Counselor
Chuck Sligh
Series: His Name Shall Be Called
December 2, 2018
A PowerPoint slide presentation of this sermon is available upon request at chucksligh@hotmail.com.
Adapted from a sermon by Chuck Boman on SermonCentral.com.
TEXT: Isaiah 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, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”
INTRODUCTION
Our text is Isaiah’s early birth announcement of Jesus Christ.
Illus. – Since the advent of the Internet, there is no end of creative ways for people to give announcements that they are expecting online. – Here are a few of my favorites: [The examples mentioned below are available in the PowerPoint presentation upon request at chucksligh@hotmail.com.]
• When this little girl woke up to an eviction notice, she flipped out on the landlords.
• I know you gamers out there will appreciate this one.
• This one is by far the cutest…But I wonder why Susan and I never got the owners manual for my boys! We could have really used it!
Such announcements are given to announce a baby is coming in a few months, but Isaiah gave his announcement centuries before the Messiah came.
Why are there so many names in this announcement?—Because there are so many names needed to describe this extraordinary Person—names that tell us important and wonderful things about our Lord. Last Sunday we examined the first of Isaiah’s names for Jesus where Isaiah calls Him “Wonderful.” We looked at many ways Jesus is wonderful:
• In the PAST, He WAS wonderful—in His pre-existence, in His birth, in His life, in His death, and in His resurrection.
• In the PRESENT, Jesus IS a wonderful SAVIOR, and a wonderful FRIEND (and many other wonderful things we did not have time to cover, for it would take eternity!).
• And in the FUTURE, He WILL BE wonderful—and we discussed all the wonderful things that are in store for us with our wonderful Lord in the events of the future.
Today, let’s think about His name as “Counselor.” Now many translations call Jesus by the single title of “Wonderful Counselor” rather than two separate titles, as the KJV and other translations do, “Wonderful” and “Counselor.” Hebrew Bible scholars believe the word “wonderful” may be a descriptor, that is, an adjective describing, or as English teachers say, “modifying,” counselor, just as in the rest of the verse, “mighty” modifies “God”, “everlasting” modifies “Father” and “of Peace” is an adjectival phrase modifying “Prince.”
So “Wonderful Counselor” is probably the way Isaiah meant it, but Wonderful and Counselor as two separate titles is also an acceptable translation of the verse, which is the way I have chosen to preach it since it does no harm to the meaning of the text and allows us opportunity to flesh out both parts of the title in more detail.
In order to discover how Jesus is a wonderful “counselor,” let’s first see what a counselor IS. In surveying dictionary definitions of the word counselor, we discover that it has three perspectives—emotional (or psychological), governmental and legal. Let’s see how Jesus is a wonderful counselor for us in each of these different ways.
I. First, we use the word “counselor” for someone who gives EMOTIONAL support when a person is undergoing mental or emotional stress—and Jesus excels in this meaning.
If you found yourself depressed, you might seek the help of a “counselor,” wouldn’t you?
JOKE – A counselor was walking along a Hawaiian beach while on vacation, when he kicked a bottle in the sand. Popping the cork, a genie came out and said, “For your kindness, I will grant you one wish!”
The counselor said, “I’ve always wanted a road from Hawaii to California."
The genie grimaced, and said, “I can’t do that! Think of all the pilings needed to hold up the highway and how long they’d have to be to reach the bottom of the ocean. Think of all the pavement. That’s too much to ask.”
“Okay,” replied the guy, “Well, I’m a counselor. Make me understand my patients: What makes them laugh and cry? Why are they temperamental? Why are they so difficult to get along with? What do they really want? Teach me to understand what makes them tick!”
The genie paused, and then sighed, “Did you want two lanes or four?”
Our problems can indeed be difficult and complex, so we often need a counselor to help us sort through our problems and get a proper perspective and know what to do next. He may be a pastor, or a psychologist or even a good friend. What is a good counselor?—A good counselor is “one who can understand your problems and competently provide you with guidance toward a workable solution.”
Illus. – You know, years ago there were no psychologists and therapists. Yet we know that people have found solace in years gone by from spiritual leaders who pointed them to the Lord Jesus Christ. If you had a problem, you went to your pastor or some spiritual advisor, like a strong believer or someone who was a student of God’s Word. These folks were able to dispense sound advice and comfort by pointing people to the Lord and answers in His Word.
But you know, in the final analysis, no mere human has all the answers for the problems of the soul. Look with me for a few moments at some verses in the book of Hebrews about Jesus:
Hebrews 2:17-18 says, “Wherefore in all things it was fitting for him to be made like…his brethren [in other words, to be to become a human, as Jesus did when he was born to Mary…Why? The writer of Hebrews continues:], that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. 18 For in that he himself has suffered being tempted, he is able to succor them that are tempted.”
That Greek word translated “succor” in the KJV means “to help, bring aid”—like the cavalry coming to the rescue when the settlers thing all is lost. Since Jesus Himself was tempted and tested, He knows what we’re going through, and He’s able to HELP US—to BRING US AID—in those times of tempting and testing.
Look also at Hebrews 4:14-16 – “Seeing then that we have a great high priest, who is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. 15 For we have not an high priest [who] cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to HELP in time of need.”
Now notice that word help at the end of verse 16. What do we go to Christ for?—HELP! These verses tell us there was Someone who was born into OUR world who understands every problem, temptation and difficulty we have ever had. We celebrate His birthday in just three weeks.
In fact, among other things, Christmas should be a reminder that we have Someone who cares because He understands.
Does Jesus know the answer to your problem? I saw a little desk plaque on someone’s desk that said, “I know the answers; it’s the questions I don’t understand.” Jesus, as our counselor, both understands and knows how to fix your problems and struggles—no matter what they are! And He knows how to get you THROUGH your problems. He not only knows the ANSWERS, He knows the QUESTIONS.
You know, Christmas is the time when there are great efforts made to help other people. Why is that?—Because help kind of goes along with the spirit of Christmas.
Do you need help this Christmas season in some problem or spiritual matter? There’s no one who UNDERSTANDS like Jesus. There’s no one who CARES like Jesus. And there is no one who CAN HELP you like Jesus.
So, go to HIM with your need for encouragement and solace and help.
II. Second, notice that the word “counselor” has a GOVERNMENTAL perspective—and Jesus is a wonderful counselor in that sense too!
You’ll frequently read about a counselor to the President. A counselor in this respect is AN ADVISOR.
When the President of the United States is faced with a problem, he has almost instant access to some of the finest minds and resources the world has to offer. All he has to do is pick up the phone and ask a question and instantly a resource is accessed to provide him with whatever knowledge he needs. And he has a LOT of advisors.
Well, I want you to know that you and I have access to a greater “resource advisor” than the President of the United States has with all his minions of helpers and advisors and all the state-of-the-art technology at his command! We have access to GOD HIMSELF—the wisest person in the universe, and the author of your Owner’s Manual, the Bible—because He is also your Manufacturer.
How can we access this incredible counselor?—In your Owner’s Manual—the Bible. In Romans 12:2, Paul says, “And be not conformed to this world: but be…TRANSFORMED BY THE RENEWING OF YOUR MIND, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
The way to access God’s wise counsel is to have our minds transformed and renewed from faulty, worldly thinking to spiritual, wise thinking. We receive that through reading, and studying, and memorizing and meditating on the Word of God.
When you need advice, it’s good to have advisors, and friends, and so on. But they can lead you astray.
Psalms 1:1-2 says, “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD [that’s God’s Word]; and in his law does he meditate day and night.”
Others may lead us into the counsel of the ungodly, but the greatest advisor of all is God, who gives us His godly counsel in His Word.
So, spend time in God’s Word. THAT is where the answers to your questions are. THAT is where you will find counsel for life, advice for your marriage, guidance for the kind of person you should date or marry, counsel for how to handle your money, advice for how to respond to your jerk boss and much other valuable counsel.
III. There’s one other meaning of a counselor—the LEGAL aspect— that of an advocate—of which Jesus is again wonderfully qualified.
If you committed a crime and were apprehended by the police, the first thing you would have a right to is legal…what?—COUNSEL. Legal counsel is the use of a lawyer to represent you in judicial proceedings.
Did you know the Bible teaches that if you’re saved, in a spiritual sense Jesus is a lawyer for you before holy God the Father in heaven? I think this was a metaphor, so I don’t believe there’s an actual court in heaven, but to help us understand a believer’s place before God, the New Testament speaks of Jesus as a legal advocate in heaven for believers; and this analogy of Him being our legal counselor helps us understand not only how He SAVES us, but also how He KEEPS us saved.
Illus. – Suppose you’re an orphan, and after getting your license, you were caught on the Interstate going WAY over the speed limit. Because you were going so fast, you have to appear before a judge in court.
Luckily for you, your foster parents’ neighbor is a lawyer, who for some reason, has always taken a personal interest in you and wanted you to turn out well. So, he offers to represent you and be your legal counsel—your legal advocate.
Well, in court, the judge is fuming, and he’s acting like Judge Judy on one of her bad days, and he throws the book at you for being so reckless and irresponsible, and truth be told, you know you deserve it. He levies the MAXIMUM penalty, a fine of $1000—to be paid on the spot.
Well, you’re stunned! You approach the bench and say, “Your honor. I’m just 18 years old and don’t even have a job. I don’t have $1000.”
“Young man,” says the judge, “I don’t care if you have $1000 or not. You either pay the fine or go to jail. You do the crime—you pay the fine or you do the time. That’s how it works in our legal system.”
Suddenly, your neighbor lawyer stands up.
“Your honor,” he said, “I know Tom doesn’t have anything near that amount of money. But I have $1000. Can I pay the fine for him?”
The judge says, “I don’t care WHO pays the fine, so long as it’s paid.”
So, your lawyer friend takes out his checkbook and pays the fine for you. You’re so overwhelmed you don’t know what to say. So, you turn to him and say, “Mr. Davis, I promise you, I don’t care if it takes me 5 years, I’ll pay you back every penny of that $1000.”
Illus. – Now let’s take my analogy a little further: Suppose that you learned your lesson, but every now and then, you forget and get a lead foot on the Interstate, and you get caught speeding again. Or you forget to update your registration, or you park in the handicapped parking, or you don’t come to a complete stop at a stop sign, and so on. Now suppose your neighbor represents you every time, and every time, he gives you a stern lecture, but then takes out his checkbook and pays your fine for you. Each time, you’re ashamed, but also overwhelmed by this friend’s love, and you resolve to yourself to not disobey the law again. But every now and again, you fail again and disobey a law, and he repeatedly covers for you every single time—for the rest of your life!
Believe it or not, that’s what Jesus does for His kids—believers. You ask, “Does the Bible really teach that?” Well—turn with me to 1 John 2, and I’ll prove to you that the basic idea presented in my little story is exactly what the Bible teaches.
Note 1 John 2:1-2 – “My little children, I write these things to you, that you sin not. But if any one does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: 2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.”
John first commands us in verse 1 not to sin, for Romans 6:23 teaches that “the wages of sin is death” and Revelation 20:14 says that “death and hell will be cast into the lake of fire, which is the second death.” But John knew that even AFTER we’re saved, we would still slip and sin. So are we doomed again to face the prospect of the lake of fire every time we sin again?—because, remember, “the wages of sin is death.” NO!—Praise God, we have an advocate with the Judge! His name is “Jesus Christ the righteous,” verse 1 tells us.
When we sin, our sin is covered by what Jesus did when He died on the cross. How do we know that? Verse 2 says, “And he [speaking of “Jesus Christ the righteous” as verse 1 calls him] is the propitiation for our sins: and not ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.”
Now what in the world does “propitiation” mean? There’s a ten-million-dollar word if I ever heard one! I’ll tell you what it means—it means the difference between eternal death and eternal life. The Greek word it translates from means “appeasement, satisfaction.”
When God looks at the work of Christ on the cross, He’s satisfied that our sins are paid for 100%, that the penalty is already “paid in full.” This is why John tells us in the second part of 1 John 1:7 that “the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanses us from ALL SIN.” All sin—ALL SIN! Not just SOME sin—but ALL sin—every sin you ever did, or ever will do! Every sin of COMMISSION and every sin of OMISSION. Every OUTWARD sin seen by others, and every sin in the INNER recesses of our wayward hearts, and every sin we didn’t even know was a sin! ALL sin! PRAISE GOD!—That’ll make even a Lutheran shout, amen?!
Aren’t you glad you have an advocate with the Father? Where would we be without our advocate before the Father who stands in our place before God? It’s only because of our advocate with the Father that we as believers can know that we do not have to live in mortal fear that we might lose our salvation and why John can say in 1 John 5:13 – “I have written these things to you who believe on the name of the Son of God; that you may KNOW that you have eternal life…”
Praise God for our advocate before the Father—Jesus Christ, the righteous!
CONCLUSION
Last week we saw that Jesus is “Wonderful.” Today we see that He is a wonderful “Counselor.” Any way you use the word Counselor, Jesus fits the bill PERFECTLY.
1) He’s your personal counselor for help and understanding when you’re going through temptation and trials.
When you go through spiritual struggles and personal problems, do you go first to fallible human counselors—or do you take your problem first to JESUS? Only He FULLY understands your unique problem. Before consulting others—first go to Jesus for understanding, sympathy, and help by spending time in Bible study and prayer—with fasting if necessary—until the sun shines through and you have peace in your soul again.
2) Jesus is also your counselor as an ADVISOR to help you make proper decisions.
Do you go to God and His Word for advice and counsel and direction and guidance? Don’t make decisions based on worldly thinking and the counsel of the ungodly. Go to GOD’S WORD for counsel and advice.
3) And never forget that Jesus is also your LEGAL COUNSELOR before your holy, heavenly Father, advocating in your behalf for the wrong things you do.
Now the question is: If you have never turned to Jesus to save you from sin, will you let Jesus be your attorney and pay your penalty? You don’t HAVE to take Him as your advocate; You CAN refuse. No one—not the attorney Jesus, the Judge God the Father, nor all the angels of the courtroom of heaven will force you to accept Jesus as your heavenly attorney before God the Father against your will. But if you refuse to take Him as your Savior and your Advocate—it would be the most foolish decision you ever made—because the consequence are eternal. Don’t be foolish. Turn to Christ and be saved today.
