Arrival in Victory
Notes
Transcript
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Introduction
Audience: This is a message to those who have experienced a difficult year.
Your hope and trust tank has been depleted.
You feel you experienced more failure than victory.
Pain, hurt, and betrayal seem to be the norm of your life.
You are not alone. The people of ancient Israel experienced a time of complete and utter loss.
Even if you are experiencing a time of prosperity right now, most of you know it is just a matter of time...
Life is like a roller coaster—filled with ups and downs, twists and turns—and the occasional surprise.
You are not alone. The people of ancient Israel experienced a times of great blessing and times of complete and utter loss.
But, there was a time in which the people of Israel lost hope.
22 And they will look to the earth, but behold, distress and darkness, the gloom of anguish. And they will be thrust into thick darkness.
Isaiah
What if you today identify with these words—these emotions—these feelings?
I want to give you a message—a statement—that can change your life. Darkness, gloom, and anguish do not need to be the end of your story.
The Old Testament prophet Isaiah had a message for Israel—and he has a message for your!
1 But there will be no gloom for her who was in anguish. In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he has made glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations.
2 The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone.
Isaiah 9:1-
The message that Isaiah gives is a message of hope.
It is a sure hope—so sure that, according to Hebrew idiom, it is even written in the past tenses as though it had happened already.
The message that Isaiah gives is more than just a message of hope. It is also a message of joy!
3 You have multiplied the nation; you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as they are glad when they divide the spoil.
Isaiah 9:3
It is a joy of harvest—a joy of overflowing abundance. This joy is the result of spiritual restoration and reconciliation—receiving a full acceptance before God.
Question: What changed? What turned darkness and loss into hope and joy?
Listen to what Isaiah prophesied:
6 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
A child is born and a son is given. It is nothing that Israel did—or could do. This is all about the birth of the KING.
A child: his human descent.
A son: his dignity in the royal line.
In short, this King is of human parentage but also given by the Lord.
And, what about this King? What will He do to change the destiny of a nation, of a people, of you and me?
The prophecy declares that “his name shall be called...” In the highest sense of the word, “name” describes character. The quality this King brings to a willing heart is exactly what is needed to bring about supernatural, lasting change—and change that invites victory!
The Qualities of the King:
Wonderful Counselor
Wonderful Counselor
He is a wise king. Not aloof and distant—but up front and personal.
A King that engages with his people—One who encourages and lifts up the soul.
This is the One we need so desperately to listen and pay attention.
His words set people free.
Mighty God
Mighty God
All powerful. No circumstance or situation can stand against Him.
But, it is not just that He is mighty. He is divine.
He is the creator who spoke the world into existence. He formed you in your mother’s womb. He knows everything about you.
And, He wants you to know that He is God—omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent, immutable, holy, righteous—full of grace and power.
Everlasting Father
Everlasting Father
This King—the King—is relational. He is not an absent parent. He is not disinterested or distant.
He cares for you—for your plight—for the struggles that you face—He loves you and wants you to experience His loving grace.
He will not abandon you. You belong to Him—if you let Him. It is a choice He gives you.
Prince of Peace
Prince of Peace
He is the calm in the midst of the storm.
This King and His rule and authority brings people together. People will look to Him rather than to fear and anxiety and mistrust and doubt.
He brings peace to the troubled heart. He will bring peace to you.
Transition
It is this King that first came to the world in a manger—born in poverty—ultimately becoming the sacrifice—paying the debt of our sins by dying on the Cross.
But, He is coming back. And, it will not be in a manger!
11 Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war.
12 His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself.
13 He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God.
14 And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses.
15 From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty.
16 On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.
Conclusion
Jesus is the King!
Will you let Him rule your heart? He wants to be your:
Wonderful Counselor
Mighty God
Everlasting Father
Prince of Peace