Joyful Reign

Christmas Season

Introduction

World is hurting, divided, scared, angry, confused, unhappy. Without joy.

This is not God’s desire for the world. It never was, and he has a much different plan for his people.

Hear these words from the prophet Isaiah:

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.

Matthew 4:15-16 quotes Matthew 9:1-2 which is very interesting because In the Hebrew scriptures, 9:1 is part of chapter before, but as the monks who put chapter and verse to the Bible they felt it needed to be part of 9 because Mathew uses them together to talk about Jesus as Messiah. Now, chapters and verses are not scriptural, but often they link themes and especially songs and prophecies. But here we see something I think pretty cool. The Holy spirit showed Matthew a connection, others had not seen.

Zebulun and Naphtali were two of the tribes of Israel. The land given to them was right next to the Sea of Galilee so it was known as Galilee. It had fallen to Assyria in 2 Kings 15:29 which at the time of prophecy by Isaiah had not been that long, however 200 years before that But by the time of Jesus it had been pretty messed up by the Syrians. But at the time of Isaiah, the Assyrians had deported most of the Israelites, and repopulated it with Assyrians. So it was a dark place to all Israelites, especially those of purer blood.

So, it is really cool that it would be one of the first places to receive the light of the Messiah. The darkest, most despised and wretched would be where the Messiah would come. WOW! Isn’t that just like God! He comes to all but he shows up first to those who need him and to those who are the most desperate and in need.

Friends God has not changed! Jesus to those who were hurting and in despair. Afraid, downtrodden and brought the light. Tell me that is not the good news.

Isaiah 9:2 NIV

The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.

Isn’t that the message the world needs right now as much as ever. Isn’t that the message some of us need right now. “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light.” “There will be no more gloom for those who are in distress.” I know a lot of people who are in distress and gloom today. But that is exactly why Jesus came.

Man we are only in verse 2! We know Jesus claims to be the light of the world. John 8:12.

The light has dawned in in the land of deep darkness. SO INCREDIBLE!

Let’s see what happens next

Isaiah 9:3–5 NIV

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.

You have increased their JOY!

I struggled like many of you for the difference between Joy and happiness for a long time. But I think this chapter in Isaiah really nails it.

Verse 1 they live in gloom. Verse three they live in joy.

Gloom is so much more than being sad. Joy is so much more than being happy.

Gloom is an outlook at life. Hopeless, despair, the end is coming, it is more than I can handle.

JOY on the other hand is Hopeful, things are going to be great!, God can handle this. Even if it is tough for a season, it is going to work out.

Joy is a change of life. Joy comes from life in the light. Joy is hope. Joy is trusting Jesus. Trusting him when things are good, but also when things seem too much for you to handle.

Trust is more than believing God has a GOOD plan, it is living like God has a perfect plan!

I love how Isaiah puts it in verse 3-5. Lets read it again:

Isaiah 9:3–5 NIV

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.

Rejoice as people at the harvest

As warriors dividing the plunder

The yokes of our burden, the bar across our shoulders and the rods of oppression have been shattered. Notice this SHATTERED, not broke, not removed, BUT SHATTERED! Tell me that is not Great news. Of course our lives should be filled with Joy! God has freed us! He has destroyed the shackles of our sin and death and freed us to rejoice.

Think about the illustration Isaiah used, the Midian defeat. Do you remember that story. It is the story of Gideon. Gideon who went to battle against one of the largest armies of his time with only 300 men some trumpets and jars. Oh yeah and the most HIGH God! Judges 7. You should go read that story again if you have not in a while.

Can you imagine the rejoicing that must have happened when that battle was over. That is the rejoicing that Jesus brings the world. Not a rejoicing or happiness from something we did, but a pure REJOICING that God has saved us. That is Joy. LIVING in God’s victory. Every moment whether happy of sad. But it doesn’t come from us it is a fruit of the Spirit living in us.

Galatians 5:22 NIV

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

Joy comes from God because of what Jesus did and it is ours to have by the power of the Holy Spirit living within us no matter our circumstance or no matter what is happening in the world.

I believe the word for that is AWESOME!

And now comes one of the most famous passages about the Messiah, that is not quoted in the New Testament, but that does not mean it is not about Jesus. In fact, there is no doubt it is about Jesus. It describes him perfectly.

Isaiah 9:6–7 NIV

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.

A child born

the son is given

government will be on his shoulders

He will be called:

Wonderful Counselor

Mighty God

Everlasting Father

Prince of Peace

His government and peace shall never end.

He will sit on the throne of David forever. But he won’t just sit on that throne. He will establish and uphold it with: Justice and Righteousness

And remember thisL

The Lord Almighty will accomplish this!

JOY! it comes from living in trust with God. It comes in knowing God has won. Won victory over sin, Victory over darkness! Victory over death! Victory over EVERY disease! Victory over every enemy.

How can we not live in Joy once we have experienced his VICTORY!

There might be some here or watching online who have not experienced his victory or are not living in that victory. It may be that you have never heard of God’s victory through Jesus, it may be that you have never really believed in his victory or it may be that you have lost faith or trust in his victory, but here is the good . You are exactly who the child that was born, JESUS, came to bring light and joy to. You are those in the desolate land filled with gloom in distress, you are those walking in darkness that can see a great light. The light can dawn in your darkness! Trust in the Jesus. Trust in the victory that is in Christ. Victory over darkness and death.

Let’s pray.

Invite them to prayer.