JESUS IS THE MIGHTY COUNSELOR
ISAIAH 9:1-7
INTRODUCTION:
LAST WEEK WE BEGAN OUR ADVENT CELEBRATION BY MEDITATING ON THE NAMES THE PROPHET ISAIAH USED TO DESCRIBE JESUS IN CHAPTER NINE.
SOME TRANSLATIONS PLACE A COMMA BETWEEN WONDERFUL AND COUNSELLOR, SO IT IS ALL RIGHT TO THINK OF THESE WORDS AS ONE TITLE, OR AS WE ARE DOING TO SEPARATE THEM AND THINK ON EACH INDIVIDUALLY.
WE THOUGHT ON HOW AMAZING AND UNIQUE JESUS IS, AND HOW THIS WAS SHOWN EVEN IN THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF HIS BIRTH.
TODAY I WANT TO LOOK AT THE SECOND TITLE USED AND THAT IS COUNSELLOR. NOW WONDERFUL IS STILL IMPORTANT BECAUSE IN THIS CASE, IT ACTS AS AN ADJECTIVE AND DESCRIBES OUR AMAZING COUNSELLOR.
NOW THE WORD “WONDERFUL” MEANS THAT JESUS IS:
-BEYOND ANYTHING WE HAVE EVER SEEN, SINGULARLY UNIQUE
-EXTRAORDINARY, SO VAST THAT WE CAN’T UNDERSTAND THE FULL MEANING
- THAT JESUS GOES BEYOND THE BOUNDS OF ALL HUMAN EXPECTATIONS.
IN THE NEW TESTAMENT THE WORD “WONDERFUL” SEEMS TO BE REPLACED BY THE WORD “AMAZED”.
SO WHAT WE ARE GOING TO SEE TODAY IS THAT JESUS AS A COUNSELLOR IS EXTRAORDINARY, SINGULARLY UNIQUE, BEYOND THE BOUNDS OF ALL HUMAN EXPECTATIONS.
EVERYONE NEEDS A COUNSELOR AT SOMETIME, TO BOUNCE IDEAS OFF OF, TO SEEK STRATEGY AND ADVISE. IN OUR WORLD WHEN WE THINK OF COUNSELORS, THERE ARE FOUR BASIC TYPES THAT WE LOOK FOR.
1. THERE IS THE POLITICAL COUNSELOR THAT YOU VOTE FOR.
2. THERE IS THE COUNSELOR THAT GIVES ADVISE OR STRATEGY. THIS CAN COME IN VARIOUS FORMS. AT SCHOOL THEY HAVE A GUIDANCE COUNSELOR. THERE ARE ALSO PEOPLE WHO WILL GIVE COUNSEL ON FINANCIAL MATTERS, JOB SITUATIONS, THE PRIME MINISTER HAS A GROUP OF PEOPLE WHO COUNSEL HIM ON VARIOUS ELEMENTS OF GOVERNMENT.
3. THERE IS THE PSYCHOLOGICAL COUNSELOR.
4. THERE IS LEGAL COUNSEL, OR A LAWYER. THEY ATTEMPT TO INTERPRET THE LAW TO THE BEST POSSIBLE END FOR THEIR CLIENT.
THESE DIFFERENT GROUPS ARE ALL GOOD IN AND OF THEMSELVES, AND THERE ARE TIMES WHEN WE AS CHRISTIANS NEED TO AVAIL OURSELVES OF THEIR EXPERTISE, BUT WE SHOULD NOT NEGLECT THE HELP OF THE GREAT COUNSELOR AS WE SEEK ANSWERS TO OUR PROBLEMS.
IN THE EARLY DAYS OF THE AUTOMOBILE A MAN HAD BROKEN DOWN BY THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. HE HAD TRIED IN VAIN TO GET HIS CAR RESTARTED. ANOTHER MAN NOTICED HIS PLIGHT AND PULLED UP NEXT TO HIM, AND TOLD THE OTHER MAN WITH CONFIDENCE, “I CAN FIX IT, JUST GIVE ME A MINUTE. CONFIDENTLY HE OPENED THE HOOD, AND AFTER A MINUTE OR TWO ASKED THE MAN TO GIVE IT A TRY. THE CAR STARTED ON THE FIRST CRANK. THE MAN WHO FIXED THE CAR WAS HENRY FORD.; WHO BETTER TO FIX THE CAR THAN THE CREATOR.
WHO BETTER TO HELP US WITH THE PROBLEMS WE ENCOUNTER IN THIS WORLD, THAN THE CREATOR OF THE WORLD.
ROMANS 11:33-36:
Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! 34 “Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?” 35 “Who has ever given to God, that God should repay him?” 36 For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen.
THIS SCRIPTURE REMINDS US THAT:
- GOD’S MIND IS SO DEEP YOU’LL NEVER GET TO THE BOTTOM OF IT
- GOD-S MIND IS SO COMPLETE THAT HIS PLAN IS PERFECT THOUGH IT IS CONFUSING TO US.
- GOD’S MIND IS SO UNSEARCHABLE THAT YOU CANNOT FATHOM WHAT HE IS DOING. HE MAY BE DOING SOMETHING TODAY THAT WON’T BEAR FRUIT FOR 50 YEARS.
- GOD’S MIND IS SO BEYOND US. WE ARE LIMITED TO OUR SENSES IN WHAT WE UNDERSTAND. GOD IS NOT.
NOW FOR US TODAY THE TYPES OF COUNSELOR I WISH TO FOCUS ON TODAY ARE THE STRATEGIST AND THE ADVOCATE OR THE LAWYER. LET’S TAKE A FEW MOMENTS TODAY AND SEE IF JESUS LIVES UP TO THE TITLE THAT ISAIAH GIVES HIM AND WHY.
BIBLICAL BACKGROUND:
IASAIAH’S PROPHETIC MINISTRY LASTED ABOUT FORTY YEARS THROUGHOUT THE REIGNS OF UZZIAH, JOTHAM, AHAZ, AND HEZEKIAH. THE FIRST THREE VERSES OF THE BOOK ARE CRITICAL TO US.
ISAIAH 1:1-3
The vision concerning Judah and Jerusalem that Isaiah son of Amoz saw during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah, kings of Judah. 2 Hear, O heavens! Listen, O earth! For the LORD has spoken: “I reared children and brought them up, but they have rebelled against me. 3 The ox knows his master, the donkey his owner’s manger, but Israel does not know, my people do not understand.”
THE REIGNS OF THE KINGS MENTIONED WILL TELL US WHAT THEY DID NOT UNDERSTAND. UNDER UZZIAH, JUDAH WAS SICK WITH PROSPERITY. HE WAS A GREAT KING. JOTHAM HIS SON ALLOWED THE WORSHIP OF IDOLS AND THE DECLINE OF JUDAH BEGAN. AHAZ WAS A WICKED KING. HE WAS MARRIED TO JEZEBEL, AND TOOK IDOL WORSHIP TO A NEW LEVEL AS HE SACRIFICED HIS SON TO PEGAN GODS. HE ALSO FORGED ALLIANCES WITH PEGAN NATIONS RATHER THAN TRUSTING IN GOD FOR THE NATION’S SECURITY. HEZEKIAH WAS A GOOD KING, REOPENING THE TEMPLE AND DESTROYING IDOL WORSHIP.
EVEN DURING UZZIAH’S REIGN THOUGH THE COUNTRY WAS DESTROYING ITSELF FROM THE INSIDE.
ISAIAH 1:21-25:
See how the faithful city has become a harlot! She once was full of justice; righteousness used to dwell in her— but now murderers! 22 Your silver has become dross, your choice wine is diluted with water. 23 Your rulers are rebels, companions of thieves; they all love bribes and chase after gifts. They do not defend the cause of the fatherless; the widow’s case does not come before them. 24 Therefore the Lord, the LORD Almighty, the Mighty One of Israel, declares: “Ah, I will get relief from my foes and avenge myself on my enemies. 25 I will turn my hand against you; I will thoroughly purge away your dross and remove all your impurities.
LEADERS WHO WERE TO ADMINISTER JUSTICE IN JUDAH WERE BEING BOUGHT OFF. THEY WERE NEGLECTING THE WIDOWED AND ORPHANED.
IT WAS AS THE NOVEL SAYS “THE BEST OF TIMES AND THE WORST OF TIMES” FOR JUDAH. MATERIALLY THEY WERE PROSPERING, BUT SPIRITUALLY THEY WERE ON A GREAT DECLINE THAT WOULD EVENTUALLY DESTROY THEM. THE LIFE OF ISAIAH IS A PERFECT EXAMPLE OF THIS FOR AT THE END OF THE REIGN OF UZZIAH HE HAD HIS WONDERFUL VISION IN CHAPTER 6
ISAIAH 6:1-6:
In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted, and the train of his robe filled the temple. 2 Above him were seraphs, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. 3 And they were calling to one another: “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.” 4 At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke. 5 “Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the LORD Almighty.” 6 Then one of the seraphs flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. 7 With it he touched my mouth and said, “See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for.”
YET TRADITION TELLS US THAT ISAIAH WOULD NOT SEE THE END OF HEZEKIAH’S REIGN AS HE WAS KILLED BY HEZEKIAH’S SON MANASSEH, BY BEING SAWED IN TWO.
THE COUNTRY WOULD NOT FOLLOW THE COUNSEL OF GOD, AND SO GOD BECAME SILENT. THAT’S A GOOD LESSON FOR US, AND FOR OUR CHURCH TODAY. WE CANNOT AFFORD TO TRY TO MINISTER IN OUR OWN POWER, FOR IF WE DO, GOD’S VOICE WILL BECOME SILENT FOR US AS WELL.
THE NATION THEN BECOMES ABSORBED IN THE DARKNESS OF FEAR AND SCANDAL. IN THE MIDST OF THE DARKNESS ISAIAH NOT ONLY TELLS THEM OF COMING JUDGMENT, BUT HE ALSO SPEAKS TO THE FAITHFUL WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT, THAT IN THE MIDST OF THEIR DARKNESS GOD IS STILL SOVEREIGN.
DEFINITION:
THIS BRINGS US TO OUR PASSAGE TODAY, AND THE TITLES THAT ISAIAH USES TO DESCRIBE THE MESSIAH, PARTICULARLY FOR US TODAY WONDERFUL COUNSELOR.
NOW WE ALREADY DEFINED “WONDERFUL”, REMEMBER:
NOW THE WORD “WONDERFUL” MEANS THAT JESUS IS:
-BEYOND ANYTHING WE HAVE EVER SEEN, SINGULARLY UNIQUE
-EXTRAORDINARY, SO VAST THAT WE CAN’T UNDERSTAND THE FULL MEANING
- THAT JESUS GOES BEYOND THE BOUNDS OF ALL HUMAN EXPECTATIONS.
IN THE NEW TESTAMENT THE WORD “WONDERFUL” SEEMS TO BE REPLACED BY THE WORD “AMAZED”.
BUT WHAT ABOUT THE WORD “COUNSELOR”. THE WORD ISAIAH USES HERE IS THE HEBREW WORD “PELE”. IT’S A WORD THAT IS FOUND FAIRLY OFTEN IN THE OLD TESTAMENT, BUT IN EVERY INSTANCE IS DIRECTLY RELATED TO GOD. IN OTHER PLACES IT IS TRANSLATED AS MIRACULOUS, DIVINE, OR SUPERNATURAL. IT LITERALLY MEANS A CUT ABOVE WHAT YOU MIGHT THINK POSSIBLE.
WHEN YOU PUT THE WORDS “WONDERFUL COUNSELOR” TOGETHER, ISAIAH IS TELLING US THAT THIS IS A COUNSELOR UNLIKEANYTHING YOU CAN IMAGINE. THIS IS A MIRACULOUS DIVINE COUNSELOR, EXTRAORDINARY, SIGULARLY UNIQUE IN HIS WISDOM, HE GOES BEYOND THE BOUNDS OF ALL HUMAN EXPECTATIONS.
NOW AS A COUNSELOR WE SEE THAT THE MESSIAH TAKES THREE FORMS OF GREAT SIGNIFICANCE IN OUR UNDERSTANDING.
1 HERE IS THE COUNSELOR THAT GIVES ADVISE OR STRATEGY.
2 HERE IS LEGAL COUNSEL, OR A LAWYER.
3 HERE IS THE PSYCHOLOGIST
WE’LL INVEST THE REST OF OUR TIME THIS MORNING AS TO HOW JESUS MORE THAN MEETS THESE QUALIFICATIONS, AND THE BENEFITS THAT WE CAN HAVE FROM FOLLOWING HIM.
FIRST AS A COUNSELOR THAT GIVES ADVISE AND STRATEGY
JAMES 1:5: If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. 6 But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt,
2 PETER 1:3-4:
His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4 Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
WHAT QUALIFIES JESUS TO COUNSEL US WITH RESPECT TO ADVISE AND STRATEGY. I’D SUGGEST TO YOU SEVERAL THINGS.
1, THE FIRST AND MOST OBVIOUS QUALIFICATION THAT JESUS HAS TO BE OUR COUNSELOR IS THAT HE IS GOD!
a) HE KNOWS THE DEPTHS OF SCIENCE….HE MADE THE ATOM, IT AWAITS HIS ORDER EACH DAY TO KEEP GOING.
b) HE KNOWS THE DEPTHS OF CREATION….HE KNOWS EXACTLY HOW BIG THE SUN NEEDED TO BE, HOW HOT AND HOW FAR AWAY FROM THE EARTH SO THAT WE WULD NOT FREEZE OR BURN. HE CREATED THE HEART AND THE FLEA. LOOK AT THE PERSON SITTING NEXT TO YOU AND BEHOLD THE CREATION OF GOD.
c) HE KNOWS THE DEPTHS OF TRUTH…HE IS THE TRUTH! TRUTH IS UNCHANGING , UNWAVERING AND DOESN’T PLAY FAVORITES.
d) HE KNOWS THE DEPTHS OF TIME…THE PAST PRESENT AND FUTURE, HE IS THERE ALREADY
e) HE KNOWS THE DEPTHS OF OUR HUMAN CONDITION…HE KNOWS OUR STRENGTHS AND OUR WEAKNESSES.
f) HE ALREADY KNOWS THE PLANS OF ALL MEN AND DEVILS…HIS COUNSEL IS SO GOOD BECAUSE HE TAKES INTO ACCOUNT CIRCUMSTANCES THAT NEITHER YOU OR I KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT.
JOHN 14:26: But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.
2 TIMOTHY 3:16-17:
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
PROVERBS:1:5-6:
let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance— 6 for understanding proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise.
Psalm 33:11: But the plans of the LORD stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations.
ALAN PERKINS WRITES:
WHEN THE SCRIPTURES REFER TO JESUS AS A “WONDERFUL” COUNSELOR, IT DOES NOT JUST MEAN THAT HE IS GOOD AT GIVING ADVISE. IT MEANS THAT HE UNDERSTANDS THINGS WHICH ARE BEYOND THE ABILITY OF OUR FINITE MINDS TO COMPREHEND. HE KNOWS THINGS WHICH ONLY GOD CAN KNOW. HE KNOWS THE WAYS OF GOD; HE UNDERSTANDS GODS PLANS AND PURPOSES. HIS KNOWLEDGE, AND INTELLIGENCE, AND WISDOM, AND INSIGHT FAR EXHEED THAT OF ANY MAN WHO EVER LIVED. SO IN JESUS CHRIST, WE HAVE SOMEONE WHO, BY VIRTUE OF HIS GREAT KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING, IS ABUNDANTLY QUALIFIED TO GUIDE AND DIRECT OUR LIVES, SOMEONE WHO IS NEVER CONFUSED OR MISTAKEN, SOMEONE WHO ALWAYS KNOWS EXACTLY WHAT TO DO, SOMEONE WHO WILL NEVER LEAD US ASTRAY.
HOW DOES HE LEAD US? LET ME SUGGEST FOUR WAYS:
1. HE LEADS US THROUGH PRAYER.
PHILIPPIANS 4:4-7:
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
2. THROUGH HIS SPIRIT:
JOHN 14:26-27: But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
ROMANS 8:26-27:
In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. 27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will.
3. THROUGH THE WORD
PSALM 119:9-11:
How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word. 10 I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. 11 I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.
4. THROUGH HIS SERVANTS:
COLOSSIANS 2:2-3
My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
WHAT QUALIFIES HIM AS THE GREAT PSYCHOLOGIST:
1. HE KNOWS YOUR STRUGGLES. JESUS GETS IT AND CAN RELATE TO YOU. HE KNOWS YOUR HEART AND MIND, AND HE ALLOWS HIMSELF TO BE OPEN TO US.
Hebrews 4:15-16:
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin. 16 Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
HAVE YOU EVER BEEN BETRAYED? HE HAS!
HAVE YOU EVER BEEN WRONGLY ACCUSED? HE HAS!
HAVE PEOPLE EVER GOSSIPED ABOUT YOU? HE HAS!
HAVE YOU EVER SUFFERED PHYSICAL PAIN? HE HAS!
HAVE YOU EVER FELT LONELY? HE HAS!
HAVE YOU EVER SUFFERED LOSS? HE HAS!
HAVE YOU EVER BEEN AFRAID? HE HAS!
HAVE YOU EVER BEEN TO THE BOTTOM WITHOUT KNOWING HOW TO GET OUT? HE UNDERSTANDS.
2. HE CARES FOR YOU
JESUS CARES ABOUT YOU AS A PERSON.
1 PETER 5:6-7: Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
MATTHEW 6:26
Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?
GOD DOES NOT HELP THOSE WHO HELP THEMSELVES. HE HELPS THOSE WHO CAN’T HELP THEMSELVES.
3 HE COMMITS HIMSELF TO YOU
JOHN 10:27-28:
My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.
HE IS OUR ADVOCATE OUR DEFENDER:
1 JOHN 2:1-2:
My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. 2 He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.
What are some accounts of Jesus that remind you of His wisdom? Illus. Suppose you committed a brutal murder and were arrested for it. • Sent to jail, had no money to afford a lawyer so one was appointed for you. • You found out he’s the best there is. Your trial comes. • The evidence is overwhelming, you’re convicted and sentenced to death. • Then something bizarre happens. Your lawyer stands and approaches the bench. • He tells the judge that even though you’re guilty, he would like to take your place in the electric chair. • What would you think about that lawyer? Perplexed, amazed, grateful? That’s exactly what Jesus Christ has already done for you and me.
CONCLUSION: WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF FOLLOWING HIS COUNSEL:
1. WE HAVE A COMPASSIONATE AND LOYAL FRIEND.
2. JESUS PROVIDES US WITH WHOLENESS. THERE WAS A LITTLE BY WHO PULLED A CORN STALK OUT BY ITS ROOTS. WHEN HIS FATHER CONGRATULATED HIM HE BEAMED. “AND JUST THINK, HE SAID, THE WHOLE WORLD WAS AT THE OTHER END OF IT.”
3. JESUS COUNSEL PROVIDES US WITH THE TRUTH.
JOHN 8:32: Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
SOMETIMES WE MAY NOT WANT TO HEAR THE TRUTH, BUT IT WILL ALWAYS MAKE US FREE.
• Suppose someone has a problem with anger. This person’s anger is causing him to have high blood pressure and relational problems with those around him. Does he need to hear the truth?
• Suppose someone has a problem with alcohol. His problem is causing him to lose his family and be unable to hold a job. Does he need to hear the truth?
• Suppose a teenager or young adult is playing around with premarital or extramarital sex. They might be facing an unwanted pregnancy. They might be facing a marriage to someone they do not respect. Do they need to hear the truth?
• Suppose a man is tempted by dishonest activities at his job. He might be facing a possible prison sentence. Does he need to hear the truth?
This is why people reject the Bible and reject Jesus Christ. He represents truth. It is easier to reject the message than to accept the truth.
4. JESUS COUNSEL WILL PROVIDE DIRECTION.
PSALM 32:8: I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you.
PROVERBS 3:5-6: Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
4. HE WILL CARRY YOUR BURDENS
MATTHEW 11:28-29: Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.
JESUS IS THE REAL DEAL. HE IS THE WONDERFUL COUNSELOR.
HE IS SUPREME.
PHIL 2:5-11:
our attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7 but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross! 9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
