Sermon Tone Analysis

INTRO

Grab a Bible and turn to Isaiah 9...

When you think of the holiday season do you think of peace or strife?

What is one thing that really stresses you or your family out during the holiday season?

The we first got married, trips from KY / juggling in-laws

Traveling in holiday rush / infants and toddlers

Time off from work and school / midterms / finals

Entertaining for the season / decoration / programs

Family / friends

anxiety of shopping / anxiety over debt

New years resolutions

Man the holidays sound peaceful don’t they!

These things are just heightened during the holiday season but really peace is something we long for all the time!!

What then does peace look like to you?

Show and discuss images of “peace”…

The state of our world - lacks peace

The state of our relationships - lack peace

Thought history the idea of peace has taken on various images but the idea of peace is generally the same throughout history.

Peace is often simply seen as the absence of war.

Is that all that peace is?

Is that all that Jesus meant when he said he would give us peace?

If so did He fail?

If not what did He mean?

Listen to these two statements found in scripture and tell me what is wrong with them…

Jesus says...

Paul says...

SO WHICH IS IT!!??

This is an important question for us I think, don’t you?

PRAY

Heavenly Father we thank you for our LORD Christ Jesus who rightfully holds these titles we just read about, and we worship you for your greatness!

God you have told us that we ought to pursue peace but so often we do not.

We humbly come before you and ask you to forgive us and change our hearts this very day that we would become peacemakers in this world.

Father cleans us from our sin and unrighteousness, give us ears to hear, eyes to see, and soft hearts so as to apply your Holy word in us today.

Bring us a fuller understanding of the peace you offer us.

God, thank you for your timeless word and your faithful servants such as Isaiah whom you spoke through to us this very day.

AMEN.

READ

SERMON BODY

Child Born & Son Given

Genesis 3:15 (NIV) — 15 And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.”

The Promise Given!

The Countdown Began...

Isaiah 7:14 (ESV) — 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.

Isaiah 11:1–2 (HCSB) — 1 Then a shoot will grow from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots will bear fruit. 2 The Spirit of the Lord will rest on Him — a Spirit of wisdom and understanding, a Spirit of counsel and strength, a Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord.

Clarification

Designation

Luke 2:10–14 (ESV) — 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.

11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.”

13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

Celebration - Christmas - Advent Season

John 3:16 (ESV) — 16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

Jesus

Child Born

Son Given

Government

Isaiah 22:22 (ESV) — 22 And I will place on his shoulder the key of the house of David.

He shall open, and none shall shut; and he shall shut, and none shall open.

Authority - Kingship

Legal

Biological

Matthew 28:18 (ESV) — 18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.

King of Kings

Already

1 Corinthians 15:25 (ESV) — 25 For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet.

Not Yet

Names x 8 words / 4x names

Wonderful Counselor - wonderful = miraculous [pele] / counselor = advisor, speaking wisdom [used of the HS in NT]

Literally, "wonder of a counselor," and the word wonderful means "marvelous, extraordinary, beyond the normal capacity to perform."

In other words, the counsel of this God-man transcends human wisdom.

He doesn't need or want my counsel or any other's.

Romans 11:34 reminds us that His judgments and ways are unsearchably deep.

"For who has known the mind of the Lord?

Or who has been His counselor?"

Paul asks.

And the question still hangs in the air to this day because He is the supernatural counselor, in a class by Himself.

In any situation, in every challenge, He knows exactly what needs to be done.

His plan of action is infallibly, wonderfully right.

If you're looking for guidance in life, let me introduce you to a wonder of a counselor!

Isaiah 28:29 (ESV) — 29 This also comes from the Lord of hosts; he is wonderful in counsel and excellent in wisdom.

Judges 13:18 (KJV 1900) — 18 And the angel of the Lord said unto him, Why askest thou thus after my name, seeing it is secret?

Wiser then Solomon

Miracles

You have heard it said… I say

Mighty God - mighty = strong in military force, capable of defense or attack

Literally, this title is "the heroic, strong God."

This child is God's Son, the Second Person of the Trinity and possessor of all the power of God.

In a word, He is omnipotent.

If you tie this title to the previous one, it means that this God-become-man possesses the ability to carry out to the full all that His brilliant plans call for.

That's why He is able to say, My plan will take place, and I will do all my will.

(Isa.

46:10) In fact, this King is so powerful that He can absorb all the evil thrown at Him until none is left to throw, and still defeat His enemy!

And in this frustrating world, where I'm prone to grow weak and tired, I need a King who will be awake all night while I recuperate in sleep, a Champion who is strong enough to keep His word, and a Savior who is mighty enough to break the power of sin in my life.

Call Him Wonderful Counselor, the Mighty God.

And…

Psalm 45:3 (KJV 1900) — 3 Gird thy sword upon thy thigh, O most mighty, With thy glory and thy majesty.

Matthew 10:34 (ESV) — 34 “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth.

I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.

Military Leader