WONDERFUL COUNSELOR
Isaiah 9:1-8 1Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the Gentiles, by the way of the sea, along the Jordan—
2 The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.
3 You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you
as people rejoice at the harvest, as men rejoice when dividing the plunder.
4 For as in the day of Midian’s defeat, you have shattered the yoke that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor.
5 Every warrior’s boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood will be destined for burning, will be fuel for the fire.
6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.
8 The Lord has sent a message against Jacob; it will fall on Israel.
Over the next few weeks we are going to be in this passage preparing for the Advent season. 6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Today I want us to focus in on that first phrase of this wonderful description of the Child of Christmas.
WONDERFUL COUNSELOR
1. I want us to look at it from a psychological perspective. Psychologist
2. I want us to look at it from a governmental perspective. Advisor
3. I want us to look at it from a legal perspective. Attorney / advocate
1. Wonderful Counselor – Psychologist.
What makes a good psychologist? One who is effective in understanding our problems and then competent in providing us guidance toward a workable and doable solution. Let me illustrate the first part of this definition with the following.
Instance in the the history of western civilization when men went seeking advise or psychological help they went most frequently to a person known as “the priest.” He was the person who you went to in order to understand your problems and fine a solution or the ability to accept the problem.
Look with me for a few moments at the following verses:
Hebrew 2:17-18 17Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. 18For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.
Hebrew 4:14 -16 14Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Read verse 16 and stop before the word, “help.”
What do we go to Him for? Help!
These verses tell us that there was someone who born into our world that understood every problem, temptation, difficulty, etc. we have ever had. We celebrate His birthday in just a few weeks. In fact Christmas should be a reminder that we have someone who cares because He understands.
Does Jesus know the answer? In my office I have a little desk plaque, which says, “I know the answers it’s the questions I don’t understand.”
There is a difference between understanding and accepting. You might not understand the high tech aspects of your auto but you accept that fact that it works. Jesus as out counselor both understands and knows how to fix it. Jesus knows. He not only knows the answers He knows the questions. Christmas is the time when there are great efforts made to help people. Why? Because help comes with Christmas.
Do you need help this Christmas season?
2. Wonderful Counselor – Governmental Advisor
Recently I was watching the TV program “West Wing.” In the program the President had told one of his staff some things about cooking Turkey. He was questioned about what he had said. He then called in his aid and said that what the country need in times like these was an 800 hotline to ask questions about cooking turkey. His aid said that such a hotline already existed and would he like to talk to them on the phone. He called and got the information. It was humorous in that he wanted the information but didn’t want them to know that it was the President calling so he made up some lie about where he was calling from.
I got to thinking about that fictional account of the President needing to know something. I believe that when the President of the United States of America is faced with a problem he has almost instant access to some of the finest minds and resources in the world on any given subject. Virtually all he has to do is to pick up the phone and ask the question and instantly a resource is accessed to provide him with whatever knowledge he needs.
I would like to tell you that you and I have a greater access to a resource advisor than the President of the United States. Let me develop this idea in a couple of ways:
1. We have access because we can have the mind of Christ.
Phil.2:5-11 5Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. 9Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
2. We can have our minds refreshed, renewed and transformed.
Romans 12:2-3 2Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. 3For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.
What kind of mind was it that Paul wants us to have? It was a mind like Jesus that was focused on giving rather than getting. When the President seeks advice he needs information that is untainted by the desires of the giver so that he can make the best decision in the situation. When you and I need information we need it untainted by the desires of the giver so we can make the best decision in the situation. A decision untainted by evil.
3. Wonderful Counselor – Legal Attorney / advocate
What does an attorney do? They represent us in judicial proceedings.
Consider this analogy.
You have just been arrested and charged with committing a capital offense. You have been told that you had better get an attorney because the penalty for this offense is the death penalty. The problem you have is that you can’t afford to pay what a top notched attorney costs. In fact you can’t afford any attorney. You don’t have the money and on top of that you are actually guilty of committing this offense. You are sitting in jail wondering what in the world you are going to do. Then out of nowhere a person appears at your cell. This person is the best attorney in the country. He has handled 1000’s of these cases exactly like yours. He has never lost a case. He is so well known that most people stand in awe of him. He comes to your cell and tells you that he will take your case and give it his undivided, absolute attention for however long it takes. Not only that but he will do all of this for NOTHING. No cost to you, it is free! Now if you needed an attorney this is the best deal you have ever heard of. If you don’t take this deal you are an idiot.
You agree to his proposal. The day of the trial comes and you appear in court before the Judge. This judge’s reputation is that he is very stern but absolutely fair. The case is presented, the evidence is presented, the witnesses are called. , the evidence is presented, the witnesses are called. You are as guilty as sin. There is no doubt what so ever that you are guilty. The court declares you to be guilty. Now it comes to the sentencing phase of the trial. The sentence is pronounced. You are guilty. You are going to get the death penalty. As you hear these words the stark reality begins to hit you and you feel sick. Your legs become rubber, your heart pounds so loudly you know all can hear it, and your stomach is in rebellion and preparing to cast out all that is within it.. Suddenly your attorney arises and interrupts the proceedings. He steps away from the table and addresses the court. He says that he will pay the penalty. “What?” you think. The judge looks at you and then looks at your attorney. With immense sorrow he says, “Yes my son you shall pay the penalty for your client. You are the only one who can adequately pay for this grave offense that he has committed.” You didn’t realize that the Judge’s Son was your attorney. With sorrow in his heart this exalted judge puts on his son your penalty – the penalty of us all. It is a cross. Your’ cross. My cross. Everyman’s cross. A cross for all the sins of the entire world. Satisfied by the death of an attorney.
1 John 2: 1-2 1My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father [one who speaks to the Father] in our defense—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. 2He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.
Now the question, Are you willing to have an attorney who will pay for your offense? You don’t have to. You can refuse. The attorney, the judge in fact all the angels of heaven cannot force you to.
CONCLUSION:
Sermon 12/2/01 at Lake Grove Christian Church
