Sermon Tone Analysis

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He Is The Mighty God

Isaiah 9:2-6

 

               

                It was a long time after last Christmas before Jonie would talk to me.

You see, I asked her what she wanted for Christmas, and she said, “Oh, just surprise me.”

So, at three o’clock Christmas morning, I woke up and leaned over and went, “BOO!”

This is the second week of Advent and last week we talked about the four gifts God gave us that first Christmas, or at least we looked at the first one, Wonderful Counselor, this week we are going to look at the second of *those gifts, Mighty* God, so let’s go back to Isaiah 9 and we’re going to look at verses 2-6 again and then focus on verse 6. 

*The people walking** in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death **a light has dawned.

**You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as men rejoice when dividing the plunder.

**For as in the day of Midian’s defeat, you have shattered the yoke that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor.

**Every warrior’s boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood will be destined for burning, will be fuel for the fire.

**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.*

(Is 9:2-6)

               

Look at that again, *And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.*

Today I want us to focus on the second of those names: *Wonderful Counselor*.

Who is your all-time hero?

Who is it that you look up to because of their character or accomplishments?

Some may immediately think of a family member; *how about a political leader; *a super- hero; sports figure; military leader; or an entertainer.

Whoever it may be for you, have you ever thought about the fact *that Jesus wants to* be your ultimate hero?

Jesus is your Might God.

The Hebrew meaning of this concept is that God is a conqueror.

The term is used at least 156 times in the Old Testament alone.

I*t is usually* associated with a warrior who is such a strong victor that he becomes a legend – known as a national hero.

So, *God is a hero* for each and every one of us in the birth of Jesus the Christ.

Think about how a hero is typically made and gain a deeper appreciation for Jesus being *our Mighty, Conquering God*.

One way that a hero is typically made is by exposure positive press.

*Exposure~/Positive Press Makes Some a Hero**.*

* *Jesus did not get* much “exposure” or positive press.

* *No one important* announced His entrance into human flesh.

* This Child born to us, the Son of God, had so little notoriety on this earth that *He entered life* in a borrowed bassinet and left *it in a borrowed* tomb.

* Jesus *does not fit* in the first century’s version, nor the 21st century's version, of a hero.

Yet we’re told by Isaiah that He is the Mighty God!

 

!! Accomplishments

* Could the *popular opinion of Jesus’* day say “this great King of the Jews would never amount to anything significant"?

* Some King!

His *arrival announced by lowly shepherds*; entering the household of a carpenter; enjoying only three visitors from the east instead of all the world’s ambassadors - all this flies in the face of what humanity says a king should be.

* Some King! *Allowing Himself to be ridiculed* by common men; remaining silent as a lamb led out to be slaughtered - this challenges what humanity says a mighty hero should be!

 

 

!! Fanfare

* All big and popular heroes *have a “posse”* – a fanfare following.

* *No one really knew* who Jesus was while He walked on this earth.

* *The only parades* given in Jesus’ honor (if you can call them both that) happened when *He returned to Jerusalem* to be crucified and through the streets of Jerusalem *as he carried his cross* to Golgotha.

* Jesus never enjoyed the fanfare a hero of His magnitude should have been honored with.

So, is Jesus – *the Son of God* given to us this Christmas – a hero after all?

Absolutely!

He is a hero because He has conquered everything, including sin and death.

He is the most unique hero of the universe because He came to serve, not to be served.

No one else can do in your life what the Mighty God can do.

He should be our greatest hero.

While the crowds never properly acknowledged Him during his time on earth, He wants to acknowledge you before His Father in heaven.

The Mighty God – Jesus Himself – wants to help you accomplish “all things” by being your source of strength.

Jesus is your biggest fan.

He believes in you so much.

He came… He lived… He sacrificed… He conquered… He rose from the dead.

Now He sits at the Father’s right hand in heaven.

*And he will** be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.*

Just think – the gift of the Servant Jesus the Mighty God is given to you!

He will never break.

He will never wear out.

He will never go out of style.