Wonderful Counsellor

Who do you go to when you need direction?

Bad counselors - Rehoboam’s friends

Good counselor - Jethro and Mordecai

John 10:10 (NLT)

10 The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.

When it comes to experiencing that rich and satisfying life Jesus talks about, who should we go to?

Jesus because Jesus is our Wonderful Counselor

Series overview

Isaiah 9:6 (NLT)

6 For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9 context - the coming darkness that is Assyria because of Israel’s decisions to ignore the counsel of God - they rejected him and disobeyed him, so Assyria is the consequence. But even though darkness was coming, Isaiah prophecies about a light.

Isaiah 9:2 (NLT)

2  The people who walk in darkness will see a great light. For those who live in a land of deep darkness, a light will shine.

Wonderful Counselor = supernatural guide in life - a light in the darkness

Israel’s felt darkness - being conquered by Assyria.

Sometimes, it can feel like we are living in darkness.

Some of you are living in a darkness due to mental health struggles. And while I’m not really speaking of that specifically today, I hope that the first part of Isaiah 9:1 can be an encouragement to you:

Isaiah 9:1 (NLT)

1 Nevertheless, that time of darkness and despair will not go on forever.

One day, God will heal you and until that day comes, he is walking with you through that darkness.

But for others, the darkness may be because of some spiritual struggle. On the outside, life is pretty good, but there is something in your soul that feels off.

Or maybe the darkness is about decisions and the confusion of what to do next.

Or maybe the darkness is about the cloud that sits over us when our relationships aren’t what they are supposed to be. I know from experience that when we are in conflict, it feels like sitting in darkness.

So what do we do when we are sitting in that darkness? We turn to and trust Jesus, our wonderful counselor who gives us light.

Walking Max with his new harness = more confidence

When walking in the darkness, trust the light of the world.

Jesus, our wonderful counselor and the Light of the World gives us wisdom so help us walk through the darknesses that we all must go through.

James 1:5 (NLT)

5 If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.

Three types of wisdom Jesus gives us.

1. The Lord gives wisdom to see behind the veil

Ephesians 6:11–12 (NLT)

11 Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. 12 For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.

Distract you from your purpose / Disrupt your intimacy / discourage your heart

When you are walking in the spiritual darkness, trust the Light of the World.

2. The Lord gives wisdom to make decisions

Proverbs 3:5–6 (NLT)

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. 6 Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.

When seeking God, look for peace in your heart.

Philippians 4:6–7 (NLT)

6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

But God will not violate his Word, no matter how you feel.

When you are walking in the confusion of darkness, trust the Light of the World

3. The Lord gives wisdom to navigate relationships

James 3:17 (NLT)

17 But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere.

When you are under the darkness of conflict with others, trust in the Light of the World.

Conclusion

Making decisions in the dark can lead to some regrettable consequences. Back in the days before electricity, a tightfisted old farmer was taking his hired man to task for carrying a lighted lantern when he went to go see his girlfriend. "Why," he exclaimed, "when I went a-courtin' I never carried one of them things. I always went in the dark."

"Yes, and look what you got!"

In life, it can feel like we walk around in darkness a lot. When walking in the darkness, trust the light of the world.

Jesus, whose birth we celebrate at Christmas, is our wonderful counselor- who, through his example and through his teaching leads us and guides so we can experience that full and satisfying life he promises.

Pray.