Wonderful Counselor Series

WONDERFUL COUNSELOR

Isaiah 9:1-8 1Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the Gentiles, by the way of the sea, along the Jordan—

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.

3 You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you

as people rejoice at the harvest, as men rejoice when dividing the plunder.

4 For as in the day of Midian’s defeat, you have shattered the yoke that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor.

5 Every warrior’s boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood will be destined for burning, will be fuel for the fire.

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.

8 The Lord has sent a message against Jacob; it will fall on Israel.

Over the next few weeks we are going to be in this passage preparing for the Advent season. 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.

Today I want us to focus in on that first phrase of this wonderful description of the Child of Christmas.

WONDERFUL COUNSELOR

1. I want us to look at it from a psychological perspective. Psychologist

2. I want us to look at it from a governmental perspective. Advisor

3. I want us to look at it from a legal perspective. Attorney / advocate

1. Wonderful Counselor – Psychologist.

What makes a good psychologist? One who is effective in understanding our problems and then competent in providing us guidance toward a workable and doable solution. Let me illustrate the first part of this definition with the following.

Instance in the the history of western civilization when men went seeking advise or psychological help they went most frequently to a person known as “the priest.” He was the person who you went to in order to understand your problems and fine a solution or the ability to accept the problem.

Look with me for a few moments at the following verses:

Hebrew 2:17-18 17Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. 18For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.

Hebrew 4:14 -16 14Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Read verse 16 and stop before the word, “help.”

What do we go to Him for? Help!

These verses tell us that there was someone who born into our world that understood every problem, temptation, difficulty, etc. we have ever had. We celebrate His birthday in just a few weeks. In fact Christmas should be a reminder that we have someone who cares because He understands.

Does Jesus know the answer? In my office I have a little desk plaque, which says, “I know the answers it’s the questions I don’t understand.”

There is a difference between understanding and accepting. You might not understand the high tech aspects of your auto but you accept that fact that it works. Jesus as out counselor both understands and knows how to fix it. Jesus knows. He not only knows the answers He knows the questions. Christmas is the time when there are great efforts made to help people. Why? Because help comes with Christmas.

Do you need help this Christmas season?

2. Wonderful Counselor – Governmental Advisor

Recently I was watching the TV program “West Wing.” In the program the President had told one of his staff some things about cooking Turkey. He was questioned about what he had said. He then called in his aid and said that what the country need in times like these was an 800 hotline to ask questions about cooking turkey. His aid said that such a hotline already existed and would he like to talk to them on the phone. He called and got the information. It was humorous in that he wanted the information but didn’t want them to know that it was the President calling so he made up some lie about where he was calling from.