Hope Has a Name
Notes
Transcript
Hope Has a Name
Isaiah 9:6-7
Juliet asked Romeo this question, “What is in a name?” She answered it herself. “What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell just as sweet.”
That might be nice if you’re a flower. But if you’re a person you know that a name can make a difference. Especially if you have gone through life with a name you didn’t like. Or a nickname you did not particularly appreciate.
I read that a psychologist studied the names of 15,000 juvenile delinquents and discovered that those with odd or embarrassing names were in trouble four times as much as the others. Maybe there is something to what name you end up with.
Names are so significant that people will go to court to have them changed.
There’s a psychologist and name expert who says, “Names tell you more about the parents than about the kids. They reveal their values and their goals for their children.”
For example, during the sixties a lot of parents who were young and in a counter culture generation wanted to have names for their kids that were different than the status quo. Here are some of the names that kids got stuck with: Morning, Carrot, Sunshine, Fender, Gravy and Doobie.
Each generation has popular names. A generation ago they were names like, Robert, Charles, Mary, Cathy and of course John.
Today’s popular names are different. For girls, the top five for this year are, Sophia, Olivia, Riley, Emma and Ava. For boys, the top five are Liam, Noah, Jackson, Aiden, and Elijah.
Then there are people who will actually name their kids something so their entire name will be a play on words. These are actual names that kids ended up with.
Last name Turner. They named their daughter Paige. Paige Turner.
People with the last name Peace named their son Warren. Warren Peace.
Last name Case. Justin. Justin Case.
Last name Bacon. What else could you name your kid but Chris? Middle Initial P. Chris P. Bacon.
Last name Dover. They named their daughter Ilene. I leaned over.
Last name Poole. They named their daughter Jean. Jean Poole.
A lot of people change their names because they’re not happy with the one they’ve been given. A lot of celebrities even have stage names.
There was Cornelius Crane Chase who changed his name to Chevy Chase.
Frances Gunn changed her name to Judy Garland.
Marion Morrison changed his name to John Wayne.
Thomas Mapithur changed his name to Tom Cruise.
Marshall Mathers changed his name to Eminem.
William Board changed his name to Billy Idol.
Vincent Damon Fernea changed his name to Alice Cooper.
Most parents spend a lot of time trying to decide what to name their children. Why is that? Because we know a name is more than just what someone goes by.
In Old Testament times, a name stood for a person’s “reputation, their fame and their glory.” The word translated “name” literally means “a mark or a brand.” Parents often gave children names to describe their hopes and future expectations regarding that child.
Names in the Bible reveal a lot about the personality of the person with that name.
David means “Beloved.”
Abraham is “Father of a multitude.”
Jacob is “Deceiver.”
Isaac implies “laughter.”
Moses means “drawn out.”
And Jesus is “Jehovah saves.”
All of these people proved true to their names!
Today we’re going to focus in on a four-fold name given to Jesus, 700 years before He was even born!
Isaiah’s primary purpose was to remind his readers of the special relationship they had with God as His people. The nation had experienced prosperity but now Assyria was ready to pounce on them. In the midst of this imminent threat, Isaiah gives a number of glorious promises.
Last Sunday, we learned that Jesus lights the way for those living in darkness. This original birth announcement was made in the midst of grief and gloom. We also learned that the birth of Christ will bring light to a world of despair and darkness.
In Isaiah 9:4, we read the enemies of Israel had burdened the people with “the yoke of his burden, and the staff for his shoulder.”
When the light of life comes, the heavy yoke will be shattered. Instead of wiping us out, Jesus tells us:
Matthew 11:30
30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
In the place of burdens, God wants to give us blessings.
With that as context, let’s pray and we’ll read our text.
Pray!
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.
Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.
In these two verses, we see the indescribable uniqueness of Jesus and the core truth of Christianity. In the incarnation we notice both His humanity and His deity.
“For to us a child is born.” This describes his birth as a baby (his humanity as a man)
“To us a son is given.” Jesus is God’s son given as a gift (his humility as deity)
This child was born in Bethlehem and the gift of the eternal Son is given to us.
On top of that, the “government shall be upon his shoulder.”
The Baby bundled in a manger holds the universe together. The little One cradled in Mary’s arms, bears everything on His shoulders. He is redeemer and ruler of all. Part of the reason we’ve been desensitized by the incarnation is because we tend to focus only on the infant.
The phrase, “and his name shall be called” means “He will justly bear this name…”
Technically, all four of these descriptions make up His name. It doesn’t say “names,” but rather “name.” This is similar to the “Fruit of the Spirit” which is sometimes mistakenly referred to as the “fruits” of the Spirit. We can’t just pick and choose like you’re at a buffet because it’s the whole meal deal.
Let’s look at His four-fold name. First:
He speaks to us as “Wonderful Counselor.”
He speaks to us as “Wonderful Counselor.”
This literally means “a wonder of a counselor.”
Life is filled with decisions, details, and disasters. That’s why we need a wonderful counselor.
What are some things that make someone a good counselor? When we’re in need, we want a counselor that is available, gives undivided attention, able to provide comfort while remaining confidential, and can tell us the truth about ourselves while giving us what we need to make changes. Basically, we want someone who has empathy, expertise and experience.
However, keep in mind that as our Wonderful Counselor, Christ is not just someone who makes suggestions. Tim Keller wrote in his book called, “Hidden Christmas.”
“When you come to Christ, you must drop your conditions. You have to give up the right to say, ‘I will obey you if…I will do this if…’ As soon as you say, ‘I will obey you if,’ that is not obedience at all. You are saying: ‘You are my adviser, not my Lord. I will be happy to take your recommendations. And I might even do some of them.’
No. If you want Jesus with you, you have to give up the right to self‐determination. Self‐denial is an act of rebellion against our late‐modern culture of self‐assertion. But that is what we are called to. Nothing less.”
Is Jesus your Wonderful Counselor? Are you willing to follow without conditions?
He stands for us as “Mighty God.”
He stands for us as “Mighty God.”
Jesus is the hero of the Scripture story!
David asks the question:
Who is this King of glory? The Lord, strong and mighty, the Lord, mighty in battle!
He is profound in His counsel and has the power to accomplish what He wills.
This facet of His name tells us Jesus is not only the Son of God; He is also God the Son. The Baby born in humble circumstances is also the King of glory.
Jesus can manage anything because He is mighty. He healed the lame, the blind and the sick. He calmed the storm. He brought Lazarus back from the grave.
That means He can do the impossible in your life right now. He will give you victory over whatever you’re struggling with. Let Him fight your battles as you honor Him as your Holy Hero. Worship Him as your warrior and praise Him for His power.
Remember the words spoken by the angel to Mary:
For nothing will be impossible with God.”
Someone said, “As the Wonderful Counselor, He makes the plans; as the Mighty God, He makes the plans work.”
Are you trusting in your own strength or are you ready to make Him your Mighty God?
He sits near us as “Everlasting Father.”
He sits near us as “Everlasting Father.”
For a long time, God always seemed so distant to me. I had no trouble seeing Him as powerful; I just didn’t know He was also personal. I had a sense of awe of Him, but never knew I could know Him personally. I saw Him as big and mighty and probably pretty mad at me. In Jesus, He has come near.
In this third facet of His name, we see Jesus is “everlasting,” meaning He is before, above and beyond time. This literally means that He lives in the forever.
For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite.
He lives forever and He loves like a Father. Christ is holy and human, dwelling on high while lying in a manger.
There’s a story told about a college student who had recently become a Christian. There was a church right next to the college campus that desperately wanted to start a ministry to the students at that college but didn’t know where to start.
Well, this young man decided to go to church there. He walked in late, with his long hair, wearing a ratty old t-shirt, jeans withs holes in them and sandals with no socks.
All of the pews were full, so he began walking to the front of the church. People were watching, getting a little uncomfortable. The young man decided to sit on the floor right before the altar. The members were visibly disturbed and tension filled the air.
One of the deacons, a distinguished gentleman in his eighties slowly made his way to this young man. He was wearing, a three-piece suit, and used a cane. People were relieved and started thinking to themselves, “I’m sure glad somebody is going to tell the kid he can’t sit there.”
It took a minute for the deacon to get to the front and the only sound was the clicking of his cane. When he finally got to the college kid, the entire church was focused on him. He lowered himself down with great difficulty and asked that young man, “Do you mind if I sit with you?”
Two thoughts come to mind. First, Jesus calls us to reach out and get near to all those God considers dear (which is everyone). Second, this is similar to what God did when He sent His Son. Jesus entered our world and wants to sit down in a relationship with us.
Have you put your faith in the Everlasting Father? Will you allow Him to sit next to you?
He satisfies within as “Prince of Peace.”
He satisfies within as “Prince of Peace.”
Over the past 160 years, life expectancy in the United States has risen from 39.4 years in 1860, to 78.9 years in 2020.
Despite this overall increase, the life expectancy dropped three times since 1860; during the American Civil War, during the First World War and Spanish Flu epidemic, and it has dropped again between 2015 and now.
The reason for the most recent drop in life expectancy is not a result of any specific event, but has been attributed to negative societal trends, such as unbalanced diets and sedentary lifestyles, high medical costs, and increasing rates of drug use.
People today are facing desperation and despair and it’s affecting lives in a negative way.
Jesus comes into our desperation with the promise of peace within.
A prince in Bible times was the “General of the Army” and describes leadership and authority.
In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word shalom was a state of wholeness and harmony that was intended to resonate in all relationships. When used as a greeting, shalom was a wish for outward freedom from disturbance as well as an inward sense of well-being.
To a people constantly harassed by enemies, peace was the most desired blessing.
The New Testament describes at least three areas of peace:
· Peace with God – that’s the vertical dimension
· Peace of God – this takes place internally
· Peace with others – happens horizontally
Are you out of sorts with God? Allow the Prince of Peace into your life and be made right with Him. Are you all shaken up on the inside? Give all your anxieties to Him and His peace will give you calm in the midst of chaos. Are your relationships with others messed up? Do the hard work of being a peacemaker.
Do you know Him as your Prince of Peace?
Incredibly, Jesus was named 700 years before He was born.
He speaks to us, He stands for us, He sits near us, and He satisfies within. The good news is we can experience all of this right now. The even better news is that there’s more to come! We get a taste today, but all of these titles will be fully realized when He returns to rule and reign over all the earth.
Jesus came in the cradle in order to go to the cross. When He comes again, He’ll be wearing a crown!
Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.
God made a startling promise to King David:
When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom.
He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.
After David dies, Solomon’s sins trip him up. If you read through Kings and Chronicles, you see this covenant promise remains front and center. As king after king disobeys and disqualifies himself, a longing developed for a coming king who could fulfill all the conditions of the covenant and sit on David’s throne to rule and reign forever.
You have said, “I have made a covenant with my chosen one; I have sworn to David my servant:
‘I will establish your offspring forever, and build your throne for all generations.’ ” Selah
In Luke 1:27 Gabriel was sent “to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David…”
When Gabriel gave God’s message to Mary, he called on the covenant with David in:
And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus.
He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David,
and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”
The opening verse of Matthew links the coming of Christ to the covenant with Abraham and the covenant with David:
The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.
King David is listed five times in the family tree of Jesus found in Matthew. Why is that? Because first and foremost, Jesus is a direct descendant of David and therefore qualified to be the eternal king.
Look at the last phrase of Isaiah 9:7
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.
“Zeal” is a word that means passion and a strong desire.
God is greatly desires seeing His plan of redemption accomplished in your life.
Do you realize God is exceedingly zealous for you? He loves you beyond what you can even fathom. He has arranged all the details of His intricate plan to deliver you from the bonds of sin and is offering to speak to you, stand for you, sit near you, and to satisfy within.
It’s common for people to believe all religions are basically the same. David Platt describes a time he was in a conversation with two other guys who followed two other religions. He spoke up and said:
“It’s almost like you guys picture God at the top of a mountain and we’re all at the bottom: ‘I may take this path up and you may take this path up…but in the end we’ll all be in the same place.’
They smiled and said, ‘Exactly. You understand.’
Platt then said, ‘What if I told you that the God at the top of the mountain didn’t wait for us to find our way up to Him, but He actually came down to where we are?’ They responded, ‘That would be great.’
To which he replied, ‘This is the difference. What we find in the Bible is the story of God who has not left us alone to try to find our way to Him, but He has come to us and He has made the way to us through Jesus.”
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given.”
The gift of Christ is a personal gift from God to us. A gift requires a response. If I put a gift under your tree, you might acknowledge it, admire it, even thank me for it, but it isn’t yours until you open it and take it for yourself.
You can be confident that when you take Christ you will get exactly what He promised: forgiveness of sins and eternal life.
