What Is This Christmas? (Isaiah 9:1-7)

Introduction:

One of my favorite songs is “This Christmas” by Donnie Hathaway

It is a love song centered on the Christmas Holiday’s commercial side.

Donnie’s song was about a girl.

God also has a love song that is the basis for why we celebrate.

The Lord’s song was about the World.

Background

Isaiah is Prophet, Ahaz is Judah’s evil King

Ahaz turned away from God, Ahaz represents all of humanity.

God will use Syria to Punish Israel.

Isiah Prophecies of Good goodness

Promise (Isaiah 9:1)

Israel (The Northern Kingdom) was captured by Assyria

God promised Judgement and Justice

Lights at Christmas are representative of the Darkness in the World

Driving in the Country

THE WORLD IS A DARK PLACE (Injustice, Violence, Mental illness…)

Darkness was also in that no one could cure these problems.

Israel experienced captivity of Slavery and Babylon

Humanity experienced the slavery of Sin

MORALITY, DEMOCRACY does not change the World only Jesus.

The CREATION can not save itself on the CREATOR

Every year Christmas is more proof that we need Christ.

Humanity goes further into the darkness.

Christmas does not say “Cheer Up!”- Tim Keller

Christianity is not Optimistic or Pessimistic but real!!

Things are bad … But there is HOPE!

V.2The Darkness of Everyone demanded LIGHT

Light brings LIFE, and reveals TRUTH

God is the only reason we know anything

This child will bring Light because he is the Light

Darkness was the sin of humanity

V.3 God in the future will multiply Israel and they will rejoice

V.4 God will destroy their present enemies and sin will be destroyed.

The smallest will defeat the mightiest! (a reference to Midian)

V.5 God will destroy His enemies all by Himself

Present (Isaiah 9:6)

V.6 Christmas is about Gifting

The Greatest that God gave was himself

Jesus is the ground for the expectations

“Unto us” To the Jew and Gentiles

“Given to us”- Love and Grace displayed

All the names describe his character

“Wounderful Counselor”- empathetic, lawyer

“Mighty God”- Emmanuel (God-man)

“Eternal Father”- Describes his origin and the time of his reign

“Prince of Peace”- Jesus will rule the city of peace (Jerusalem)

Presence (Isaiah 9:7)

God gives us his presence

His rule will increase and be unlimited

He will rule justly and righteously forever and ever