In a Nutshell:

Today, as you prepare for church, there’s an invitation beyond simply attending a service. God is calling you to a genuine encounter with Him—to experience His presence in ways that transform. Pastor Jeremy reminds us that Jesus came as “Emmanuel, God with us.” Are you ready to move beyond routine religion to real relationship?

Anchor Verse (NIV)

“Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted.” – Isaiah 53:4

Unpacking the Word

Consider the difference between attending a concert and meeting the artist backstage. In the first scenario, you’re one of thousands experiencing a performance. In the second, you have a personal encounter. Many of us approach church more like concert attendance—we show up, enjoy the experience, and leave relatively unchanged. But Jesus came to offer something much more intimate.

Pastor Jeremy emphasized that “He came as the writers of Scripture would call Him Emmanuel, God with us, because He would walk with people, He would be with them, He would manifest His grace and His presence for them.” This isn’t describing a distant deity to be observed but a present God to be encountered. The Isaiah passage reveals a Messiah who personally takes up our pain and bears our suffering—not theoretically but tangibly. Jesus didn’t just speak about human suffering; He experienced it. He didn’t merely discuss separation from God; He felt it on the cross.

This reality should transform how we approach worship today. We’re not merely commemorating historical events or participating in religious rituals. We’re entering into the presence of a God who understands our every struggle—”your diagnosis, in your bankruptcy, in your failed relationship, in your addiction, in your mental health challenge, in your loneliness,” as Pastor Jeremy listed. This God isn’t impartial to your suffering but has drawn near specifically to walk with you through it. As you prepare for church today, shift your expectation from performance to presence. Don’t merely ask what you might get from the service but what deep encounter God might be preparing for you. As Pastor Jeremy concluded in his sermon, “Experience His relevancy coming around you. Experience His assurity to you. He knows, He cares, He walks with you. He understands.”

Faith in Action

• What barriers might be preventing me from experiencing God’s presence more deeply?
• How can I come to church today with expectations beyond just hearing a good message?
• Action Step: Before the service, spend five minutes in prayer asking God to help you encounter Him personally today, not just attend a religious event.

A Moment With God

“Jesus, I don’t want just to know about You—I want to experience You. As I prepare for worship today, open my heart to a genuine encounter. Help me move beyond routine to relationship, beyond performance to presence. I come expectant to meet with You. Amen.”

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