Series: Immanuel
Week: Three
Passage: Isaiah 9:6-7
Title: Five Facts on Jesus Messiah
Interesting Statement: What do these people have in common - Abram, Sarai, Jacob and Saul? They all had a change of name, to reflect a change of direction.
Introduction: Names in the Bible are extremely important as a name not only conveys who you are but also says something about your character. Isaiah 9:6 is probably one of the best-known/loved verses in Scripture as it reveals five dynamics of the name and characteristics of the coming Messiah as well as the implications for the people of that day and us as we continue in the Christmas season.
#1: He was to be born a Child (Isaiah 9:6a)
• Explanation: Two words to highlight are “child” and “born”. Isaiah declares the Messiah would come into the world like us (human/male) and be the firstborn (a son). The Messiah was also to come into the nation of Israel (house of David) as God’s new covenant for His people at would benefit of the Jews first and then the Gentiles (“us”).
o NOTE: This child would be God’s gratuitous (free) gift to all (John 3:16).
• Illustration: “What child is this, who, laid to rest, on Mary's lap is sleeping? This, this is Christ the King, whom shepherds guard and angels sing.”
• Application: Understanding “what child is this” starts the realization that this child would be born (Jesus) so we would see both (1) the humanity (“a child is born”) and (2) the deity (“a son is given”) of Jesus, God’s only Son given to “us” (you and I).
o "My whole life is turned around. I was lost but now I'm found... a baby changes everything." -Faith Hill // Question: Has this child changed your life?
#2: He Will Rule (Isaiah 9:6b)
• Explanation: Isaiah then declares the child (Christ) would rule two areas…
o Over God’s People - “…from you shall come forth… a ruler in Israel.” Micah 5:2
o Over the World - “The Lord will be King over all the earth.” Zech. 14:9.
• Note: Isaiah declared, “the government will be on His shoulders” figuratively referring to the kingly robe to be worn by the Messiah. As King, He/Jesus will be responsible to govern the nation/people.
• Illustration: In Isaiah’s day Judah’s leaders were incompetent in governing the people thus a righteous ruler would be welcomed that could free the people (and nation) from famine and war while leading them to safety and long life.
• Application: The Messiah will govern properly and fairly as scripture speaks of God’s deliverance to us from sin (Psalm 39:8; 79:9); the way of evil (Prov. 2:12); the power of evil (Matt. 6:13; Gal. 1:4; Col. 1:13); the law (Rom. 7:6); the body of death (Rom. 7:24); and the coming wrath of God (1 Thess. 1:10). Christ is the agent of deliverance...
o "Jesus delivers us from the wrath to come." 1 Thess. 1:10
o "(Jesus) gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father." Gal. 1:4
• Question: Is this child (God’s Son) governing your life?
#3. His Character will be Revealed (Isaiah 9:6c)
• Explanation: Jesus/Messiah had four descriptive names that reveal His character.
o Wonderful Counselor – The child will be the nation’s Wonderful (“exceptional” or “distinguished”) Counselor who the people will gladly listen to as having authority. People would be anxious to hear the Messiah teach God’s ways.
• “Many people shall come and say: ‘Come… that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths.” Isaiah 2:3
o Mighty God (See Isaiah 10:21). - Some suggest this to mean “a godlike person” or hero but Isaiah meant more than that. The Messiah would be able to do what no other person had been able to do (namely die for sin).
o Everlasting Father – Wait, how can the Son be the Father?
• The Messiah (second Person of the Trinity) is in His essence, God. Therefore He has all the attributes of God including eternality. Since God is One (even though He exists in three Persons), the Messiah is God.
• “Everlasting Father” is used to describe the Messiah’s relationship to time, not His relationship to the other Members of the Trinity. The Messiah will be a “fatherly” Ruler.
• Isaiah had in mind the promise to David (2 Sam. 7:16) about the “foreverness” of the kingdom, which God promised would come through David’s line. would fulfill promise for which the nation had been waiting.
o Prince of Peace - The Messiah would be the One who will bring in and maintain the time of millennial peace when the nation will be properly related to the Lord.
• Note: Isaiah 9:6 includes the first of Isaiah’s 25 references to peace.
• Illustration: Conductors are directors of an orchestra. They manage and encourage the musical talents of singers and instrumentalists. Furthermore, the success of any orchestral concert depends on the conductor’s timing and exact reading of the score.
• Application: We have a choice of who we allow to conduct our life. We can try conducting our own life or we can choose to allow God to conduct. These four titles give a beautiful picture of the coming Messiah’s character that conducts us in council, majesty, proper fatherhood and gaining of peace. // Are these four things are true in your life?
#4. He Will be Seated on David’s Throne (Isaiah 9:7a)
• Explanation: As stated above, The Messiah (seated on David’s throne - Luke 1:32–33) will have eternal rule of peace and justice. His rule will have no end; it will go on forever.
o "...to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed..." Dan. 7:14 (See also Micah 4:7; Luke 1:33 and Rev. 11:15)
• Illustration: "The Kingdom of God is when everything in Heaven is instituted on the earth, so that God’s government, teaching, worship, glory, and power are manifested here on earth, and the earth looks just like Heaven. After all, the King is coming back here one day. That’s why Jesus prayed, in what we often refer to as the Lord’s prayer, “Thy kingdom: Come! Thy will: be done on earth as it is in Heaven!” J. Rohrbaugh
• Application: God had promised David that his dynasty and throne would be established forever (2 Sam. 7:16); and this is fulfilled literally in Jesus Christ (Luke 1:32–33; Zech. 9:9), as Jesus rule will conform to God’s holy character and demands.
#5. All This will be Accomplished by the Zeal of the Lord Almighty (Isaiah 9:7b)
• Explanation: The Messiah will rule because God promised it and will zealously see that the kingdom comes. Without God’s sovereign intervention there’s no kingdom for Israel.
• Illustration: Wills have been written on leather, old pictures, shells, cloth, pieces of furniture, stone and glass. One man had his will tattooed on his back! The important thing is that the will be WRITTEN, and duly witnessed. So is God’s Word in the Bible.
• Application: Isaiah boldly declares Christ, the messianic Child, would establish His reign in one Advent (coming), that when the Child grew up He would rule in triumph.
Conclusion: Jesus, the name of God, the Messiah, is a change of direction in regards that God no longer dwells with His people, He dwells in them! Jesus changes everything!
