Wonderful!
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Title: His Name Is Wonderful
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Introduction -
“Audrey Mieir has been widely known for several decades as the composer and author of many fine gospel songs and choruses. “His Name Is Wonderful,” written in 1959, is one of her finest. She tells in her biography how the inspiration for this song occurred while she watched the annual Christmas program given at her Bethel Union Church in Duarte, California. After the usual procession of angels, shepherds, Mary and Joseph, the singing of “sleep in heavenly peace,” the pastor of the church suddenly exclaimed—“His Name Is Wonderful.” Audrey Mieir tells that she quickly grabbed her Bible, searched the concordance for names given to Jesus in the Scriptures, and soon composed this song, which has since been sung around the world:”
I would like to take a look at the passage that inspired this beautiful song…
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.
Isaiah 9:6
“More than 2,500 years ago, the prophet Isaiah told of One who would be the hope of mankind, the long awaited Messiah who would establish an eternal kingdom based on justice and righteousness. Isaiah’s important pronouncement told that this one would be a God-man: a child born—His humanity; a son given—His deity. The quadruplet of names ascribed to this One gives further insight into His character and ministry:”
Let’s take a quick look at each one of the predicted Messiah’s names.
“More than 2,500 years ago, the prophet Isaiah told of One who would be the hope of mankind, the long awaited Messiah who would establish an eternal kingdom based on justice and righteousness. Isaiah’s important pronouncement told that this one would be a God-man: a child born—His humanity; a son given—His deity. The quadruplet of names ascribed to this One gives further insight into His character and ministry:”
Now I want you to remember something. Isaiah the Prophet was predicting something that would not happen for some 700 years in the future. Yes, that’s right, 700 years!
A Baby would be born. A Son given to them, the Jews and the promise was He would be their King. In fact, that is what the word Messiah means in the Hebrew language. He would rule and reign perfectly. He would be the King that they so desperately needed a King that would rescue them from their most desperate need.
Let’s take a quick look at each one of the predicted Messiah’s names...
1. Jesus is The Wonderful Counselor— Jesus Christ, the God/man is wonderful! If you doubt me, I challenge you to spend the next several months slowly pouring over the Gospel found in the front of any New Testament. If you need a bible, it would be our great privilege if we could give you one. I am not exaggerating when I say out of all the books written over the course of human history, there is none greater or more significant than the Bible. This book has changed my life and it will change yours as well if you listen to the message it contains. You see, Jesus is truly wonderful, but so is His word. And the simple reason we can make this claim is that Jesus and His Word, according to the Apostle John in is that Jesus is the Word.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
And this brings me to the point that Isaiah is making. Our Jesus is the Wonderful Counselor. His Word accuracy reflects His mind.
And this brings me to the point that Isaiah is making. Our Jesus is the Wonderful Counselor. His Word accuracy reflects His mind.
It is His Word that brings life.
This is my comfort in my affliction,
For Your word has given me life.
My son, do not forget my teaching,
but let your heart keep my commandments,
For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome.
For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome. For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.
This is my comfort in my affliction, For Your word has given me life.
for length of days and years of life
and peace they will add to you.
Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you;
bind them around your neck;
write them on the tablet of your heart.
For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome.
It is his Word that gives faith
So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.
So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.
It is his Word that comforts us in time of need -
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
Psalm 23 4
It is his Word that rebukes us when we need to get right with God
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
It is his Word that counsels us in all aspects of this life
It is his Word that counsels us in all aspects of this life
I bless the Lord who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me.
I bless the Lord who gives me counsel;
in the night also my heart instructs me.
It isn’t just a book giving you good counsel, it is the Wonderful Counselor Himself.
I believe if you were given the opportunity to sit down with Jesus for a counseling session, and you shared with Him a particular issue that you struggle with, He would look at you with a winsome love in His eyes and say, I answered that already in Chapter X and Verse Y.
Jesus Christ, through the power of the Holy Spirit in conjunction with His Word has counsel millions of people successfully from pulpits, offices, kitchen tables and coffeeshops around the world for centuries. It is those that humble themselves, listen to His truth and obey His commands that find out Just how Wonderful Jesus truly is.
Jesus is the Messiah and not only is He a Wonderful Counselor…
2. Jesus is The Mighty God — He would be the God before whom every knee shall one day bow. Isaiah understood that the Messiah would be God and so should we...
According to Pew research….
80% of Americans believe in God. Which on the surface seems like a pretty good stat. However this percentage begs the question, what do they believe about God?
Unfortunately, many believe He is a benign, benevolent, deity who just desires for His creation to be deliriously happy. He is very kind, but He can’t do very much about the pain, suffering and evil we see around the world and perhaps even in our own lives.
This, of course is far different for the God we see in the Holy Bible…
God is good, kind and benevolent and full of love. But He is the ALMIGHTY GOD! He is in charge of all things! Nothing gets past Him and there is nothing too difficult for Him!
One generation shall commend your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts. On the glorious splendor of your majesty, and on your wondrous works, I will meditate.
It is he who made the earth by his power, who established the world by his wisdom, and by his understanding stretched out the heavens. When he utters his voice, there is a tumult of waters in the heavens, and he makes the mist rise from the ends of the earth. He makes lightning for the rain, and he brings forth the wind from his storehouses.
15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. 19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.
15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. 19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.
21 And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds,
I’m not sure what you are facing today, but Jesus is this Might God and He can handle whatever you are facing. The thing is, He won’t take it from you, but if you give it to Him, He will gladly carry it for you.
I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.
that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.
having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church,
and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church,
far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church,
that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church,
I’m not sure what you are facing today, but Jesus is this Might God and He can handle whatever you are facing. The thing is, He won’t take it from you, but if you give it to Him, He will gladly carry it for you.
- Cast all your anxiety on Him…
casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.
- Cast all your anxiety on Him…
- Cast all your anxiety on Him…
He can handle it because He is the Mighty God…
Jesus Christ, the Messiah is the Wonderful Counselor, The Mighty God…
3. Jesus is The Everlasting Father — Wait a minute? How can Jesus the Son, be the Father? This title can be confusing for us who live in the NT Times. We read our Trinitarian understanding into this passage and we should not. God has alway been a Trinity (The Father, The Son and the Holy Spirit). But when speaking of the coming Messiah here in this passage, Isaiah uses this dual phrase purposely for two reasons.
First, He is Everlasting -
28 Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable.
Second, His is Father - Father in the sense of what every good father is, PROTECTOR.
21 and I will clothe him with your robe, and will bind your sash on him, and will commit your authority to his hand. And he shall be a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem and to the house of Judah.
16 I was a father to the needy, and I searched out the cause of him whom I did not know.
Jesus, the Messiah is from everlasting and our protector…
Jesus, the messiah is from everlasting and our protector…
Jesus is the Wonderful Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, and…
4. Jesus is The Prince of Peace — All of the descriptions so far have been excellent and so helpful to help us gain an understanding. Who this one to be born will be, but the last is, in my humble opinion the most significant and relevant to us here this morning.
The Messiah would be born as the prince of peace!
Certainly, the title, Prince implies and indicates royalty. Jesus was, in fact as royal as they come. The Son of God, The King of Kings and the Lord of lords…
But He is no simple, garden variety of Prince. He is the PRINCE OF PEACE
Well, why do we need a prince who is in charge of Peace?
Peace - not a warm fuzzy but a cessation of war. Ever since Adam and Eve rebelled against God’s command in the garden, we’ve been at war with God.
15 I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.”
The Messiah would come and crush the head of Satan!
But the fact is, because of our rebellion against God we are, in affect, at war with God. And so there needed to be a deal brokered between God and mankind. The Deal-broker was Jesus Christ, Himself. How did Jesus accomplish this?
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8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. 10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. 11 More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.
As an act of Love and a desire for reconciliation, God offered Jesus Christ as a real and physical sacrifice to pay for your sin debt. Now, I want you to be sure to process this in your mind. God the Father offered God the Son to pay your Sin Debt against God because God wants to have a right relationship with you. In order for that to be possible, your sin needs to be atoned for. The only one who can accomplish this is Jesus Christ!
Jesus, the Messiah, the Son of God was born for one reason and that was to be your sin bearing sacrifice. So the lie you told to your spouse last week? That makes you unholy and unable to have a relationship with God.
10 For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it.
But Christ can and is willing to pay for not simply one sin, but all of your transgressions!
21 For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.
1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
The very real questions for you this morning are this.
Do you realize that you have sinned against a holy God?
Do you realize that your sin is a big deal to God? There is literally hell to pay.
Do you realize that you are loved by this God in Spite of your sin?
Do you realize that God provided a way through Jesus so you could have a right relationship with God? That you no longer need to pay for your sin in hell, instead, Jesus’ sacrifice on the Cross, his burial and resurrection are suffice to cancel out your debt against God and give you the promise of eternal life?
24 So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.” 25 Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father’s name bear witness about me, 26 but you do not believe because you are not among my sheep. 27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. 30 I and the Father are one.”
31 The Jews picked up stones again to stone him. 32 Jesus answered them, “I have shown you many good works from the Father; for which of them are you going to stone me?”
27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. 30 I and the Father are one.”
This is why Christ was born! This is why Isaiah calls Him the Prince of Peace!
This is why we say that the shadow of the cross hung over the manger of baby Jesus. He was born to die so you might live!
And by faith, you can begin living even today!
Jesus is the Wonderful Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father and the Prince of Peace.
Jesus is the Wonderful Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father and the Prince of Peace.
Conclusion - Two thousand years ago a little, seemingly insignificant couple came to Bethlehem and while they were there, a young woman gave birth to a little baby boy. And this insignificant birth to this insignificant family was the catalyst of the largest revolution to ever come upon the face of this earth. Why? Because this little insignificant baby was
The Wonderful Counselor…
The Mighty God…
The Everlasting Father…
The Prince of Peace!
This baby would be their King! Our King and He would provide a gift for us who desperately needed it. The gift of eternal life...
Audrey Mieir in 1916 Got it right when she penned her beloved song! His name truly is Wonderful.
Can I encourage you to refuse to lose the wonder of Jesus this season. Refuse to have the secular claptrap settle in on your thinking. Refuse to allow be more enamored with Santa, Elf, and Rudolf than the fact that the Holy God of the Bible delivered to us on that day 2000 years ago the greatest gift imaginable. A gift that keeps on giving to those who repent and place their faith in the One and Only Savior, Jesus Christ.
“His Name is Wonderful”
His name is Wonderful, His name is Wonderful, His name is Wonderful, Jesus, my Lord; He is the mighty King, Master of ev’rything; His name is Wonderful, Jesus, my Lord; He’s the great Shepherd, the Rock of all ages, Almighty God is He; bow down before Him, love and adore Him; His name is Wonderful, Jesus my Lord._
Kenneth W. Osbeck, Amazing Grace: 366 Inspiring Hymn Stories for Daily Devotions (Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Publications, 1996), 365.
For Today: ; ; ; ; ; ,
The more intimately we know the “child-Son,” the deeper grows our love and devotion for Him. Worship Him even now and throughout the day with the singing of this song—
