The Infinite Christ
Notes
Transcript
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, Counseller, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
Introduction
Introduction
Last Sunday morning, I preached on the incarnation of Christ. His being sent to earth in a bodily form. I preached on how and why that is such a big deal. He was sent to us to redeem us from sin!
In Isaiah chapter 8, the picture was pretty ugly for Israel.
Isaiah’s prophecy revealed that the horizon of Israel included defeat, captivity, famine, distress, darkness, and anguish because God’s people had turned their backs upon the Lord and instead, they were trusting in men.
They walked by sight, not by faith in God. That’s not how God’s people are to walk…And so, it was not a pretty picture.
As the curtain opens on the ninth chapter of Isaiah, a ray of sunshine emerges through the dark clouds of judgment. There was hope in the future for the nation because the Messiah would establish His kingdom one day.
Isaiah prophesies the arrival of the Lord Jesus Christ. This verse points forward to the coming of Christ and His incarnation.
Here are some others verses that are prophetic
1. MICAH 5:2 tells us where He would be born.
2. ISAIAH 7:14 tells us how He would be born.
3. HOSEA 11:1 tells us how He would flee into Egypt.
4. ISAIAH 7:14 tells us what His name would be.
This one verse, Isaiah 9:6 contains perfect proof of the deity of the Messiah, the doctrine of the incarnation, which was the stumbling block for the Jewish opponents of Jesus.
Incarnation, I’ve spoken quite a bit about that over the last couple weeks, we know is deity being confined within the body of a little baby...
They couldn’t quite figure out how a baby was going to be their mighty deliverer…He was a surprising conqueror!
16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.
Isaiah 9:6 says, “A child is born” - this speaks of His humanity; “A son is given” - this speaks of His deity...
From this verse, Isaiah 9:6, I want you to notice five truths this morning...
He Is Wonderful
He Is Wonderful
This title speaks of praise! He is deserving of infinite praise!
The word “wonderful” means “it is above that which is ordinary, unique, and different.” It is in a class by itself.
We’ve spoken a lot about His birth lately, so I want to start by saying...
He is Wonderful in His birth!
There has never been a birth like His. Born of one human parent, a virgin named Mary, miraculously conceived of the Holy Spirit. He had no human father, for His Father was the Almighty God.
His bed was a manger which was literally, a feeding trough. Yet, He has fed the souls of millions in this world throughout history and continues to do so even to this day.
He is the Bread of Life who feeds the souls of men and women who receive Him into their hearts.
His birth was heralded by angels.
He came from Heaven to dwell on this earth to bless and not curse.
He came to save drunkards, thieves, prostitutes, blasphemers, bad people and good people, too. Yes, I said good people because good people go to Hell, if they do not know Christ as their Savior.
He is Wonderful in His life!
His life was wonderful in its sinlessness, usefulness, and unselfishness. He was unstained by sin.
His Works are Wonderful!
Healing the sick, raising the dead, opening blind eyes, casting out demons, feeding thousands, comforting the broken-hearted, and forgiving sinners.
Only God could do all of this...
John 21:25 (KJV 1900)
25 And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen.
His Words are Wonderful!
I absolutely love books! I have somewhere around 2,500 books in my library…If you’re ever in my house, you’ll find books everywhere. I have collectible books, I have new books, old books, I have boxes of books up in the attic…I love books! But can I say, there are books, and then there is the Bible!
35 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.
He is Wonderful in His Death!
Jesus was not martyred - He was not killed - He gave His life freely for us.
The weight of the world’s sin was upon Him. Never has there been a death like it or never again. He is the first and last.
He willingly, lovingly, and gladly gave His life for us to pay sin’s wage in order that we have eternal life. He knew it would come.
He prophesied it.
He is Wonderful in His Resurrection!
Jesus conquered death by rising again. Never was such a man before Him, nor after Him. He is the first and last. Because He arose, He will return to earth to reign.
As a man, He was created, as God He was the Creator who created the sun, moon, stars, angels, earth, and man from nothing!
His nature is higher than the heavens and deeper than Hell.
He is past finding out.
He is God, the God-man, combined in one person, the wonder of wonders. His name is Wonderful!
He is Counsellor
He is Counsellor
This title speaks of perception! He is the Counselor of all counsellors, Who is infinite in wisdom!
When I got to thinking about what a counsellor needs to be, let me give you a few things you need to be a good counselor:
A good counsellor needs to be close and accessible, and the Lord is just a prayer away!
A good counsellor needs to be compassionate, and the Lord has tender, loving, concern for us. To Him, we are not a case, but His child! We are not problem people, but people with problems!
A good counsellor needs to be aware of our needs, and He knows what is best for us!
A good counsellor needs to be capable, and the Lord has power to help! He is omniscient, omnipresent, and inerrant in His counsel!
A good counsellor needs to be able to communicate, and the Lord speaks to us through His Word!
24 Thy testimonies also are my delight And my counsellers.
8 I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.
He Is The Mighty God
He Is The Mighty God
This title speaks of His person! He is the Mighty God, Who is infinite in power!
He is the One to whom “all power is given.”
He is the omnipotent God.
That little baby lying helpless on Mary’s bosom held the universe together. He said, “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.” He is the Mighty God!
In Hebrew form, the title “Mighty God” means “God’s strong Hero or King” -
The Lord Jesus Christ is the Hero and the King of the universe!
Charles Rolls, in his book, “Time’s Noblest Name” writes that Jesus is, “perfectly equipped with power to prevail, strength to subdue, and might to master every tyranny of the tempter, and in righteousness waged and won the war of the ages against wickedness.”
He continues,
“Behold! He is mighty in majesty, might in mastery, mighty in mercy, and mighty in ministry, therefore He is mighty to save, mighty to keep, and mighty to perfect for presentation before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy.”
He Is The Everlasting Father
He Is The Everlasting Father
This title speaks of protection! He is the Everlasting Father Who is infinite in love!
This looks backwards to the past, the present, and to the future too. He is the Everlasting Father, the Alpha and Omega.
Everlasting reminds us of the permanence that He gives to the unstable and consistency to the inconsistent. He is everlasting.
Everlasting Father also refers to Jesus’ father-like character.
He will provide and protect His children with wisdom and compassion. It is a wonder that this child would come to earth to redeem and adopt sinners into the family of God.
Stephen Grant writes, “The mighty warrior God is also tender, compassionate and loving. He is not shrouded in steel and flame, unreachable and unknowable, with a heart of stone. His compassion for the lost He came to save is evident as you read through His earthly ministry in the Gospels.”
13 Like as a father pitieth his children, So the Lord pitieth them that fear him.
14 For he knoweth our frame; He remembereth that we are dust.
This child that Isaiah spoke of 700 years before His birth would manifest both the power of the Mighty God and the heart of the Everlasting Father.
If you don’t believe that, just look to the cross! The cross was the greatest manifestation of His power and compassion!
He Is The Prince of Peace
He Is The Prince of Peace
This title speaks of peace! He is the Prince of Peace Who is infinite in redemption!
I said Wednesday in our study on “The Season to Worship” - that the truth of this season is that Jesus came to be the Prince of Peace for all who believe.
Because Jesus is the Prince of Peace, we have:
Peace from God, we have peace with God, and we have the peace of God! All through Jesus Christ!
27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
Men cry for peace in the world today. For every year of peace there has been thirteen years of war on this planet. Sin is the disturber and constant troubler of hearts. It is the source of disorder and distress.
Our Lord can calm the fears of mankind from A to Z...
28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
He is “the one who removes all peace-disturbing factors and secures the peace.”
He gives us peace in life’s trials.
He gives us peace in life’s maturing process...
He gives us peace in life’s victories...
He gives us peace in life’s relationships...
He gives us peace in life’s witness...
Sin can be forgiven, guilt can be done away with, you can have a home in Heaven through Jesus Christ!
4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,
5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.
Is the Prince of peace reigning in your life? I hope so.
What a treasure is ours in Isaiah’s predicted Messiah. He is our Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. May we give Him our full devotion, as we ponder the great God that He is!
Conclusion
Conclusion
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, Counseller, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
Let me close with a poem,
To us a Child of hope is born,
To us a Son is given;
Him shall the tribes of earth obey,
Him, all the host of Heaven.
His name shall be the Prince of Peace,
Forevermore adored;
The Wonderful, the Counsellor,
The great and mighty Lord.
His power, increasing, still shall spread;
His reign no end shall know;
Justice shall guard His throne above,
And peace abound below.
To us a Child of hope is born,
To us a Son is given;
The Wonderful, the Counsellor,
The mighty Lord of Heaven.
- Author Unknown
The Infinite Christ - What a gift! I’m thankful for Christmas! I’m thankful for Christ!
