Sermon Tone Analysis

TEXT: Isaiah 7:10-14; 9:6-7; 11:1-5

INTRODUCTION:

For many of us, “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year”.

IT’S VERY NEAT & TIDY FOR US.

CERTAIN CHRISTMAS PHRASES:“FOR UNTO US A CHILD IS GIVEN…”“IMMANUEL”“WONDERFUL COUNSELOR…”We lump all these together into the Christmas narrative in our minds.

We think of it a bit like a short play…

it was said that he would come,

a star,

a stable,

the savior,

some shepherds,

some wisemen,

lots of singing.

Christmas!

It’s like the Christian or the Ebony section at Hallmark, it’s a couple of cards with some beautiful words and pictures.

But the Christmas story - or better the incarnation of Jesus Christ - the promise of the ultimate Rescuer for all of mankind was a long time coming from earthly standards - perfectly timed from above.

‘Tis the Season - but I caution you not to embrace all of the trappings of modernity and the sanitized consumer-driven culture that passes as a Christian version of a secular Christmas.

Dive deeper into some of the rich traditions of the church like Advent.

Establish some new Christ-centered, gospel-revealing traditions for yourself, your family.

Setup for next several weeks...

This Advent Season (as in seasons past and future) we will preach the Christian Message…the Christ-Centered narrative of the incarnation.

“No other religion has a message like the incarnation of the Lord Jesus Christ.

God the Son, the second person of the Trinity, took upon himself a human nature and body—fully God and fully man.

Jesus is God, so he is to be trusted, obeyed, and worshiped.

Jesus is man, choosing to take on flesh and becoming subject to pain, hunger, sorrow, injustice, suffering, and even death.

Thus, the salvation he offers is both of infinite value and a remarkable resource for believers in the midst of their pain and suffering.

The Christmas message reminds us that our faith is not based upon what we do and offer to God, but what God has done by coming to us and offers to us by grace.”

(David Prince is Pastor of Preaching and Vision at Ashland Avenue Baptist Church in Lexington, KY )

Observations from our text

Notes about Isaiah:

Name means “Yahweh is Salvation”.

Written around 700BC

1. GOD IS IN CONTROL - HIS PLAN WORKS

Christmastime is such a special time.

How long does it last for you?

Are you a Pre-, Mid-, or Post-Thanksgiving Christmas person.

The arrival of a baby (in general) is a special event that requires preparation:

As we think about all the planning and preparation that goes into preparing for a baby’s arrival, there is a great deal that we have to consider.

Still, it’s worth noting that some couples have invested significant time and resources into the possibility of conceiving a child - that’s another factor.

Then there’s reality of life and its quick escalation to new realities shortly after delivery…all these things take planning and consideration.

ILLUSTRATION: EXPENSIVE HOSPITALS

When the rich and famous give birth, their hospital stay can easily be compared to a pampering spa getaway.

However, celebrities and royals are not the only ones seeking deluxe accommodation and medical services.

Anyone with the right amount of cash can choose a posh place to deliver in style in A-list maternity suites.

Jay Z and Beyoncé chose Lenox Hill Hospital in Manhattan for the birth of Blue Ivy, their little bundle of joy.

At $2,500 a day Lenox Hill Hospital offers luxurious suites with mahogany walls, hardwood floors, luxurious linens, its own kitchenette, and even a concierge that can arrange anything from a stylish hairdo to manicure, pedicure, and massage.

You do want to look your best when delivering your precious little baby, right?

The luxury suites of Mount Sinai Hospital ($4,000 a day) offer a stunning view of Central Park and Manhattan.

However, that's not the only reason Gwyneth Paltrow and P. Diddy chose Mount Sinai for the birth of their children.

Think blankets made from Muslin cotton and massage therapy to relieve the pain and stress.

Add bathrooms with Italian glass tiles and tea and cookies served in the afternoons.

At the top of the hospital birthing experience list is the Matilda Hospital in Hong Kong.

It is the ultimate in pampering.

It offers rooms with balconies overlooking the ocean, refrigerators filled with juices and bottled water, cable TV, and WiFi.

The doctor in charge of the delivery is also your personal gynecologist/obstetrician, and will be the one booking your stay and making all the necessary arrangements.

It is advisable to ask your doctor to make reservations as early as possible, as most rooms are fully booked 7 months in advance.

At the Matilda Hospital you need to deposit $20,000 in down payment just to book a room.

That’s a lot of money…that’s a lot of prep!

How much money and prep do you put into an upcoming child...holidays with your family?

How about 400+ years of prep?

I doubt that your Great- great- great- great- great- great- great-grandfather was making preparations for your arrival…(that many generations would take us from Jesus back to Malachi - the last prophet before the intertestamental period.)

How about 700 years of prep?

In our text from Isaiah 7, we see God using the prophet Isaiah to confront a wicked king so to bring the prophetic promise to humans of the incarnate Christ.

How about more than a few thousand years?

we see the earliest hints of the Messiah prophesied in the primordial texts of Genesis 3.

How about before Genesis?

Ephesians 1.4, 1 Peter 1.20 both reveal the plan was actually in place before the foundation of the world

I’m confident that Israel wandering in the wilderness didn’t feel like God was working His plan.

I’m confident that the children born to parents in Babylonian captivity weren’t aware that God was working His plan.

I wonder if the shepherds abiding in the fields keeping watch over their flock by night sensed the immanent execution of God’s plan right before their eyes.

APPLICATION: Trust that God is in control and is working His plan.

Whenever you’re tempted to think that there is no rhyme or reason to this life, think back on all the planning and the long timeline of Jesus Christ.

When you can’t hear His voice, when you can’t see his hand…When you can’t stand, learn how to lean, when you can’t see, believe.

2. GOD CHOSE THE PEOPLE - HE WORKS THROUGH PEOPLE

Genesis 3 The Serpent was the first to have the direct confrontation of the promise of Christ’s incarnation

Isaiah 7 - The Lord, Ahaz, Isaiah, Israel, David’s lineage - House of David, the Virgin (Mary), Immanuel

Isaiah 9 - “Us” = Israel, Child/son, government systems

Isaiah 11 - Shoot (child), Jesse, Lord, poor, meek, the whole earth, the wicked

Galatians 4: woman, people under the law, spiritual orphans

All of the Bible shows us that God uses people to accomplish His will…all kinds of people!

While He is most glorified when vessels of honor walk in obedience to Him, I want to remind you that

He still used Samson when he openly rebelled;

He spoke through a donkey when He needed to get someone’s attention

He used Potiphar, Pharaoh, Herod, Pilate, and other pagans as a part of His divine will

APPLICATION: Trust that God has the people in place to accomplish his plan…all kinds of people.

Those difficult people in your life, may not be the devil after all…God may have surgically placed them in your life to conform you into the image of His Son!

At the same time - YOU ARE NOT ALONE…Look around the room, God has called us into community to rejoice, weep, celebrate, lament, disciple, worship, serve, and go out TOGETHER.

Don’t believe the lie that you are alone.

God has a remnant in place for His pleasure.

3. GOD’S PURPOSE PREVAILS - HE WORKS FOR HIS GLORY

In Isaiah we see God’s planning, God’s choosing people, and God’s purpose in prophecies concerning Christ’s conception, His character, and his conquest.

In Isaiah 7 we see the Lord commanding Ahaz to ask for a sign of His power…nothing was too big or small.

Ahaz refuses.

The LORD responds, (ie here is something you wouldn’t have conceived in your wildest dreams):

A virgin shall conceive (miracle)

Bear a son (no chance of a daughter)

His name shall be called Immanuel (The Word will become flesh and dwell among men)

In Isaiah 9 we see

light overtaking darkness

peace conquering war