To us a Child is born:

Isaiah 9 v 1 - 7.

Isaiah 9: 1 – 7• Nevertheless, there will be no more

gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honour Galilee of the nations, by the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan—2 The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.

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

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

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

• 6 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.

• 7 Of the greatness 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.

The Context.• Israel’s history went in cycles• Assyrians in the position of dominance. • One commentator says: “Choosing

their own way rather than Gods way, trusting in human glory rather than in God, the nation has plunged itself into darkness”.

• A glimpse of light for this nation • How is God going to turn this situation

round…• its through the birth of a child • (John Oswalt) says “Clearly the person

being referred to here is the promised Messiah, who will reign over God’s people with a kind of justice and righteousness that no mere human descendant of David ever achieved”.

• Astonishing promises!

• In this passage we are looking forward to the birth of a child who was born to serve and destined to die in order that we might be saved.

• Four names assigned to Jesus prophetically 700 years before He was born,

• Wonderful Counsellor.• Mighty God.• Everlasting Father.• Prince of Peace.

Wonderful Counsellor.

• Every one of us in this room today will have sought the counsel of friends or relatives over the course of this last year.

• As the Wonderful Counsellor Jesus is in a league of His own.

• He is exceptional in His counsel.• He will always counsel you rightly.

• He understands – Hebrews 4: 15 tells us: “We do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are - yet was without sin.”

• He really cares. – “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” (1 Pet. 5:7)

• Seek His counsel as one who is hungry and thirsty

Mighty God.• Jesus came to earth as fully God and fully

man.• He reigned with God the Father and the

Holy Spirit. • “Mighty Warrior.”• “The word became flesh and dwelt among

us”. • Will you bow down in your life to this

mighty God?• Will you determine yourself to honour Jesus

this Christmas and the coming year?

Everlasting Father.• We seem to live in a very transient

world.• We have no idea of the psychological

scarring this will leave on millions of children’s lives

• We can call God our Everlasting Father.• Here is a perfect and loving heavenly

Father who has made a promise to you.

• What is that promise? That He will be your Father for all eternity, that He will love you unconditionally; that He will always be there for you; and will never reject you.

• If you have hurts in your life from your past, then I point you to Jesus.

• “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever”. Hebrews 13: 8

• Jesus will NEVER let you down;• He will NEVER leave or forsake you.

Prince of Peace.• People try many different things to bring peace into their lives. • Earning lots of money • Studying very hard.• Doing lots of good work • or even seek after mystical experiences.• They will never find true peace in those

things.

• The Prince of Peace, Jesus

reconciles us to God the Father.

• Do you know Jesus as the

Prince of Peace in your life?

Conclusion.• Reflect on what you have been

doing with your life, your gifts, and your resources over the past year

• Do you feel you need to review and change things?

• What you do with your life now is of eternal significance!

6For to us a child is born,to us a son is given,and the government will be on his shoulders.And he will be calledWonderful Counsellor, Mighty God,Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

7 Of the increase of his government and peace

there will be no end.He will reign on David’s throneand over his kingdom,establishing and upholding itwith justice and righteousnessfrom that time on and for ever.The zeal of the Lord Almightywill accomplish this. verses 6 & 7