1: Promise of the King (Communion)

UPCOMING STUFF

Thanks for Giving! Vote on 2022 Budget - only for members - please affirm that and we will collect at the end of today’s gathering just before Communion.

Next week we will present our Deacon Candidates & vote on Council Members to be added to the 2022 Council.

The Digital Sign will be ordered this week - thanks for giving to that! You still can give to that if you want.

This afternoon is the Ladies Crafty Christmas Tea from 2-4pm. Bring finger foods & a friend!

At the end of out time together, we will celebrate Jesus death and resurrection through Communion

Lastly, check out our Visual Notes by taking a picture of this QR CODE.

______________

Introduction

Today we begin a 4-week Christmas Series on Advent.

The term advent is derived from the Latin word adventus meaning “coming” or “arrival.” Early Christians who used this term in appreciation of the 1st coming of Jesus and anticipation of the 2nd coming of Jesus - His birth & His future RETURN.

And that’s what we will do over the next 4 weeks - appreciate His 1st coming and anticipate His 2nd coming.

Today we are going to look at the “Promise of the King” foretold in the Old Testament Scriptures.

Over the last couple of years we have been reminded of God’s promise to Abraham to bless all nations through his future family (Gen 12:3, 18:18). The Messiah would be birthed through the Abraham’s son Issac, his son - Jacob and down through the family tree to King David (Ps 89:3–4)

The Old Testament has some very specific prophesies pointing to the Messiah and today we will look at several of them from the prophet Isaiah.

If we were living in Isaiah’s day, we would have been living in a time when our enemies were overrunning our boarders. In fact, since the Kingdom had divided between Israel (north) and Judah (south), they were not always kissing cousins. In Isaiah’s day the King of Israel teamed up with the King of Syria to take JUDAH’S capital city of Jerusalem. This resulted in King Ahaz and the people of Judah shaking like trees in the wind (Is 7:1-2).

But that’s when Isaiah delivers encouraging words to King Ahaz - that these enemies will not overtake Jerusalem. And more than just words, God points to a soon-coming-SIGN that the King can trust in.

Isaiah 7:14, 16 (NIV)

Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin [young woman] will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel...for before the boy knows enough to reject the wrong and choose the right, the land of the two kings you dread will be laid waste.

Do you recognize that verse? Of course you do - at least the first part! We often quote it at Christmas time - and rightfully so - as a prophecy of Jesus.

But I want us to pause for a moment and first consider the context along with one of our rules for interpretation.

First, we must answer the question...‘Who is YOU?’ In this case ‘YOU’ is 1) King Ahaz, 2) and the people of Judah.

Next - What’s the promise TO THEM?

Based on the context of what it meant to King Ahaz, a male child was to be born that represented the PRESENCE of Immanuel - God with us.

And God tells Ahaz, The two kings you dread will be destroyed before that young boy grows old enough to know right from wrong.

And sure enough, in Isaiah 8, the prophecy is fulfilled when a young woman - likely Isaiah’s wife - gives birth to a son (Is 8:3). And just as God said, before that little boy knows right from wrong, and before he can say the words, “My Father” or “My Mother” (Is. 8:4), the kings of Israel & Syria - the enemies of Judah - were destroyed.

* Notice: That child was NOT NAMED Immanuel, but Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz (see Is. 8:3) meaning “quick to the plunder, swift to the spoil”.

So while the child wasn’t NAMED Immanuel, the child was PROOF OF Immanuel...God With Us!

So, in the middle of this fearful time God reminds King Ahaz through the birth of a child...that GOD IS WITH THEM.

We might need to be reminded of the same thing? Where IS God? Those who trust Him can trust God is WITH US TOO.

Of course...there is more to the story because 700 years later, this same passage will find its ultimate fulfillment in the birth of another child - not just to a young married woman, but to a unmarried, virgin named Miriam/Mary.

If you know the story, then you know there was a major problem that had to be addressed first. When Joseph found out this his fiancé was pregnant - and he knew it wasn’t his - his was ready to break off their engagement.

Matthew 1:20–23 (NIV)

But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.

[v21-23] She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: [and here is the prophecy from Isaiah] “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).

Jesus (Hebrew = Yeshua) means “Yahweh saves”

But, in contrast to the child born during Isaiah’s day, Jesus was more than PROOF that God is with us; Jesus IS GOD WITH US!

Think about the depth of this claim!

John Oswalt says it well: “But how can he be with us? If he is transcendent, if he is morally perfect, if he is infinite, if he is eternal, how can he be with us who are created, sinful, finite, and mortal? Surely he can only be with us in a metaphorical way, because the barriers are too great to be crossed. If that is all the phrase can mean, then it is a very hollow one. But this passage sets the stage for the most astounding event in history.”*

*John N. Oswalt, Isaiah, The NIV Application Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 2003), 162.

Isaiah not only speaks to WHO the Promised King is, but also foretells WHERE His ministry would begin! Remember that we are reading a text that is 700 years BEFORE the birth & ministry of Jesus.

Isaiah 9:1–2 (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.

What’s the significance of the area of Galilee? It is a group of towns surrounding what is really a Lake called “the Sea of Galilee”.

This region is the first area enemies of Israel would have to conquer to move further south into Israel. It was where many lives were lost over the years, a place of gloom and distress (as Isaiah infers).

Galilee was located on the international trade and travel route passing through Israel so the Galileans profited from the trade and the taxes collected from caravans and travelers passing through their region.

Levi was a tax collector in Capernaum when Jesus called him as a disciple (Mk 2:14).*

Because of this, there was a lot of mixing between Jews and Gentiles - which many Jews further south didn’t appreciate.

*J. Carl Laney, “Galilee,” ed. John D. Barry et al., The Lexham Bible Dictionary (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2016).

Further, Galilee had a large population of both Jews and Gentiles around the Lake. The Gentile region known as the “Decapolis” - “10 Cities” was on the East and Southeast side of the Sea/Lake of Galilee.

Remember when Jesus crossed on the Lake and went into the Decapolis area where Gentiles lived and cast demons out of 2 men and into pigs (Mt 8:28-34)?

But 700 years before the time of Jesus, Isaiah prophesies that this region called Galilee - the place that had been the perpetual black eye of Israel, would become the place where God would honor...Galilee of the nations.

And that’s exactly what happened when Jesus began His ministry around the Sea of Galilee.

Matthew 4:13–16 (NIV)

Leaving Nazareth, he [Jesus] went and lived in Capernaum, which was by the lake in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali—to fulfill what was said through the prophet Isaiah: “Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles— the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.”

Just a few verses later Isaiah comes back to WHO this Messiah will be.

Isaiah 9:6 (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.

The only way this passage could only be applied to a king in Isaiah’s day would be to use these terms as metaphors or hyperboles.

BUT…there is ONE to whom these terms and titles apply perfectly!

Warren Wiersbe writes that this verse declares the humanity (“A Child is born”) and the deity (“A Son is given”) of the Lord Jesus Christ.*

*Warren W. Wiersbe, Be Comforted, “Be” Commentary Series (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996), 37.

What’s it mean that the government will be on His shoulders? This Promised King would be different than other leaders who left the business to others while they lived in kingly comfort.

First, this Promised King would fulfill His duties of justice, protection, and provision for His people.

Second, His government - as we will see in a moment - will never be overthrown.

He will also be called...

WONDERFUL COUNSELOR

Before we dive too deep, we need to note that the NET translates this as something very different than how we have heard this traditionally. Instead of Wonderful Counselor it is translated as...

“Extraordinary Strategist”. Why? In short, the Hebrew here suggests it should be translated literally as “one who counsels wonders”, referring - in context - to a King who is a great military strategist.*

* Biblical Studies Press, The NET Bible First Edition; Bible. English. NET Bible.; The NET Bible (Biblical Studies Press, 2005).

In other words, we should recognize this King as much more than a therapist who helps us solve all our problems, but a Conquering King whose plans will not be thwarted. This unmatched wisdom is evidenced as Jesus counters His critics who want to know who gave Him the authority to toss the temple.

Mark 11:27–33 (NIV)

They arrived again in Jerusalem, and while Jesus was walking in the temple courts, the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders came to him. “By what authority are you doing these things?” they asked. “And who gave you authority to do this?” Jesus replied, “I will ask you one question. Answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things. John’s baptism—was it from heaven, or of human origin? Tell me!”

[v31-33] They discussed it among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will ask, ‘Then why didn’t you believe him?’ But if we say, ‘Of human origin’ …” (They feared the people, for everyone held that John really was a prophet.) So they answered Jesus, “We don’t know.” Jesus said, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.”

And then there’s this title:

MIGHTY GOD

While some earthly leaders are called small-g “gods” as they represent the ONLY GOD, no Israelite or Judean king was ever identified as “Mighty God.”*

*John N. Oswalt, Isaiah, The NIV Application Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 2003), 160–161.

And as we have already seen from Isaiah 7:14, this Promised King isn’t just the PROOF of God’s Presence, but the PERSON of God’s Presence - Jesus IS GOD WITH US!

Further, the Promised King will be know as...

EVERLASTING FATHER

If you’re like me, and you know the New Testament, you might think…”Wait a second, Jesus is the Son, not the Father!”

But Isaiah is not trying to give clarity to the Trinity as it isn’t a focus until the New Testament. I appreciate what...

Spence writes, “How could there be more than one everlasting Father, one Creator, Preserver, Protector of mankind who was absolutely eternal? If the term “Father,” applied to our Lord [Jesus], grates on our ears, we must remember that the distinction of Persons in the Godhead had not yet been revealed.”*

*H. D. M. Spence-Jones, ed., Isaiah, vol. 1, The Pulpit Commentary (London; New York: Funk & Wagnalls Company, 1910), 167.

These 2 terms - EVERLASTING & FATHER - point to the Promised King as the Everlasting/Eternal - Father/Creator - the Source of Life [1] - the Provider & Protector [2] of His children.

1 Warren W. Wiersbe, Be Comforted, “Be” Commentary Series (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996), 38.

2 Biblical Studies Press, The NET Bible First Edition Notes (Biblical Studies Press, 2006), Is 9:6.

Isaiah’s ancient audience would have to wrestle down the idea that the CREATOR OF ALL - the EVERLASTING FATHER was somehow coming to Earth. How could that be?

Most believed the EVERLASTING FATHER would empower the Messiah, but not embody the Messiah. So, when Jesus showed up, even those who believed Him to be the Messiah struggled to believe that He was the CREATOR OF ALL.

Further, the Promised King would be the...

PRINCE OF PEACE

Christmas Truce of 1914

World War 1 began 5 months prior to Christmas of 1914. But a strange thing happened on Christmas Eve of 1914. Huddled in their trenches and rather than firing weapons, many German and British troops began to Christmas carols to each other across the lines. At certain points the Allied soldiers even heard brass bands joining the Germans in their joyous singing.

At the first light of dawn on Christmas Day, some German soldiers emerged from their trenches and approached the Allied lines across no-man’s-land, calling out “Merry Christmas” in broken English. At first, the Allied soldiers feared it was a trick, but seeing that the Germans were unarmed, they climbed out of their trenches and shook hands with the enemy soldiers. The even exchanged presents of cigarettes and plum puddings and sang carols and songs together. Some of the soldiers from opposing sides even played a good-natured game of soccer.

This kind of chivalry was never again repeated, but Christmas brought 2 enemies together…at least for a short time.

* https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-i/christmas-truce-of-1914

There IS a future time coming when Jesus WILL bring peace in the eternal kingdom with no more death, no more war, and no more sin,

But the Prince of Peace would first come to make PEACE between God and man, reconciling the enemies of God and giving them PEACE in their SOULS (2 Cor 5:17-18), that should lead to peace with people. In a couple of weeks we will be reminded of the Purpose of the King - HOW the Prince of Peace reconciles man to God.

And there’s more GOOD NEWS!

Isaiah 9:7 (NIV)

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.

Isaiah writes that once the Promised King comes, His government & peace will never end! He will be LARGE & IN CHARGE, seated on David’s throne…from that time on and forever!

One commentator writes: “The empire of grace will forever expand.”

* Raymond C. Ortlund Jr. and R. Kent Hughes, Isaiah: God Saves Sinners, Preaching the Word (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books, 2005), 100.

And that’s what continues to happen as the message of The Promised King conquers hearts all over the world!

C. S. Lewis’s famous book Screwtape Letters, Screwtape, the senior demon who is instructing his younger, inexperienced understudy, Wormwood, in the art of guiding a human being into Hell warns his pupil that his task is all the more difficult because the “Enemy” (God) “has a curious fantasy of making all these disgusting little human vermin into sons.”

*David L. Allen, 1–3 John: Fellowship in God’s Family, ed. R. Kent Hughes, Preaching the Word (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2013), 137.

YES HE DOES! We who were once enemies are transformed into SONS and DAUGHTERS!

Has that happened to YOU? If not…don’t wait too late!

Missed the Bus

While on a trip to Washington DC (2019) with my son (Joshua) and over 60 folks from Madison, I ran up to our hotel room just before time to get on the bus at 7:30am. The elevator opened at 7:30am to the hotel lobby, that was filled with my crew just moments before.

Strangely quiet, I walked outside and made a phone call at 7:31am to one of my traveling buddies (Jason Justus) because...the bus was gone. When they said we are leaving at 7:30, they weren’t kidding. And I missed the bus. I ran for half a mile with 2 backpacks full of stuff to meet this bus...with all 60-plus watching. That was humbling.

Thankfully, I was able to get on the bus. But what if I wasn’t? What if the bus driver said, “It’s too late. You missed the deadline.”

The next trip, I showed up EARLY!

There is a deadline coming for every person alive, a moment when it will be too late to ‘get on the bus’. Make sure you don’t miss it. In fact, it would be wise to show up early.

On another note, why didn’t my friends look around and realize I wasn’t there? Why didn’t they call me and warn me, “The bus is about to leave. Get yourself down here quick before it’s too late!”

If we care about our friends, are we warning them before it’s too late?

Who are you PRAYING FOR? Who are you SHARING WITH?

STAFF

DEACONS

PRAY (and band comes up)

Please pass your Budget Ballot to the outside of the row and our deacons will collect that.

NOW,

COMMUNION

And of course, it is THIS PROMISED KING who came to give His life for us. Today we pause to remember and THANK Him for His sacrifice as we partake of communion together.

Let me briefly remind you who SHOULD participate and who SHOULD NOT.

Read from Luke 22:14-20 and take Communion.

Luke 22:14–20 (NIV)

When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table. And he said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God.” After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, “Take this and divide it among you. For I tell you I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.”

And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.”

In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.

Remind of Paul in 1 Cor 11:26 “Whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.”)