Two shopping days before Christmas- are we ready?
More important perhaps, have we prepared ourselves for the true Christmas celebration?
Dec 17, 1903- Orville/Wilbur Wright- made first flight of an airplane at Kitty Hawk, NC. On their fifth attempt- the plane flew for 12 seconds. Wilbur- telegraphed his sister- WE HAVE FLOWN FOR 12 SECONDS - WE WILL BE HOME FOR CHRISTMAS!
Their sister went to- newspaper office, told the editor about her brother’s flying machine, and informed him they would be home for Christmas- set up interview. He told her he would put something in the paper. On Dec 19th- paper placed this headline on the 6th page: Wright brothers home for Christmas. The most important story of the year- man’s first flight- the editor missed it! (Alan Tison)
Could the same be said about us and the way we prepare ourselves and our families for Christmas?
The tree is decorated, gifts have been purchased, but have we missed- most important part of the story?
The Son of God, Jesus Christ, has come to earth!
Isa 9:1-2
Prophecy concerning- birth of Jesus Christ (700yr).
Isaiah speaks of a great light shining on mankind.
Salvation is coming out of darkness into- light of God.
Col 1:13 For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, (MSG … dark dungeons)
The light is not just the removing of deception so we have knowledge/understand truth.
Jn 8:12 … I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life. NASU
When Herod- Roman governor- was told by the Magi about a baby who would become King- troubled.
We have difficulty believing in the Christmas story, but Herod had no trouble believing the Magi.
Herod was so sure- he had 1000’s of babies murdered.
Isa 9:6 For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.
This morning- look at this baby and who He was.
For a child will be born- speaks of His humanity.
God took on the form of a man.
Only as a man could empathize w/us.
A son will be given to us- speaks of His divinity.
God gave us His Son as our deliverer.
Only a holy God could die for our sins.
And the government will rest on His shoulders-
Speaks of- second coming- come as a King.
One reason Herod was upset- his government was being challenged- Herod was king, not Jesus.
We struggle w/same thing when God wants to establish His government/rule/holiness in us.
And His name will be called- Wonderful Counselor
Some translations- 8 names, many combine in pairs.
Wonderful- a miracle, expressing actions that are beyond the bounds of human powers.
Counselor- to advise, to deliberate or resolve.
1. He understands our struggles
Heb 4:15 For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. NASU
2. He cares about us
1Pe 5:7 Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. NLT
3. He has committed Himself to us
Jn 10:27 "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; NASU
Jesus is committed to taking care of His sheep.
He speaks to them and has given Himself to help them
Every single person here this morning has problems.
Turn to someone and say, “You’ve got problems!”
Now turn to God and say, "I’ve got problems!"
We are all alike in our struggle to live like Jesus.
The church is to be a community where people can be open and honest about their struggles.
We have a Wonderful Counselor.
And His name will be called- Mighty God
Mighty- powerful, warrior, champion,
Zep 3:17 "The Lord your God is in your midst, A victorious warrior. He will exult over you with joy, He will be quiet in His love, He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy. NASU
1. He knows where we are and who we are
He knows what roads we have traveled, what turns we have made, what dead end streets we have been on
Jn 4:16-18 (Samaritan woman at the well)
Jesus knew her life, He knew her heart.
Her lifestyle was completely exposed to Him.
He knows the same things about you and me.
God knows the condition of our heart, but there is nothing beyond God’s ability to change in us.
2. He Knows our efforts to SAVE Ourselves
Dec 2006, Oregon- James Kim, his wife, two daughters- stranded in their car- snow storm. A week into the ordeal James left the car to get help. His wife/daughters were found alive- his body was found several days later. James did everything he could- he could not save himself.
James tried to do the right thing- he tried w/all he had.
Sometimes our efforts are not enough- we need God.
Eph 2:8-9
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. NASU
Salvation is God’s idea- we all are in need of a Savior.
Jesus can rescue us from any situation in our lives.
He is our Mighty God.
And His name will be called- Eternal Father
Eternal- speaks of duration, without end.
We call George Washington the Father of Our Nation.
We call our earthly father, father.
Do we understand who our Eternal Father is?
1. Christ’s CHARACTER does not change
His mercy/love/grace/forgiveness- does not change.
From the dawning of the day to the setting of the sun- His character does not change.
Heb 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. NASU
2. Christ’s COMPASSION does not change
Mark 1:40-41
40 And a leper came to Jesus, beseeching Him and falling on his knees before Him, and saying, "If You are willing, You can make me clean." 41 Moved with compassion, Jesus stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, "I am willing; be cleansed." NASU
Through out the Gospels we see Jesus’ compassion for broken men/women like you and me.
3. Christ’s COMMITMENT does not change
Eternal Father- is a declaration of God’s endless faithfulness/trustworthiness.
2 Tim 2:13 If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself. NASU
He is always there for us- He will not abandon us.
He is our Eternal Father.
And His name will be called- Prince of Peace
We have heard stories/watched movies- WW II, Vietnam, Korea, Desert Storm, war on terrorism.
Hard to image- a world without conflict and fighting.
People are always looking for ways to bring peace.
The term peace- connected w/absence of war.
OT word for peace- shalom- means so much more than just the absence of conflict.
Shalom- also- picture of health/wholeness/harmony.
To have shalom is to have not only a quiet life but a fulfilled life with a sense of well being/purpose.
Two areas of our life where God brings peace …
1. Jesus brings peace between us and GOD
It is not possible to have the peace OF God without peace WITH God.
Each of us because of sin- are separated from God.
God sent the Prince of Peace to deal w/our sin.
Col 1:19-20
19 For it was the Father’s good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him,
20 and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross … NASU
2. Jesus brings peace within ourselves
Phil 4:6-7
6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. NASU
As we trust in God with every day life, we will experience a deep internal peace.
Jesus is our Prince of Peace.
In Conclusion
Mt 1:23 "Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him
Immanuel,* which means ’God is with us.’" NLT
On Christmas morning we will celebrate the birth of this child, this God, sent to be w/us forever.
(Many ideas for this sermon come from a Christmas series on Isa 9:6 by Pastor Tom Shepard)
