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AND HE SHALL BE CALLED Daniel Patz, Lead Pastor Grace Church, Sunday Worship Isaiah 9:2-7 December 13th, 2009
Isaiah 9:2-7 The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shined. (3) You have multiplied the nation; you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as they are glad when they divide the spoil. (4) For the yoke of his burden, and the staff for his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian. (5) For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult and every garment rolled in blood will be burned as fuel for the fire. (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. (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. If you enjoy classical music – this passage will at least be familiar to you because you hear these words in George Handel’s work –Messiah. But hear we have a prophetic word by Isaiah speaking on behalf of God to the faithful remnant of Israel when things were very dark and discouraging in the land. I can help but read this passage and think about the current events in our day. Our president this week accepted the Nobel Peace Prize in Sweden. It was a good speech in which he wrote: We must begin by acknowledging the hard truth that we will not eradicate violent conflict in our lifetimes. There will be times when nations - acting individually or in concert - will find the use of force not only necessary but morally justified. I enjoy reading the news on a regular basis and the dominant subjects that hit the papers across our country are as follows: - The Environment - The Economy – Taxes, National Debt, Unemployment - The Wars – Terrorism - Social Justice - Health Care Reform - Tragedies and Crisis - Immorality – Adultery and Sexuality A good leader is called on to make policies based on knowledge, wisdom, power and authority to impact his nation and sometimes the world for the good. This passage has an answer to all these realities. But this passage promises light and joy because a baby would be born and change everything in His rule. This baby is none other than the one who is mentioned in Luke 1:31-35: Luke 1:31-35 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. (32) He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, (33) and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end." (34) And Mary said to the angel, "How will this be, since I am a virgin?" (35) And the angel answered her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy--the Son of God. OVERVIEW OF THE PASSAGE Verse 2 – The people of God are walking in darkness but now see a great light! Verse 3 – The people are growing and full of joy and rejoicing Verses 4-7 Give us the reasons why:
This last point is the foundation cause of the first two. Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. Matthew 1:23 "Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel" (which means, God with us). It says that the government shall be upon his shoulders – he will be a governing power… And then it says that He shall be called – then four names. This is a prophetic announcement in Isaiah’s time that he and the faithful rejoiced in as they awaited for the Messiah to come. Now He has come and we await his second coming with the future already present. A. WONDERFUL COUNSELOR – Miraculous Counselor - Guidance - Leadership - Wisdom - Answers - Reliability - Trustworthy - Creator-Wisdom - Confidence - Righteous Judge - Fairness - Just - Sympathetic B. MIGHTY GOD – All powerful God who is a warrior - Powerful - Enemy defeater - Security - Victorious - Safety - Overcoming sin and Satan - Sovereign - Capable - Staggering His enemies C. EVERLASTING FATHER – Not the first person of the deity – Father like King - Caring - Responsible - Preserving - Nurturing - Loving - Leading - Providing - Disciplining for good - Faithful - Compassionate - Merciful - Personal and Warm D. PRINCE OF PEACE - Enemy reconciling - Saving - Restoring - Giving Rest - Ending warfare and strife - Harmony John 14:27 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. John 16:33 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." John 20:19-21 On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, "Peace be with you." (20) When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. (21) Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you." John 20:26 Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you."
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