Wonderful Counsellor Series

A CHILD IS BORN

Wonderful Counsellor – He Can Heal…

Isaiah 9:6

Introduction:

Can you relate to that video? It’s supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year and yet it’s a time of tremendous stress.

Shopping

Family

Activities

Year-end at work , etc.

It’s easy to get to the point where you feel like your going to snap. I don’t know about you but sometimes I feel like I’m ready to be locked in a padded room. I need some counsel. With all that’s been going on of late – at church, at home, in relationships – I sat down to prepare this message and said, “Lord, I need you to counsel me.” He did! He is the wonderful counselor.

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.”

This prophecy of Christ given thousands of years before his birth tells us that this child that was to be born would have some very amazing names.

Waiter – Righteous

Wonderful Counsellor

The mighty God

The everlasting Father

The Prince of Peace

Those are some pretty weighty names to live up to and yet he is up to the challenge. We will look at one of these for the next four weeks as we move toward Christmas. Today we will look at Christ as our Wonderful Counselor – He can heal…

Counseling is at an all time high in our society. There’s certainly nothing wrong with seeking counseling when you have a particular need in your life.

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

However, we must not lose sight of the fact that we, as believers, have access to most wonderful counselor imaginable – Jesus Christ.

What makes Him so Wonderful?

I could list characteristics all morning but let me give you three…

1. He Understands

Hebrews 4:15 “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.”

He gets it. He understands you. Sometimes when we are going through a difficult situation and someone says, “I understand what you are going through…” it seems empty because how can they possibly understand. Jesus does understand. When you come to him in need of counsel he can be assured he has experience with your situation.

Betrayal

Wrongful accusation

Slander

Physical suffering

Physical need

Loneliness

Loss

Despair

Fear

He understands

2. He Cares

Not only does He understand, but he cares about your situation.

I Peter 5:7 “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.”

Some counselors only care as long as you (or your insurance) can pay the bill. Not Jesus, He’s with you until the end. He cares so much that he will allow you to cast your problems upon him and he will bear them with you. He cared enough to die for us; he’s not going to leave us to fend for ourselves.

3. He’s Faithful

When I say that I mean that He always knows the solution to our situation.

Isaiah 25:1 “O LORD, thou art my God; I will exalt thee, I will praise thy name; for thou hast done wonderful things; thy counsels of old are faithfulness and truth.”

Even the world’s best counselors some times get it wrong because they have a limited vantage point.

Jesus is never wrong. His counsel is faithful and true. Sometimes it doesn’t seem right. It’s as though he has misdiagnosed our situation. However, in the long run we find him to be faithful and true.

He is the Wonderful Counselor!

This past week I had to get an eye appointment from Drew. When I called my eye doctor, who’s very good, it was a two week wait to get in. I couldn’t wait that long. The best doctors are always booked. They’re difficult to see. You may be saying, “O.K. you’ve convinced me that He is in fact a wonderful counselor – how do I make an appointment?” “What are Jesus’ office hours?” It’s got to be tough to get in to see him. You don’t need an appointment. His office is always open and he can always squeeze you in. Jesus isn’t physically here right now, so…

How Does He Counsel Today?

Through The Bible

Psalm 119:24 “Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counsellors.”

When Jesus walked the earth he was called the living word. In his bodily absence he as replaced himself with his written word. The Bible is the instruction manual for life.

Illustration: Following Assembly instructions for Christmas gifts – “I can do it. I don’t need no stinkin’ instructions.” Kerrie’s microwave cart!