Isaiah 9:6

COUNSELOR!

#2 - Our Wonderful Lord

While she was enjoying a transatlantic ocean trip, Billie Burke, the famous actress, noticed that a gentleman at the next table was suffering from a bad cold.

   She asked him sympathetically, "Are you uncomfortable?" The man nodded.

   She said, "I'll tell you just what to do for it. Go back to your stateroom and drink lots of orange juice. Take two aspirins. Cover yourself with all the blankets you can find. Sweat the cold out. I know just what I'm talking about. I'm Billie Burke from Hollywood."

   The man smiled warmly and introduced himself in return. He said, "Thanks. I'm Dr. Mayo of the Mayo Clinic."  --James S. Hewett, Illustrations Unlimited (Wheaton: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc, 1988) p. 21.

One thing I've learned in growing old,

 No doubt you've noticed too:

 The kids to whom you gave advice

 Now give advice to you. F. G. Kernan  -- Vern McLellan, The Complete Book of Practical Proverbs and Wacky Wit (Wheaton: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., 1996).

 

Have you noticed that there seems to be no limit of those who will give you counsel or advice as long you are willing to listen?  You can get counsel on:

·        How to do your job

·        How to spend your money

·        How to raise your children

·        How to heal a nagging physical ailment, like a cold

·        How to handle problems

·        Where to go on vacation

·        What to think about politics

·        How to do a hobby

·        And a host of other subjects

 

There are times when we really do need counsel, the advice and help of others.

 

Proverbs 11:14 - Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.

 

Proverbs 12:15 - The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.

 

If I asked you to name the greatest counselor who ever lived, you would probably answer, "The Lord Jesus Christ".  And you would be absolutely correct.  As God in the flesh, He had the ability to give the right counsel in every situation.  He was 100% accurate!

 

Matthew 24:35 - Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.

 

This morning we are continuing our preparation for Christmas as we look at "Our Wonderful Lord" from 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.

 

Last week we saw the Lord Jesus as "Wonderful!"

   

·        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 AT THE CROSS 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

 

This week we will look at Jesus as "Counsellor!" 

Please turn to John 3.

 

We can only give you a sample of all the Godly counsel that Jesus gave throughout the Gospels.  I feel the Lord wants me to concentrate on one passage of Scripture to show you Jesus' effectiveness as a counselor. It is in John 3 that Jesus gives the most important counsel of all, how to enter the Kingdom of God.

 

Jesus talked to a man in John 3 who had an age-old problem.

He was religiously active, but Spiritually needy.

People viewed him as having it "all together", but inside there was a void that his religion did not fill.

Maybe that describes you this morning, "religiously active, spiritually needy".

Maybe people view you as having it "all together", but inside there is a void that your religion is unable to fill.

 

This man certainly needed the counsel of the Lord Jesus, the Son of God.  Perhaps you have the same need as this man in our story.

 

Vs. 1 - The man's name is Nicodemus.

He was a Pharisee - He was part of a very conservative sect within in the Jewish religion.  They had great respect for the written word of God, and counted it as inspired. 

They tried to live by the first five books of the Bible, trying to literally practice the law.

 

The Pharisees not only tried to follow the letter of the law, but the interpretations of the law spoken and written by other Pharisees.

 

According to William Hendriksen, the Pharisees "…made one basic and tragic error: they externalized religion. Outward conformity to the law was far too often considered by them to be the goal of one's existence." William Hendriksen, The Gospel of John (New Testament Commentary, © 1953 by the author, Baker Book House, Grand Rapids, Michigan, page 131

 

There are people like that today.  As long as they conform to God's law on the outside, they feel they have it made.

There's only one problem with that, according to 1 Samuel 16:7

for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.

 

You have often heard me refer to the Pharisees as hypocrites.

The Lord Jesus called them that.  However, not every Pharisee was a hypocrite.  Many were sincerely trying to please God with their external conformity to His law.

 

There are many people today who are like Nicodemus.  They are sincerely trying to conform to God's law the way they understand it, and try to do everything that is right.  They, by their works are trying to earn their way into Heaven. Perhaps you are one of them.

 

Nicodemus was not only a Pharisee, but he was a master or teacher in Israel according to verse 10. Nicodemus taught the Word of God.   

Furthermore Nicodemus was a ruler in Israel. There was a group of 70 men called the Sanhedran that was responsible for leadership in the Jewish faith.  Nicodemus was a member of this group.

 

Nicodemus was a sincere man, strictly keeping the law and striving to do what was right.  But Nicodemus knew there was something missing. So he came to Jesus, who had recently cleared the temple of moneychangers and those who sold sacrificial animals. He had also performed miracles.

 

As you know, I am not a fan of liberal churches that do not preach the Gospel.  But let me tell you something.  These churches are full of sincere, nice people who, like Nicodemus, are trying live rightly. Like Nicodemus, they probably realize that there is something missing in their lives.  

 

Vs. 2 - Nicodemus came to Jesus by night.  We don't know why he came at night.  Perhaps it was the only time that Nicodemus could get an interview with Jesus.

 

Nicodemus was very polite. He acknowledged, along with others, that Jesus must be a teacher sent from God because of the miracles that He performed.  Nicodemus had a good healthy respect for Jesus.

 

Vs. 3 - Jesus interrupts Nicodemus.  He gives him the answer to his problem.  A person has to be born again in order to see the Kingdom of God.

 

Jesus is saying that the Kingdom of God is not entered by earning one's way.

Jesus is saying that the Kingdom of God is not entered by church attendance.

Jesus is saying that the Kingdom of God is not entered by giving money to the church.

 

How did you enter this world? You were born!

 

How do you enter the Kingdom of God?  It requires another birth.  You must be born again, or as it may also be translated, you must be born from above!

 

Vs. 4 - Nicodemus is confused.  What Nicodemus says here can be taken literally or figuratively.

 

Nicodemus may have wondered if Jesus was saying that he had to experience another literal birth.  Nicodemus knew that was impossible.

 

Nicodemus may have also been following Jesus' own illustration.  A new birth meant change.  Nicodemus might have been thinking that it was impossible for him to start over and set aside everything that he had already been taught.  He viewed that as impossible.

 

Vs. 5 - Jesus is insisting that a new birth is absolutely essential to enter God's Kingdom.  "Verily, verily" or "Amen, Amen" indicates just how much Jesus is insisting that what He is saying is true.

 

Vs. 6 - Jesus says a person must be born of water and of the Spirit.

The simplest explanation of being born of water is to think of it as physical birth.  First a person must be born physically, and then he must be born Spiritually.

 

However, the word water is often a symbol of something else.

And water is sometimes a symbol of God's Word.

For a person to be born again, or saved, or forgiven of sins, they must have the Word of God impact their lives, either by hearing it preached, reading an explanation of the Word, or reading the Word for themselves.  They need the water of the Word.

 

1 Peter 1:23 - Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.

 

It is the Word of God that tells you that you a sinner not good enough to save yourself.

It is the Word of God that tells you that Jesus, the sinless Son of God, died for your sins.

It is the Word of God that tells you that Jesus rose from the dead.

It is the Word of God that tells you that faith in Him alone brings eternal life.

 

Vs. 14 - Moses lifted up a bronze serpent after the people had sinned and were struck with a plague of fiery serpents.  People were being bit and dying. Those who looked at that bronze serpent were spared.  

 

Just as the serpent was lifted up, the Lord Jesus was lifted up on the cross to die for our sins.

 

Vs. 15 - Those who look to the Lord Jesus in faith are spared.

 

Vs. 5 says we must be born of water, the Word of God, and the Spirit. That would be the Spirit of God.  It takes two to conceive.

When a person hears the Word of God concerning salvation and the Spirit convicts him or her that the Word is true and needs to be trusted, that person puts their faith in Christ and they are born into the Kingdom of God.  The Spirit of God uses the Word of God to bring forth birth.

 

Vs. 6 - Have you noticed that cats always have kittens and never have puppies?  We use an expression that someone "had a cow".  No human being has ever given birth to a cow!   

 

Jesus is saying that what is done in the flesh, that is one's self-effort, is still flesh.  If one tries to earn their way to Heaven by their external good works, they will only produce that which is human and not good enough for Heaven.

 

Why are our own efforts not good enough to earn eternal life?

That is because the flesh is sinful.

 

Psalm 51:5 - Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.

 

Sinful flesh can only produce sinful flesh!

That which is born of the flesh is flesh.  That which is born of the Spirit is Spirit!  It's a birth that produces a new life produced by the Spirit of God!   

 

It is the new birth that makes us born as children of God.

John 1:12-13 - But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: [13] Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

 

It is the new birth that causes us to be indwelled with God's Holy Spirit.

 

Romans 8:8-9 - So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. [9] But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

 

Vs. 7 - Jesus told Nicodemus, "Don't be so surprised that I told you that you must be born again!"

Nobody works to get to Heaven, Nicodemus.

You must be born into the family of God.

 

Here was a man who had been working to earn his way into Heaven all his life. Now he is told he can't earn it. He must believe and be born again.

 

It has surprised me that many people who go to church every Sunday and have heard the Gospel almost every Sunday are still trying to earn their way to Heaven.  You can't do it.

Jesus' counsel is that "YOU MUST BE BORN AGAIN!"   

 

According to John Phillips, "A minister was seeking to reach the heart of a dying doctor: The minister had spoken to him about conversion, forgiveness, redemption-all the themes at the heart of the Christian Gospel. Nothing seemed to reach the dying man.  Then he spoke to him of regeneration, the need of being reborn, and that brought enlightenment.  Over many years the doctor had attended countless births. 'A new birth!' he exclaimed, 'Why, that's what I need. A baby has no past-only a future. That's what I need." John Phillips, Exploring the Gospels: John, © 1989 by the author, Loizeaux Brothers, Neptune, NJ, Page 68

 

Is that what you need this morning.  Do you need to put the past of sin, self-effort and failure behind you and be to be born into the family of God? Do you need a new birth?

 

Vs. 8 - Jesus gives a very simple illustration of what it means to be born again. 

 

He speaks of the wind.  We don't see it, but we hear it. We don't know where the wind came from, and we don't know where it's going. Its direction may change. The wind is very unpredictable. We don't understand the wind. The wind is different.

 

A person who has been born of the Spirit is like the wind.

When the Holy Spirit causes new birth and comes into the life a change takes place. The person who has been born of the Spirit of God is different and not understandable by someone who is not born again.

 

H. A. Ironside said, "You can not see the wind, but you recognize its power. You cannot see the Holy Spirit, but you recognize His power." H. A. Ironside, Addresses on the Gospel of John, Loizeaux Brothers, Inc. 1942, Page 98

 

Roger L. Fredrikson tells of a man named Mr. Nou. "In his old life he had frequently beaten his wife and children, often neglecting them while he was 'partying with other women' as he put it. His weekends were often drunken orgies. Coming to the United Sates as a refugee from Laos did not change his situation. In fact, it worsened it!

 

He finally gave in to one of his persistent friends who almost angered him by constantly urging him to come with him to church.  At first, it was all a joke for Mr. Nou. But then, God's mysterious way, he we met the One to whom Nicodemus came at night. It was a radical, life-changing encounter, and Mr. Nou was 'born again.'

 

He emptied the whiskey bottles in his home and began to treat his wife and children with new love and respect. Then he discovered new friends among the believers and began to eagerly study the Scriptures at 5:00 each morning… His wife said, "I don't have a different husband, I have a new one!" Roger L. Fredrikson, THE COMMUNICATOR'S COMMENTARY SERIES, Volume 4, John © 1985 by Word Inc. Waco, Texas, Page 82

 

Vs. 9 - Nicodemus still didn't understand.

 

Vs. 10 - Nicodemus was a master or teacher, actually, he was probably THE teacher in Israel according to Jesus.  He had been teaching others the Word of God, but had not personally experienced the new birth!

 

There have been a countless number of Sunday School teachers and ministers down through the years who have never experienced the new birth.  Like Nicodemus, they have taught a religion of works, good deeds, commandment keeping, and morality, but have never been born again.

 

Vs. 11 - Jesus and the prophets before Him had preached the truth.  Israel had rejected the prophets.  And at that particular moment, Nicodemus was still rejecting the message of being born again.

 

Most of you have heard the message about being saved or born again countless times from many different pastors.  What about you? Have you truly accepted that message and been born again?  Or are you still rejecting it?

 

Like the Lord Jesus, we pastors and Sunday School teachers have told you what we know and have seen.  I personally had a life changing experience when I turned from my own religion of good works and was born again. I have been different ever since.

 

Jesus is the counselor.

We have seen Him give counsel on being born again. It is the most important counsel of all because being born again gives us new life now and Heaven later.

 

Have you been truly been born again?

Are you religiously active, but spiritually needy?

Come to Christ by faith this morning.