Confront The Empty Presence Series

Crave More Presence

Confront the Empty Presence

Isaish 9:2, 6-7

11/29

There is a new gag gift that has become very popular. It preys on people desire for quick riches and the idea that a sudden windfall is the key to happiness. So people buy as presents fake lottery tickets. Ones that reveal that you have just wone $10,000 or $25,000 dollars. You give one to your friend your brother our your sister and video tape their expressions as first they celebrate and then their anger, and frustration when the truth is revealed.

In a Challenging year people sometimes feels that is what has happened to them. Life gave them a lottery ticket that looked promising, but the promise is empty.

IN A CHALLENGING YEAR, THE VOICE OF THE PROPHET ISAIAH CONFRONTS THE EMPTY PRESENCE OF HOLIDAY CELEBRATIONS WITH THE PROMISE OF THE GREAT GIFT.

Isa 9:2, 6-7

2 The people walking in darkness

have seen a great light;

on those living in the land of the shadow of death

a light has dawned.

6 For to us a child is born,

to us a son is given,

and the government will be on his shoulders.

And he will be called

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

7 Of the increase of his government and peace

there will be no end.

He will reign on David’s throne

and over his kingdom,

establishing and upholding it

with justice and righteousness

from that time on and forever.

The zeal of the LORD Almighty

will accomplish this.

NIV

I. The Gift is more profound than we can ever imagine.

It is mean to fill us with inexpressibly joy and satisfaction. Watch this video of a boy discovering his favorite present under the tree.

2 The people walking in darkness

have seen a great light;

on those living in the land of the shadow of death

a light has dawned.

A. The Gift is given in our worst moment.

From God’s perspective the world is at it’s worst moment. Darkness

ƒÀ There is the Failure in the Garden when obedience was all that was required.

ƒÀ There is the Failure in Desert when the law proved to difficult, to weighty to heavy.

ƒÀ There is the failure in the land when one god isn’t enough.

ƒÀ There is the failure in the kingdom when a theocracy isn’t enough

ƒÀ There is the failure of the prophets when god’s voice wasn’t enough.

When it has come to restoring a right relationship between fallen man and God, every plan that depended upon us has ended in misery. Isaiah describes us as those walking in darkness (no discernable path, way, answer) living under the shadow of death (the dark specter of eternal death).

B. The Gift given is about to change everything.

ƒÀ A light has dawned

Everything about our existence changes because of the event unfolding before us. God becomes man to save humankind. Where there was once only darkness and despair, there is now hope.

John 3:17-19

17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. 19 This is the verdict: Light has come into the world,

II. The gift is more personal than we can fully understand.

Isaiah 9:6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given,

John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

The more personal a gift is the more it is treasured.

Illustration: Bob and Becky Braffhart are missionaries to Mali. She is teacher. He is a builder and projects manager. He has helped construct the Mali woman’s hospital where Allie Cornoyer will be this Christmas. Their first son was conceived with a congenital defect. They were told he would not live beyond a week. I remember at his funeral, their friend Gina Allison had placed on his little body a quilt she had made for the son of her best friend. I said I am fearfully and wonderfully made. In tears she had made the quilt. In tears it was received. It’s value was that it was so personal.

A. In his gift to us God withholds nothing.

He gives himself.

B. His gift is exactly what we need

The more valued it is the more it is treasured. Sometimes a gift may be personal but it might not be valued.

Remember Ralphie’s pink bunny suit in ’’The Christmas Story’’?

And he will be called

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,