Birth of the Prince of Peace (2)

When o was this Promise Given?

- 700 BC from Isaiah to the people of Judah & King Ahaz

-Isaiah - “The Lord Saves” (lived in Jerusalem)

Judah, materially prosperous, but in a pattern of sinful behaviour

-superstitions from the east, worshipping false Gods,

-breaking their covenant with God.

King Ahaz

-Godless, threatened by Damascus

-refuses to believe Isaiah’s promise that God will protect him.

-instead appeals to Assyria, long term, Assyria invades Judah

Isaiah 8 concludes with a prophecy of destruction on Judah that would be brought on by Assyria.

-yet this destruction would not be permanent

Isaiah 9:1 HCSB

Nevertheless, the gloom of the distressed land will not be like that of the former times when He humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali. But in the future He will bring honor to the Way of the Sea, to the land east of the Jordan, and to Galilee of the nations.

The Prophetic Present

future events described as if they had already happened

Humbled the land of Zebulun and Naphtali

This takes place within 30 years of the prophecy

The two most northern tribes, first place to be attacked from the North by Assyria

Political & Cultural leaders are removed and replaced

Intercultural“Galilee of the Nations” (not Galilee of Israel)

Honor is coming to this Region

Can you guess what the honour was, (any famous Jew’s come to mind?)

Jesus is born in Bethlehem, but raised in Nazareth of Galilee

Isaiah 9:2–5 HCSB

The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; a light has dawned on those living in the land of darkness. You have enlarged the nation and increased its joy. The people have rejoiced before You as they rejoice at harvest time and as they rejoice when dividing spoils. For You have shattered their oppressive yoke and the rod on their shoulders, the staff of their oppressor, just as You did on the day of Midian. For the trampling boot of battle and the bloodied garments of war will be burned as fuel for the fire.

A transformation is coming - Darkness to Light

21 Century night vs 700 BC (electricity, etc)the glorious dawn of a sunrise, what good happens in the night?

Enlarged Nation & Increased its joy

joy of harvest time, joy of the winners of the battle dividing the spoils

What will God do? Decisive Victory

shattered the yoke, rod and staff

just like with Gideon and Midian

300 men took down the Midianites, God’s power on display

What will God’s Victory look like?

A bonfire, where the tools of war are declared obsolete

The victory will be absolute and total.

Have we seen this victory yet?

Have the instruments of war been made obsolete in our world?

Peace is promised to a nation who is facing Invasion in the next 30 years.

God knows that suffering is coming, but there is something to look forward to.

What do you need to hold on to get through suffering?God offers the promise of a Saviour.

Isaiah 9:6 HCSB

For a child will be born for us, a son will be given to us, and the government will be on His shoulders. He will be named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.

A Child will be born for us, A Son will be given to us

-A Child -fully man

-A Son (the Son of God) fully God

Always remember that Jesus is given for us

Always Given, Never Earned

the Calgary Flames had a slogan, “Always earned, never given”

this is the opposite, always given, never earned.

When was this fulfilled? -at Christmas

It’s the already part of this promise, because we have already seen it fulfilled in its completion.

God has come to earth, God is with us, Jesus came in history, a real man, he’s lived, he’s died, he’s been resurrected and now rules in heaven

its already happened

The rest of the passage deals with a mix of already and not yet.

These titles that belong to Jesus are already true, but there is more to be done that we have yet to see.

Isaiah 9:6 HCSB

For a child will be born for us, a son will be given to us, and the government will be on His shoulders. He will be named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.

The Government will be on his Shoulders

The Israelites had their share of Incompetent Kings and their governmentsWhen a government isn’t righteous, it affects everybody.

The Promise of Christmas is that the Messiah will Govern with Righteousness

He will Govern Israel

Micah 5:2 HCSB

Bethlehem Ephrathah, you are small among the clans of Judah; One will come from you to be ruler over Israel for Me. His origin is from antiquity, from eternity.

Zechariah 14:9 - He will govern the world

Zechariah 14:9 HCSB

On that day Yahweh will become King over all the earth —Yahweh alone, and His name alone.

ALREADY - Voluntary allegiance to Jesus and his Rule

NOT YET - Every Knee will be bow to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords

Philippians 2:9–11 HCSB

For this reason God highly exalted Him and gave Him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow — of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth — and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

What will this Kingdom look like?

It’s peace. It's being under the rule and care of Jesus who is a Wonderful Counsellor, the Mighty God, our Eternal Father and the Prince of Peace.

It's already and it's not yet. You can put yourself under God’s rule now and your life can begin to benefit directly from his rule. Let’s look at that using the next 4 titles.

Wonderful Counsellor

Wonderful = “exceptional”, “distinguished”

Counsellor - gives counsel, to make plans and decisions

In the Context of Isaiah 9 - Brilliant Military Strategist

Today, still a Brilliant Military Strategist.already won the war against sin and death.The war against evil is decided, so what’s the delay?

Part of God’s strategy involves giving people time to repent.

when someone is unjust to me, I want immediate just.But the strategy of God includes restraint. Ultimate Justice is Coming.

2 Peter 3:9 HCSB

The Lord does not delay His promise, as some understand delay, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish but all to come to repentance.

Who do you go to for Counsel?

What role does Jesus have in forming your opinions?

It’s voluntary at this point in history. You can choose whose counsel you are going to take.

Give his counsel first place, submit to his rule

Because of Peace that is made possible at Christmas, we can have peace with our decisions and plans.

The Wonderful Counsellor helps us both through his written word, his people and prayer.

Mighty God

The promise of Isaiah 9 looks towards a baby who will be the Mighty God.

Some read this as “superhuman prowess against enemies”

Others read it as the divine nature of the Messiah.

Hindsight shows us that it is both. Jesus is divine, but he does have superhuman prowess

he did walk on water, he did do miracles, he did demonstrate his divinity he could have called 10,000 legions of angels

but ultimately he showed God’s love

proved his divinity in the most powerful way, resurrection

God is Mighty, He is for you, and he can show his strength to you in the way that he knows is best.

Eternal Father

In Eight Century BC - Beneficent Ruler who exercises Fatherly care for his people.

a parents extra care over their own children

treat you like one of my own

has made the Church into a family, his rule, his family,

“Eternal” Father

Because of our Eternal Father, we are committed to one another as family

Famous Leader’s Nicknames

Winston Churchill’s - The British Bulldog

Abraham Lincoln - Honest Abe

Margaret Thatcher - The Iron Lady

Arnold Schwarzenegger - “The Governator”

Jesus Christ - more than a nickname, an Official Title

Prince of Peace

Peace:

prosperity, completeness, safeness, health, satisfaction

Jesus is Prince of Peace

What is life like in his Kingdom? (Beatitudes)

-Now - Peace in the Midst of a broken world, and the suffering

-Not Yet - Peace because there is no war, no evil, no reason to fear

God works on a big scale, we need to be faithful no matter our circumstance trusting that God is working throughout time, across people groups and by his power for good.

John 14:27 HCSB

“Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Your heart must not be troubled or fearful.

“Advent” - The arrival of a notable person, thing or event

First Advent - Christmas, God With Us

2nd Advent - When Jesus Comes again

We celebrate the first Advent. We look forward to the 2nd Advent, When Christ comes again, not as baby, but as the King of Kings, and Lord of Lords.

-every knee will bow, every tongue will proclaim that Jesus Christ is Lord

Isaiah 9:7 HCSB

The dominion will be vast, and its prosperity will never end. He will reign on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish and sustain it with justice and righteousness from now on and forever. The zeal of the Lord of Hosts will accomplish this.

APPLICATIONS

Trust God’s Promises

We can trust that he will do what he said

Your Peace with God is both now and Forever

Peace in our hearts now, Peace without fear of harm in eternity

First Service

A time to respond in song - We have peace with God, forgiveness of our sins, because Jesus has shed his blood for us.

2nd Service - Adore

A time to respond, we can adore Christ now, thank God for giving the gift of his son, and look forward to when he comes again.