The Wonderful Counselor

Isaiah 9:6

Read Isaiah 9:1–5

“1 But there will be no more gloom for her who was in anguish; in earlier times He treated the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali with contempt, but later on He shall make it glorious, by the way of the sea, on the other side of Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles. 2 The people who walk in darkness Will see a great light; Those who live in a dark land, The light will shine on them. 3 You shall multiply the nation, You shall increase their gladness; They will be glad in Your presence As with the gladness of harvest, As men rejoice when they divide the spoil. 4 For You shall break the yoke of their burden and the staff on their shoulders, The rod of their oppressor, as at the battle of Midian. 5 For every boot of the booted warrior in the battle tumult, And cloak rolled in blood, will be for burning, fuel for the fire.”

Intro: (5 Minutes)

The Book of Isaiah

The Promise of the Messiah

Introduction:

Today, we delve into the profound message of hope and assurance embodied in the Book of Isaiah, focusing on the promise of the Messiah as outlined in Isaiah 9:1–5. In a world often shrouded in darkness and confusion, the promise of a "Wonderful Counselor" brings great solace and clarity. The term "wonderful" encapsulates a sense of awe and amazement, similar to the wonders of creation, yet Christ's wonder is life-changing. "Counselor" refers to the guidance that directs us toward wisdom and truth, urging certain directions of action. It is essential for us to understand the significance of having such a Counselor in our faith journey, for this knowledge anchors us amid life's uncertainties. Over the next few weeks, let us explore who Christ truly is and remind ourselves of His unwavering presence and the profound impact of His wonder and counsel in our lives.

Word Study

Wonderful- an astounding thing which causes a feeling or attitude of intense amazement

Exodus 15:11 “11 “Who is like You among the gods, O Lord? Who is like You, majestic in holiness, Awesome in praises, working wonders?”

Counselor- one who speaks and urges certain directions of actions or thought, implying the advice given is considered wise and valuable

Why was there a need for a wonderful counselor?

Did Christ fulfill this prophecy. Yes

How can we know, I am not saying it is essential for you to know, but I am asking that this would become apart of your faith knowing why you believe.

This is the great news to these four weeks.

They are for us to know.

They are for us to remember amongst the confusion.

This is who Christ is, will we have faith and will we remember.

1. Behold His Wonder

Isaiah 9:6

There are many things that we can behold in this world as wonderful

(Northern Lights)

What makes the wonder of Christ life changing.

Beholding any type of wonder may be a wonderful experience but the wonder of Christ changes our lives.

(Abraham Lincoln)

The wonder of Christ is essential to who He is.

How do we behold His wonder How do we have an Awe for Christ

Fear- biblical reverence

There’s an awesomeness about God which is missing in our day altogether; there’s little sense of admiring awe in the Church of Christ these days.18

A. W. Tozer

Do we believe these words from Tozer

What does the Bible declare about Him.

He is always wonderful

All things that exemplify wonder have come from Him

He did not become wonderful He is and will always be.

Colossians 1:15–17

“15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him. 17 He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.”

Christ cannot cease being wonderful

It is who He is.

We are given a glimpse of who He is.

Why is this important?

Christ is the fulfillment of the Messiah.

When we replace Him as the source of what is wonderful Anything is permissable.

Also his wonder surpasses human understanding.

Luke 8:43–48

“43 And a woman who had a hemorrhage for twelve years, and could not be healed by anyone, 44 came up behind Him and touched the fringe of His cloak, and immediately her hemorrhage stopped. 45 And Jesus said, “Who is the one who touched Me?” And while they were all denying it, Peter said, “Master, the people are crowding and pressing in on You.” 46 But Jesus said, “Someone did touch Me, for I was aware that power had gone out of Me.” 47 When the woman saw that she had not escaped notice, she came trembling and fell down before Him, and declared in the presence of all the people the reason why she had touched Him, and how she had been immediately healed. 48 And He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace.””

Finally His wonder is pure.

He gives it freely unblemished, un tainted by anything

He alone reconciles

Hebrews 12:2

“2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

2. Consult His Counsel

Isaiah 9:6

Why does one seek His counsel…

He is the counselor to restoration

Matthew 11:28–30 “28

“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.””

Satan is the counselor to destruction

1 Peter 5:8

“8 Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”

Christ counsels His church.

1. To advise His church on how to escape eternal death and attain eternal life

John 10:10 “10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”

2. To teach them how to please God in every endeavor

1 John 3:22–23 “22 and whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do the things that are pleasing in His sight. 23 This is His commandment, that we believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, just as He commanded us.”

3. To guide them through grievous dangers and help them bear difficulties

2 Corinthians 12:9–10 “9 And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. 10 Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.”

3. Cherish His Counsel

Isaiah 9:6

What do you cherish?

Why?

Is Christ counsel worth cherishing

Lets take a dive into it

Christ counsel cannot be placed into a counsel that is familiar to the world

He binds His interest with that of His people

Matthew 7:7–11

“7 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. 9 Or what man is there among you who, when his son asks for a loaf, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, he will not give him a snake, will he? 11 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him!”

Uniquely Faithful

Deuteronomy 7:9

“9 Know therefore that the Lord your God, He is God, the faithful God, who keeps His covenant and His lovingkindness to a thousandth generation with those who love Him and keep His commandments;”

No self interest

Philippians 2:5–8

“5 Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. 8 Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”

He provides what is needed

Philippians 4:19

“19 And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”

Closing:

As we conclude, let's reflect on the incomparable wonder and counsel of Christ. Unlike any worldly admiration, the wonder of Christ is transformative, essential, and a constant in our lives. He is the fulfillment of the Messiah, the embodiment of everything that is wonderful. His counsel is invaluable, guiding us through every challenge and leading us to eternal life and joy. Christ’s pure and selfless nature provides for our every need, binding His interests with ours. Let us cherish His counsel and remain steadfast in awe of who He is, continually seeking His wisdom and embracing the change His wonder brings. As we leave here today, may we fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, and let His light illuminate our paths.

Application:

Behold His Wonder:

Take time to intentionally reflect on the wonder of Christ in your daily life. Seek out moments that draw your heart to awe, whether through nature, scripture, or acts of Christ's love and grace in the world. Allow these reflections to deepen your reverence and appreciation for who Christ is and what He has done. By regularly reminding yourself of His wonder, you sustain a sense of awe that transforms how you live and view the world around you.

Consult His Counsel:

Practice seeking Christ's counsel in all aspects of life. Whether in decision making, dealing with personal struggles, or finding your purpose, turn to prayer and scripture for guidance. Christ offers wisdom, restoration, and comfort; make it a habit to bring your concerns to Him, trusting in His direction and allowing Him to lead you toward abundant life. As you incorporate His counsel, you'll find strength and clarity to navigate life's complexities.

Cherish His Counsel:

Cultivate a heart that cherishes the wisdom and guidance of Christ above all else. Recognize the value and uniqueness of His counsel, which is faithful and geared toward your well-being. Align your actions with His teachings, and strive to live a life that reflects His love and truth. By actively valuing and applying His counsel, you deepen your relationship with Christ and reinforce the foundational principles of your faith.