Many of us want patience for ourselves but punishment for everyone else. Yet grace means loving people while God is still changing them — just as He continues to change us.

First Epistle of John 4:20 reminds us that we cannot claim to love God while hating people who were created in His image.

Pride is dangerous because it blinds us to our own need for grace. It is possible to know Scripture and still miss the heart of God.

But when Jesus begins to transform your heart, your life will begin to change.

Don’t just wear Christianity — live it.

One genuine encounter with the love of God can change someone’s eternity.

Sheep Amongst Wolves Matthew 10:16-26

Sheep Among Wolves

Jesus prepares us for what lies ahead, and the reality is that we will face opposition. Your faith may cost you something. There may be consequences in your career, friendships, and relationships. Opposition often comes when we stand firm in our faith.

The Gospel was never designed to be shared only when it’s safe. We are sent out as sheep among wolves, and God is our protector. Our job is not to control the outcome — it is to remain faithful to the mission. And our mission is to spread the good news of God.

“Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves...” — Matthew 10:16
“And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.” — Matthew 10:22

There Must Be a Balance of Discernment

We are instructed to be mindful of our mission. We are not called to be naïve; we are called to walk in wisdom — knowing when to speak and when to remain silent, discerning when hearts are open and when they are hardened.

Jesus walked in wisdom without ever diluting His message. We should care more about obedience than reputation.

“When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate...” — 1 Peter 2:23

Fearless Faith Requires Endurance

Daniel’s faith did not make him careless, reckless, or lazy. He faced a very real decision: save his life by hiding his faith, or risk his life by professing it.

God does not always keep us from the lion’s den, but if He sends us there, He remains with us through it.

We are not responsible for how people respond to the Gospel, but we are responsible for making sure they hear it. The Gospel must continue to move forward.

“Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God whom you serve continually been able to rescue you from the lions?” — Daniel 6:20

But God Changed Everything Ephesians 2:4-10

1. Grace Found Me, When I Couldn’t Fix Me

   It seems like you’ve failed at everything, but God! Your salvation is not earned by anything you can do, we are saved by God’s grace. God chose you, before you changed your life.

2. God’s Grace Gave Me A New Seat

   When grace saves you, it changes your position. With God’s grace you don’t have to fight for a seat, Jesus has already reserved one for you. Your past is a chapter in your life, not the title of your book!

3. Grave Saves Me First, Then Grace Sends Me

   Works are not the root, they are the fruit! God’s love is not a paycheck, it’s a gift. The law says you have to earn it, God’s grace says receive it. God’s grace is bigger than your past.

   Heaven still celebrates sinners who come home! Because of God’s grace, we are all saved!

God's Got You Covered Romans 8:31-39

1. God Is Who He Is

   David had one thing greater than anything anyone could ever offer him, and that was that God was for him. David understood something we tend to forget at times. When God is on your side, the numbers don’t matter. You plus God is still the majority of the situation that you’re in. Psalm 118:6

2. God Is The Great Provider

   God has never looked at your problem and said, “that one may be too big for me.” God didn’t stop being powerful because your options got smaller. While your discovering you have a need, God is already supplying it. Romans 8:32

3. Nothing Can Unfriend You From God’s Love

   You’re not fighting for victory, you’re fighting from victory! What’s in front of you is greater than anything that’s behind you. God’s love is deeper than your failures and stronger than your worst day. John 10:28

Stop counting your enemies and start counting your blessings! No one can stop what God has for your life. If God is for us, who can be against us.

More Than You Can Carry Ephesians 3:14-21

1. God Strengthens What Others Can’t See

   God doesn’t always start by changing your situation, sometimes He changes your inner strength first.

2. God Wants To Take Residence, Not Just Visitation

   God wants full custody, not just weekend visits

3. God Can Do More Than Your Mind Can Imagine

   Stop shrinking your expectations to match your experiences

   You are not designed to live this life on your own strength. If your strength is only external, when pressure begins to build it crushes your internal strength. What’s inside of you is stronger than what’s visible to others. The Spirit of God is strengthening your inner life. Just remember, your past is not outside of God’s reach. Give your burdens to Him, so you can focus on the things that you were actually meant to carry!

Growing In Love In A Cold World Philippians 1:9-11

1. Love Should Grow In Knowledge Philippians 1:9

   Mature love knows everyone needs God’s grace

2. Love Should Grow in Discernment Philippians 1:10

   Growing love reaches beyond differences

3. Love Should Produce Fruit Galatians 5:22

   Love serves, helps, reaches and gives

   Love outlives tragedy, even in a cold world it still shines. People are searching for something. They need love, kindness, compassion and grace! When love grows, walls come down, and people come to Christ. Allow people to not just hear about Jesus, from you, let them feel him, through you!

Saved People Save People Luke 19:10

1. Jesus Saves Ordinary People 1 Corinthians 1:27

   God doesn’t call the qualified, he qualifies the called

2. Jesus Uses Saved People Mark 5:19

   Transformation gets attention

3. Jesus Sends Saved People Matt 28:19

   He doesn’t intend for this to stop with you

   Jesus didn’t pull you out of the fire to watch others burn. Someone’s miracle is connected to your obedience to God. If you stay silent, someone may stay lost!

Purpose in The Middle of The Mess 2 Corinthians 12:9

1. God Meets You In The Middle Of The Mess

   God is not waiting for you to get your life together- He’s waiting on you to bring Him the pieces

2. God Turns Breaking Points Into Turning Points

   Your breaking is not the end, it’s the place where God begins to move

3. God Turns Your Pain Into Purpose

   Your weakness becomes your testimony

Today, someone is this thinking their weakness disqualifies them. But your weakness is actually positioning you. Because when you’re weak, you pray differently. When you’re weak, you worship differently. When you’re weak, you depend on God. And, God does His best work when you depend on HIm!

Right On Time Jeremiah 17:5-6

1. Trusting Human Strength Leads To Spiritual Dryness

   When we try to do life without God leading us, things start to fall apart

2. Going Our Own Way Always Leads To Frustration

   People don’t abandon God overnight, they just slowly start doing things their own way

3. Trusting God Brings Blessings At The Right Time

   Worrying has never solved a problem, but trusting God does

By All Means, Save Someone!

1 Corinthians 9:19-23 NLT 19 Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. 20 To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. 21 To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. 22 To the weak I became weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. 23 I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in the blessings.

Paul was willing to give up his own comfort and preferences to reach more people. Paul became “all things to all people so that some might be saved.

The message is simple: put the mission first, even if it costs you something!