Unboxing Christmas

A gift promised long ago...

Isaiah 9:6 NRSV

For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:7 NRSV

His authority shall grow continually, and there shall be endless peace for the throne of David and his kingdom. He will establish and uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time onward and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.

First, the birth of The King

Isaiah 9:6 NRSV

For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

A. His humanity - “a child has been born for us”

B. His divinity - “a son given to us”

Matthew 16:16 NET 2nd ed.

Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

C. His lordship - “authority rests upon his shoulders”

D. His titles...

“Wonderful Counselor”

“Mighty God”

“Everlasting Father”

“Prince of Peace”

Second, the reign of The King

Isaiah 9:7 NRSV

His authority shall grow continually, and there shall be endless peace for the throne of David and his kingdom. He will establish and uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time onward and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.

Matthew 28:18 NRSV

And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.

Romans 4:25 NRSV

who was handed over to death for our trespasses and was raised for our justification.

Romans 5:1 NRSV

Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,

Romans 5:2 NRSV

through whom we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand; and we boast in our hope of sharing the glory of God.

Romans 5:3 NRSV

And not only that, but we also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance,

Romans 5:4 NRSV

and endurance produces character, and character produces hope,

Romans 5:5 NRSV

and hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.

Romans 5:6 NRSV

For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.

Romans 5:7 NRSV

Indeed, rarely will anyone die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person someone might actually dare to die.

Romans 5:8 NRSV

But God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us.

Romans 5:9 NRSV

Much more surely then, now that we have been justified by his blood, will we be saved through him from the wrath of God.

Romans 5:10 NRSV

For if while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, much more surely, having been reconciled, will we be saved by his life.

Romans 5:11 NRSV

But more than that, we even boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.