Advent Sunday #1 "Immanuel": Hope for a Broken World

2025 Advent Series #1, "HOPE"

“IMMANUEL”

Hope For A Broken World

Matthew 1:18–25 (Go to ESV Bible Verses)

Key Verse: 1:23, “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us).

1. In Jesus’ genealogy (1–17), find the embarrassing parts of Israel’s history that Matthew includes. What does this tell us about God’s people? About God?
2. As this scene opens (18), what is said about Jesus’ mother Mary, and how would people view her? What does her fiance Joseph resolve to do, and why (19)?
3. What does an angel tell Joseph about Mary (20)? About the child (21)? How would he save us from our sins (1 Pet.2:24), and why is this such good news?
4. What is Matthew’s comment (22–23)? How does his birth by a virgin and from the Holy Spirit help us understand that he is “God with us”? What do Isaiah’s other prophecies tell us about him (Matt.4:14–16; 8:17; 12:17–21)?
5. Why does his nature as Immanuel give us hope today (Heb.4:15–16)? How can we live with hope in him practically (Rom.15:12–13)?
6. How does Joseph respond to this revelation (24–25)? How would God use him? What can we learn in this passage about God’s hope for our broken world?

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Q3: 1 Pet.2:24: “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.”

Q4: Matt.4:14–16: “...so that what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: ‘The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles––the people dwelling in darkness have seen a great light, and for those dwelling in the region and shadow of death, on them a light has dawned.’”

8:17: “This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah: ‘He took our illnesses and bore our diseases.’”

12:17–21: “This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah: ‘Behold, my servant whom I have chosen, my beloved with whom my soul is well pleased. I will put my Spirit upon him, and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles. He will not quarrel or cry aloud, nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets; a bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not quench, until he brings justice to victory; and in his name the Gentiles will hope.’”

Q5: Heb.4:15–16: “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

Rom.15:12–13: “And again Isaiah says, ‘The root of Jesse will come, even he who arises to rule the Gentiles; in him will the Gentiles hope.’ May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.”