The Promised Prince of Peace

Isaiah 9:1–7 NIV

Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the nations, by the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan— The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned. You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as warriors rejoice when dividing the plunder. For as in the day of Midian’s defeat, you have shattered the yoke that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor. Every warrior’s boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood will be destined for burning, will be fuel for the fire. For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.

Introduction: I think I have found the secret to inner peace.

📷

I read an article that said the way to achieve inner piece was to finish the things I had started.

Today I finished two bags of potato chips, a chocolate pie, a bottle of wine, and a small box of candy. I feel better already.

Is this really how we find peace?

14 - Our World is Broken.

Last week we talked about how God encouraged Ahaz that he did not have to worry about Aram and Israel.

A sign of the virgin giving birth and these nations would fall a part before the child is 13

The Beginning of Chapter 8 we already begin to see these nations unravel. Connected with a son that was born - could this be the child from Chapter 7.

This passage is then in the middle of a poetic message from God through Isaiah about the future of the Northern tribes of Israel.

8:5-22 - Israel will be thrust into Darkness, and gloom because of there brokenness.

9:1-7 - But there is hope - in the future a child will be born that will shine light into that darkness, brokenness.

9:8-10:4 - It was because Israel was arrogant, unjust, and followed other gods, that Assyria will take them over.

10:5-19 - Assyria will be punished by God for its over-the-top cruelty.

10:20-34 - Then a Remnant of God’s people will return to the Land.

11:1-10 - The Messiah will come and restore peace and justice

11:11-12:6 - The Remnant will gather around the Messiah and praise God.

We are Broken People:

We may think this message was just for Israel, but we as humans are broken today as well.

Idolatry

Arrogance

Sin

This affects every aspect of life - Broken relationships, broken societies, a broken relationship with God.

Story of fighting with my best friend

Ultimately, I believe none of us want our world to be like this...

15 - We Want Peace.

What is peace? - Absence of Conflict. It is more than that.

16 - Bible Project

17 - What we really want is to be whole.

Story of High School giving my life over to Christ.

This is what God is working towards in this passage.

18 - God Promises the Prince of Peace.

God is zealous to bring Peace wholeness - Feel the Zeel Paraphanalea

The Excessive Fervour to do something or accomplish some end.

1. told us that a virgin would conceive a child and that child would be Immanuel (God with us). We now start to learn a little more about this anointed child of the Lord. He will be the incarnation of God and will have rule over the world: “Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom” (). The Anointed One will have a rule, and since he is Immanuel his kingdom will be God’s kingdom. Isaiah fast-forwards into the future when he describes a time where “there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress” (v. 1) and “the people walking in darkness have seen a great light” (v. 2). Isaiah is speaking of the future kingdom of God where evil is vanquished, and God’s righteousness prevails.

See how the Double Meaning works out? - The Child in Chapter 7 refers to possibly the Child in Chapter 8 in Isaiah’s time, but ultimately to the child in Chapter 9 - who we know to be Jesus?

Jews do not believe this refers to Jesus because they say there is not World Peace, but it fits Jesus perfectly - The Peace of Jesus starts with the remnant, then it says it grows continually. Later in the oracle, it begins with the remnant, and there is judgement for those who are unjust and arrogant before there is peace on earth. It starts where Israel first went astray and went dark and then spreads.

Matthew saw this as Jesus who started his ministry in Galilee

When Jesus was born, Luke accounts the angels saying, peace on earth to whom God’s favor rests. - His peace starts small, it grows exponentially, but continues for eternity till he comes again and makes all things whole.

1. Many people are in a dark place and need to encounter a “Mighty God” and “Prince of Peace.” Light overcomes the dark, and if you’ve ever used your phone in a dark room to see you know that a little bit of light can change everything. Get the room very dark and hold up a small flame from a lighter. The amazing thing about light is that, no matter how dark a room can get, one small flame can help you see.

That Peace begins with a relationship with Jesus, and God is zealous to give you that peace. When you have peace with God than it can grow and flow into your relationships.

Conclusion: Will you begin to Chose Peace today? It is a choice and it is only found in a person - Jesus, It is not found it what you eat, it is not found in where you live are where you are currently located, You may be experiencing a dark time in your life, but that is where the light starts.

Reference the Reformed Confessions: The Reformed Confessions are statements of faith written to clarify the Gospel at times when the Church was in crisis. Heidelberg Catechism: Q&A 5-18, 29-34 Belgic Confession: Article 10, 14, 17-19 Canons of Dort: Head I, Article 1; Head II, Article 1-4; Head III and IV, Articles 1-3