We Are Emmanuel

As we bring the series to a close, we reflect on Jacob’s life and realise that he hasn’t really changed that much! Despite all the encounters with God, he is not as mature or trusting in God as he perhaps should be. But his unexpected reconciliation with Esau shows that it is God’s faithfulness and grace that underpins his life and causes it to be ‘successful’, not his own efforts.

In one of the strangest passages in the whole bible, we see God seek to do business with his son, Jacob. He ambushes him, seeking to teach him to pray. The result? Jacob is a changed man and would never walk the same again.

In the final episode of season 12 of Livelunch we are joined with Yohaan Philip, Matt Carvel and Jess Debenham, discussing our latest sermon ‘Training For Faith’ from our current teaching series ‘The ‘Promise Endures’. Resources mentioned: Listen to last Sunday's sermon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rs4NbJLtf0Q Listen to Jess Debenham on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0rMCyEsml4lv3TKFeqeSID Presave Infrastructure: https://linktr.ee/Jess_Debenham Rejoice and Tremble: https://www.eden.co.uk/christian-books/understanding-the-faith/general-theological-issues/rejoice-and-tremble/?site_id=162595&adtype=pla&device=c&product_id=5266270&gclid=CjwKCAjwrNmWBhA4EiwAHbjEQALV8cvIcDrSdpB67CUsizKQId7qN85-QnWWBX9XhrVR3aWj84-vaRoC1WcQAvD_BwE Find out about our Thrive Smallgroups: https://weareemmanuel.com/thrive Apply to do the Emmanuel Internship: https://weareemmanuel.com/internship

The sermon is about God’s goal of making us more confident in his faithfulness and favour. He wants for us to grow in real trust. Jacob was a slow learner. Most of us are. We need to keep beholding the Lord Jesus in his faithfulness. This is how we grow.

Is mental illness caused by the demonic? What is the difference between the accusation of the Devil and the conviction of the Holy Spirit? In season 12 episode 11 of Livelunch we are joined with Yohaan Philip, Matt Carvel and Sophie Cox, discussing our latest sermon ‘The ‘Our True Home. Our True Enemy.’ from our current teaching series ‘The ‘Promise Endures’. Resources mentioned: Listen to last Sunday's sermon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7H65MGz9mCY

This story speaks to our emancipation from the dominion of sin and condemnation.

What does it practically look like to take responsibility in your life? What do you do when you feel like you have a lack in an area of responsibility? In season 12 episode 10 of Livelunch we are joined with Yohaan Philip, Matt Carvel and Christine Liddiard, discussing our latest sermon ‘The ‘What Am I Doing?’ Moment’ from our current teaching series ‘The ‘Promise Endures’. Resources mentioned: Listen to last Sunday's sermon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7t4tdwOuBGk

We’ve reached the point in the story where Jacob finally starts to take responsibility for his life. He tussles with Laban but he is trying to get home and properly provide for his family. In the midst of this, he also begins to more and more recognise God’s hand on his life.

Does God condone polyamorous relationships? Is marriage a good thing? Why do we believe that abortion is wrong? In season 12 episode 9 of Livelunch we are joined with Yohaan Philip, Matt Carvel, Purity Omolo and Stephen Dawson, discussing our latest sermon ‘The Pursuit of Happiness’ from our current teaching series ‘The ‘Promise Endures’. Resources mentioned: Listen to last Sunday's sermon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f5s1qTsvFrs

This story contrasts the placing of one's happiness in love and family versus placing it in the Giver of true happiness.

Why should we give to churches instead of just giving to the poor? Should I give if we are not earning money or in debt? How do I balance Gift Day giving and monthly tithe? In season 12 episode 8 of Livelunch we are joined with Yohaan Philip, Matt Carvel, Megan Nicholas, and Sophie Spital discussing our latest sermon ‘The Parable of the Ten Minas’ from our Gift Day Sunday. Resources mentioned: Gentle & Lowly by Dane C. Ortlund - https://www.10ofthose.com/uk/products/25689/gentle-and-lowly Listen to last Sunday's sermon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rJP9DMuJi1A Follow us on Instagram: https://instagram.com/weareemmanuel Find out more about our Sunday services: https://weareemmanuel.com/services Listen on Spotify: https://spotify.com/weareemmanuel

Across the month of June, together with churches in Amsterdam, Berlin, London and Ottawa, we will be giving towards continuing to help establish churches in key cities. We are committed to helping people find their way back to God, and starting new churches is something that we feel God has called us to.

How can we be valuing and dignifying men AND women within the church? In season 12 episode 7 of Livelunch we are joined with Yohaan Philip, Matt Carvel and Christine Liddiard, discussing our latest sermon ‘The Victims of Deception’ from our current teaching series ‘The ‘Promise Endures’. Resources mentioned: Listen to last Sunday's sermon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UG0yX... Thrive smallgroups: https://weareemmanuel.com/thrive Follow us on Instagram: https://instagram.com/weareemmanuel Find out more about our Sunday services: https://weareemmanuel.com/services Listen on Spotify: https://spotify.com/weareemmanuel

This is yet another horrible story about how one man, not obviously walking with God, creates a messy family situation where everyone suffers. But these themes of identity, comparison, beauty, and desire find their contrast and fulfillment in the Gospel and how God deals with us.

What is a true hero? As a Christian, how do you navigate having exclusive beliefs in a pluralistic society without coming across as intolerant? When you say you are opening the door to Jesus does that also imply a change in behaviour? In season 12 episode 6 of Livelunch we are joined with Yohaan Philip, Tim Jones and Larissa Matson, discussing our latest sermon ‘The Gateway to God’ from our current teaching series ‘The ‘Promise Endures’. Resources mentioned: Listen to last Sunday's sermon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4n7VB... Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/weareemmanuel Find out more about our Sunday services: weareemmanuel.com/services Listen on Spotify: spotify.com/weareemmanuel

Jacob's vision of a gateway to heaven points towards Jesus as the ‘door’ to God. Jesus is the revelation of God, but also the invitation to know Him and come into the promise of the family of God.

How do we practically live in the good of Jesus’ peace? What does it mean to grieve the Spirit? How should you respond to the consequences of others’ sin? In season 12 episode 5 of Livelunch, we are joined with Matt Carvel, Yohaan Philip, Stephen Dawson and Purity Omolo, discussing our latest sermon ‘The Consequences of yesterday’ from our current teaching series ‘The ‘Promise Endures’. Listen to last Sunday's sermon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QNbtnS5wMfA&t=1s Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/weareemmanuel Find out more about our Sunday services: weareemmanuel.com/services Listen on Spotify: spotify.com/weareemmanuel

Sin is like a grenade, that when it goes off, has all kinds of impact. But God is gracious and happily associates with the dysfunctional family and has them in His family line as His ancestors and us as His descendants.

As Christians, are we allowed to use deceptive methods if the ends justify the means? In season 12 episode 4 of Livelunch we are joined with Matt Carvel, Yohaan Philip, and Sophie Cox discussing our latest sermon ‘A Very Dysfunctional Family’ from our current teaching series ‘The ‘Promise Endures’ as well as opening up topical discussions relevant to our culture today. Resources mentioned: Find out more about our Thrive groups: weareemmanuel.com/thrive Listen to last Sunday's sermon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ThVeE... Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/weareemmanuel Find out more about our Sunday services: weareemmanuel.com/services Listen on Spotify: spotify.com/weareemmanuel

The very messy story of a very messy family. All the characters are bad in different ways and yet God’s blessings and promises endure. Ultimately, Jacob gets blessed because of grace and him pretending to be Esau is a picture of us being ‘hidden in Christ’. We get God’s favour because we have the righteousness of Christ, not our own righteousness.