First Baptist Church Litchfield
December 22, 2024

      • Isaiah 53:1–3ESV

  • Prepare Him Room

      • Isaiah 53:4–6ESV

  • King Of Kings

      • Isaiah 53:7–9ESV

  • Away In A Manger

      • Isaiah 53:10–12ESV

  • Shine Into Our Night
  • Silent Night (Stille Nacht)

  • So this is Christmas

    Last week we learned, in 1971, John Lennon and Yoko Ono released the first post-Beatles Christmas song, “Happy Xmas (War Is Over),” as a heartfelt protest against the Vietnam War. Lennon expressed his frustration after being “sick of White Christmas.” This song became a powerful peace anthem, following two years of activism where John and Yoko promoted, “WAR IS OVER! If You Want It – Happy Christmas from John & Yoko,” on posters worldwide. The Harlem Community Choir's beautiful backing vocals enhanced its anti-war message.
    Lennon poignantly addresses the deep-seated hatred within humanity. He believed the greatest gift we can share is peace—a peace we must genuinely desire and nurture.
    However, Lennon may not have recognized peace's elusiveness. The struggle is not just an attitude; it involves internal spiritual conflicts rather than mere physical battles. Ultimately, the conflict exists not only among individuals but also with God.
    War has been part of our story since Cain harmed Abel in Genesis 4. As we lost grace, we found ourselves at odds with each other and God, as Paul noted the hostility we have towards the Lord in Romans 8:7-8.
    Isaiah promised a Messiah who would come to end the war between God and Man, and bring peace on earth. He describes this Messiah in Isaiah 9:6-7. Last week we learned the Messiah is God incarnate, and that he is a King who will rule the world. This Sunday we will see he is also the Wonderful Counselor, Almighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. But before we get there, is it helpful to keep some context in mind.

    Isaiah’s Audience needed hope.

    Isaiah was writing nearly 800 years before Christ. This period of history was tumultuous as the Assyrians were on the march, taking people into captivity by droves. Isaiah’s prophecy gave the people of God a hope they so desperately needed: a Child would be born to fulfill the Davidic Covenant, and He would bear the titles “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” The Child was Christ; the prophecy will reach its consummation at Christ’s second coming.
    In the first eight chapters of Isaiah’s book, human kings have been full of folly and lacked spiritual discernment such as Ahaz. In Isaiah 1:26, God promises to restore his people’s wicked judges and foolish counselors in the coming kingdom. In Isaiah 5:21, God pronounces a woe to those who are wise in their own eyes. Human beings are naturally foolish, and our leadership reflects that truth. By contrast, the coming King will be a wonder of a counselor.

    He is the Wonderful Counselor

    The Messiah will be Wonderful

    The word “wonderful” means “incomprehensible.” It is used one other time in the book of Judges when Samsons father wanted to know the name of the Angel of the Lord he was prophesying about his son. The angel says,
    Judges 13:18 ESV
    18 And the angel of the Lord said to him, “Why do you ask my name, seeing it is wonderful?”
    What the Angel of the Lord means is, “Why do you ask my name? It is beyond your comprehension.” The word even carries the idea of being supernatural, a wonder. The word wonder is used in Exodus 3:20 to describe the ten supernatural plagues God will bring upon Egypt.
    Exodus 3:20 ESV
    20 So I will stretch out my hand and strike Egypt with all the wonders that I will do in it; after that he will let you go.
    Jesus revealed His wonder in many beautiful ways during His time on earth, starting with His miraculous conception in the womb of a virgin (Matthew 1:23). He revealed that He is truly the “wonderful One” through His extraordinary healing powers (Matthew 4:23), His authoritative teachings (Mark 1:22), His perfect life (Hebrews 4:15), and His triumphant resurrection from the dead (Mark 16:6). Jesus showed depth in his teachings which challenge man’s fallen way of thinking. He says profound soul-shaking truths like, “Blessed are those who mourn” (Matthew 5:4), “Rejoice and be glad” during times of persecution (Matthew 5:11–12), “Love your enemies, and do good to those who hate you” (Luke 6:27). The kind of wonder that Jesus embodies is truly awe-inspiring and surpasses all others, for He is perfect in every way (Matthew 5:48). Furthermore, his divine wisdom is validated by his ability to perform miracles. The wonder of his counsel is that it possesses incredible power to perform signs and wonders. Jesus is the wonderful Messiah, who is also called counselor.

    The Messiah will be a Wonderful Counselor

    The word for counselor denotes the idea of “the one who counsels wonders”. It is a title given to royalty as seen in Micah 4:9. In the context of kings, it is often used to indicate great wisdom. In Isaiah 11:2, Isaiah says the Messiah will have the Holy Spirit who will empower him with great wisdom,
    Isaiah 11:2 ESV
    2 And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.
    and again, Isaiah describes the Lord in Isaiah 28:29
    Isaiah 28:29 (ESV)
    29 he is wonderful in counsel and excellent in wisdom.
    Jesus is our wise counselor. As it says, "He did not need any testimony about mankind, for he knew what was in each person” (John 2:25). He offers wisdom so thoroughly because He is qualified in ways no human advisor can match. In Christ, "hidden are all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Colossians 2:3), which includes an unordinary depth of understanding of human nature (Psalm 139:1–2). Jesus is always aware of what we are facing, and He continually knows the best way to help us (Hebrews 4:15–16).
    In the Bible, King Solomon was often recognized for his extraordinary wisdom, yet even his wisdom paled in comparison to Christ's. Jesus, the embodiment of wisdom, taught us about love, humility, and the Kingdom of God. He challenged conventional wisdom, calling us to seek first the kingdom and to trust Him in all our decisions. Following Jesus leads to greater understanding than the world offers, but even greater than that, for those who are in Christ Jesus, Paul says our Wonderful Counselor is so wonderful that He gave us His Spirit so we could have his wisdom. Genuine believers of Jesus have the mind of Christ because you have His Spirit living inside you.
    Jesus told his disciples that he must return to the Father so he could send His Spirit.
    John 16:7–13 ESV
    7 Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. 8 And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: 9 concerning sin, because they do not believe in me; 10 concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer; 11 concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged. 12 “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.
    Just before his ascension into heaven Jesus promised his disciples
    Acts 1:8 ESV
    8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
    At Pentecost, every believer received the fulfillment of this promise. If you are in Christ, he is in you. You have His Spirit. I love the way Oswald Chambers describes the proximity of the Holy Spirit in your life. Chambers says,
    The Holy Spirit cannot be located as a guest in a house. He invades everything.
    Oswald Chambers (Lecturer and Missionary)
    There is nothing in your life the Spirit does not speak truth. Moreover, He enables you to be wise in the important spiritual things of God. Paul says,
    1 Corinthians 2:14–16 ESV
    14 The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. 15 The spiritual person judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one. 16 “For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ.
    The Wonderful Counselor is a wonder to this world. His wisdom is sogrand that it boggles the mind of every human being. Christmas is boggling t th world. How is it wis for the Son of God to come into the world as a babe? And yet, we cannot know God’s peace if he hadn’t. How is it possible for us to have the living God in us? God’s wisdom said it was only possible through the death, resurrection, and ascension of his beloved Son. Be in awe of such wisdom. Jesus is your Messiah, the Wonderful Counselor.

    He is the Almighty God

    Isaiah 9:6 ESV
    6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
    The title “Mighty God” is a reference to his deity. Every time it is used in the Old Testament, it refers to Yahweh. For example,
    Isaiah 10:21 ESV
    21 A remnant will return, the remnant of Jacob, to the mighty God.
    Deuteronomy 10:17 ESV
    17 For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God, who is not partial and takes no bribe.
    Jeremiah 32:18 ESV
    18 You show steadfast love to thousands, but you repay the guilt of fathers to their children after them, O great and mighty God, whose name is the Lord of hosts,
    The Messiah will be fully divine, God who came down in the flesh. He is almighty God. The Hebrew phrase used in our text also conveys the idea of a great hero. His power will be so great he will be like a warrior king who is able to save his people. As John Oswalt says, “This king will have God’s true might about him, power so great that it can absorb all the evil which can be hurled at it until none is left to hurl (Isaiah 53:2–10; 59:15–20; 63:1–9; Oswalt, John N).
    Jesus is the Messiah King, almighty God, a hero to his people. He demonstrates his might as the Light of the World, a light so profound that darkness cannot overcome it. Jesus conquers darkness by dismantling the works of Satan. He exercises authority over demons, casting them out of his broken image-bearers. He heals the sick of their infirmities. When he sees our brokenness, his might is accompanied by compassion. At his command, fevers cease, the lame walk, the deaf hear, the blind see, and the disabled are restored. When Jesus has compassion on the hungry, thousands are fed with just five loaves and two fish. When storms rage within us and around us, the winds and seas, along with our fears and anxieties, obey his voice and settle down to be still. When God looked upon our wicked treason against Him and recognized the depth of our evil as sinners, He sent Jesus as His Messiah, our Messiah who was able to absorb all our evil and the wrath it deserves on the cross. Jesus is almighty God, our great hero, whose life, death, and resurrection are powerful to save sinners like you and me.
    Come and see the inconceivable And believe the unbelievable God has come to dwell with us Begotten Son born into Adam’s earth Promised One fulfilling ancient words God has come to dwell with us
    He will heal the unhealable He will save the unsavable God has come to dwell with us Heaven’s joy will drink our bitter cup Emptied out as He is lifted up God has come to dwell with us
    Who could ever know the depths Of the myst’ry of Your grace? Though our minds can’t take it in Lord, our hearts are filled with praise
    Lord, we’re lost in overwhelming awe At the thought of such amazing love God has come, God has come God has come to dwell with us (Steve and Vicki Cook, The Unbelievable, 2014 CCLI: #7031879)

    He is the Everlasting Father

    Many kings try to show a fatherly touch in their leadership, but unfortunately, many struggle to do so effectively. Even the kindest kings can only provide limited paternal care because, after all, they are only human. They might rule for many years, but eventually, they all must confront the reality of death. This is where the Messiah King stands out.
    Isaiah describes him as the everlasting father. The word everlasting means eternal. Once again, this speaks to the supernatural divine nature of the Messiah. He will be eternal. His kingdom and rule will be eternal. Isaiah says,
    Isaiah 9:7 CSB
    7 The dominion will be vast, and its prosperity will never end. He will reign on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish and sustain it with justice and righteousness from now on and forever. The zeal of the Lord of Armies will accomplish this.
    He will lead and rule like the loving guidance of a good father. What will that look like?
    Jesus beautifully illustrates His Fatherly care by reflecting on His own father. He highlights how God the Father is a wonderful provider (Matthew 6:25-32) and a loving protector of His flock—none of His sheep will be lost! (Matthew 18:12-14). Moreover, God the Father is an amazing peacemaker, generously giving His Son to bring forgiveness for our sins (Luke 23:34). The Father is an excellent Father who freely gives his adopted children a full eternal inheritance (Romans 8:15-17).
    Andrew Davis recognizes that ascribing fatherhood to Jesus is unusual, given that we usually reserve it for God the Father; but Jesus does play a fatherly role toward his disciples, for he often used “son” or “daughter” when addressing others affectionately. For example, when Jesus healed the paralytic, Matthew records Matt 9:2,
    Matthew 9:2 ESV
    2 And behold, some people brought to him a paralytic, lying on a bed. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Take heart, my son; your sins are forgiven.”
    When he healed the woman who touched his garment,
    Mark 5:34 ESV
    34 And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.”
    Furthermore, notice how all the excellencies of the goodness of the Father cannot be without the Son. Jesus provides for our needs, protects our salvation, grants us peaces through the forgiveness of sins, and seals our inheritance for all eternity.

    He is the Prince of peace (Isaiah 9:6)

    The Messiah King’s final title might be His most prominent one. He is the Prince of Peace. The Messiah King’s rule will bring everlasting peace to the world. He will rule the world, not with brute force, but with truth, kindness, and wisdom. The Messiah King will reconcile God to man, and man to his brother. Darkness will be conquered entirely by his light. Evil will be erased. Justice will prevail over all creation. The Messiah King will bring a peace that surpasses all understanding.
    Through this Messiah, God will bring reconciliation between Himself and man that will then make possible reconciliation between man and man. His righteousness, Isaiah says, will be the means that brings peace.
    Isaiah 32:17 ESV
    17 And the effect of righteousness will be peace, and the result of righteousness, quietness and trust forever.
    The fruit of his righteous peace will be healing for us.
    Isaiah 53:5 ESV
    5 But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.
    Isaiah 57:18–19 ESV
    18 I have seen his ways, but I will heal him; I will lead him and restore comfort to him and his mourners, 19 creating the fruit of the lips. Peace, peace, to the far and to the near,” says the Lord, “and I will heal him.
    Isaiah 66:12 ESV
    12 For thus says the Lord: “Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river, and the glory of the nations like an overflowing stream; and you shall nurse, you shall be carried upon her hip, and bounced upon her knees.
    Jesus is the righteous Messiah. He is the Prince of peace. When the angels announced his birth from the heavens, the cried out,
    Luke 2:14 ESV
    14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”
    Jesus told his disciples that he must be crucified so they could experience true everlasting peace through his power to overcome the world,
    John 16:33 ESV
    33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
    Jesus’ righteous sacrifice was accepted by the Father and He arose from the dead, conquering sin and death for eternity. The consequence of his righteous sacrifice is peace on earth.
    When Jesus encourages his disciples to not be troubled, he promises that He will send his Spirit so they could know and experience a peace that the world cannot offer them.
    John 14:26–27 ESV
    26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.
    Jesus sent his Spirit to his followers after he rose from the grave and ascended into heaven. Jesus fulfilled this promise at Pentecost and now every believer is baptized with His Spirit upon their conversion.
    Paul describes the effective power of the peace of Christ to guard your heart in his letter to the Philippian church.
    Philippians 4:7 ESV
    7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
    Jesus is was God incarnate. Jesus is the Son of God, the Messiah King. Jesus is the Wonderful Counselor. Jesus is the Mighty God. Jesus is the everlasting Father. Jesus is the Prince of Peace. Jesus is the promised Messiah King whom Isaiah spoke of, and whose Kingdom will have no end.

    His kingdom will have no end (Isaiah 9:7)

    Isaiah 9:7 ESV
    7 Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.
    Andrew Davis helps me sum this point up well. Paraphrasing from his commentary, I want you to imagine the beauty of his perfect kingdom. Verse 7 paints such a magnificent picture! The CSB beautifully puts it: “The dominion will be vast, and its prosperity will never end.” That’s a lovely translation, but the more well-known KJV really brings it to life: “Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end” (emphasis added). So, what does this “increase” of Christ’s government really mean? How can it be that it will never end? The Hebrew word translated as “increase” (or “vast”) suggests a sense of ever-growing abundance (7:22), a remarkable multiplication (Gen 1:28). This means that an endless flow of prosperity will characterize Christ’s kingdom! You might wonder how that works in heaven, especially since there won’t be babies born or procreation any longer (Matt 22:30). I believe that in heaven, Christ’s subjects will be morally perfect and will retain all they have learned; but they’ll still be learning, always growing in their appreciation of the greatness of Christ’s person and achievements. Our love for him and our enthusiastic, knowledgeable worship will keep on expanding!
    He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, fulfilling the beautiful promises made to David (2 Sam 7:13, 16). God assured David that a son from his own lineage would sit on a throne established forever. Jesus beautifully fulfills that promise by reigning as the Son of David (Matt 1:1) eternally. And can you imagine? David himself will be on his face before his infinitely greater Son, worshiping him together with all the redeemed forever. Jesus will “establish and sustain it with justice and righteousness.” His kingdom will reflect his own perfect character, as described in Hebrews 1:8–9: “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, and the scepter of your kingdom is a scepter of justice. You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness." Essentially, a perfectly righteous King who cherishes righteousness and despises wickedness will ensure that those very qualities will define his kingdom forever, protecting the poor and needy rather than exploiting them.
    This wonderful kingdom was established the moment Christ came to earth, and it will never end. So, what reassures us that these incredible things will absolutely happen? “The zeal of the Lord of Armies will accomplish this.” God’s passionate commitment to the glory of his Son guarantees that it will all unfold forever, and no power in heaven, earth, or anywhere below can ever stop it.
    The war will be over, forever. John says of the resurrected Jesus, Rev 11:15
    Revelation 11:15 ESV
    15 Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever.”
    And of Jesus’ eternal Kingdom, John says,
    Revelation 22:3–5 ESV
    3 No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him. 4 They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. 5 And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.
    The war is over, if you want it. To know the peace the John Lennon longed for, even sung of in his Christmas song, can only be experienced in Jesus Christ. He came on Christmas morning as a gift to humanity. He died on and rose from teh grave on easter. He ascended into heaven and poured out his Spirit with a promise to come once again. The war is over. His life, death, resurrection, and ascension sealed the victory. The war is over, if you want it. But you must repent sin, beleive he is the Lord, and accept his gift of salvation.

      • Isaiah 9:6–7ESV

      • Exodus 3:20ESV

      • Isaiah 11:2ESV

      • John 16:7–13ESV

      • Acts 1:8ESV

      • 1 Corinthians 2:14–16ESV

      • Isaiah 9:6ESV

      • Isaiah 10:21ESV

      • Deuteronomy 10:17ESV

      • Jeremiah 32:18ESV

      • Isaiah 9:7ESV

      • Matthew 9:2ESV

      • Mark 5:34ESV

      • Isaiah 32:17ESV

      • Isaiah 53:5ESV

      • Isaiah 57:18–19ESV

      • Isaiah 66:12ESV

      • Luke 2:14ESV

      • John 16:33ESV

      • John 14:26–27ESV

      • Philippians 4:7ESV

      • Isaiah 9:7ESV

      • Revelation 22:3–5ESV

      • Philippians 2:5–11ESV

  • What Child Is This (Greensleeves)
First Baptist Church Litchfield
pastorjason.fbcl@gmail.com
217-324-4232
http://www.firstbaptistlitchfield.org/
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