Isaiah's Christmas Story

Christ is in the Old Testament

Old Testament Prophecy Is Crucial to the Gospel Message

A. Old Testament Prophecy Is Crucial to the Gospel Message

The Gospel is “according to the Scriptures” ()

1 Corinthians 15:3–4 NKJV

3 For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures,

1cor15

The birth of Jesus Christ was not merely an astounding event that stories and legends were invented for after the fact

On the contrary, it was an expected event that fulfilled many prophecies, written by numerous prophets over many years

So many in fact, that it would be utterly impossible for them to be fulfilled by any one person through coincidence

Christmas then is a good time to study these prophecies

In fact, the more we know of them, the more awesome and amazing, the already awesome Christmas story becomes to us

Isaiah and Prophecies about Jesus

Today we want to touch on some of Isaiah’s prophecies about Jesus

The most eloquent of the prophets speaking of Christ’s birth

Consider his wonderful introduction to the Savior

Isaiah revealed the following about Jesus:

His miraculous birth (7:14)

Isaiah 7:14 NKJV

14 Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.

Isaiah prophesied the virgin birth of Christ over 700 years prior

The virgin birth was a miracle

at no time in the history of the world, before or since, has such a thing happened.

Scientists, even today, with all their knowledge and tools, still cannot create life

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There were multiple miracles surrounding this central miracle

The angelic announcements (, ; ; )

Zacharias, Mary, Shepherds, Jospeh

The timing of the taxing ()

Consider the power of this miracle-

Joseph and Mary had to go to Bethlehem

God used Caesar Augustus to bring this about, at just the right time

Like with Cyrus, He did this even though Caesar did not believe

The arrival of the wise men ()

These prominent and wealthy men traveled great distance to see this child

this was also a great miracle

The greatest miracle was the Incarnation ()

Philippians 2:5–7 NKJV

5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.

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Being in the form of God. . .

became of no reputation

What an awesome miracle indeed! what contradiction of sinners against Himself

This was prophesied by Isaiah in 7:14

Isaiah 7:14 NKJV

14 Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.

Not only was the miraculous virgin birth was a sign that was prophesied,

The name “Immanuel” (God with us) announced the Incarnation, this “God coming in the likeness of men”

b. The name “Immanuel” (God with us) announced the Incarnation

Isaiah also spoke of His Many Names (9:6)

Isaiah 9:6 NKJV

6 For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Wonderful

Wonderful in His birth, His life, His death and resurrection

There is no other name whereby we may be saved; that’s wonderful

He came that we might have life; that’s wonderful

When He was reviled, he did not curse back, that’s wonderful

When He met the woman caught in adultery He said “neither do I condemn you”; that’s wonderful

When those who were sick came to Him, “he said, your faith has healed you”; that’s wonderful

When a boy’s father was struggling with doubt and fear for his child, He said “All things are possible to those who believe”; that’s wonderful

When a widow was mourning the loss of her son, He touched the coffin and said “young man, I say to you, arise” that’s wonderful

When His disciples were terrified by the storm, He said “peace, be still” ; that’s wonderful

When Peter, aware of his own unworthiness, said depart from me, I am a sinful man, He said “fear not, from now on, you will catch men”; that’s wonderful

When Martha was grieving over the death of her brother He said “I am the resurrection and the Life”; that’s wonderful

When speaking tot he disciples (that’s us), before His ascension, He said “I am with you always, even to the end of the world”; that’s wonderful

When the disciples were hiding in fear after His crucifixion, He appeared in the room and said “peace be unto you”; that’s wonderful

He said that if anyone would receive Him, that they will never taste of death; that’s wonderful

And if you have ever wondered if this great salvation that so many others received could be for you too, He said “whoever that comes to me, I will by no means cast out”; that’s wonderful!

He said that if anyone of us is thirsty we can come unto Him and drink: That’s wonderful

And that the drink that He will give us will be in us a well of water springing up into everlasting life; That’s wonderful

And we could go on and on, about just how wonderful He is, but let’s consider a few more of these names

Counselor

He is the “Counselor” also. The one who understands us

He cares and is capable and compassionate

No problem too big for Him to handle

Unlike the counselor’s of today, He gives infallible advice

All the counsel of the world is foolishness unless it agrees with Christ

unless the Lord build the house, they that labor labor in vain

Isaiah told us that our leaders do cause us to err

His counsel has never failed

“Let God be true and every man a liar”

If you want truly good counsel, we should always go first to Him for all of our counsel

in every matter. Without exception. You will never be wrong to seek His counsel first, then talk to others

The mighty God:

All things are possible with Him

Even the wind and waves were subject to Him

He knew the thoughts of the pharisees

The devils were terrified of Him, and He cast them out

sickness was healed at just them touch of His garment

Pilate couldn't frighten Him

Death could not hold Him

He was and is The Mighty God

The everlasting Father

“Before Abraham was, I am” ()

He was there in the beginning when light was formed

He was there with Abraham in the plains

It was He who met with Joshua and said take of the shoes from your feet, you are on holy ground

He was there with Moses at the Rock in the wilderness when the water came out.

He was there with Shadrach in the fiery furnace

And He is here right now, with us today

And He will be there on when the sky beaks forth, and all the armies of God return with Him

He is the first, and the last, the beginning and the end, He is The everlasting Father

Offered everlasting life (; )

Not only is He everlasting, but as a father, He gives you this everlasting life - if you will receive it

The Prince of Peace

The Prince of Peace brings peace ()

John 14:27 NKJV

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 heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

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Peace with God ()

The peace of God ()

Romans 5:1 NKJV

1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,

Philippians 4:6–7 NKJV

6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

phi4.6-7

His Magnificent Kingdom

Isaiah 9:7 NKJV

7 Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end, Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, To order it and establish it with judgment and justice From that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.

His government will bring peace to the world

He will sit upon the throne of David ()

He is not going to run for office when He returns

There will be no successor to Him

Justice will be found throughout His kingdom

Other prophecies of Isaiah about this kingdom

The poor will receive equity (11:4)

Enmity between animals ended (11:6–7)

No more danger to man from animals (11:8)

Violence and sickness and death taken from the earth (11:9)

Great joy characterizes His kingdom (35:10)

That joy can begin for you today: receive His Joy

f. Great joy characterizes His kingdom (35:10)

A. Make Isaiah’s Prophesied Savior Your Own

B. Receive Him by Faith and Know Our Wonderful Lord