He Will Be Called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God Series

Who Is This Jesus?

He Will Be Called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God

Isaiah 9:6

December 11/12, 2004

Don Jaques

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

- welcome guests

- Coupeville outreach

- Cmas Eve in OH and Cpvl

-Bring up Senegal TREK team.

10 minutes – show brief slide show with commentary. Then 2 members of team share most memorable moment at each service.

MAIN IDEA:

Remember the old song “Do They Know it’s Christmas?” by Band Aid? That song kept going through my head as we drove through Senegal and saw the masses of people. In the states, I thought, the trees and the lights are going up and everyone is counting down the days to Christmas, but these people won’t be celebrating Christmas. Why? Because they don’t worship Jesus Christ as the Son of God. In fact, most of them don’t even know the simplest of facts about Jesus, and those who have at least heard of him don’t have the right information about him. They consider him a prophet, but that is all.

As I’ve transitioned back to life in Oak Harbor, though, I realized that things are not so different here. Oh – people know it’s Christmas time here, and they will celebrate by giving gifts and gathering with family. But in the midst of it all – the identity of the one we are celebrating about gets lost. And for many people here in Oak Harbor they think they know Jesus but really they just know about him, and what little they know isn’t even accurate.

Before I left for Africa we were going through the Gospel of John, answering the question “Who is this Jesus?” as we went chapter by chapter through that book. For the next 3 weeks we’ll continue answering that question, but our focus is going to move back in time over 700 years to the time of the prophet Isaiah. We’ll take a look at two passages of scripture written by the prophet Isaiah foretelling the birth of the messiah, and giving the messiah 5 titles. Starting today and continuing through Christmas eve we’ll take a closer look at these titles and discover 5 new reasons to worship God this Christmas, because of who Jesus is for each of us.

Isaiah 9:2-7 (NIV)

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.

Here in verse 6 we’re given a glimpse into who the messiah was going to be – he will be called WONDERFUL COUNSELOR, MIGHTY GOD, EVERLASTING FATHER, PRINCE OF PEACE. Let’s take a look at the first two of these titles today.

WONDERFUL COUNSELOR:

When we think of a wonderful counselor we think of a psychiatrist – someone who helps us through difficult emotional times. But the word here is talking more about an advisor. Most often in the Old Testament when this word was used it was talking about the king and his counselors, that is – those men who helped advise the king when he asked for help making decisions.

When I have car trouble I’m glad I have a friend in Mark Calim. For he is wise when it comes to automotive repair. When I have landscaping questions I’m glad I have a friend in Mark Richards and Eric Gerber for they are wise when it comes to making a yard green and beautiful. When I have questions about my purpose in life and which direction I’m supposed to go I’m glad, so glad I have my friend, my Lord, my wonderful counselor Jesus.

Ever been around someone really smart? Ann’s brother Greg is really smart. We were playing the board game Cranium one night in Senegal and somehow the question came up “what is a quasar” to which Greg then launched into a detailed 2 minute explanation. Jesus was smarter. He always had the right answer. People came up to him to trick him and trap him with difficult questions. Jesus always came out on top. He’s not like me, since I usually only come up with the right answer a few hours later after someone asks me a tough question!