“THE REASON FOR THE SEASON”
TEXT: Matthew 1:18-21 Isaiah 9:6
“Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privately. But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.”
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, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”
INTRODUCTION:
OUR GREATEST NEED!
If our greatest need had been information – God would have sent us an EDUCATOR…
If our greatest need had been technology – God would have sent us a SCIENTIST…
If our greatest need had been money – God would have sent us an ECONOMIST…
If our greatest need had been pleasure – God would have sent us an ENTERTAINER…
BUT, our greatest need was forgiveness – So God sent us a SAVIOR!
Isaiah 9:6
“…and His Name shall be called WONDERFUL, COUNSELOR, THE MIGHTY GOD, THE EVERLASTING FATHER, THE PRINCE OF PEACE.”
Names are important to God: (in the book of Genesis…)
“God called the light DAY, and the darkness He called NIGHT. And there was evening, and there was morning – the first day…God called the expanse SKY. And there was evening, and there was morning – the second day…God called the dry ground LAND, and the gathered waters He called SEAS. And God saw that it was good.”
Names often relates to some aspect of one’s birth:
Isaac – “laughter”
Jacob – “deceiver”
Moses – “drawn out”
Elishama, Eliada, and Eliphalet (unknown sons of David)
(“God Sees”, “God Hears”, & “God Knows”)
Names and titles often relate to some aspect of one’s life or character:
Alexander the Great
William the Conqueror
Simon the Zealot
John the Baptist
HIS NAME IS JESUS! == “Jehovah Saves”
Acts 4:12
“Neither is there salvation in any other:
for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”
Philippians 2:10
“That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow… and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord!
I. HE IS THE “WONDER OF CHRISTMAS”
There is “SUPERNATURAL WONDER” in His name:
His Birth was wonderful
His Life was wonderful
His Teachings were wonderful
His Miracles were wonderful
His Transfiguration was wonderful
His Death was wonderful
His Resurrection was wonderful
His Ascension was wonderful
a) The Wonder of Love – John 3:16
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on Him…”
b) The Wonder of Life – John 10:10
“The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy; I AM COME that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”
c) The Wonder of Peace – Romans 5:1
“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
d) The Wonder of Joy – Luke 2:10
“And the Angel said unto them, Fear not: For, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.”
e) The Wonder of Forgiveness – Matthew 1:21
“And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call His name JESUS: For He shall save His people from their sins.”
II. THERE IS WISDOM IN HIS NAME! (Counselor)
As your counselor He is always available.
(He is never too busy to come to your aid)
As your counselor He gives you His undivided attention.
(No one is more important than you are right now)
As your counselor He comforts you.
(As a child seeks the comfort of a parent)
As your counselor He guides you in the right way.
(A sound advisor – ill. The Elder‘s Board)
III. THERE IS POWER & WEALTH IN HIS NAME!
(Mighty God)
Psalms 24:1
“The earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.”
Psalms 50:10
“For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills.”
This babe lying in the manger as a helpless infant is seen in Joshua’s day as the
CAPTIAN OF THE HOST
who secured the Hebrew’s victory at Jericho.
As the fourth man in the fire with the 3 Hebrew children
Jesus is our ‘Battle Champion”
who will obtain the final victory in the arena of history!
Revelation 1:8
“I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come,
the ALMIGHTY.”
IV. THERE IS PROVISION IN HIS NAME! (Everlasting Father)
a) If you know Jesus, you know the Father.
“I and my Father are one.”
b) This word, Father, primarily means, “Protector”
He protects us
He guards us against those who would harm us
He sustains us & feeds us
He provides security & warmth
Matthew 18:4
“Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”
V. THERE IS WELCOME IN HIS NAME!
(Prince of Peace)
Matthew 11:28
“Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
(What was the general attitude on the hillside that day?)
Illustration
There was a widow who had “Rest In Peace” put on her husband’s tombstone.
When she found out that he left her out of his will, she had added, “TILL I COME.”
CONCLUSION:
Not a mere baby… lying in a manger,
Not a mere carpenter… with a religious message,
Not a mere prophet… dying on a Roman cross,
BUT A SOON COMING KING
ABOUT TO RAPTURE HIS CHURCH!
