Sermon Tone Analysis

[Reader 1]

 

     The Old Testament book of Isaiah is an important text.

With the possible exception of the book of Psalms, Isaiah is quoted or referred to more often in the New Testament than any other Old Testament scriptures.

·       It is mentioned 46 times in the gospels

·       30 times in the writings of the Apostle Paul,

·       And 30 or more times in the book of Revelation.

In the 4th Century, a man named Jerome…a church father and translator of scripture said this about Isaiah:

 

/          He should be called an evangelist rather than a prophet because    /

/          he describes all the mysteries of Christ and the Church so clearly  /

/          that you would think he is composing a history of what has  /

/          already happened rather than prophesying about what is to come./

During this time, many of Jerome’s counterparts began referring to the book of Isaiah as “*/The Fifth Gospel/*.”

Although this is not a name we use to describe the book of Isaiah anymore, we do believe his writings are the inspired Word of God and the Holy Spirit was working through Isaiah to give us a better understanding of Jesus…the promised Messiah.

Our text for this morning is found in Isaiah chapter 9. We will be reading verse 2, and verses 6-7.

In this text Jesus is given “*/throne names/*” …four descriptive names which reveal his character.

Isaiah 9: 2, 6-7

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*2** *The people who walked in darkness

have seen a great light;

those who lived in a land of deep darkness —

on them light has shined.

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*6** *For a child has been born for us,

a son given to us;

authority rests upon his shoulders;

and he is named

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

*7** *His authority shall grow continually,

and there shall be endless peace

for the throne of David and his kingdom.

He will establish and uphold it

with justice and with righteousness

from this time onward and forevermore.

The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.

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[Reader 2]

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*A child has been born for us, a son given to us…and he is named Wonderful Counselor.*

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     A counselor is person who analyzes a situation and gives advice to someone who has to make a decision.

Israelite kings used counselors on a regular basis.

These advisors often served on the king’s council or filled other important roles in the structure of the local government.

Kings would also seek counsel or advice from prophets and priests.

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     Isaiah says that Jesus will be a Counselor…but not just an ordinary Counselor…he is going to be called a Wonderful Counselor.

This Counselor will be wonderful because he will have two distinct natures.

This Counselor will be wonderful because he will be both God and man.

In this text Isaiah gives us early hints about the divinity and humanity of Christ:

 

·       The phrase “*/A child is born/*” …hints of Jesus’ humanity.

·       The phrase “*/A Son is given/*” …hints of Jesus’ divinity.

Jesus is our Wonderful Counsel because he brings to us the experiences of being human along with the all of wonderful resources of heaven.

No one else can teach…counsel…comfort…or advise us…like he can.

Jesus is a Wonderful Counselor for he alone has the words of eternal life.

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*A child has been born for us, a son given to us…and he is named Mighty God.*

As Wonderful Counselor, Jesus has the wisdom to rule justly.

As Mighty God, he has both the power and strength to execute his plans.

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     In scripture, there are two groups of people that are referred to as being “*/mighty/*.”

This term is used to describe the courageous warriors who served under Joshua and the brave men who served David, both before and after he became king.

The people who originally heard Isaiah prophecies would likely have associated the name Mighty God with these mighty warriors.

This might help explain why the people were waiting for a */warrior-type/* Messiah who would triumphantly lead them to political freedom.

Although they didn’t get the Messiah they were expecting…they did receive a Messiah who indeed was Mighty God:

 

·       Jesus, as Mighty God was…and still is…an invincible champion of the oppressed.

·       As Mighty God, Jesus conquered death and sin.

·       And as Mighty God, Jesus will win the final victory over evil when history comes to an end.

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[Reader 3]

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*A child has been born for us, a son given to us…and he is named Everlasting Father.*

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The word “*/everlasting/*” brings to mind images of eternity.

The Bible speaks often of the two realities that await all people:

 

·       everlasting, eternal life…or

·       everlasting, eternal punishment.

*He is named Everlasting Father.*

A better translation of this phrase or name would be: */Father of Eternity/*.

Jesus is the */Father of Eternity/*.

This is a name that stands in sharp contrast to the name of his greatest adversary…the devil.

In John 8: 44 Jesus calls the devil the father of lies.

When it comes to eternal fathers…we have a choice to make:

 

·       If we follow the father of lies we will ultimately find everlasting punishment.

·       If we chose to follow the Father of Eternity, we will find eternal life.

If you want eternal life, you can only get it from Jesus Christ.

He alone is the Everlasting Father…our Father of Eternity.

The Hebrew name for father means originator or source.

When this name is used to describe God, it is a name that signifies the paternal care of a perfect Ruler over a people whom he loves as his own children.

As our Everlasting Father, Jesus is our unfailing source of protection and love.

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*A child has been born for us, a son given to us…and he is named Prince of Peace.*

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     A prince is a ruler who is normally associated with a noble birth and a high position.

Jesus, our Prince of Peace, did not have a noble birth…and during his days on earth he never held a high position.

He did, however, exhibit two common elements associated with being a prince: leadership and authority.

The job of a Prince or a King is:

 

·       To command peace,

·       To preserve peace, and

·       To create peace within their kingdom.

As our Prince of Peace, Jesus brings to us the fullest meaning of the Hebrew word shalom.

As our Prince of Peace, Jesus came:

 

·       To restore the relationship between God and humanity,

·       To heal broken relationships between people, and

·       To restore peace between nations.

As our Prince of Peace, Jesus is the One who controls both our well-being and our prosperity.

[Reader 4]

 

 

*6** *For a child has been born for us,

a son given to us;

authority rests upon his shoulders;

and he is named

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Even though our Messiah previously existed from eternity as God…he came into the world as an infant.