Jesus: Wonderful Counselor Series

Does anyone know what their name means? Mine means “great”. Chris means follower of Christ.

How did you get your name? Were you named after someone special?

I must admit that there are some interesting names out there today.

For the next four weeks, we’re going to be looking at some very interesting names.

• And all these names point to One Person, Jesus Christ, the Name Above all Names.

There are hundreds of names for Jesus in Scripture that describe Who He is.

• Lord of Hosts, Deliverer, King of kings, Redeemer, Savior.

Because it’s Christmas time, I’d like us to reflect on four of His names as found in a favorite Christmas passage. Please turn with me to Isa. 9:6.

This passage not only predicts Messiah’s birth, it also describes how incredible He is.

(Read Together) Isa. 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, COUNSELOR, THE MIGHTY GOD, THE EVERLASTING FATHER, THE PRINCE OF PEACE.

Before we look at the names of Jesus, we need to understand our first point…

I. WHAT’S IN A NAME?

“A picture paints a thousand words”. In Scripture, a name paints a thousand words. A person’s name described who he or she was, his/her character/personality.

• Isaac means “laughter”. He brought laughter to Abraham/Sarah.

• Isaiah means “God is my salvation”. His prophecies clearly point to this.

• Peter means “rock”. He became the “bedrock” and pillar for the church.

• Jesus means “Jehovah Saves”.

Ex. 3:13-14 MOSES SAID TO GOD, “SUPPOSE I GO TO THE ISRAELITES AND SAY TO THEM, ‘THE GOD OF YOUR FATHERS HAS SENT ME TO YOU,’ AND THEY ASK ME, ‘WHAT IS HIS NAME?’ THEN WHAT SHALL I TELL THEM?” 14GOD SAID TO MOSES, “I AM WHO I AM” (YHWH).

• Eternal, everlasting, all-encompassing, all you will ever need.

Because God’s Name describes Who He is, His Name is revered throughout Scripture. Ps. 29:2 ASCRIBE TO THE LORD THE GLORY DUE HIS NAME; Ps. 34:3 GLORIFY THE LORD WITH ME; LET US EXALT HIS NAME TOGETHER. Ps. 111:9 HOLY AND AWESOME IS HIS NAME.

Jesus’ Name is just as powerful.

Phil 2:10 AT THE NAME OF JESUS EVERY KNEE SHOULD BOW, IN HEAVEN AND ON EARTH AND UNDER THE EARTH, AND EVERY TONGUE CONFESS THAT JESUS CHRIST IS LORD, TO THE GLORY OF GOD THE FATHER. Acts 4:12 SALVATION IS FOUND IN NO ONE ELSE, FOR THERE IS NO OTHER NAME UNDER HEAVEN GIVEN TO MEN BY WHICH WE MUST BE SAVED."

The Name of Jesus is powerful and life-changing.

When we look at the Names of Christ, we look at the Person of Christ. Understanding His Name helps us to better understand Him.

II. THE WONDER OF HIS NAME

Some translations read Wonderful, Counselor. Others read Wonderful Counselor.

• I’m not sure what Isaiah intended. Both interpretations are powerful.

• Either way, we’re going to look at both words today.

“Wonderful” means “marvelous, exceptional, distinguished, incredibly great”. Webster’s Thesaurus lists three other synonyms for the word “wonderful”.

A. His name is amazing. He is amazing.

Mt. 7:28-29 WHEN JESUS HAD FINISHED SAYING THESE THINGS, THE CROWDS WERE AMAZED AT HIS TEACHING, 29BECAUSE HE TAUGHT AS ONE WHO HAD AUTHORITY, AND NOT AS THEIR TEACHERS OF THE LAW.

Throughout the Gospels, the people were continually amazed at His miracles.

“Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, there’s just something about that Name.”

B. His name is awesome.

His Name means Jehovah saves. What an awesome, wonderful thought!

Ex. 15:11 “WHO IS LIKE YOU—MAJESTIC IN HOLINESS, AWESOME IN GLORY, WORKING WONDERS?

Ps. 111:9 HE PROVIDED REDEMPTION FOR HIS PEOPLE; HE ORDAINED HIS COVENANT FOREVER—HOLY AND AWESOME IS HIS NAME.

“Our God is an awesome God”.

C. His name is astonishing. (overwhelming)

Mt. 12:23 ALL THE PEOPLE WERE ASTONISHED AND SAID, “COULD THIS BE THE SON OF DAVID?”

The people were amazed and astonished at the Person and work of Jesus Christ.

Everything about Him is wonderful; He’s amazing and awesome and even astonishing.

“His Name is Wonderful, Jesus My Lord”.

“No other name but the name of Jesus is worthy of glory, and worthy of honor, and worthy of power and all praise.”

When we put Wonderful with Counselor, we discover an even greater thing about Him.

III. THE WISDOM OF HIS NAME

Not only is there infinite wonder in His Name, there’s infinite wisdom in His Name.

I choose the word “wisdom” because it’s a key word to help us understand His role as Counselor.

Isa. 11:2 THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD WILL REST ON HIM-- THE SPIRIT OF WISDOM AND OF UNDERSTANDING, THE SPIRIT OF COUNSEL AND OF POWER, THE SPIRIT OF KNOWLEDGE AND OF THE FEAR OF THE LORD. Prov. 2:6 FOR THE LORD GIVES WISDOM, AND FROM HIS MOUTH COME KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING. How would you define “Counselor”?