Isaiah 9:6

WONDERFUL!

#1 - Our Wonderful Lord

Mary Had The Little Lamb

Mary had the little Lamb, who lived before His birth;
Self-existent Son of God, from Heaven He came to Earth.
Micah 5:2

Mary had the little Lamb; see Him in yonder stall —
Virgin-born Son of God, to save man from the Fall.
Isaiah 7:14

Mary had the little Lamb, obedient Son of God;
Everywhere the Father led, His feet were sure to trod.
John 6:38

Mary had the little Lamb, crucified on the tree
The rejected Son of God, He died to set men free.
1 Peter 1:18

Mary had the little Lamb—men placed Him in the grave,
Thinking they were done with Him; to death He was no slave! Matthew 28:6

Mary had the little Lamb, ascended now is He; All work on Earth is ended, our Advocate to be. Hebrews 4:14-16

Mary had the little Lamb—mystery to behold! From the Lamb of Calvary, a Lion will unfold. Revelation 5: 5,6

When the Day Star comes again, of this be very sure:
It won’t be Lamb-like silence, but with the Lion’s roar.
Psalm 2:12, Revelation 19:11-16  Marv and Marbeth Rosenthal http://www.bible.org/illus/i/i-33.htm#TopOfPage

 

I think it was August of this year when I saw that Trader Horn had already started putting out their Christmas Merchandise. I thought that was way too early.   It was stated in Prayer Meeting Wednesday Night, that little attention is paid to Thanksgiving in the stores, and that right after Halloween the push of Christmas Merchandise begins.

And have you noticed how much advertising there is for Christmas, and how many times you are warned that there are only so many shopping days left?

 

Think of your own preparations for Christmas.  Most of us do not wait until Christmas Eve to buy presents, bake cookies, decorate the house, put up decorations, or to plan Christmas Dinner.

 

So what's the point?  People who make money off of Christmas start way in advance and don't wait until the last minute.  And those of us who enjoy the social side of Christmas plan ahead so that we can enjoy the "fun" parts of Christmas. 

 

However, how much preparing do we do for the Spiritual side of Christmas?  If Christmas is more than gifts, and food, and visits and decorations shouldn't we be preparing for it? 

 

If Jesus truly is, "The Reason for the Season", shouldn't He be the reason for our season? Of course we should.  Shame on us if we only start thinking about the Spiritual meaning of Christmas on Christmas Eve.

 

We need to prepare ourselves Spiritually for Christmas, and I'd like to help you to do that using a very familiar seasonal Scripture Verse.

 

Isaiah 9:6 - For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

 

Bear in mind that Isaiah, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, is looking ahead.  He begins with the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ.

 

For unto us a child is born - Of course Israel is in the picture. The Messiah is the Messiah of Israel, and comes through Israel, and will establish rule over the whole world from Israel.

 

But the Lord Jesus is not just for Israel. In Luke 2:10, the angel who announced the birth of Christ to the shepherds said, …Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

 

Unto us a son is given… - Jesus came as a baby. But Jesus existed before the foundation of the world.  Jesus said in John 8:58 - …Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am. More about this in a moment.

 

It was God's choice to send to us the gift of His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. This gift is to the whole world! This gift is for you!

John 3:16 - For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

 

And the government shall be upon his shoulders… - This day is yet to come. The first time Jesus came to earth, he came to purchase eternal life for us.

 

2 Corinthians 5:21 - For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in

him.

 

The second time Jesus comes to earth, He will come to rule!

 

Isaiah 11:3-5 - And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the LORD: and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears: But with

righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked. And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins.

 

Isaiah goes on to say and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

 

Often in Bible times the name that someone is called had a lot to do with the person's character.  And these names given to Jesus tell us much about the character of Jesus.  Over the next four Sundays I'd like us to consider the names given to Jesus in this verse.  They give us a great picture of who He is, and help us to prepare for Christmas on a Spiritual level.

 

This morning I'd like us to consider two of these names, Wonderful and Everlasting Father.  These two phrases remind us just how great Jesus is. JESUS WAS AND IS WONDERFUL!

 

JESUS WAS WONDERFUL IN HEAVEN WHERE HE WAS ACTIVE

 

Before He came to earth he was "The everlasting Father" or "Father of Eternity".  This phrase is referring to His relationship to time.  He is Father over time. Time has no control over Him, because He is eternal.

 

When it comes to time, Jesus is superior over us.

 

You and I have no control over time.  We were born at a specific time.  We will die at a specific time.  At the best we can expect to live to be 100, the great majority of us won't.  More realistically, we can expect to live to be around 70 or 80, but there is no guarantee.  Jesus however is eternal.

 

Micah 5:2 - But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.

 

Jesus was active in Heaven before He ever came to earth.

 

John 1:1-5 - In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. [2] The same was in the beginning with God. [3] All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. [4] In him was life; and the life was the light of men. [5] And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

 

Please note from these verses that:

·        Jesus is God.

·        He existed eternally with God.

·        He is creator of all things.

·        He has life and light for man.

 

Colossians 1:15-18 - Who is the image of the invisible God,the firstborn of every creature: [16] For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: [17] And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.

   

Note that He is the image of the invisible God…

·        If a person sees Jesus, He sees God.

·        He is first-born in rank over every creature.

·        He is creator.

·        He holds the whole universe together.

 

Not only was Jesus active in Heaven before He came to earth, He was active on earth as well.  He appears to men as "The Angel of Jehovah" or "The Angel of the Lord."

 

JESUS WAS WONDERFUL IN HEAVEN WHERE HE WAS ACTIVE

JESUS WAS WONDERFUL IN BETHLEHEM WHERE HE ARRIVED

 

·        Jesus arrived in Bethlehem, born of a virgin. That was wonderful!

 

When the Angel Gabriel appeared before Mary to announce that she would be Jesus' mother. Part of the conversation went like this:

Luke 1:30-35 - And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. [31] And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus. [32] He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: [33] And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. [34] Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? [35] And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.

 

·        Jesus arrived in Bethlehem as fulfillment of prophecy (Michah 5:2). That was wonderful. God got Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem from Nazareth, by means of a census by Caesar Augustus.   

 

·        Jesus arrived in Bethlehem and His birth was announced by angels. That was wonderful!

 

Shepherds were out in the field, watching their flocks at night.

The angels appeared to the poor shepherds, reminding us that the birth of Jesus is for the common man. The birth of Jesus is for you and me.

 

·        Jesus arrived in Bethlehem and was introduced as Savior and King. That was wonderful!

Luke 2:11 - For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

 

JESUS WAS WONDERFUL IN HEAVEN WHERE HE WAS ACTIVE

JESUS WAS WONDERFUL IN BETHLEHEM WHERE HE ARRIVED

JESUS WAS WONDERFUL ON EARTH WHERE HE ASSOCIATED WITH MEN

 

John 1:14 - And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

 

Jesus was God in the flesh.  He dwelt among them.

Jesus showed the disciples what God was like because He is God.

Jesus was full of grace as He performed miracles that helped those in need.

Jesus was full of truth as He taught God's Word accurately.

 

One of the great statements that Jesus made toward the end of this life is found in John 14:9 …he that hath seen me hath seen the Father;

 

And think of this: Our holy God came to earth to associate with unholy man.  We needed help and He left Heaven to give us that help.   

 

Luke 19:10 - For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

 

JESUS WAS WONDERFUL ON EARTH WHERE HE ASSOCIATED WITH MEN

JESUS WAS WONDERFUL AT CALVARY WHERE HE ATONED FOR OUR SINS

 

Romans 5:6-8 - For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. [7] For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. [8] But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

 

1 Peter 1:18-19 - Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; [19] But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:

 

Richard J. Mouw -Theologians tell a story to illustrate how Christ’s triumph presently benefits our lives: Imagine a city under siege. The enemy that surrounds the city will not let anyone or anything leave.

Supplies are running low, and the citizens are fearful.

But in the dark of the night, a spy sneaks through the enemy lines. He has rushed to the city to tell the people that in another place the main enemy force has been defeated; the leaders have already surrendered. The people do not need to be afraid.

It is only a matter of time until the besieging troops receive the news and lay down their weapons. Similarly, we may seem now to be surrounded by the forces of evil—disease, injustice, oppression, death. But the enemy has actually been defeated at Calvary. Things are not the way they seem to be. It is only a matter of time until it becomes clear to all that the battle is really over. Uncommon Decency, Richard J. Mouw, pp. 149-150,  http://www.bible.org/illus/c/c-34.htm#TopOfPage

   

JESUS WAS WONDERFUL AT CALVARY WHERE HE ATONED FOR OUR SINS

JESUS WAS WONDERFUL AT THE TOMB WHERE HE AROSE FROM THE DEAD

 

1 Corinthians 15:3-4 - For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; [4] And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

 

The grave could not keep the Lord Jesus!

His victory over the grave proves that He gives victory over sin.

His resurrection gives hope and promise for our own resurrection.

 

 1 Corinthians 15:20-22 - But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. [21] For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. [22] For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.

 

Henry Vaughan wrote:

Death and darkness, get you packing,
Nothing now to man is lacking,
All your triumphs now are ended,
And what Adam marred, is mended. http://www.bible.org/illus/r/r-57.htm#TopOfPage

 

JESUS WAS WONDERFUL AT THE TOMB WHERE HE AROSE FROM THE DEAD

JESUS IS WONDERFUL IN HEAVEN WHERE HE ANTICIPATES HIS RETURN

 

We started with Jesus being wonderful in Heaven.

We end with Jesus being wonderful in Heaven.

Jesus ascended into Heaven in front of the disciples.

Acts 1:10-11 - And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; [11] Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

 

The promise that Jesus will come again to Earth the same way he left. He is in Heaven anticipating His return.   

 

Psalm 110:1 - The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.

When the time is right for the Battle of Armageddon Jesus will return to earth.  Until then He anticipates that day, and yet He is still as active as ever.

 

At the right hand of God lives the Son of God, our Savior who is our great High Priest. 

He is there to intercede for us.   

He is there to help us.

 

1 John 2:1-2  - My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: [2] And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

 

Hebrews 4:14-16 - Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. [15] For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. [16] Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

 

·        JESUS WAS WONDERFUL IN HEAVEN WHERE HE WAS ACTIVE

·        JESUS WAS WONDERFUL IN BETHLEHEM WHERE HE ARRIVED

·        JESUS WAS WONDERFUL ON EARTH WHERE HE ASSOCIATED WITH MEN

·        JESUS WAS WONDERFUL WHERE HE ATONED FOR OUR SINS

·        JESUS WAS WONDERFUL AT THE TOMB WHERE HE AROSE FROM THE DEAD

·        JESUS IS WONDERFUL IN HEAVEN WHERE HE ANTICIPATES HIS RETURN