Christmas Devo 2020 - "His Name Shall Be Called"

Context - Isaiah’s world was a dark world

Over 700 years before Jesus was born.

Promised land was split into two nations - and both went really downhill.

God used Assyria to judge Israel (north), and they were coming to Judah (south) next.

Isaiah was given this message to preach to Judah. Warning them of Assyria.

Isaiah is a dark book, because Isaiah’s world was a dark world

Idolatry, materialism, oppression and lack of justice, alcoholism, and more. (sounds familiar)

But there was Glimmer of Hope

Read 9:2

What is this light?

“Light” - A symbol of hope. Often a metaphor for Salvation.

How does God send his light? By sending a person...

God says to those who believe, “Not only am I going to rescue you from the Assyrians, but I’m going to send someone to rescue you from all darkness.”

For to us a child is born

Talking about Jesus 700 years before his time

Read 9:6

Child, son

Government shall be upon his shoulder - he will be a ruler

4 Names for the Child

(Repeat the Names) - *Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace*

Wonderful Counselor

Wonder - to describe miracles, things that are too high for the human mind to understand

Counselor - someone who can apply a strategy to your life

Guidence counselor @ school / Admissions Counselor and applications / Biblical counselor

Application - He’s your wonderful counselor, everything he says is true, and should be followed in every area of life

Mighty God

Mighty - used to describe a warrior

God - The Child will be God himself

Application - He’s your all-powerful warrior God, who will take down all of his enemies to protect his people.

Everlasting Father

“Father of Eternity”

Jesus not Father in the Trinity - but it uses Father to describe a king

King of Eternity - he will be king forever!

Prince of Peace

Prince - Royal Language yet again.

Peace - “shalom” - a total security that nothing can break

Application - He keeps you safe, he gives you peace.

Isaiah was speaking of Jesus 700 years before his time.

How do you think of Jesus?

“If you worship a small Jesus, you will live a small life”

He was a human son, born to us, a child, yes, but he was not any child.

In that manger he was Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

And that same child, the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God himself, the everlasting Father, the prince of peace would grow into his 30’s and sacrifice himself to save you and me, by faith alone.

Conclusion

Anyone like Christmas lights?

Whenever you look at the Christmas lights - remember, Jesus is the light of the world. The light that shines in the darkness. Our eternal hope.

Whatever darkness is in your life right now, Jesus can be your light.

Darkness of your own sin, of struggles, anxiety, depression, hardship

But for Jesus to be your light, you must know him for who he truly is.

Not some moral teacher, not just a good man, but he is your Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace

*Repeat Phrases again*

This Jesus, deserves and demands your whole life, he wants all of you, because he’s that big.