Wonderful Counsellor: How Jesus Establishes a Foundation of Hope
He Shall Be Called • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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· 1 viewIsaiah’s prophecy called for the people to anticipate a person who would come and bring about foundational hope for the world.
Notes
Transcript
Introduction (5m)
Introduction (5m)
As begin Advent together, we can be forgiven for feeling helpless
As begin Advent together, we can be forgiven for feeling helpless
Nation clashing against nation. Peoples pitched against neighbours. Death dealing all around us. We do indeed live in a land of deep darkness. Despair at what we can do.
Into the darkness and the mess come politicians, with their five pledges, or pleading with us to give them a chance because they have all the answers
Into the darkness and the mess come politicians, with their five pledges, or pleading with us to give them a chance because they have all the answers
So many turned against the political class. None of them seem to have the answer.
Wonder if God is aware, and if he can do anything
Wonder if God is aware, and if he can do anything
Explanation (5m)
Explanation (5m)
The people who first heard Isaiah’s prophecy would have understood our plight
The people who first heard Isaiah’s prophecy would have understood our plight
A monarch unfaithful to God. Shortsighted defensive policies.
Ahaz refused God’s instructions.
In northern Kingdom, led to defeat in battle with Assyria, carried off into exile. Jerusalem and southern Kingdom faced same fate.
Into their darkness, Isaiah sounds note of hope
Into their darkness, Isaiah sounds note of hope
God, through coming King would shine light of his own delivering power.
Groping in darkness, sitting in shadow of death, but light appears.
Sin and rebellion are not enough to stop God from keeping his promises.
God’s answer to everything that terrorises them is a child
God’s answer to everything that terrorises them is a child
Doesn’t answer the bully by becoming a bigger bully. Not by becoming more arrogant, more warlike, more oppressive, more coercive.
Answer is Jesus. Tiny, dependent child. Vulnerable, transparent, humble.
But that child is our Wonderful Counsellor
But that child is our Wonderful Counsellor
Wonderful - pele’
Wonderful - pele’
Almost exclusively used for things only God can do. Beyond human capability.
Jesus is indeed “wonderful”. Born of a virgin. Power to heal. Amazing teaching. Perfect life. Resurrection from the dead.
Counsellor
Counsellor
When linked with word Wonderful, denotes this child would instruct with wisdom that only comes from God.
Jesus: God blesses those who mourn. God blesses us when people mock us, and persecute us. Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you.
In him lie hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
Application (5m)
Application (5m)
As commence Advent 2023, we acknowledge the world once again needs this kind of Wonderful Counsellor
As commence Advent 2023, we acknowledge the world once again needs this kind of Wonderful Counsellor
We can take the opportunity of this time of waiting and expectancy of the coming Christ child to ensure we are again captivated by his charm, insight, comfort, and counsel
We can take the opportunity of this time of waiting and expectancy of the coming Christ child to ensure we are again captivated by his charm, insight, comfort, and counsel
Creator and Saviour, fulfilment of all the OT & NT teach, counsel found in Word of God.
Wonderful Counsellor helps us with our problems, provides us with security, satisfaction, enjoyment. Helps us far beyond our ability to understand, our own limitations.
Then, instead of wringing our hands, and feeling helpless, let’s pray with expectant hope that this Child will come once again this Christmas and people will turn to his wisdom
Then, instead of wringing our hands, and feeling helpless, let’s pray with expectant hope that this Child will come once again this Christmas and people will turn to his wisdom
Pray the warmongers, the terrorists, world leaders, the political class, the economists and so on will soon be blinking in the light of our Wonderful Counsellor.
We may feel as if the world has no light, no hope. But a Light will shine out of the darkness. And he will be our Wonderful Counsellor.
Next Steps
Next Steps
Advent Ribbon Reflection
Advent Ribbon Reflection
Length of purple ribbon each, long enough to be tied around wrist
Wear it, whenever tempted to feel hopeless and helpless - watching news, stressed and burned out, worried about yourself or someone you love, look at ribbon and remind yourself to slow down and prepare for the coming of our Wonderful Counsellor with expectant hope.
Prayer: Lord, during advent help us to slow down to your rhythm, to prepare for the anniversary of your arrival quietly and expectantly. Give us a sense of hope for our lives and our world, a sense of peace that you hold each of us in your hands, a sense of just how much you love us and a sense of joy at the plans you have for us.
Using this purple ribbon as a reminder, help us to make a special effort to reflect your hope, peace, love and joy to those around us throughout advent. Amen.