What Child is This?

Introduction

In 1978, two women in labor entered Hardee Memorial hospital in Wauchula, Florida. The two babies were born that day…then, a parent’s worst nightmare happened…those two little babies, were accidentally swapped, and given to the wrong mothers.

I’m afraid, that what we’ve done in our lives, is we have gotten confused, and we have accidentally swapped the Lord Jesus with another baby that we view as some sort of character in a play…some sort of figurine in a nativity…or some sort of cultural icon that we break out of the attic once a year…and when we’re done…forget that baby was ever born.

But as we begin this Christmas Season, I don’t want you be confused about the little baby that born in a manger, swaddled in cloths, and lying in a manger. I want you to know exactly Who this Child is that we are celebrating this December.

I. He is A Son that Was Given

Isaiah 9:6 NKJV

For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given

This little baby that we celebrate on Christmas is a Man that was God. He was fully man, fully God. He is miraculous in every way, and there is no other God like Him.

Scripture says right here in Isaiah 9:6, that He is a Son that was given to us.

Well, Who gave Him?

1. He was Given by God the Father

Unto us, a Son has been given.

God is the Father, Jesus is the Son, and then God’s Spirit is Who we call the Holy Spirit.

In the very beginning, the Bible says that God the Father conversed with God the Son and God the Holy Spirit and said this,

Genesis 1:26 NKJV

God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness

Well, man sinned, and fell from the presence of God, and at the time of the fall, God promised that there would be Son given.

Genesis 3:15 NKJV

And I will put enmity between you and the woman, And between your seed and her Seed.

Who is that Seed? The seed is the baby boy we call Jesus…the Son that was given by God.

John 3:16 NKJV

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

Now that we know Who gave, we need to understand how He was given.

2. He was Given through the Virgin Birth

Isaiah 7:14 NKJV

Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.

So, He was given by God through the virgin Mary.

What do we need to understand about this?

I want you to know that this mystery of how Jesus could be fully God and fully man is what makes Him so wonderful.

Look there again in Isaiah 9:6

Isaiah 9:6 NKJV

For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And His name will be called Wonderful

Now, Isaiah 7:14 says that His name will be called Immanuel. The name Immanuel means “God with us.” And so we know that He is God.

He was born a natural birth through the virgin Mary and so we know that He is man.

The name Wonderful literally means “incomprehensible.”

(In the book of Judges, there was a man by the name of Samson that was set to be born, and was foreordained as a judge over Israel. He was going to be born so that the nation Israel would be rescued from the control of the Philistine nation.

To announce this birth, a preincarnate Christ appeared to Samsons parents. These parents ask the Angel of the Lord, “What is your name?” and here was His response.)

Judges 13:18 NKJV

And the Angel of the Lord said to him, “Why do you ask My name, seeing it is wonderful?”

He says to these parents, “Even if I told you my name, you wouldn’t understand. For my name is “incomprehensible.”

Now, some try to deny the virgin birth, others want to try and explain the virgin birth, but Isaiah the prophet says of this Baby that He will be called “incomprehensible.”

That is, we can’t explain or understand the virgin birth. We can’t explain how He is fully God and fully man, we can only accept that it’s true.

Now, in your life you’ve probably come across people or you might even be that person that says, “Well, I won’t serve a God unless I have all the answers. Anything less than all the answers disproves your religion and your God.”

Well, I love what Charles Spurgeon said about the virgin birth.

“As a gnat might seek to drink in the ocean, so a finite creature might seek to comprehend the eternal God. A God whom we could understand would be no God. If we could grasp him, he could not be infinite; if we could understand him, then he would not be divine.”

The reality that we cannot understand the Trinity, the virgin birth, or why God would have mercy on people like us is what makes Him so Wonderful.

So, Who gave Him? God! How did He give Him? Through the virgin birth! Now, we need to understand why He was given by God through the virgin birth.

3. He was Given for the Salvation of the World

That’s why He was given. To save us, to save this world!

Luke 2:11 NKJV

For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

It may make sense to you that God would have to be the one to save the world. It makes logical sense.

If God is truly God, then He alone has the power to save the world.

But the confusing thing is why Jesus was born of a virgin. Why the miraculous incarnation? Why the miracle of the virgin birth? Why not the miraculous appearance, or simply the miraculous forgiveness?

I’ll show you

Galatians 4:4 NKJV

But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law,

Now, listen to that…because Jesus was born of a woman, He was born under the law. Why is that significant?

You must understand that the law of God serves the purpose to reveal our sin.

People think that they can go to Heaven because they’re good enough, but when you try to follow the letter of God’s law, the only thing it does is show how unworthy you are of God’s forgiveness.

God created man in Genesis…and the man that God created made a choice to disobey God, and when he made the choice to sin, he made the choice to give the earth over to sin and to death.

And because it was a man gave the world over to death, it would take a man to purchase it back.

But it could not be just any man, it had to be perfect man. It had to be a man that was able to keep all of God’s laws perfectly.

That’s why Jesus says this in Matthew 5

Matthew 5:17 NKJV

“Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.

Jesus was born under the law, so that He could keep the law, and fulfill the requirement of the law. The requirement of the law is that a man must be perfect. And Jesus was that man.

Romans 5:19 NKJV

For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous.

Application - He is a Gift

For you, this means that Jesus is a God-given, Wonderful, miraculous, gift.

You know what else Isaiah says about Him? He says that He is Counselor. A Counselor is someone who walks with you, and is wise. He is our guide, He is the light for our path, His truth and His words allow us to navigate life no matter the circumstance.

a. The Bible says that Jesus our Counselor is wise beyond measure.

Psalm 33:11 NKJV

The counsel of the Lord stands forever, The plans of His heart to all generations.

That means that every question we have about this life can be answered if we will simply make the God-given gift the object of our praise and our worship.

b. The Bible says that Jesus our Counselor is personally invested in your life

Psalm 16:7 NKJV

I will bless the Lord who has given me counsel; My heart also instructs me in the night seasons.

You might think that in times of darkness, that God has abandoned you…but how can that be the case if He is the light of the world?

Jesus has not abandoned you, and He will never abandon you, because that would go against His nature and His character. He is a God that is personally invested in your life.

c. The Bible says that Jesus our Counselor is compassionate and caring

Mark 6:34 NKJV

And Jesus, when He came out, saw a great multitude and was moved with compassion for them, because they were like sheep not having a shepherd. So He began to teach them many things.

When the Bible says that Jesus is moved with compassion, it means that He is actively working to repair your life and bring you to a place of peace and stability. He is actively working to make you more like Him, and He is actively pleading with God on your behalf.

He is the Wonderful Counselor:

There is no gift that you will receive…and no gift that you could give…that is better than the gift you recieved and the gift that God gave.

Think about it…

There you are with the rest of the world…hopeless, helpless, bound by sin…and sold into slavery by Adam…and God sends you this gift of freedom, God sends you this unexplainable and worthy payment for your sin…all you need to is accept it.

Transition

So, Who gave Him? God.

How was He given? Through the virgin Mary

Why was He given? To fulfill God’s requirement for perfection and save the earth from death.

Galatians 4:4–5 NKJV

But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.

By His death on the cross, the Son that was given redeemed us (purchased us back from) sin, so that we could be saved and adopted into God’s Kingdom. Through the death of Christ, we can be made alive…because by His death He purchased back what Adam lost…the world

So, not only is He a Son that was Given…

II. He is a a King that is Sovereign

What the word sovereign means is that He is “over all”.

Isaiah 9:6 NKJV

For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Mighty God, Everlasting Father.

When Isaiah delivered this prophecy, he just announced that Israel was going to be in bondage to the Assyrian nation. That they were going to be a cruel government, and that they were going to be the master of the nation.

But here in Isaiah 9:6, God speaks through the prophet Isaiah and says that the government will be upon His shoulder. That means that He will restore to the nation of Israel what was lost under Assyrian rule.

What exactly did they lose under Assyrian rule?

Well, they lost their authority. They lost their freedom.

Now, just like Israel lost their authority and their freedom to the Assyrian nation, the world has lost it’s authority and it’s freedom.

At one time we were free, now, because of sin, we are in bondage.

So, when you hear someone say, “Are you a lost person?” They are asking if you are still lost in sin, wandering around with no direction, under the bondage and control of sin.

So what Isaiah is declaring here is a promise of hope.

He is declaring that a King is coming, Someone who is going to rule over all.

1. His Kingdom is Powerful

In fact, His Kingdom is so powerful that once He declares His reign, there will be no kingdom that will be able to over take it.

Look again in Isaiah 9:6

Isaiah 9:6 NKJV

For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Mighty God.

He is mighty, and He is powerful, and He will never be stopped. He is the Son that was given to free us from the bondage of sin forevermore.

a. Now, some have already tried to stop His Kingdom, and they failed.

Revelation 12:4 NKJV

And the dragon (satan) stood before the woman who was ready to give birth, to devour her Child as soon as it was born.

Satan moved Abel to murder Cain

Satan moved Pharoah to murder the Hebrew babies

Saul to murder David

And King Herod to murder the baby Jesus.

Matthew 2:1–3 NKJV

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.” When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.

Herod was afraid that he was going to lose is power to this child, and so he moves to have him murdered, but he failed.

b. Some have already tried, and some will continue to try

Revelation 12:13 NKJV

Now when the dragon (satan) saw that he had been cast to the earth, he persecuted the woman who gave birth to the male Child.

He will always persecute the people of God…but satan is powerless against the Kingdom of Christ, because the Kingdom of Christ is powerful.

It has all authority. It is a sovereign kingdom.

Matthew 28:18 NKJV

Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.

His Kingdom is powerful.

2. His Kingdom is Eternal

Isaiah 9:6 NKJV

For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Everlasting Father.

Daniel 7:27 NKJV

His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom

Many Easter religions believe that life is cyclical, and the believe in what we call reincarnation. Some believe that we are born, and that we die, and we go in the ground, and that’s all there is. But when God created man, He created man with eternality in mind.

Now, very plainly, God says, “let Us make man in our image.” That means that since God is an eternal being, that we are eternal with Him. But, now, because of sin, it is reality that humanity goes on in eternity without Him, unless they are purchased by the God-given, virgin born, gift of God.

So, if we go on into eternity purchased by Him, then we reign in His Kingdom for all eternity. This is what we call Heaven.

If we go on into eternity enslaved to sin, then we declare ourselves to be at war against His Kingdom for all eternity. This is what we call Hell.

Because of the death and ressurection of Jesus, all authority in Heaven and on Earth has been given to Him, and to stand against Him by denying Him is to be at war with Him.

And, right now, because of God’s mercy…He is giving the entire world the chance to repent from sin and to trust in Him.

2 Peter 3:9 NKJV

The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

God’s greatest desire is that all should come into His eternal kingdom by accepting that God-given, virgin born, gift that He gave.

Application

The fact that He is Mighty God means that He is infinitely powerful.

He is our champion over death and the grave…He is vigorous in defending His people…

Make sure that you give Him the reverence He deserves.

Don’t be irreverent to the King. Don’t neglect to fear Him. Don’t neglect to praise Him. Don’t neglect to make Him the focus of your life and of this celebration we call Christmas.

The fact that He is the Everlasting Father means He is Eternal Authority.

What is a father?

A father is to be the authority in the home.

Dad, don’t leave all the disciplining to your wife. Take charge, and get involved, and cause those children to respect their mother. The father of the home is God’s first line of authority in a child’s life. A weak father will produce rebellious children who do not understand authority.

a. Therefore, Jesus is your authority and He must be obeyed.

Many Christians bring pain and suffering into their lives because they will not obey the Father. Jesus says, “if anyone wants to be my disciple, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me.” You cannot follow Jesus Christ if you will not vacate your own will and your own desires and live to fulfill the desires of God.

Now, how can you obey Him if you don’t know His word? And How can you know His word if you don’t read His word?

And even in you read His word, how can you understand His word if you do not submit to His authority?

To gain understanding of the Bible, you must do what it says…there are no shortcuts in spiritual growth. There are no fast-tracks to spiritual success. There is just the day in and day out submission to God through living in obedience to Him and to His created order.

b. Jesus is your King and He must be revered.

Reverence is much more powerful than obedience.

The state of Alabama makes you obey the traffic laws by placing State Troopers along the highway. If you see a Trooper, slowing down doesn’t mean you revere the law, it simply means that you don’t want to be fined for disobedience.

To revere the Lord means to be honoring to Him in how we live and how we think.

Practically, reverence means to obey Him gladly.

You know…you get up on Christmas morning, and prepare the food, finish wrapping the presents, make the final plans…and then when everyone gathers you say… “Oh yeah, let’s pray so we can eat.” and that’s about the extent of the reverence for Jesus.

And you know, that’s about the extent of reverence that you have everyday. Because you’re not very reverent, you’re just simply trying to obey the “rules”.

Well, when you have reverence for God, you don’t just slow down to avoid getting the speeding ticket… your entire life revolves around accomplishing His will and His work.

Transition

Looking to Jesus during the Christmas season means to know that He is a God-given, virgin born, gift of salvation and that He is both powerful and eternal, that He deserves reverence.

III. He is a Sacrifice that is Sufficient (Enough)

Isaiah 9:6 NKJV

For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And His name will be called Prince of Peace.

The Bible says that when the angels announced Jesus was born that a heavenly chorus sang out, “peace on earth, good will toward men!”

That means that this Christmas, you can enjoy His everlasting peace and His overflowing joy, if you will praise Him and give Him the glory in your everyday life.

Now, why is He called the Prince of Peace?

Well, because He has brought peace between sinners and God.

When this Baby that we celebrate on Christmas day was born, He came to accomplish some things here on earth.

1. He is Sufficient Because He Satisfies God.

The Bible says that He is our “propitiation”.

1 John 2:2 NKJV

And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.

Propitiation means that He was our offering for sin. But not just any offer…He was a satisfying offering for sin.

Isaiah 53:11 NKJV

He (God) shall see the labor of His (Jesus’s) soul, and be satisfied.

That labor is the death of Christ on the cross…

Now, God won’t take just any old offering. I mean, it would be irreverent for you to offer me to God, because I am not perfect. I am sin stained, I am not a worthy sacrifice. And friend, neither are you…that’s why your own goodness cannot bring peace between you and God. That’s why you must Admit your fault, Believe on Jesus for salvation, and Confess Him as Lord.

He alone satisfies

2. He is Sufficient as Your Substitute

2 Corinthians 5:21 NKJV

For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

Did you hear that?

Jesus became sin to be sin for us.

That means that He substituted His life for the lives of the entire world, so that the world might be righteous before God.

So, not only does He satisfy God, not only does He serve as your substitute….

3. He is Sufficient as Your Savior

Ephesians 2:8–9 NKJV

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.

I want you listen to me…there is nothing that you could ever do to add to the God-given, virgin born, gift called Jesus.

It was God Who determined the plan, it was Jesus Who fulfilled the plan, it is the Holy Spirit that communicates the plan, and it’s you that must accept the plan.

That’s salvation…that by faith…by simply saying, I trust you…you receive the gift of God.

The gift you receive is the satisfying, substitutionary, salvation of Jesus Christ applied to your account. When it is applied to your account, the Bible says that you become the righteousness of God.

That means that just as Jesus was raised from the dead because of His perfection…you will also be raised from the dead because of the perfection you gained when you accepted the gift we know as Jesus.

4. He is Sufficient as Your Peace

Philippians 4:7 NKJV

and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Christmas can Be Hard

I know that the Christmas season can be hard.

Some of you will be celebrating without a loved one…

Some of you are thinking how you are going to afford the gifts…

Some of you are dreading that person that may show up to Christmas…

But in all this, I want you to know that the peace of Jesus Christ is not just for salvation…but it is for your everyday life.

I want to show you how you can walk in the peace of the Lord Jesus this season.

a. Bless the Lord

To bless literally means to praise Him, or to sing to Him or thank Him verbally.

Psalm 16:7 NKJV

I will bless the Lord who has given me counsel

He is a personal God…a God that is so personal that He willingly died on a cross for you. You must trust that when He says that He will comfort you that He will. He is there in your life, and He sees your heartache and hardship.

b. Make Him the Focus of Your Life

Psalm 16:8 NKJV

I have set the Lord always before me; Because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved.

He is the King that was given to be sufficient for you in every area.

We tend to think, “Jesus can save me, but He cannot teach me how to make my life work, that part is up to me.”

“Jesus can save me, but He cannot show me how to handle my grief this Christmas.

“Jesus can save me, but He cannot handle my family problems.”

But if you will obey the Lord in reverence, and not simply obey Him out of obligation…you will get that peace of God that surpasses all understanding.

Then, and only then, will the problems of life begin to fade, and the peace of God that surpasses all understanding be applied to your heart.

Psalm 16:9 NKJV

Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices; My flesh also will rest in hope.

Invitation

Do you need to ask Jesus to save you today?

He is a God-given, virgin born, gift, that is powerful and eternal, and He died on the cross as your substitute.

The Bible says that if you will trust Him and commit your life to Him that God will be satisfied with you, because Jesus was substituted for you. Because He will be your savior, you will be at peace with God and will live with Him for all eternity.

Do you need to trust Him today?

If you do, pray like this with me:

“God,

I am not trusting in myself. I am trusting in Jesus. I believe that He is Your Son. I believe that He is King. I believe that He died for my sin. I want to ask forgiveness. I want you to save me…cleanse me…change me…I’m yours. Amen.”

If you did that this morning will you find me? Either right now or after the service.

For the Christian…

Will you revere Jesus this season?

Don’t just slow down to avoid punishment, live in reverence to God with your life

Will you experience His peace this season?

He is the Prince of Peace…bless Him and praise Him.

Make Him the focus of your life.

Will you do that? If you will, then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding, will guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus.