Emmanuel (Joy Advent)

Advent

Joy Candle

Otherwise known as the Shepherd Candle, this candle reflects the joy that comes through Jesus’ arrival, and through the salvation he has gifted us.

Christians may wonder why the church decided to make this particular candle a different color than the others.

Although Christians have presented several reasons for the pinkish nature of the candle, from a tradition where priests would wear pink vestments to parents eagerly awaiting the joy of a child’s arrival by painting the room pink, the rosy candle has its roots in something known as Gaudete Sunday.

During this third week of advent, this Sunday celebrates the passage Philippians 4:4-5, its verses extolling readers to “rejoice” for “indeed the Lord is near.”

It is also known as the Shepherd Candle to highlight the joy the shepherds experienced when they received the good news about Christ’s birth (Luke 2:8-20). During the middle of the night, the darkest time, the shepherds encountered angels.

God fills us with joy

Titles of Jesus

Introduction

So we are doing part two of our Songs of Christmas series and I have been enjoying this series each year!

This week while we were driving Alaina and I heard a funny thing about the 12 days of Christmas.

If your true love gave you all the birds sang abput in that song you would have gotten 23 birds!

That’s a lot of animals!

Next year we may do a sub series in the christmas series about the 12 days of Christmas because of how much scripture and symbology of the faith is in that song!

Well next year!

This song today is based off of

Isaiah 9:6–7 (ESV)

6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore.

It’s a very famous verse that has been made into many song lyrics. It is rich and sufficiently tells us of the nature, Character, and personality of Jesus. It also carries in it the hint of the incarnation and the trinity to the old Testament saint.

God has been telling his tale of Salvation from the Beginning. Jesus sits on the throne of David as we speak.

So we are going to look at the titles and Names of Jesus. This could be and may well be a sermon series we do in the future But I want you to know a few things about names and titles of Jesus

Background

All Names of Jesus are important, and all of them happen in some context. In Isa. they are predicting the coming king after the death of the king in that area.

Putting Jesus in His Place: The Case for the Deity of Christ What’s in a Name?

The first is that the application to Jesus of so many of these descriptive names for God confirms their significance as designations of deity. It is not just that the New Testament happens to call Jesus “Savior” a few times, but that the New Testament calls Jesus “God,” “Lord,” and “Savior,” sometimes separately, and sometimes together (e.g., “My Lord and my God,” John 20:28; “God and Savior,” Titus 2:13; 2 Peter 1:1; “Lord and Savior,” 2 Peter 1:11).

Putting Jesus in His Place: The Case for the Deity of Christ What’s in a Name?

Second, when the New Testament uses these designations for Jesus, it very often does so by quoting from, or alluding to, Old Testament texts about God or by applying to Jesus characteristic Old Testament motifs and expressions that refer to God.

Putting Jesus in His Place: The Case for the Deity of Christ What’s in a Name?

Third, the New Testament calls Jesus by such names as God, Lord, and the like in the context of saying things about Jesus that connote deity.

The First name

Immanuel -

Definition

A great definition of this title is this: Immanuel. “God with us.” Conveys God’s promise to save, bless, and protect His children.

OT use/NT use

When studying this point I just have to say I was struck with awe by our God. I was mining this name down and it only appears in the Bible 3 times.

Isaiah 7:14 (ESV)

14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

Isaiah 8:8 (ESV)

8 and it will sweep on into Judah, it will overflow and pass on, reaching even to the neck, and its outspread wings will fill the breadth of your land, O Immanuel.”

Matthew 1:23 (ESV)

23 “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel”

(which means, God with us).

When Isaiah has written this Ahaz was the king over Judah.

Ahaz was the son of a good king, Jotham and the grandson of another godly ruler, Uzziah, but his reign was marked by apostasy and idolatry. He made “molten images” for the Baals, offered incense in the Hinnom Valley, and even burned his sons as an offering (2 Chr 28:2–4). Because of this, the Lord gave him into the hand of Rezin, king of Syria, and of Pekah, king of Israel. The Edomites also invaded Judah, and the Philistines attacked the Shephelah and the Negev and took several cities (vv 17–18).

During this time of evil rulers God tells Isaiah that he would send a son born of a virgin who will be Immanuel. 700 years later an angel comes to Joseph and tells him to stay with Mary because she will give birth to Immanuel.

When you think about what it means that God will be with us that means he is present with us this very moment.

Quick Theology:

Omnipresence

Jesus would say:

Matthew 18:20 (ESV)

20 For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.”

So truly we are in the Lord's presence as we speak. He is among us and is present with us in this service. It means that all that we do we must do unto the Lord. In our homes he is with us there. Ancient God's were tied to areas. They held sway over this location or this objects. Poseidon/Neptune held sway over the seas so you didn't want to anger him before you traveled over the waters.

Our God is greater than that. Neptune is overthrown, Christ is present with the sailor at sea, he is present with us in our homes. He is with us.

Application

We teach in family worship to our children that:

10.Q. Where is God?

A. God is everywhere (Ps 139:7-12; Jer 23:23,24; Acts 17:27,28).

And we add and in my heart.

11.Q. Can you see God?

A. No. I cannot see God, but he always sees me (Ex 33:20; Jn 1:18; 1 Tim 6:16; Ps 139 esp. vv. 1-5: Pr 5:21; Hb 4:12, 13).

This is an excellent tool by the way. You need to train yourself in doctrine look up the old Baptist catechisms, you can even find them put to song.

Really practically for those of us dealing with fear, or lonely exile as the song puts it. You're not alone he is with you. Truly Christ is with you. Christmas is a time when we miss those that have went to be with the Lord, you are not alone. You've been ransomed by our God. For the little ones even if you fear the dark, Jesus is with you in the dark, he is everywhere and in your heart.

Do you experience the Immanuel, that presence of Christ? If not Let me encourage you. Check your heart for sin. Ask the Holy Spirit to point to sin in your life and repent of it. If sin isn't hindering you, then read the word as a family. Sit down after dinner, in our family breakfast works for us, and spend a few minutes reading the Bible out loud together. Pray the Holy Spirit would help you understand as Jesus promised he would, discuss it and be changed by it, God's word will impact you. When you sit together to look at his word Jesus is amongst you. If you have a hard time reading there are plenty of free resources that will read to you the scripture.

Wonderful Counselor

this Title of Christ comes from Isa. 9:6

Isaiah 9:6 ESV

6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible: Complete and Unabridged in One Volume Isaiah 9:1–7

He is wonderful, counsellor. Justly is he called wonderful, for he is both God and man. His love is the wonder of angels and glorified saints; in his birth, life, death, resurrection, and ascension, he was wonderful. A constant series of wonders attended him, and, without controversy, great was the mystery of godliness concerning him. He is the counsellor, for he was intimately acquainted with the counsels of God from eternity, and he gives counsel to the children of men, in which he consults our welfare. It is by him that God has given us counsel, Ps. 16:7; Rev. 3:18. He is the wisdom of the Father, and is made of God to us wisdom. Some join these together: He is the wonderful counsellor, a wonder or miracle of a counsellor; in this, as in other things, he has the pre-eminence; none teaches like him.

I want you to really sow this verse into your heart. God has given us his son and so if you’re trying to find a point to your life. Jesus is it. Christ is the cornerstone of all creation he has a will and desire for your life

His wisdom is worthy for you to build your life on. This is a gift of God for you.

His consoul stands while men’s languishes and fails.

Maybe today you are trapped by words and advise or false worldviews.

Men come and go but the word of the Lord abides.

2 Timothy 3:16–17 ESV

16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

The wisdom of the Lord is perfect wisdom. As you read or hear the word spoken seize it for yourself. Don’t let the word be stollen like the seed that falls on the path taken up by the crows. Christ’s word will leave you equipped for every good work.

Are you trying to lead your homes better men? The Bible says that the man who loves the word is like a tree planted by a stream. Psalm 1 That is water that brings life.

So what is God’s will for your family,

to grow in sanctification, - That is to strive to become a better follower of Christ. Men you’re to be looking for how to level up your faith.

to abstain from Sexual immorality - this is the killer this is what our culture is all about driving you to seek easy cheap distracting pleasure that does’t last you could extend this to all quick pleasures, they’ll kill yah, we’ve all seen it and we all know of someone who has walked down the path of destruction the book of Proverbs tells the son to not go down to the Harlots house we have so many houses of harlotry abstain from them.

to make more disciples - This starts at home do you speak of the Lord in your walk in your comings and Goings? Do you hear of his ways from those around you? Does your wife rise up an bless the Lord, do your children? What are you doing to help? Sharing the word, singing the word, blessing others, giving to the expansion of God’s kingdom

the provide a defense for the hope that is in you, - the best way to speak of the faith is to know it

to provide for the needs of your family. - The Bible calls those that don’t believe worse then unbelievers

Can you find any fault with those counsels men? Our Wonderful Counselor came to us so that this Counsels maybe received. His birth verifies the testimony of his word. Not only does Jesus varify it, he also does it!

If you’re struggling to do God’s will. Jesus said he would send the Holy Spirit to help us remember John 16:7

John 16:7 ESV

7 Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.

Mighty God/ Holy One

Isaiah 9:6 ESV

6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible: Complete and Unabridged in One Volume Isaiah 9:1–7

He is the mighty God—God, the mighty One. As he has wisdom, so he has strength, to go through with his undertaking: he is able to save to the utmost; and such is the work of the Mediator that no less a power than that of the mighty God could accomplish it.

Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible: Complete and Unabridged in One Volume Isaiah 9:1–7

[3.] He is the everlasting Father, or the Father of eternity; he is God, one with the Father, who is from everlasting to everlasting. He is the author of everlasting life and happiness to them, and so is the Father of a blessed eternity to them. He is the Father of the world to come (so the Septuagint reads it), the father of the gospel-state, which is put in subjection to him, not to the angels, Heb. 2:5. He was, from eternity, Father of the great work of redemption: his heart was upon it; it was the product of his wisdom as the counsellor, of his love as the everlasting Father.

Isaiah 9:6–7 (ESV)

6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore.

The government of this ruler would be ever expanding. Unlike the kingdoms of this world, however, his kingdom would expand by peaceful means. Justice and righteousness would be established and maintained throughout his realm. His kingdom would endure forever. As a descendant of David, he would sit on David’s throne and rule David’s kingdom. Since David sat on God’s throne (1 Chr 29:23) and ruled God’s kingdom, these terms are not to be interpreted in a narrow, physical and earthly sense. The New Testament testifies that Christ, the son of David, is now seated on the throne of God in heaven.10 Only through the zeal of God for his people could these glorious promises be implemented.

10 On the heavenly rule of Christ see

Luke 1:32 ESV

32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David,

Matthew 19:28 ESV

28 Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, in the new world, when the Son of Man will sit on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

Revelation 3:21 ESV

21 The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne.

You can trust in his kingdom never toppling. You can trust that the enthroned King of Kings will not faulter.

So Today you can have hope in his might

Lord of Life/Lord of All/Prince of Peace

Definition

The word Lord - means ruler, leader, master, and owner. Literally the angels are saying Jesus is the owner of all things. So as Lord we must obey him and follow him. The angels did we Christians must. They are telling the world here that Jesus is our master we owe him what a master is due, but remember Jesus says his burden is light. Jesus is a better master then any person you have ever met. He is a better Lord then any man that you will come across even the man in the mirror. He is Lord wether people like it or not.

OT use/NT use

Lord in the New Testament was the same word the Greeks used to translate YHWH. Often OT quotes with YHWH are Translated with the same word that is used here in this text. Lord for YHWH and Lord for Jesus are purposely not made distinct because the writers were intentionally identifying Jesus with God the Father.

Applications

When you say that Jesus is the Lord of Life Lord of all I want you to have this gift

Psalm 20:7 ESV

7 Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.

Jesus is worthy of putting your trust into he is worthy of building your life on.

This reminds me of my favorite chapter in the Bible John 10

John 10:10–14 ESV

10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. 11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. 13 He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me,

Those that claim to be safe and places of trust are as Jesus calls them thieves and liars and hirelings.

But as we can see in verse 12 while the hireling flees Jesus does not. He fights the wolves he lays his life down for the sheep

When you put your trust in the Lord You have John 10:10

John 10:10 (ESV)

10 I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

or other translations say “to the Full”

Are you consumed with worry or anxiety? You can trust in the Lord he knows what you’re going through ytou can place that worry and anxiety on him and trust in him. People and things fail, health gives out, Christ does not. He is the place of abudant life.

If you’re worried remember the Lord tells us not to. To overcome worry you must kill that sin of control and idoltry of self daily. Give it to Christ don’t allow yourself to be god. Your worry and anxiety is killing you. I’m not talking about people with chemical issues hear btw. Idols always kill and never fulfill.

When you worship the idol of personal approval itg creates anxiety. I know that is one of my issues people pleasing. I worry people will be upset and it makes me loose sleep and not want to eat.

But they aren’t Jesus. Maybe your anxiety is built on something else.

Theses things are keeping you from that Abundant life that Jesus tells us that we are to have through him. Repent, tell that sin that it was paid for on the cross. Do it daily, hourly minutely. Grab onto this Christmas present of life to the full. Be free. The Lord has come to free us from the Slavery, the bondage of sin and death. That is the meaning of Christmas Born to give us second birth!

Gospel

John 10:16 ESV

16 And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd.

Aid for Bible Reading

When you read Lord in the New Testament and your mind you should understand it to mean God the Bible repeatedly especially in the New Testament uses the word Lord over and over again to describe Jesus that is because the New Testament writers were identifying Jesus with God.

It’s important we understand the power of our Lord and the Power of his name

Benediction

300 Quotations and Prayers for Christmas “May God Give You Peace with Yourselves”

May God give you peace with yourselves. May He give you goodwill toward all your friends, your enemies, and your neighbors. And may He give you grace to give glory to God in the highest.