Mighty God

DISMISS KIDS FOR RISE & SHINE

Introduction

This month, during Advent, we’re taking a close look at Isaiah chapter nine and verse 6. In this verse, God speaks through the prophet Isaiah to the people of Judah who are on the verge of being invaded by the nation of Assyria and gives the NAME of the one—the child/son/ruler—that He is going to send who will deliver and lead His people. Last week, we unpacked the name “Wonderful Counselor.” This morning, we’re moving on to “Mighty God.”

So, in order for us to get a fuller picture of this name, let’s start in verse one and we’ll read through verse seven.

STAND

Isaiah 9:1–7 “But there will be no gloom for her who was in anguish. In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he has made glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations. The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone. You have multiplied the nation; you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as they are glad when they divide the spoil. For the yoke of his burden, and the staff for his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian. For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult and every garment rolled in blood will be burned as fuel for the fire. 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. 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 zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.”

PRAY—“Almighty, eternal, and merciful God, whose Word is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path, open and illuminate our minds, that we may purely and perfectly understand your Word and that our lives may be conformed to what we have rightly understood, that in everything we may live to the pleasure of your glory and your name, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

In 2002, Columbia Pictures released what would, really, kickstart the whole Marvel Superhero mega movie franchise—Spider-Man—starring Tobey Maguire and Kirsten Dunst. Y’all who are my age remember that. Well, one of the hottest bands in the world at that time, Nickelback, wrote a hit song that was featured in that movie. I’m not going to sing it because I don’t want cigarette lighters and cargo pants to bust out, but I want to read you some of the lyrics to this song…some of y’all are fixing to sing it to yourself.

“I am so high, I can hear heaven Whoa, but heaven, no, heaven don't hear me And they say that a hero could save us I'm not gonna stand here and wait I'll hold on to the wings of the eagles Watch as we all fly away Someone told me love would all save us But how can that be? Look what love gave us A world full of killing and blood spilling That world never came And they say that a hero could save us I'm not gonna stand here and wait I'll hold on to the wings of the eagles Watch as we all fly away”

We look around at the world that is broken and we say, “We need a hero to save us.” Maybe you’ve even found yourself saying, “Heaven can’t hear me…I’ve been told that love is the answer but I’m not seeing it. All I’m seeing is killing and bloodshed.”

Maybe you’re looking at your own life—the things that have you trapped—and you know you need a hero.

As we come, today, to the name of Jesus—“Mighty God”—we are required to think of Christmas maybe in a way we don’t typically think about it.

Look at this beautiful set here on stage this morning. So cozy, so wintry. Christmas trees. I know I’ve said this a thousand times before but this is my favorite time of year. Then, look at the manger. This is probably the symbol that most Christians, at least, associate with Christmas. A newborn baby. Swaddling cloths lying in a manger. Silent night…all is calm, all is bright…baby sleeping in heavenly peace. We probably even have in our minds the Precious Moments cute little fat cherubs.

But…and I love this about our stage design…there’s a very significant piece included, here—THE CROSS. For all of the sweet and warm and fuzzy feelings we get about the birth of baby Jesus and the Christmas story, here’s what we CANNOT MISS—Christmas was an invasion of war.

The name “Mighty God” is a compound name. In Hebrew, it is “el gibbor.” El is the general Hebrew word for “God” and “gibbor” is the Hebrew word that best translates into English as “mighty.” In the Old Testament, written originally in Hebrew, the word “gibbor” is used to describe valiant men of war…champions of war…war heroes. It’s used to describe Goliath in 1 Samuel 17:4 where it says that Goliath was a “champion” of the Philistines. The word “gibbor” is used, in 2 Samuel 23, to describe David’s “mighty men” who fought alongside him to save and defend God’s people.

But, here, in Isaiah 9:6, there’s a difference. God says that the coming ruler will be GOD, Himself—the omnipotent ONE—the one with all power and he will be a war-like champion. Now, this theme—of God being a warrior—is not a new one introduced here in Isaiah. Several times throughout the OT, God is portrayed as a DIVINE WARRIOR-KING who delivers, defends, and rules over His people.

In Exodus 15, after God sends the plagues against Pharaoh and Egypt—an act of war—and then, finally ends the war by drowning the Egyptian army in the Red Sea, Moses praises Him by saying “The Lord is a man of war.” Over and over again we see this in the OT. God brought the walls of Jericho down and defeated the city without the people of Israel even having to lift a sword. We see, in Joshua, God causing the sun to stand still for a full day so that the people could defeat the Amorites.  In 2 Kings 19, an angel of the Lord struck down 185,000 Assyrian soldiers in one night. In Judges 7, God gives Gideon and his small band of 300 men victory over the 135,000 man Midianite army. I could go on and on.

And, here in Isaiah 9, this coming ruler, this child and son that will sit on the throne of David forever will be God, Himself, in flesh. In fact, look at verse 7, again. “The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.” The burning love and passion for His treasured possession—His people—will lead the Lord of armies/the Divine Warrior to deliver His people through sending a Savior.

MAIN POINT: Jesus is the Warrior-King who saves, defends, and rules over His people.

Jesus, the Warrior-King is…

A MIGHTY SAVIOR

What a word of hope for the people who heard this prophesy. They’re facing enemy invasion. Their king is weak. He’s completely useless. Remember 7:2? “Ahaz’s heart shook like one of the trees of the forest.” What kind of leader is that?!?!

They needed a CHAMPION/a Diving Warrior who would deliver them. Remember…they had heroes in their past. They had warrior kings but all of them had died. None of the peace they had brought lasted. Remember, what’s happening here in Isaiah is right on the heels of King Uzziah’s death. He had led them in many military triumphs. He had brought peace for 52 years…but that peace didn’t last. Enemies returned. The people were taken into captivity.

There is a bigger enemy than the Assyrians or the Babylonians or the Philistines and this enemy isn’t just one that holds the people of Israel in bondage. It holds the human race in bondage.

That enemy is sin and death. WE are enslaved/in bondage to the kingdom of darkness. We are those who walked in darkness, who dwelt in the land of deep darkness. In our sin, in our bondage, we cannot deliver or save ourselves. We can do nothing to remove the shackles of sin or defeat our great enemy. And the consequence of sin is DEATH. Death and sin are our enemies that we cannot deliver ourselves from. We need a Savior. One who has all power.

Romans 8:2 “For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.”

1 Corinthians 15:56–57 “The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

A MIGHTY DEFENDER

Not only is “gibbor” descriptive of a champion warrior who fights to DELIVER and SAVE…it also describes a champion warrior who is powerful and mighty to DEFEND & PROTECT.

He is able—in His might—in His omnipotence to protect and shield all who belong to Him. It’s one thing to be delivered from your enemies—that’s obviously great and what we need—it’s another thing to be PROTECTED.

David—a mighty man, himself—throughout the Psalms continuously pleads with God for protection and defense.

Psalm 62:5–8 “For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him. He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken. On God rests my salvation and my glory; my mighty rock, my refuge is God. Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us.”

Child of God…what is terrifying/shaking your soul? Maybe your heart is like that of the people of Judah in Isaiah 7…shaking like the trees of the forest. What is threatening your peace? What attacks are the enemy waging against you? Where does your soul look for refuge? Where do you run for safety?

He supplies His peace to guard our hearts and minds. He supplies His power in our weakness. He gives grace and mercy in our need. He leads us to green pastures and still waters to restore our soul. And, when the enemy attacks us, He equips us with belt of HIS truth, His shield of faith, His helmet of salvation, the breastplate of His righteousness, the shoes of His peace, the sword of His Spirit—His word.

A MIGHTY KING

A third predominant way that “gibbor” is used is to attribute glory and honor to a conquering hero-King. This Divine Warrior-King defeats the enemy, delivers and defends his people, and deserves all glory and honor due His great name.

King Jesus rules and reigns in glory and majesty and might as the King of all power and victory. So what is our response? What is the only response fit for this King?

WORSHIP. How do we worship Him?

Submit to His rule.

A) The first way you do this is by repenting of your sin and submitting your life to His Lordship. You’ve heard the gospel today. You’ve heard the terrible news that, apart from Christ, you are in bondage to sin and death. You’re headed for an eternity of separation from the life and love and presence of God. But, Jesus has defeated sin and death through His own sinless life, His death on the cross in your place, and His resurrection. And, I believe there is someone (maybe more) today who, as Acts 2 describes, are cut to the heart with conviction right now and you’re asking, “What shall I do?” Well, I’ll answer you just like Peter does. “Repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.”

B) Obey and Serve Him—we submit our lives to His authority and rule and make His name and glory known to the ends of the earth.

He is worthy!

Psalm 24:8–10 “Who is this King of glory? The Lord, strong and mighty, the Lord, mighty in battle! Lift up your heads, O gates! And lift them up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory!”

O worship the King all-glorious above, O gratefully sing his power and his love: our shield and defender, the Ancient of Days, pavilioned in splendor and girded with praise.

O tell of his might and sing of his grace, whose robe is the light, whose canopy space. His chariots of wrath the deep thunderclouds form, and dark is his path on the wings of the storm.

Frail children of dust, and feeble as frail, in you do we trust, nor find you to fail. Your mercies, how tender, how firm to the end, our Maker, Defender, Redeemer, and Friend! O measureless Might, unchangeable Love, whom angels delight to worship above! Your ransomed creation, with glory ablaze, in true adoration shall sing to your praise!

Conclusion

Jesus DELIVERS us through His death.

He receives HONOR through His humiliation.

And one day…this Divine-Warrior King is coming again. And, when He comes, He will wage war one last time. And, this time, sin and death and the enemies of God will for all of eternity be destroyed.

Revelation 19:11 “Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war.”

Surrender your life to Him today. He offers deliverance from sin and death. Worship and serve Him because He is worthy of all glory and honor.