Footsteps Through the Bible: Matthew's Gospel. God with us - 25th June 2026

Readings: Matthew 1:20–23, Isaiah 7, Romans 12:1–13

Matthew makes it clear that Jesus was not conceived through Joseph but by the Holy Spirit. In biblical terms, being a son is not merely a status but a relationship: ideally, a son reflects the character, obedience to, reverence of, and values of his father. Jesus is born of the Holy Spirit, and He perfectly reflects God the Father. The principle is that "spirit gives birth to spirit." Just as flesh produces flesh, spiritual realities produce spiritual fruit—righteousness, love, kindness, generosity, truth, and selflessness. These are the fruits of the Holy Spirit at work in believers.

Following the Pentecost outpouring of the Holy Spirit a new community exploded into life. Acts 2:42 is a verse worth remembering, particularly the word koinonia (fellowship). Koinonia means much more than social connection; it describes a deep spiritual sharing and participation in the life of God and His people. True Christian fellowship arises from a genuine work of the Holy Spirit, creating unity among believers and drawing them together in worship, service, prayer, and mutual commitment.

In my 20’s the Lord graciously renewed a heart of commitment in me, through His Word and through His Spirit. I remember being in a ‘place’ of personal renewal (which was not really connected to a particular church or other group of Christians). I had been seeking the Lord for a prolonged period up till that point. When God graciously renewed me I went through a few years when there was a strong desire for Christian community within me. I should add that I was an active part of a great church and a great fellowship in many ways at that time. Looking back, I understand that while this longing was Spirit-inspired, I lacked the maturity and wisdom to understand that others may not have been experiencing the same renewal. This lack of renewal accounted for the lack of deeper community church-wide, and still does, in my opinion. Romans 12:3 reminds us all of the need for humility during seasons of spiritual growth and blessing. How many times have we been irritated by those who went off to a Christian conference for a week somewhere and they returned only to try and sort everyone else’s life out!

Immanuel, God with us! What does this look like? Answer: The body of Christ filled with the Spirit of Jesus. This is koinonia.

Attempts to bring revival and renewal by changing the methodology have come and thankfully largely gone. I remember at the turn of the 21^st century there was interest in house churches – maybe they would be the catalyst of Kingdom revival? That emphasis was, in my view, always going to fail in this season and setting within the Western church. Methodology is important but it is not the key to the Spiritual. Only the Spirit can bring renewal. Awareness of the problems of ‘church’ is not the key to change. Only God can do that – so seeking Him is always the way ahead. Many methodologies are often just flesh in new clothes; the washing of the outside of the cup, no less.

Many methodologies are simply poor biblical exegesis put into practice. NT Christians often met in houses for a whole host of reasons; surprisingly they didn’t have church buildings going spare which they could utilize! Simply changing church structures such as meeting in smaller groups or meeting somewhere else will not automatically produce authentic Christian community (koinonia). True fellowship is not created by a format but by the Holy Spirit. Wherever God is genuinely at work, believers are gathered together – by the Holy Spirit - and united in service to Christ.

The church is described by the Apostle Paul as the Body of Christ, where every member has an important part to play. The Apostle Peter describes Christians as the "living stones" of God's new temple, joined together rather than existing in isolation. Spiritual renewal therefore leads believers not into individualism but into deeper connection, interdependence, service, and participation in the life of God's people – the Church, the New Temple.

Those who belong to Him now through Christ’s death and resurrection are likewise born of the Spirit. Jesus, Son of David, has come to build the Temple – He will build His Church, and nothing will be able to withstand its might as it moves forward.

Importantly, in Isaiah 7, the ‘sign’ of Immanuel carries implications of both God's presence and His judgement. Just as God acted in Isaiah's day, Jesus' coming signals both the fulfilment of God's promises and His intention to purify His people. Christ is the fulfilment of God's covenant with, and promises to, Israel. This is Matthew’s message to his fellow Jews.

Let me conclude here by challenging you to choose today and every day between living according to the flesh or according to the Spirit; choose Life. Christians are called to put sinful ways to death, to crucify those impulses, and to be led by the Spirit and the Spiritual, to share in Christ's sufferings, and thereby, ultimately to share in His glory.

Application

1.    Remember that Christians are born of the Spirit and are called to reflect God's character.


2.    Pursue genuine koinonia—deep, Spirit-filled fellowship rather than mere social involvement.


3.    Recognise that true church community comes from the work of the Holy Spirit, not from a particular structure or format. But as we choose to seek and follow the Lord out of a renewed mind, the Spirit will breathe life into us and through us. There are times to wait and times to step out.

4.    Serve faithfully within the Body of Christ, understanding that every believer has a role.


5.    Walk humbly during times of spiritual renewal, avoiding spiritual pride.


6.    Choose daily to live according to the Spirit rather than the flesh.


7.    Take confidence in the truth that Jesus is Immanuel, "God with us," and that God's promises will be fulfilled in Him.