Introduction

Good morning, beloved family, gathered here in the house of the Lord. It's always a joy to gather with you, to share in the solidarity of our fellowship, the warmth of our community, and the steadfastness of our faith. We are here, not by accident, but by divine appointment, summoned by our loving God who desires to speak to us, to nourish us with His Word, and to equip us for His service.

Today, we find ourselves standing at the threshold of a powerful passage, a passage that carries with it profound implications for our understanding of who God is, who we are, and what He has done for us. We turn our hearts and minds to the book of Isaiah, chapter 9, verse 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."

This is a passage that sings of promise, of hope, and of a love so profound, so divine, that it would take the form of a child, a son, a savior. It's a passage that invites us to stand in awe of the miraculous manifestation of the Messiah, to marvel at the magnificence of His mission, and to contemplate the mystery of His Majesty.

As we prepare to unpack this verse, I am reminded of the words of J.I. Packer, a respected Christian author, who once said, "The Christmas message is that there is hope for a ruined humanity–hope of pardon, hope of peace with God, hope of glory–because at the Father's will Jesus Christ became poor and was born in a stable so that thirty years later he might hang on a cross."

This is the hope that we find in Isaiah 9:6, a hope that is not just for a season, but for all eternity. It's a hope that is not just for a select few, but for all who would believe. It's a hope that is not just for this life, but for the life to come.

Miraculous Manifestation of the Messiah

When we think about the birth of Jesus, it's easy to get lost in the familiarity of the story. We've heard it so many times, and seen it in so many nativity scenes, that we might miss the sheer wonder of it all. But let's pause for a moment and consider the reality of what happened. God, the Creator of the universe, the One who spoke galaxies into existence, chose to become a human being. He didn't come as a mighty warrior or a powerful king, but as a vulnerable baby, born in a humble stable. This is the miraculous manifestation of the Messiah.

In this manifestation, we see the humility of God. He could have chosen any way to save us, any way to reveal Himself. But He chose to become one of us, to live among us, to experience our joys and sorrows, our trials and temptations. This is a God who is not distant or detached, but intimately involved in our lives. He knows what it's like to be human, because He was human. He knows what it's like to suffer, because He suffered. He knows what it's like to be tempted, because He was tempted. Yet, He was without sin. This is the humility of our God, revealed in the miraculous manifestation of the Messiah.

In this manifestation, we also see the love of God. The birth of Jesus was not just an act of humility, but an act of love. For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son. He didn't just send a message or a messenger. He sent His Son. He sent Himself. This is a love that is not passive or indifferent, but active and sacrificial. It's a love that is not just about feelings, but about action. It's a love that is not just for the deserving, but for the undeserving. This is the love of our God, revealed in the miraculous manifestation of the Messiah.

Thirdly we see the power of God. The birth of Jesus was not just an act of humility and love, but an act of power. This is a God who is not weak or limited, but strong and sovereign. He is the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. He is the One who has the power to save, the power to heal, the power to transform. He is the One who has the power to make all things new. This is the power of our God, revealed in the miraculous manifestation of the Messiah.

Lastly, we also see the promise of God. The birth of Jesus was not just an act of humility, love, and power, but an act of promise. This is a God who is not unreliable or unfaithful, but trustworthy and true. He is the One who keeps His promises, the One who fulfills His Word. The Lord has promised to send a Savior, and He did. He promised to save us from our sins, and He did. These are the promises of our God, revealed in the miraculous manifestation of the Messiah.

Magnificence of His Mission

As we continue to reflect on the words of Isaiah, we find ourselves drawn into the grandeur of the mission that this child, this son, this savior, is set to undertake ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO