Wholeness Unveiled: A Visionary View Culminated
Introduction:
Over the last 12 months we have been considering the theme Visionary View and the key verse that has underpinned the preaching has been Joel 2:28-29 “Then, after doing all those things, I will pour out my Spirit upon all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your old men will dream dreams, and your young men will see visions. In those days I will pour out my Spirit even on servants—men and women alike.”
We have explored the many different aspects of this theme and all of the sermons have directed us to seek a greater vision of God in our lives. Personally, I have encouraged our congregations both in-person and online to get out of the ‘Blur’ and focus on God.
Over the months we have explored Biblical Truth and traversed many prophetic promises. So far this month we have focussed on a Visionary View of Advent, Hope, Joy, Peace and Love and we have witnessed the humble incarnation and marvelled at the heavenly announcement.
Today is New Years Eve, we stand at the threshold of a new year, and next week we will begin our theme for 2024 – Transformed by Truth.
My hope and prayer is that the Holy Spirit will transform us as we gaze into the profound truth of God's Word.
Can I ask you to pray that next year God will illuminate our understanding as we delve into the Word?
May He help us to grasp the eternal significance of trusting His inerrant and infallible word in every aspect of our lives.
Today is the culminating day of our Visionary View series, may our hearts resonate with the echoes of divine revelation and also the promise of healing and wholeness in Jesus Christ.
Point 1: The Prophetic Tapestry of Healing Unveiled
In our journey, the prophetic promises woven into the fabric of Scripture now unfold before us.
God’s heart is to restore us to wholeness.
When we need healing for our bodies, minds, or spirits, God’s Word provides answers for our afflictions.
Scriptures on healing give us a new perspective of hope and comfort.
We can be at peace when we read God’s Word, knowing that it will speak into our situation today.
Let’s look at Isaiah 9:6 “For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
As we step out of the Christmas season, we have reflected on and celebrated the birth of Jesus.
It’s easy to get swept away by the beautiful lights, the smell of Christmas Dinner, and gift-giving, but hopefully we did not lose sight of Jesus, the purpose of our celebration.
Jesus’ birth changed everything. He lived a perfect life, took on our sin, died in our place, and rose back to life, freeing us from the curse of the law.
Isaiah 9:6 is a prophecy, talking about the coming of Jesus. In this verse, Jesus is referred to as a wonderful counsellor, the mighty God, the everlasting Father, and the Prince of Peace.
Wonderful Counsellor
Because of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross, we can now go before God with our praises, our sorrows, and our requests.
Before Jesus, we didn’t have that sort of direct access to God. And God doesn’t just hear our prayers—He responds.
He responds through His Word, through His Spirit, and through answered prayers.
God is the best counsellor because He knows us through and through, and He loves us more than we can fathom.
Luke 12:7 puts His deep knowledge and love for us into perspective: “the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.”
Almighty God
There are two points in this verse where Jesus is referred to as God. For this to make sense, we need to understand that Jesus and God are one in the same–two parts of the Trinity, with the third being the Holy Spirit. Jesus is the mighty God and everlasting Father because Jesus is God.
God is all-powerful. From the whole of creation to the wonders and miracles He’s performed throughout time, it’s all too evident. And if that’s not compelling enough, His power and majesty is repeated throughout Scripture. Revelation 1:8 says, “I am the Alpha and the Omega—the beginning and the end,” says the Lord God. “I am the one who is, who always was, and who is still to come—the Almighty One.”
Consider Philippians 2:6-11, Jesus “though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being.”
God–almighty, omnipotent, holy, and limitless–”made Himself nothing” all for us. But He didn’t stop at lowering himself to that of a man; “he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.”
God almighty suffered the ultimate sacrifice for us. How humbling.
Everlasting Father
God is eternal. It’s hard for us to grasp being that we only think in finite time, but He existed before the concept of time. Psalm 90:2 says, “Before the mountains were born, before you gave birth to the earth and the world, from beginning to end, you are God.”
The book of Genesis speaks to how God and the Word existed before creation. Can you imagine existing for eternity in solitude? It’s no wonder God chose to create.
The everlasting God, who created us, loves us, and died for us, will be our Father for all eternity.
As believers, we’re adopted into His family as children. Being a part of the family of God, we’re able to have a deep and personal relationship with Him–able to come to Him for help, for comfort, and with our praises. Forever.
This relationship isn’t possible without Jesus.
Prince of Peace
Prince of Peace is a lofty title. A prince is an heir to a kingdom—in this case, the kingdom of peace. Jesus is the heir of peace, and as Romans 8:17 tells us, “since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory.”, we can access peace through Christ.
Spiritual peace
Before Jesus, we were slaves to sin, living in constant contention with God. Our sin nature makes us self-serving, disobedient, impure, and wholly unfit to stand before the presence of a holy and perfect God. By washing us clean with His sacrifice, Jesus bridged the gap between us and God.
Jesus made reconciliation with God possible. Romans 5:1 confirms this: “Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us.”
Emotional peace
Finding peace in a world bent on conflict and turmoil feels impossible, but Jesus brings a peace separate from the world. John 16:33 says, “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”
The key is resting in Jesus–in knowing this world is only our temporary home, and we’ll experience true peace once in our eternal home. We don’t have control over what the world does, but God does hold control–He’s overcome the world!
Mental peace
Perhaps the most tangible evidence of Jesus’ peace is our direct access to God. We have an almighty God we can talk to and have a personal relationship with.
We’re promised peace if we come to God – with an attitude of gratitude – and share our requests and worries with Him. Philippians 4:6-7, “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”
Jesus also promises “rest for your soul” in Matthew 11:28-30, Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”
We’re not promised easy lives, but we do know there’s peace through Jesus, our Prince of Peace.
The Messiah, the Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace, stands revealed.
Jesus isn't just a historical figure; He is the culmination of God's meticulous plan.
Just as a skilled artist unveils a masterpiece, God unveils His prophetic tapestry with precision and purpose.
The Hebrew word for "healing" carries a depth of meaning, signifying not only physical healing but also restoration and wholeness of the soul.
Quotation: Charles Spurgeon eloquently stated, "The Son of God became the Son of Man to make the sons of men sons of God."
Point 2: The Heavenly Symphony of Redemption and Restoration
The angelic proclamation echoes in our hearts from Luke 2:10-11 (NLT), "I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Saviour—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!"
The celestial announcement heralds the arrival of our Redeemer, the crescendo of a symphony begun in the corridors of eternity.
Just as a symphony builds to a grand finale, God orchestrates the harmonious notes of redemption throughout history, restoring what was broken.
The term "Saviour" in the angel's proclamation carries the idea of a rescuer, a healer.
Jesus, the promised Messiah, comes not only to save but to heal and restore humanity to its intended wholeness.
Quotation: Billy Graham emphasized, "The very purpose of Christ's coming into the world was that he might offer up his life as a sacrifice for the sins of men. He came to die."
Point 3: The Eternal Call to Redemption and Healing and Wholeness
As we conclude our Visionary View series, we recognize that the revelation of Christ isn't confined to history—it extends into eternity.
John 3:16 (NLT) encapsulates this eternal truth: "For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life."
The manger points to the cross, and the cross opens the door to eternal life.
Consider a timeless invitation — God's eternal arms stretched wide, calling us into a redemptive embrace.
The promise of eternal life includes the assurance of a life made whole in the presence of God. The term "eternal life" goes beyond duration; it encompasses the quality of life in God's fullness.
Augustine of Hippo beautifully expressed, "You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it rests in you."
Conclusion: In the culmination of our Visionary View, we discover a truth that transcends time.
Christmas isn't just a historical event; it's an eternal revelation of healing and wholeness in Jesus Christ.
As we embrace the Wonderful Counsellor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, and the Prince of Peace, let this truth reverberate in our hearts.
Call to Action:
Today, respond to God's eternal call for healing and wholeness.
Accept the gift of salvation and the promise of restoration unveiled in the manger.
Share the eternal hope and healing with those around you.
Reflect the light of Christ into a world yearning for redemption and wholeness.
Let our lives become testaments to the enduring impact of God's vision for humanity—redeemed, restored, and made whole.
May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
