ECHOaustin

One of the best summaries of the Christmas message is found in Isaiah 9:1-7

Let me give you the context of this passage:

These words are written by the Prophet Isaiah around 700 AD.

22 Years before Isaiah wrote this God had judged Israel for their profound rebellion.

The Northern Kingdom of Israel had been destroyed by Assyria & there had been very little news to bring encouragement.  But in the midst of their hopelessness & despair, a prophecy of hope comes.  The revelation that one day a Messiah would come & change everything.  And in the words of Isaiah that Messiah name would be

“Wonderful Counselor,

Mighty God,

Everlasting Father,

Prince of Peace.”

Notice Five Descriptions Given Here — 

            A. He Will Be Called Wonderful

                        — Wonderful = “Exceptional, Distinguished, Extraordinary, Remarkable”

                        — Wonderful = “Above All Expectation”, “Beyond Description”

                        — He is the Living Water That Satisfies All Our Thirst

                        — He is the Bread Of Life That Nourishes Our Hunger

                        — He is the Burden Bearer Who Carries All Our Fears

                        — He is the Bright & Morning Star

                        — He is the Fairest of Ten Thousand to Our Souls

                        — He is Our Strength in Weakness, Help in Sorrow, Our Guide & Keeper

                        — He is Our Great Savior, and Lover of Our Souls

                        — Because He is So Wonderful, We Should Delight Ourselves in Him

            B. He Will Be Called Counselor

                        — All His Words Are True & Good

                        — All That He Shares is For Our Good

                        — His Words are Life and Light

                        — Though All Others Fail Us, He Can Be Trusted

            C. He Will Be Called Mighty God

                        — He is God the Son, Co-equal, Co-eternal, Co-existent with the Father

                        — Even As a Man, He Remained Almighty God

                        — Micah 5:2  “But from you Bethlehem will come for me one who will be                          ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.”

            D. He Will Be Called Everlasting Father

                        — This is a Description of His Relationship to Mankind, Not to the Trinity

                        — In Relationship to Time, Jesus is Eternal

                        — In Relationship to His Church, He is Like a Father

                        — He Leads Us, Loves Us, Nurtures Us Like a Father

            E. He Will Be Called Prince of Peace

                        — Jesus Christ Brings Peace On @ Least Three Fronts —

                        1. Peace Among Mankind  (He is Our Peace & Broke Down the Wall)

                        2. Peace Within Mankind (Jn 14:27 - “My Peace I Leave w/ You”)

                        3. Peace Between God and Man (Romans 5:1)

Thank you Lord for the provision of Your Son who truly is Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father & Prince of Peace. 

         - Taken from Rob Harrell Christmas Message at First Evangelical Free Church