Wonderful Counselor
“Wonderful Counselor”
Isaiah 9:1-6
Introduction
- Conversation with Effiong Bassey about our good system – no need for prayer
Nevertheless, 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.
What is the great light in your world?
- Log chain around my neck
- Oppression of perfection
- Black Hole
- Gospel becoming real
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.
The word harvest hits a nerve
- Different year this year – long drawn out
- We rejoice with big yields
- Sandy river bottom – over 200 bushels
- Rejoicing is not about sharing but getting it out of the field and in our bins
- Complain if below 200
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.
The word yoke must be bad...
- Picture looks confining
- Mt 11:28-30
- Money, Earning your way, Fakeness
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.
I like the word reformed... but reforming?
- Battles are no more – upside down
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
When I say wonderful; you say...
- Friday mornings – Cappuccino & Avery
- This word is more than that... Heb. pele
- Extraordinary – it is not just that; what God has done is unexplainable; but that He did it for YOU!
- Wonderful is... Thanksgiving riding Jon’s Harley
- Extraordinary is losing my phone and receiving it back from a stranger – He did this for me...
- Wonderful is filled with the presence of God
Wonderful Counselor
- We tie them together
- Heb. They are separate
- Not sure we like this word with Counselor;
- Now you say – let it stand alone
- Word Counselor says... “I have problems”
- Counselor carries a stigma that we don’t talk about
- Seminary counseling...
More than just negative thoughts
- Heb. Yaas – word search
Is 19:17 And the land of Judah will bring terror to the Egyptians; everyone to whom Judah is mentioned will be terrified, because of what the Lord Almighty is planning (yaas) against them.
LXX – Boule – very significant in NT
Ac 2:23 - This man was handed over to you by God’s set purpose and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross.
Ac 5:38-39 - Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. 39 But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.”
A better word might be plan or strategist
- Do you believe that God has a plan for you
- Farmer/Trainer/Pastor
- Do I believe this plan is extraordinary
First step is... who do I go to?
- Logic – phone lost; bummer buy another
- Immanuel God with us – God help me find it
- Extraordinary Strategist – phone back before me (just about a phone too) not an individual
Isaiah is saying... no matter what life looks like
- Wonderful Counselor – this is going to be big
Video – God with you
Card-board testimonies
- Situation – not fun
- Now see a Extraordinary Strategist
Challenge – make your own card-board
- Better yet tell someone