THE PROPHESY OF THE KING

SERIES: CHRISTMAS

TEXT: ISAIAH 9: l-6

Today we want to look at the four names of the coming King in Isaiah 9.

Much of what most people associate Christians is a product of a mixture of pagan ideas, myths and legends derived from culture. But the only reliable source of information about Christmas is the Bible and so far two Sundays leading to Christmas we will examine various aspects of the Christmas story.

The christmas story began thousands of years earlier. There are over 300 Old Testament prophesies of the birth of the King. These prophesies of the birth of the King of Kings told:

• Where He would be born.
• What He would do.
• What He would say.
• How He would die.
• How He would rise from the dead.

Isaiah the prophet prophesied in Isaiah 9. This prophecy was done 700 years before Christ (B.C). In the days of Isaiah the world looked dark and bleak and hopeless.

The people were walking in darkness just like today. They walked in the shadow of death. It was into this darkness and the shadow of death, Isaiah prophesied of a great light, a child of hope and promise.

He prophesied of a wonderful counselor, a mighty God, an everlasting father and a prince of peace-Isa. 9:6. Let us look at these four names of Savior and Lord.

FIRSTLY, HE IS THE WONDERFUL COUNSELOR.

• A counselor is someone you listen to. Someone you accept advice from.
• People listen to all kinds of counselors, actually everybody is counselling somebody.
• Some look to the internet for counsel. Counsellors like Oprah Winfrey, comedians like Churchill actors, singers, etc.
• Those counselors are so popular and influential that people form opinions based on what their counselors are saying.
• The problem with Israel is that they listened to the wrong people. Isa. 8:19- “When men tell you to consult mediums and spiritualists, who whisper and mutter, should not a people inquire of their God? Why consult the dead on behalf of the living?”
• These men in Israel were telling people not to listen to God, but to listen to mediums and spiritualists.
• Counselors of this world can help you with some of your problem but some of them have bigger problem than you have!! Most of them cannot solve their problems!!
• But Jesus Christ is the wonderful counselor. He has the ability to help you to deal with the root cause of all problems.
• What is the root cause of all problems? SIN. But Jesus Christ came to SAVE His people from their sins-Matt. 1:21.
• One of the repeated piece of advice Jesus Christ gave people was “Go and sin no more”-John 5:14; 8:11.
• Don’t try to make excuses for it.
• Don’t try to ignore sin or rationalize it.
• Sin will never go away on its own.
• Jesus the wonderful counselor invites us to come with our needs-He will set us free-Matt. 11:28-30.

HE IS THE MIGHTY GOD.

• The word “mighty” (gibbor) means “strong one or the powerful valiant warrior.”
• “Mighty God” is a military title. He is the God who fights for His people.
• Isaiah says “A virgin was to give birth to a son and the son shall be called “GOD WITH US,” Emmanuel, the mighty God, the everlasting father.
• This Mighty God is also the son of God-Luke 1:35

THIRDLY, HE IS THE EVERLASTING FATHER.

• Jesus Christ is the “Father of eternity.” He is before, above and beyond time.
• There is “Time” in terms of history, and there is eternity, everlasting to everlasting.
• Jesus Christ the “Father of eternity” stepped into history (into time). He became a man.
• Jesus Christ returned to eternity when He rose again from the dead.
• Jesus Christ is the Great I AM.
• Jesus Christ is the “Producer or Generator.” He is our source. He brought us into being and He sustains us by His own power.
• Our earthly fathers are not everlasting, they die, but Jesus Christ is my everlasting father-Rom. 8:15-17.
• If you have no father or weak father who is also going to die soon, never mind, you can have an everlasting father-Jesus Christ will come into your life, if you ask Him to-Rom. 10:9-13.

FOURTHLY, HE IS THE PRINCE OF PEACE.

• “Prince of Peace” means “The Prince who is coming brings peace.”
• He brings peace to troubled hearts.
• There are three spheres of peace.

1. Peace with God-It makes it possible to be friends with God-Rom. 5:1.

• God offers peace to those that want it. Peace is positive change in a relationship between two people who were once enemies.
• Jesus Christ is the necessary reconciliation between God and man-Isaiah 53:6.
• Jesus Christ is our peace-Eph. 2:14.
• Peace of God brings calm in the storms of life-John 14:27.

2. Peace from God.

• This peace helps us reconcile to each other.
• When you have peace with God and experience peace of God then you can extend that peace to others.

3. Peace of God.

• Peace of God brings calm in the storms of life.
• This peace of God is experienced internally-Phil. 4:7.

CONCLUSION

• The Bible says “FOR TO US”-The gift of Christ is a personal gift from God to us.
• A gift requires a response.
• The four names of Jesus Christ have practical application in our lives today.

1. If you are confused-He is wonderful counselor.
2. If you are weak-He is the Mighty God.
3. If you are scared-He is the Everlasting Father.
4. If you are worried-He is the Prince of Peace.