Mighty God

The Mighty God of Christmas

Good Morning everyone. I hope everyone got enough to eat over these last few days. And now that we have turned our calendars past Thanksgiving we can officially begin the Christmas season. We are starting a new series this week called The Name. And it covers some of the descriptive names of Jesus in Isaiah when he prophesied of the Birth of Jesus. Now I’m going to do this sermon a little different because I really want everyone to be able to see the pictures of these names in your mind. Kind of paint a word picture for you.

Those of you who read a lot especially fiction books know that the book is always better than the movie right. One of the reasons for this is because we create this sort of mental image of what we are reading in our heads. I can’t tell you how many times we have left a movie theatre and I tell either Elisha or one of my kids that the movie was terrible simply because it didn’t fit what I had already created in my head.

So with that said let’s dive right into the scriptures first and then we will dig in to one of the descriptive names of Jesus.

We are going to start in Isaiah Chapter 9 verses 6 and 7

6 For a child is born to us, a son is given to us.

The government will rest on his shoulders.

And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

7 His government and its peace will never end.

He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David

for all eternity.

The passionate commitment of the LORD of Heaven’s Armies

will make this happen!

Tyndale House Publishers, Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 2015), Is 9:6–7.

So this is clearly a prophecy from Isaiah about the coming promised Messiah the savior of the Whole World. And the name we are going to look at today is Mighty God.

So who is this Mighty God. Who is He and where is the proof that He is Mighty. We find our first proof of a Might God in the wilderness in Exodus.

The first thing we see is this pillar of fire and cloud in Exodus Chapter 13:21-22

21 The Lord went ahead of them. He guided them during the day with a pillar of cloud, and he provided light at night with a pillar of fire. This allowed them to travel by day or by night. 22 And the Lord did not remove the pillar of cloud or pillar of fire from its place in front of the people.

Now the first thing I notice here is that the Mighty God is in front of His people. He is taking all the dangers first. He alone is courageous and protecting the people. Now watch what happens next.

In Exodus 14 the Egyptians are pursuing the Israelites and they have them stuck at the Red Sea. The Israelites are terrified and they cry out to the Lord for help. Have you ever been stuck had your back against a wall and been terrified of what is about to happen. Watch the Mighty God work...

Starting in verse 13...

13 But Moses told the people, “Don’t be afraid. Just stand still and watch the Lord rescue you today. The Egyptians you see today will never be seen again. 14 The Lord himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.”

Escape through the Red Sea

15 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to me? Tell the people to get moving! 16 Pick up your staff and raise your hand over the sea. Divide the water so the Israelites can walk through the middle of the sea on dry ground. 17 And I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians, and they will charge in after the Israelites. My great glory will be displayed through Pharaoh and his troops, his chariots, and his charioteers. 18 When my glory is displayed through them, all Egypt will see my glory and know that I am the Lord!”

19 Then the angel of God, who had been leading the people of Israel, moved to the rear of the camp. The pillar of cloud also moved from the front and stood behind them. 20 The cloud settled between the Egyptian and Israelite camps. As darkness fell, the cloud turned to fire, lighting up the night. But the Egyptians and Israelites did not approach each other all night.

Tyndale House Publishers, Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 2015), Ex 14:13–20.

23 Then the Egyptians—all of Pharaoh’s horses, chariots, and charioteers—chased them into the middle of the sea. 24 But just before dawn the Lord looked down on the Egyptian army from the pillar of fire and cloud, and he threw their forces into total confusion. 25 He twisted their chariot wheels, making their chariots difficult to drive. “Let’s get out of here—away from these Israelites!” the Egyptians shouted. “The Lord is fighting for them against Egypt!”

26 When all the Israelites had reached the other side, the Lord said to Moses, “Raise your hand over the sea again. Then the waters will rush back and cover the Egyptians and their chariots and charioteers.” 27 So as the sun began to rise, Moses raised his hand over the sea, and the water rushed back into its usual place. The Egyptians tried to escape, but the Lord swept them into the sea. 28 Then the waters returned and covered all the chariots and charioteers—the entire army of Pharaoh. Of all the Egyptians who had chased the Israelites into the sea, not a single one survived.

Tyndale House Publishers, Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 2015), Ex 14:23–28.

You see only A MIGHTY GOD will place Himself between you and your enemies. Will go to battle for you and deliver you from the evil that is coming against you.

But a Mighty God doesn’t always do things the way we would do them right. I mean there are times that I think God if would just do it this way it will be easier and you know what it very well might be easier on me but sometimes A MIGHTY GOD will do things for us that make us grow and learn and most importantly put our complete faith and trust in Him.

Let’s look at another instance of A MIGHTY GOD at work.

You see sometimes A MIGHTY GOD will deliver us by destroying what is trying to destroy us but sometimes HE WILL WALK THROUGH IT WITH US.

Lets look at the account of Shadrach Meshach and Abednego to see A MIGHTY GOD at work.

Daniel 3:13–27 (NLT)

13 Then Nebuchadnezzar flew into a rage and ordered that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego be brought before him. When they were brought in, 14 Nebuchadnezzar said to them, “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you refuse to serve my gods or to worship the gold statue I have set up? 15 I will give you one more chance to bow down and worship the statue I have made when you hear the sound of the musical instruments. But if you refuse, you will be thrown immediately into the blazing furnace. And then what god will be able to rescue you from my power?”

16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you. 17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty. 18 But even if he doesn’t, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up.”

The Blazing Furnace

19 Nebuchadnezzar was so furious with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego that his face became distorted with rage. He commanded that the furnace be heated seven times hotter than usual. 20 Then he ordered some of the strongest men of his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and throw them into the blazing furnace. 21 So they tied them up and threw them into the furnace, fully dressed in their pants, turbans, robes, and other garments. 22 And because the king, in his anger, had demanded such a hot fire in the furnace, the flames killed the soldiers as they threw the three men in. 23 So Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, securely tied, fell into the roaring flames.

24 But suddenly, Nebuchadnezzar jumped up in amazement and exclaimed to his advisers, “Didn’t we tie up three men and throw them into the furnace?”

“Yes, Your Majesty, we certainly did,” they replied.

25 “Look!” Nebuchadnezzar shouted. “I see four men, unbound, walking around in the fire unharmed! And the fourth looks like a god!”

26 Then Nebuchadnezzar came as close as he could to the door of the flaming furnace and shouted: “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out! Come here!”

So Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego stepped out of the fire. 27 Then the high officers, officials, governors, and advisers crowded around them and saw that the fire had not touched them. Not a hair on their heads was singed, and their clothing was not scorched. They didn’t even smell of smoke!

I SEE 4. There was another in the fire AMEN! When it comes down to it A MIGHTY GOD will walk through the fires of life with you. He won’t abandon you, leave you, forget you, turn His back. HE IS IN THE FIRE WITH YOU

Now we have one more instance to look at when we are looking for evidence of a MIGHTY GOD. This one is an awesome account of Jesus taking a nap. There are several things to look at in this one so let’s dive in .

Jesus Calms the Storm

22 One day Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.” So they got into a boat and started out. 23 As they sailed across, Jesus settled down for a nap. But soon a fierce storm came down on the lake. The boat was filling with water, and they were in real danger.

24 The disciples went and woke him up, shouting, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!”

When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and the raging waves. Suddenly the storm stopped and all was calm. 25 Then he asked them, “Where is your faith?”

The disciples were terrified and amazed. “Who is this man?” they asked each other. “When he gives a command, even the wind and waves obey him!”

Tyndale House Publishers, Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 2015), Lk 8:22–25.

I used to wonder why Jesus would ask the disciples the question where is your faith. I mean they were scared right. Then when you really read this it gives you the clue right up front. Jesus told them let’s cross to the other side of the lake. If God incarnate says we are gonna cross the lake guess what we are crossing the lake. No matter what else happens in between we gonna cross the lake. But look at the circumstances the disciples found themselves in.

A storm comes up. A wild storm. A scary storm. The wind picks up. The waves start rocking the boat at first then start coming in the boat. They are taking on water and man we are gonna drown and this Jesus that we are following is taking a nap. He’s asleep on the job. Ever feel that way. Ever feel like Jesus doesn’t care that your storms are raging. That your waves are growing and threaten to drown you. HAVE FAITH. WE HAVE A MIGHTY GOD.

They wake Him up and they are scared to death. What does He do. He rebukes the wind and the raging waves. Hear me when I say this. Only a MIGHTY GOD can command the wind and waves to do what He says. And the disciples are blown away. Even the wind and waves obey Him. He truly is a MIGHTY GOD.

Let me remind you this morning that when His people were caught up in slavery He rescued them. What he did was He parted the sea. He made a way and He delivered their enemies to them. He unlocks wombs provides water from a rock, provides manna from Heaven and He brought down the walls of Jericho.

He froze the sun to allow victory He’s toppled giants with tiny stones. He’s brought fire from Heaven and shut the mouths of lions.

He’s fed thousands with a few loaves, he gives the weak strength, He heals the sick and made the blind see, the deaf hear and the mute speak, the lame walk

and he’s overcome evil, and he’s made a way through death for you and me through the death and resurrection, that we will live with him forever, we will dwell in the house of the Lord forever and ever and ever. He is a Mighty God. He is a Mighty God. HE IS A MIGHTY GOD.

For some of you today you need the protection and guidance of the cloud and pillar of fire.

Some of you need Him to walk into the fire with you.

Some of you need Him to calm the storms in your life.

Jesus is the Mighty GOD. He will go before you. He will never leave you never abandon you. He will leave the 99 to come get you.

For some of you today you have all of these things going on in your life but you don’t have a Mighty God to call on for help. You’ve never made that decision to follow Jesus to turn your life over to Him. And the storms and wind and waves and fire and enemies keep stacking up and you just don’t know what else you can do. He’s waiting for you. Right now He’s calling you out. You feel it that nudge that uneasy feeling. He’s there. He’s ready for you today.