Isaiah 9:1-9.THE WONDER OF HIS COMING.
Are you filled with wonder at Christmas? I wonder have we as a nation lost the wonder of Christmas? With all the tinsel and trappings, has it finally become a Frankenstein of our own making. A monster completely out of control?
Let’s face it if you were to ask the average person in the street today, what is the wonder of Christmas. What would they say? Santa, presents, children, family time, T V programming, shopping, overindulgence of food, children’ faces, parties, they might even say there is no wonder for me Christmas is simply a time when I’m all alone, I have an increasing credit card debt which is driving me to despair Christmas is utterly depressing.
Even the politicallly correct lobby are slowly changing the face of Christmas and Christianity in this country if they continue to have their way will become a winter wonderland with Santa completly replacing our Saviour.
Background: Isaiah had a 60 year ministry 740 BC – 681 BC, he was a prophet to mainly Judah but also God’s word was spoken into the lives of those in the Northern Kingdom till 722BC. It was a turbulent time for the twin nations. Isaiah’s call wasn’t palatable, he called them to commit their lives first to God and then to King and turn away from sin. But the people had lost all wonder of who they belonged t, they had lost all wonder of their God.
Under the rule of King Ahaz 735 BC and Manasseh 697 BC , the nation of Judah had a form of godliness but in their hearts they were corrupt, they turned to idolatry , even to child sacrifice, they oppressed the poor, perverted justice, they made military alliances with other nations instead of trusting God.
So Isaiah brought a message of Judgement.In fact in 722BC Israel would be invaded and fall through the Assyrians , yet when it came to Judah God would miraculously intervene and hold off the Assyrian attack and give them victory all of which demonstrated Gods unfolding plan and promises for the nation at this time. Which was meant to bring a purifying process for the people, for them to turn and stand in wonder of God once again but they failed to listen.
Isaiah speaks of a coming wonder, to the people, the wonder of the Messiah, foretold 700 years earlier. In fact Isaiah speaks more on the coming Messiah than any other OT prophet, I am sure we are familiar with many texts Isaiah 7:14 The Lord Himself will give you a sign. 9:6- 9 Unto us a child is born. 11:1- 19 The branch of Jesse. Isaiah 42:1 – 4. The servant of the Lord Isaiah 52:13 – 53:12. The suffering servant. Isaiah 61: 1- 2 The year of the Lords favour.
The Messiah is the coming wonder: I believe as a nation we have lost Christ in the centre of Christmas: The political correct lobby would sooner call Christmas a winter wonderland We recently had a Private members debate Westminster hall on the erosion on our Christian heritage as a nation in the united Kingdom
Most people over 50 think too many Christian practices are being ‘downgraded’ in public life out of sensitivity to multi-culturalism.
A recent survey in the Times reports. The Saga Populus survey of 10,000 over 50s found widespread concerns about the celebration of Christmas. Some 85 per cent objected to councils replacing ‘Christmas’ lights with ‘winter’ lights and 84 per cent were dismayed by the replacement of nativity plays with non-religious productions in schools. The poll release came on the same day that MPs held a special debate at Westminster Hall. Conservative backbencher Mark Pritchard urged the government to protect public expressions of the UK’s Christian heritage.
Thee is a story of two women sat down in a wine bar celebrating when a neighbour noticed one of them and so she went over and asked “What’s the celebration all about?” Her friend replied, “Were celebrating my sons 2nd birthday!” “But where is your so?” said the neighbour. You don’t think I would bring him do you? He’s at my mother’s”.
Are you celebrating Christmas with or without real wonder of Jesus? Well I want us to focus our hearts and minds upon Him today. There is no better medicine for Christians to focus upon the wonder of Jesus.
If you have lost it, then today’s sermon should be a good tonic for you, because the real wonder of Christmas is that God was contracted to a span, God grew inside a woman’s womb was born and entered into this world.
How could we ever forget Him 9:6 for to us a child is born, to us a Son is given, and government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called the wonderful counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end.
Have you ever been mountaineering? Upon reaching the summit you can see the panoramic view, its awe inspiring. Friends imagine yourself at that summit of a mountain top today and stand in awe at the coming wonder. This 1st sermon we are going to look at the wonder of the Messiah’s mission and in the 2nd part were going to be looking at the wonder of the Messiahs personhood.
So come with me and stand in awe and wonder as we view the first summit of the Messiah’s work....
1. The coming wonder of the Messiah brings light . 1-3
A few years ago I was made aware of how much we all depend upon light in our lives, it was brought home to me one winters night, when a power cut hit Wigston it plummeted the whole area into darkness. I was in the middle of preparing sermon notes at the time and I couldn’t see a thing, the rest of the family were downstairs playing a board game as a result of being plummeted into darkness we all became totally disorientated by the whole affair.I stumbled downstairs watching my step drawn to the cupboard under the stairs thumbled my way to the shelf, until my hands came upon the candles and matches. When I eventually managed to light the candles it restored order and light into the home the children could carry on with their board game, I could carry on with my sermon notes, the light brought order out of the confusion of darkness.
This is exactly what Isaiah is saying here that there is a coming wonder, a coming light which is going to bring light where there has been v1 gloom and distress. This is what darkness brings. Isaiahs prophesy even speaks of the future location of this wonder v1 Galilee of the Gentiles. V2 A people walking in darkness, have seen a great light .
Notice Isaiah prophesised the Light of Christ coming to dispel darkness of sin in the exact same place where he quotes in fact Jesus even quotes him Matt 4:12 -17 The land of Zebulan and Naphtalia the Region of Galilee.
This is without doubt a foretelling of the Messiah who said "I am the light of the world." Who ministered and lived around Galilee. Isaiah is saying a time is coming when the light of Jesus would penetrate the darkness of sin in our lives and bring light and order and peace, where there has been darkness causing disorder, turmoil and unrest all as a result of sin. Light dispels sin in our lives:
Look at the benefits of coming to the light: v3 Enlarged nation (part of Gods Kingdom) an increased Joy: they rejoice before you: v4 The yoke that burdens us is shattered (SIN).
Maybe you feel you’re actually still in darkness today yourself, You can fill your life with all sorts of things and on the outside, put on a smile but inside its pitch black. If that’s you there is good news , because we see it’s the people living in darkness v2 who see the light that dawns in their lives....
Its the people who are in darkness who are coming into the light of Jesus Christ and are being transformed.
Therefore as a result of this light Christians should be a community of light in which the sinful works of darkness have no rightful place. Our actions should match our faith:Eph 5:8 -11. For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (the fruit of light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.
This is what Jesus called us to be a Community that shines out into the darkness. Matt 5: 16 Let your light shine before men that they may see your good deeds and praise your father in heaven.
So the wonder of this true light is that it dispels darkness.
A young girl once consulted with her minister. “I cannot stick it out any longer. I am the only Christian in the factory where I work. I get nothing but taunts and sneers. It is more than I can stand. I am going to resign.” “Will you tell me,” asked the minister, “where lights are placed?” “What has that to do with it?” the young Christian asked him rather bluntly. “Never mind,” the minister replied. “Answer my question: ‘Where are lights placed?’ “ “I suppose in dark places,” she replied. “Yes, and that is why you have been put in that factory where there is such spiritual darkness and where there is no other Christian to shine for the Lord.”
The young Christian realized for the first time the opportunity that was hers. She felt she could not fail God by allowing her light to go out. She went back to the factory with renewed determination to let her light shine in that dark corner. Before long, she was the means of leading nine other girls to the Light.
Friends the coming wonder has arrived the light of the world is here, He can cast out the darkness in your life. He lives within us, His light has dawned. We are called to shine for Him with our lives, shine out and share with others the wonder of the coming wonder: That all our sins can be forgiven that increased spiritual Joy can be known, opportunity to rejoice before Him, worship Him and shine for Him in the land of the shadow of death.
2. The coming wonder of the Messiah brings liberation 4-5.
We often here about hostages being taken and held in captivity recently we have heard of those British workers held in captivity in Iraq for over 6 months not yet knowing their fate, it must be a fearful time for them and their families. They are held in bondage, they are in need of liberation. You may also remember a few months back of Alan Johnson the BBC1 news reporter was recently liberated from his captivity in Palestine his liberation was a time of great joy and wonder for him and those who know him.
9:4 Isaiah is speaking with a prophetic voice about liberation to a people: The people are in a tight squeeze they are in difficult times the Assyrian empire is breathing down their backs the Northern Kingdom were taken into captivity and now it was Judah’s turn to experience the wrath of the Assyrians. Isaiah is saying liberation is coming!
Here is a past present and future liberation:
The past liberation: Isaiah takes them back 500 years not to the good old days under the prosperity of King Uzziah, peaceful times of Solomon or the victorious King David, but to a dark time a time of captivity and bondage to the period of the Judges chapters 6-7 When everybody did what was right in their own eyes: a time when the nation had forsaken God, they were under Median oppression for 7 years in spiritual bondage .
God would raise up Gideon an ordinary man who had lost all hope and wonder of Gods power:
Jud 6:13 If the Lord is with us why has all this happened to us? Where are all his wonders that our Fathers told us about, when they said” did not the Lord bring us up out of Egypt?” But now the Lord has abandoned us and has put us into the hand of Midian.
It was a time when they failed to remember and believe in the past promises of God and were living in fear and bondage of those around them even Gideon’s own Father worshipped Baal and had Asherah poles.
Yet in this seemingly hopeless time God raised up Gideon as a deliver a man who was obedient, who lead the nation back to God and delivered them from bondage of the Midinites v4 And so Isaiah’s prophetic voice here looks back to say God will do it again for you also. And he did for them in the present the would defeat the Assyrian army.
But also thhese words point to a future liberation from the sins that hold is in bondage in our lives.
The Messiah will be our Liberator who has come to set us free from the bondages of sin we find ourselves in but also as Christians we are not immune from sin in our daily struggles, we still need an ongoing liberation, that only Jesus can bring.
Jesus is certainly not as so many people have portrayed Him as a pathetic fellow sufferer whose function is to simply assist to get alongside and help you the best He can, to listen to his teachings and simply do your best, there is no room for liberation here.For them Jesus is simply there in an advisory capacity,too polite to be effective. How sad that must be not to be liberated.
Jesus the liberator: But it is clear from the teaching and ministry of Jesus and Isaiah that Jesus was a liberator! This is clear from Jesus when in Nazareth in the local synagogue he opens up the scroll of Isaiah Luke 4:18 -19, 21. Isaiah 61:1-2: Share Jesus ministry Jesus Knew that He was the liberator of Isaiah.
Jesus is one who breaks the bondage of sin in our lives, only he can set us free! You might not be held in hostage situation like Alan Johnson but every human being is held bound by sin until Jesus liberates you.
Jesus said "whoever sins is a slave to sin."
What sins do you need liberating from Christian?
Sins which still keep you in bondage maybe its pornography, lust, drunkenness, sex outside of marriage, greed, unfaithfulness, perversions, addictions, gossip, a bad temper, discord, selfishness, self righteousness, unfulfilled marriage.
Sin takes its toll, its worn you down and if left will tear you apart. Sin does that, ultimately it brings spiritual death and separation from God, keeping us in a spiritual bondage, in spiritual darkness.
Maybe your house is swept clean, but there is a room with a no entry sign, maybe itys just a closet, the smallest of rooms but none the less a place where Jesus needs to come in and bring liberation?
The answer to all this is the real need we all have to open those doors, no matter how uncomfortable, let the light of Christ shine, let the liberator enter and bring rejoicing again as he shatters the yoke that burdens you!
ARE WE PREPARED TO LET GO OF SIN?
Billy Graham tells the story about a little child the was playing with a very valuable vase. He put his hand into it and could not withdraw it. His father too, tried his best to get it out, to no avail. They were thinking of breaking the vase when the father said, “Now my son, make one more try. Open your hand and hold your fingers out straight as you see me doing, and then pull.” To their astonishment the little fellow said, “O no, dad, I couldn’t put my fingers out like that because if I did I would drop my dime.”
Smile, if you will but thousands of us are like that little boy, even some of us on this Church, were so busy holding on to the world’s worthless dimes that we cannot accept liberation.
Drop the dimes in your life. Surrender! Let go, and let God have His way in your life.
Yes Jesus liberates us through redemption upon the cross (To buy back) upon the cross Jesus paid the price for our sins so that we can be liberated once and for all, that all our sins can be wiped out and remembered no more -
And be thankful that He also continues to liberate us in our Christian walk to face those sins we are in wrestling with, where the vestiges of sin remain. We need have to confess our sins friends 1Jhn 1:9, we need to let the liberator into those areas of our lives (Where not even Jesus goes).
The liberator alone can give us the power to turn away from sin, living new liberated lives for God.
Friends a light has dawned in the shadow of death a liberator as entered into this world, He alone can set us free to live lives of light and liberation. Enabling us to live fulfilled lives in relationship with God, thats the Messiahs mission be part of it come of the gloom and dispair and shadow of death and enter into light and liberation even today.
Next week, why not join us as we will be climbing the next summit and seeing the wonder of his Personhood.
Pastor Aubrey Vaughan www.cbchurch.org.uk
