The Birth of a Royal Child
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
In this wonderful time of the year I am exceedingly glad to bring a wonderful message. I call it a wonderful message because it comes from a wonderful God. It was a wonderful message for the people of God then and it is a wonderful message for the people of God now.
This message comes from a passage from the Old Testament, from the book of Isaiah 9:1–7. Here the people of God are in great distress. They were surrounded my enemy forces. All hope seem to lost.
In that juncture, God declares a message of great hope and promise about the birth of a royal child, Who is coming. He will come and put an end to their distress, sorrow and suffering.
He says in Isaiah 9:1
1 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.
In this passage, we will look at three signs that mark the coming of a royal child that will bring an end to darkness and bring light, peace, justice and righteousness to God’s people.
1. The First Sign of the Coming of This Royal Child Is The Appearance of A Great Light
1. The First Sign of the Coming of This Royal Child Is The Appearance of A Great Light
2 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.
The first sign is the appearance of a great light.
God will bring light into the life of the people who walked in darkness. He will shine a great light in the life of people who dwelt in the land of deep darkness.
Look at the nature of this light’s appearance. It is not that the people are responsible for the appearance of this great light. They did not produce the light. God did it. It is God, Who shines the light upon them. When God shines the light on them they will see it. Just like the sun, which rises everyday without the will of any man, this light that God shines will appear upon people without any human will or volition.
So, what is this light? Or who is this light?
The Bible says in Psalm 27:1
1 The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
This light is none other than God Himself.
Throughout the Bible the presence of God is equated with light.
The Lord Himself will appear as light and His people who live in the darkness and bondage of sin, disobedience and unrighteousness.
105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, And light unto my path.
And His Word will lead them in path of light.
2. The Second Sign of the Coming of This Royal Child Is the Increase in Joy
2. The Second Sign of the Coming of This Royal Child Is the Increase in Joy
3 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.
4 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.
5 For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult and every garment rolled in blood will be burned as fuel for the fire.
As a result of God’s revelation of Himself through his Messiah, a great joy will sweep over the people, the joy of abundance.
The prophet equates this joy to the joy at the abundance of harvest and joy when dividing a bounty.
Imagine a farmer who has toiled day and night for months, who labored tirelessly with sweat and tears. When he sees a full harvest how joyful he would be.
Similarly, they will be glad like the people who divide a great bounty.
Isaiah 9:4–5 further explains the reason for their joy.
God will break his yoke of his burden and the staff for his shoulder. God will break his people free from their bondage. From the bondage of the oppressors.
How He will do this? By putting an end to war. He will destroy all the machineries and weapons of war.
When man fell, not just the relationship between God and man was broken, but relationship with man and man are broken.
That is why we see wars between nations and violence carried out by human hands.
And at the most personal level, relationships are fractured.
People become disillusioned with themselves and with others, worn down by the many hurts they carry and cause.
On that day when the Lord established His kingdom, He not only bring reconciliation in relationship between God and man, but also between man and man
He will restore relationships. There will be no more disappointments in relationships, no brokenness and hurts. God will heal every wound and mend every hurt.
3. The Third Sign of the Coming of this Royal Child Is The Presence of Peace, Justice and Righteousness
3. The Third Sign of the Coming of this Royal Child Is The Presence of Peace, Justice and Righteousness
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 zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.
This will happens when the royal child is born, when a son is given to us.
The prophet Isaiah announces the coming of a child, “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given.”
God Himself will give us a son.
Unlike the earthly kings who have human origin, this King comes directly from the Lord.
Yes, the royal king will come and establish His eternal kingdom, but first He will born as a human.
The government shall be upon His shoulder.
Then the prophet gives Him four titles that only God has.
Do you know when the prophet Isaiah was prophesying this message, it was a future promises? But today these words are present reality.
Because these words were fulfilled in the coming of Jesus Christ, the true Savior of the world…
This Christ is none other than Jesus Christ.
12 Now when he heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew into Galilee.
13 And leaving Nazareth he went and lived in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali,
14 so that what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled:
15 “The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles—
16 the people dwelling in darkness have seen a great light, and for those dwelling in the region and shadow of death, on them a light has dawned.”
28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.
