Wonderful Counselor
What Child Is This • Sermon • Submitted
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Series Intro
Series Intro
We began our Advent series last week by looking at the topic of “Christmas fatigue.” For those of you who could not be with us last week, let me get you up to speed. Christmas Fatigue is a phrase that, though it can’t be found in the dictionary, the phrase has been expressed countless times on the internet and has been defined by working use. It is the exhaustion that can be found by some in the Christmas season, due to the celebration’s time span. With this fatigue often comes feelings of exhaustion, disappointment and discouragement as those yearly expectations are not met or once met, are so fleeting.
On account of this fatigue, each Sunday in December taking a deeper look at the Christ-child, upon which the season is centered. Specifically, we are looking at how each role prophesied of Jesus by Isaiah, roles that Jesus fulfills even now, and we are going to see how each are gifts to us from God. Roles of Jesus that, if focused upon, show us that we are already so blessed by the Father through Jesus the Son and whatever we receive/experience this holiday season only adds to the blessings that can be found in Jesus.
It’s for this reason and more, the phrase “Christmas fatigue” has been created. though it can’t be found in the dictionary, the phrase has been expressed countless times on the internet and has been defined by working use. Christmas fatigue is the exhaustion found by some in the winter holiday season, due to the celebration’s time span. And as this fatigue seems to be growing each year, with it grow the feelings of exhaustion, disappointment and discouragement as those yearly expectations are not met or once met, are so fleeting.
Pray
and how a Christ-centered focus on Christmas is the solution
Intro
Intro
Parents/grandparents, friends, counselors, mentors, pastors, these are all people who, at one time or another, you have sought advice from. Whether it was in regards to a dating relationship, a school choice or what goes best with the jeans your wearing, we have seek advice form others. We do so because we know we don’t have all the answers, we know that an outside perspective or opinion if often helpful in making a decision. We do this because we know how important life’s decisions are, often too important to make on my own.
Robert Frost writes his famous poem Two Roads and talks about how that decision makes all the difference in our lives. We know the consequences of the decisions we make, just how important they are.That means from whom we seek counsel is of upmost importance. Following wrong advice from the wrong person can be horrible.
we see a problem ahead of us and don’t know where to turn. Robert Frost writes his famous poem Two Roads and talks about how that decision makes all the difference in our lives. We know the consequences of the decisions we make, just how important they are.
That means from whom we seek counsel is of upmost importance. Following wrong advice from the wrong person can be horrible.
We seek advice from others because we know we don’t have all the answers, we see a problem ahead of us and don’t know where to turn, which road to take — Two Roads by Robert Frost, that has made all the difference.
We seek advice from others because we know we don’t have all the answers, we see a problem ahead of us and don’t know where to turn, which road to take — Two Roads by Robert Frost
It begs the questions...
[Slide - 2]
Question: Where do you go for advice?
Transition: The Bible speaks a lot about the topic of advice or counsel, especially when God’s people find themselves in search of answers (find themselves in the dark). You see, the Bible never disguises how dark things are, even when God is left out! He describes it very clearly. However, when this gloom happens, again and again, God provides an answer. “He is the God of grace who comes into the darkness and emptiness of the experience of men and women to bring his life and his joy and his peace.” [Slide - 3] Because...
The Bible never disguises how dark things are, even when God is left out! He describes it very clearly. However, when this gloom happens, again and again, God provides an answer. “He is the God of grace who comes into the darkness and emptiness of the experience of men and women to bring his life and his joy and his peace.” God always...
I. God Always Knows The Way
I. God Always Knows The Way
Isaiah found himself serving God in a time of great spiritual darkness and in the midst of a people needing counsel
Then they will look toward the earth and see only distress and darkness and fearful gloom, and they will be thrust into utter darkness.
See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the Lord rises upon you and his glory appears over you.
Isaiah
Then they will look toward the earth and see only distress and darkness and fearful gloom, and they will be thrust into utter darkness.
The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.
“Darkness” occurs 15x’s in this book
The Bible never disguises how dark things are when God is left out!
As we say last week, in the midst of this darkness...
He describes it very clearly. However, when this gloom happens, again and again, God provides an answer. “He is the God of grace who comes into the darkness and emptiness of the experience of men and women to bring his life and his joy and his peace.”
[Slide - 4] God’s Promise to send Jesus
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Wonderful Counselor
Words
“Wonderful” - Today we use the word ‘wonderful’ to mean ‘pleasant, good, remarkable’
Literally means ‘incomprehensible’
Today we use the word ‘wonderful’ to mean ‘pleasant, good, remarkable’
Hebrew word indicates ‘a phenomenon lying outside the realm of human explanation’
Literally means ‘incomprehensible’ [Slide - 5-6]
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.
You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.
For the director of music. Of David. A psalm. You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely. You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain. Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,” even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you. For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. How precious to me are your thoughts, God! How vast is the sum of them! Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand— when I awake, I am still with you. If only you, God, would slay the wicked! Away from me, you who are bloodthirsty! They speak of you with evil intent; your adversaries misuse your name. Do I not hate those who hate you, Lord, and abhor those who are in rebellion against you? I have nothing but hatred for them; I count them my enemies. Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely. You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever. Give thanks to the God of gods. His love endures forever. Give thanks to the Lord of lords: His love endures forever. to him who alone does great wonders, His love endures forever. who by his understanding made the heavens, His love endures forever. who spread out the earth upon the waters, His love endures forever.
You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely. You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.
‘Wonderful’ describes something miraculous
As a child we often used to believe in miracles (Mention Teens - I envy their faith)
We often have a low view of the miraculous, and there-fore a limited sense of wonder. Does your sense of wonder go beyond all human explanation? Or have the successes of science and technology robbed you of your ability to worship a God of miracles? Do you honestly believe that the greatest “miracles” are not come-from-behind victories by our favorite sports team, or the latest in technological wizardry, or the wonder drug that calmed our hay fever? All of those can be explained, but a real wonder is something beyond human explanation.
We would rather believe in coincidence, chance or luck then a miracle b/c a miracle puts God into the equation.
Transition: The prophet Isaiah declared that the coming Christ would be a wonder. This not only describes what He does, it describes who He is. He, Himself, is the wonder!
“Counselor”
Today, a counselor is someone who often gives help (counsel) on how to guide one through a complex or unfamiliar situation
Desired outcome - a framework or process for understanding and navigating the situation
In ancient Israel, a counselor was portrayed as a wise king, such as Solomon, who gave guidance to His people
[Slide - 7] Prophet Micah declared the dilemma of the Jewish captives in Babylon this way,
Now why do you cry aloud? Is there no king in you? Has your counselor perished, that pain seized you like a woman in labor?
“Now, why do you cry aloud? Is there no king in your midst? Has your counselor perished?”
Jesus describes as “Christ, the King” () our counselor
Our Wisdom
This counselor would come to direct the steps of His children as they walk in His light, to heal their wounds, etc.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
Desired outcome - a framework or process for understanding and navigating the situation
Transition: Long before the Child was born and the Son was given, Isaiah fore-told that God was planning to send a Counselor to a brokenhearted. To a people who have arrogantly turned away from following their God, who wanted to rule their own lives without him. And, as we say last week that God sent Jesus, for just as God Knows The Way [Slide - 8]...
We have knowledge, personal experience,
Bible teaches there is:
Wisdom from
II. Jesus Is The Way
II. Jesus Is The Way
What is the evidence that Jesus is this Light, this Wonderful Counselor? Jesus demonstrated His Wonderfulness on earth by:
Jesus demonstrated His Wonderfulness (how we was incomprehensible in His ways) on earth by
Wonderful In His Incredible Life
Virgin Birth
Virgin Birth
Lowly maiden, not a king
Matthew 1:20-
“The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).
But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).
Small town, not capital city
In a stable, not a palace
[Slide - 9] Power to heal
Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people.
Perfect life
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.
No deep darkness within Him
[Slide - 10] Resurrection from the dead
“Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him.
Wonderful In His Teaching
[Slide - 11] As a child of 12, Jesus astounded Jewish rabbis with His wisdom
After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers.
Jesus didn’t need “guidance from others”
But Jesus would not entrust himself to them, for he knew all people. He did not need human testimony about them, for he knew what was in them.
and needed no one to bear witness about man, for he himself knew what was in man.
Child
[Slide - 12] Public life people were amazed with His teaching/miracles
Coming to his hometown, he began teaching the people in their synagogue, and they were amazed. “Where did this man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers?” they asked.
What he taught (Sermon on the Mount) *Turn to Matthew 5
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
“Blessed are those who mourn” ()
“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.
“But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,
“Rejoice and be glad” in persecution for Jesus sake ()
“Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you” ()
“Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you” ()
That’s b/c in Christ “are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” ()
Transition: Now, as I say all of this you might be thinking to yourself, well, that is all well and good. When Jesus lived on earth He was the Wonderful (Incomprehensible) Counselor, filled with the wisdom of God but what does this mean for us today? How can Jesus help me with my problems and lead me to a place of security, satisfaction, and enjoyment? [Slide - 13]
III. How can Jesus be my Wonderful Counselor?
III. How can Jesus be my Wonderful Counselor?
You can learn His ways as we seek His counselor through His Word and Prayer (; )
Read - Get an APP
Talk about prayer
You can heed his wisdom that there is safety in a multitude of godly counselors ()
Marrying Rachel
[Slide - 14] Ultimately, it all comes down to - trust
He assures us that b/c of who He is (Savior and Creator), he can help us in ways that go far beyond our ability to understand or beyond our own limitation (incomprehensible).
Jesus can help you in ways that go far beyond your ability to understand or beyond your own limitations
He knows what we are going through, and He always knows the right course of action ().
Jesus knows what you are going through, and He always knows the right course of action ().
.
He has our best interests at heart b/c He loves us and His love is so deep and wide that we cannot understand it ()
He has our best interests at heart b/c He loves us and His love is so deep and wide that we cannot understand it ()
Conclusion
Conclusion
For Israel, Isaiah was saying that, in the midst of their dark times they can look forward to one day, God will send someone who will lead them and guide them again as His people. His counselor will be beyond their comprehension and understanding. He will be someone they can trust.
For you, God is saying that if your future feels uncertain right now, if worry, fear, or discouragement occupies too much space in your heart, in your mind, there is one who offers to give you wisdom and guidance - Jesus. You must simply step out by faith and trust Him. For God never asked you to figure it all out on our own. He just asks you to recognize His leadership and Sovereignty in your life, over your life and trust Him. He wants you to keep trusting that He sees the big picture of life, that He has your best interest at heart b/c He is the God that stays. [Slide - 15]
To trust Him that he has your best interest at heart b/c He loves you and His love is deeper and wider than you can comprehend.
We must only trust Him. We must trust Him to listen to our problems and guide us in the right direction
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
Why God - Austin French