WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.899 Welcome to Ontario Community Church, 00:00:02.899 --> 00:00:04.799 where we're dedicated to encouraging, 00:00:04.799 --> 00:00:07.879 equipping, and engaging lives for Christ. 00:00:07.879 --> 00:00:10.000 Located in Ontario, Oregon, 00:00:10.000 --> 00:00:11.720 Pastor Patrick Daly preaches 00:00:11.720 --> 00:00:13.800 insightful sermons from the Word of God, 00:00:13.800 --> 00:00:16.760 offering practical applications for modern living. 00:00:16.760 --> 00:00:19.920 We're delighted to share this sermon with you. 00:00:19.920 --> 00:00:23.519 All right. Well, good morning, everyone. 00:00:23.519 --> 00:00:26.240 How are we doing this morning? 00:00:26.240 --> 00:00:29.960 It's great. That's good to hear you guys keeping warm. 00:00:29.960 --> 00:00:32.200 How about that snow? 00:00:32.200 --> 00:00:34.160 It just came by. That was really, 00:00:34.160 --> 00:00:35.759 that was a lot of fun. 00:00:35.759 --> 00:00:37.000 So I got to tell you, 00:00:37.000 --> 00:00:40.320 this has been the first snowstorm 00:00:40.320 --> 00:00:43.760 where all of my kids were experiencing it. 00:00:43.760 --> 00:00:47.000 Aaron had, my firstborn has seen 00:00:47.000 --> 00:00:48.600 snow before and experienced it, 00:00:48.600 --> 00:00:50.280 but the rest of the kids though, 00:00:50.280 --> 00:00:53.799 this was their first snowstorm where they went out to play. 00:00:53.799 --> 00:00:55.600 The girls were a little hesitant. 00:00:55.600 --> 00:00:56.799 I'm not going to lie. 00:00:56.799 --> 00:00:59.400 But the boys went out and they were in 00:00:59.399 --> 00:01:01.519 their little, they were all bundled up 00:01:01.519 --> 00:01:03.239 and they were going out to play. 00:01:03.239 --> 00:01:07.439 And it was just really cool to just see that and experience it. 00:01:07.439 --> 00:01:09.840 Even though the girlies just kind of 00:01:09.840 --> 00:01:11.879 wish they were playing a little bit more with that, 00:01:11.879 --> 00:01:15.200 but it's a lot of fun when we're thinking about 00:01:15.200 --> 00:01:17.239 the changes of the weather, 00:01:17.239 --> 00:01:18.799 the changes of season. 00:01:18.799 --> 00:01:21.000 We are now in the Advent season, 00:01:21.000 --> 00:01:22.159 which is just really great. 00:01:22.159 --> 00:01:25.120 It's a great time for us to prepare for 00:01:25.120 --> 00:01:27.039 Jesus Christ coming in, 00:01:27.040 --> 00:01:30.720 being born in Bethlehem, being born in the manger. 00:01:30.720 --> 00:01:35.120 So it's just a wonderful time of preparation. 00:01:39.840 --> 00:01:42.080 Today we're going to continue and go ahead 00:01:42.080 --> 00:01:44.880 with our series, Journey to the Manger, 00:01:44.880 --> 00:01:48.640 Prophets, Promises and the Prince of Peace. 00:01:48.640 --> 00:01:51.680 And in your notes here, you'll see there are, 00:01:51.680 --> 00:01:52.880 there are going to be some verses. 00:01:52.880 --> 00:01:56.760 Our main focus is going to be on Zaea chapter nine, 00:01:56.760 --> 00:02:00.680 verse six and Romans chapter 15, 00:02:00.680 --> 00:02:02.760 verses 12 through 13. 00:02:02.760 --> 00:02:05.040 And that's all found in your notes. 00:02:05.040 --> 00:02:08.000 Before we get in our time and reading the word 00:02:08.000 --> 00:02:09.599 and going in our message, 00:02:09.599 --> 00:02:11.800 I'd like for us to open in a word of prayer. 00:02:11.800 --> 00:02:13.400 Will you pray with me? 00:02:13.400 --> 00:02:14.439 Let's pray together. 00:02:15.400 --> 00:02:18.680 And Heavenly Father, we come before you today 00:02:18.680 --> 00:02:23.200 as we are in our current situation and circumstance. 00:02:23.200 --> 00:02:26.360 Father, we are reminded today that you are the God 00:02:26.360 --> 00:02:27.200 of hope. 00:02:28.200 --> 00:02:30.200 You love us so much and you, 00:02:30.200 --> 00:02:33.040 there is salvation that exists in you. 00:02:33.040 --> 00:02:37.760 There is hope that exists in your son, Jesus Christ. 00:02:37.760 --> 00:02:42.760 You have given us your son, who is the Prince of Peace, 00:02:42.880 --> 00:02:45.680 who comes from the root of Jesse, 00:02:45.680 --> 00:02:48.960 who is from the Davidic line. 00:02:48.960 --> 00:02:53.800 It is in your son that we have hope in salvation. 00:02:53.800 --> 00:02:55.640 We must believe in him. 00:02:55.639 --> 00:02:59.519 And it is in this season where we are preparing the way 00:02:59.519 --> 00:03:01.679 for the coming of your son. 00:03:01.679 --> 00:03:06.599 We also know that we will be filled with hope. 00:03:06.599 --> 00:03:11.039 And oh Father, do we need hope in this world that we live in 00:03:11.039 --> 00:03:13.839 with so much discouragement, 00:03:13.839 --> 00:03:18.839 with the media that says things that seem hopeless, 00:03:19.319 --> 00:03:21.319 there is new life in you. 00:03:21.319 --> 00:03:23.560 There is hope in you. 00:03:23.560 --> 00:03:27.439 May we experience that hope through your son. 00:03:27.439 --> 00:03:30.759 We ask God that you are with us this morning, 00:03:30.759 --> 00:03:32.920 as we open the word of God. 00:03:32.920 --> 00:03:35.680 May we look at the context and the connections 00:03:35.680 --> 00:03:39.560 with these verses, but most importantly, 00:03:39.560 --> 00:03:43.280 we allow for you to work in and through each 00:03:43.280 --> 00:03:45.480 and every one of us this morning. 00:03:45.480 --> 00:03:48.360 We say all of these things in the name 00:03:48.360 --> 00:03:51.319 that is above all names, Jesus Christ. 00:03:51.319 --> 00:03:53.039 And we all say together, amen. 00:03:53.039 --> 00:03:54.000 Amen. 00:03:54.000 --> 00:03:55.759 So let's turn our Bibles. 00:03:55.759 --> 00:03:59.719 We're gonna start off with Isaiah chapter nine verse six. 00:03:59.719 --> 00:04:01.879 We're gonna put that on the screen here. 00:04:01.879 --> 00:04:25.199 It's gonna be on page 680. 00:04:25.199 --> 00:04:28.959 Page 680 in your ESP Pew Bible, 00:04:28.959 --> 00:04:31.480 or Isaiah chapter nine verse six. 00:04:31.480 --> 00:04:32.600 Are we all there? 00:04:33.960 --> 00:04:35.800 All right, let's read it together. 00:04:36.759 --> 00:04:41.759 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, 00:04:43.200 --> 00:04:46.879 and the government shall be upon his shoulder, 00:04:46.879 --> 00:04:51.040 and his name shall be called wonderful counselor, 00:04:51.040 --> 00:04:56.040 mighty God, everlasting father, prince of peace. 00:04:57.200 --> 00:04:59.600 We start off this passage in Isaiah 00:04:59.600 --> 00:05:03.439 that is using very descriptive language. 00:05:03.439 --> 00:05:08.439 It is poetic, it is prophecy of the coming of Jesus Christ. 00:05:08.520 --> 00:05:13.439 These are names, these are descriptions of who Jesus is. 00:05:13.439 --> 00:05:15.120 You know, one of the beautiful things 00:05:15.120 --> 00:05:18.600 about the word of God is seeing the context 00:05:18.600 --> 00:05:22.120 and also seeing the connections that is found in scripture. 00:05:24.000 --> 00:05:27.320 For Jesus Christ to come into this world 00:05:27.319 --> 00:05:31.399 was divine intervention from God the Father. 00:05:31.399 --> 00:05:33.399 It was God's timing. 00:05:33.399 --> 00:05:35.800 And you know what's so great about our God 00:05:35.800 --> 00:05:39.600 is that he fulfills all of his promises 00:05:39.600 --> 00:05:42.159 and all of his prophecies. 00:05:42.159 --> 00:05:44.680 And just like how we spoke last week, 00:05:44.680 --> 00:05:49.319 Christ is the yes to all of the promises 00:05:49.319 --> 00:05:53.480 and the prophecies that were told by the Lord. 00:05:53.480 --> 00:05:56.240 Christ is the fulfillment. 00:05:56.240 --> 00:05:57.960 And in your notes, you'll see in here 00:05:57.960 --> 00:06:00.480 that Isaiah chapter nine verse six 00:06:00.480 --> 00:06:03.519 is broken down into different sections. 00:06:03.519 --> 00:06:08.480 Now, we're not gonna go into every single verse in here, 00:06:08.480 --> 00:06:10.120 but what I found very interesting 00:06:10.120 --> 00:06:14.840 is how this verse is connected to other verses 00:06:14.840 --> 00:06:18.040 in the old and in the New Testament. 00:06:18.040 --> 00:06:19.439 And that's what's so great about it 00:06:19.439 --> 00:06:21.560 is that there are connections. 00:06:21.560 --> 00:06:23.240 I'm sure some of you have seen, 00:06:23.240 --> 00:06:26.560 there's a famous picture where it's showing 00:06:26.560 --> 00:06:29.319 the word of God kind of as a line. 00:06:29.319 --> 00:06:31.840 And there's all of these connections within each other. 00:06:31.840 --> 00:06:35.360 And it makes, well, it just shows kind of these, 00:06:36.240 --> 00:06:38.120 it's almost like it's creating a rainbow, 00:06:38.120 --> 00:06:39.759 but it's showing all of the hundreds 00:06:39.759 --> 00:06:42.480 or thousands of connections with each other. 00:06:42.480 --> 00:06:45.040 And I just find that to be very inspiring. 00:06:45.040 --> 00:06:48.040 It goes to show how powerful, 00:06:48.040 --> 00:06:50.920 how divine the word of God is 00:06:50.920 --> 00:06:55.199 that God had his hand in the creation of the word. 00:06:55.199 --> 00:06:57.319 And it's just so powerful. 00:06:57.319 --> 00:07:00.040 So you'll see in your notes that the Isaiah passage 00:07:00.040 --> 00:07:02.560 is broken down into different sections. 00:07:02.560 --> 00:07:04.560 There is a lot of depth that is found 00:07:04.560 --> 00:07:07.720 in just this one verse. 00:07:07.720 --> 00:07:09.000 That's inspiring to me. 00:07:09.000 --> 00:07:11.160 And I hope it's inspiring to you. 00:07:11.160 --> 00:07:13.400 Prophetic and poetic language 00:07:13.400 --> 00:07:15.480 of the coming of Jesus Christ, 00:07:15.480 --> 00:07:18.080 who is the savior of the world. 00:07:18.079 --> 00:07:23.079 So we begin off, for to us a child is born. 00:07:23.279 --> 00:07:25.319 To us a son is given. 00:07:25.319 --> 00:07:27.519 We begin with those words. 00:07:27.519 --> 00:07:29.759 And this is directly talking about 00:07:29.759 --> 00:07:34.759 how Jesus Christ will come to earth as a baby, 00:07:34.799 --> 00:07:37.759 as a child in the manger. 00:07:37.759 --> 00:07:40.879 And this is part of what we celebrate every year. 00:07:40.879 --> 00:07:43.639 We thank God, or we should thank God 00:07:43.639 --> 00:07:48.319 for sending his only son to earth. 00:07:48.319 --> 00:07:51.839 We're not speaking of an adult who's coming to the earth. 00:07:51.839 --> 00:07:53.879 We're speaking of a child. 00:07:53.879 --> 00:07:56.959 We're speaking of Jesus who's being born. 00:07:56.959 --> 00:07:58.399 And then it goes on to say, 00:07:58.399 --> 00:08:01.120 to us a son is given, 00:08:01.120 --> 00:08:04.680 much like how it is written in the gospel of Matthew 00:08:04.680 --> 00:08:09.680 about how Jesus will save his people from their sins. 00:08:10.519 --> 00:08:13.079 That's very powerful language. 00:08:13.079 --> 00:08:16.399 Jesus Christ is our savior. 00:08:16.399 --> 00:08:20.599 What we must do is place our faith in him. 00:08:20.599 --> 00:08:23.120 We must believe in him. 00:08:23.120 --> 00:08:26.599 It is not about what we do. 00:08:26.599 --> 00:08:30.159 It is about what has been done 00:08:30.159 --> 00:08:35.159 by the Lord fulfilling his promise and the prophecies. 00:08:37.120 --> 00:08:41.240 God sent his son because of the love 00:08:41.240 --> 00:08:43.960 that he has for humanity, 00:08:43.960 --> 00:08:46.720 because of the love that God has for us, 00:08:46.720 --> 00:08:50.120 just like how John 3.16 tells us 00:08:50.120 --> 00:08:55.120 about how God the Father sent his one and only son. 00:08:55.799 --> 00:08:57.440 And we can see this connection 00:08:57.440 --> 00:09:00.919 with the Isaiah chapter nine, verse six passage. 00:09:00.919 --> 00:09:03.000 A son is what? 00:09:03.000 --> 00:09:06.360 A son is given, right? 00:09:06.360 --> 00:09:11.159 And that son is the one and only son of God. 00:09:11.159 --> 00:09:13.360 Jesus the Christ. 00:09:13.360 --> 00:09:14.799 And it goes on in that verse 00:09:14.799 --> 00:09:17.799 that the government shall be upon his shoulder. 00:09:17.799 --> 00:09:19.759 And as a kid, when I heard that, 00:09:19.759 --> 00:09:23.600 I thought it was such a strange language, right? 00:09:23.600 --> 00:09:26.039 And you might find this a little humorous. 00:09:26.039 --> 00:09:29.759 I imagine Jesus like holding the capital building 00:09:29.759 --> 00:09:31.079 on his shoulders, 00:09:31.079 --> 00:09:33.360 or maybe he's carrying some politicians 00:09:33.360 --> 00:09:37.319 because Jesus is so buff and strong. 00:09:37.319 --> 00:09:39.039 When you really think about it though, 00:09:39.039 --> 00:09:42.480 when we're talking about Jesus as the authority, 00:09:42.480 --> 00:09:44.959 well, it would be as though Jesus is so strong 00:09:44.959 --> 00:09:48.120 that he's carrying the government on his shoulder. 00:09:48.120 --> 00:09:51.240 And it's just such a funny imagery as a child, 00:09:51.240 --> 00:09:54.039 but there is some truth to that. 00:09:54.039 --> 00:09:57.559 And it's saying, look, Jesus is going to be the ruler, 00:09:57.559 --> 00:10:00.759 that Jesus Christ is the authority. 00:10:00.759 --> 00:10:04.559 It's much like how in Matthew chapter 28, verse 18, 00:10:04.559 --> 00:10:07.879 that all authority and heaven and on earth 00:10:07.879 --> 00:10:10.159 is given to him, 00:10:10.159 --> 00:10:12.559 that Christ was given that authority. 00:10:12.559 --> 00:10:16.439 And it's, Jesus has been given authority in heaven 00:10:16.439 --> 00:10:17.679 and on earth. 00:10:17.679 --> 00:10:21.080 This was given by God the Father. 00:10:21.080 --> 00:10:23.320 And in the Philippians passage, in your notes, 00:10:23.320 --> 00:10:26.200 you'll see God exalted Christ 00:10:26.200 --> 00:10:31.200 and gave him the name that is above all names. 00:10:32.279 --> 00:10:35.519 That is also describing the authority, 00:10:35.519 --> 00:10:38.159 the power of Jesus. 00:10:39.600 --> 00:10:42.319 It's a connection with the authority. 00:10:42.319 --> 00:10:43.919 And when we read that the government 00:10:43.919 --> 00:10:45.840 will be on his shoulder, right? 00:10:45.840 --> 00:10:47.759 It's speaking of symbolism, 00:10:47.759 --> 00:10:50.679 talking about how Christ will fulfill the prophecy 00:10:50.679 --> 00:10:53.360 that Christ is the divine ruler, 00:10:53.360 --> 00:10:56.279 that he is the authority, 00:10:56.279 --> 00:10:59.079 that Jesus Christ is Lord. 00:10:59.079 --> 00:11:02.279 He is King, he is the divine ruler. 00:11:02.279 --> 00:11:04.399 And we go on next in that verse, 00:11:04.399 --> 00:11:07.319 his name shall be called what? 00:11:07.319 --> 00:11:09.840 Wonderful counselor. 00:11:09.840 --> 00:11:12.639 And this is where we're going into the four names, 00:11:12.639 --> 00:11:15.679 the four descriptions or the four titles. 00:11:15.679 --> 00:11:19.360 It's these four characteristics of Jesus Christ. 00:11:19.360 --> 00:11:21.000 We have these names. 00:11:21.000 --> 00:11:22.799 So we start off with wonderful counsel. 00:11:22.799 --> 00:11:26.240 Well, that's a wonderful description of Jesus Christ. 00:11:26.240 --> 00:11:31.240 It has to do with Jesus Christ having supernatural wisdom 00:11:31.240 --> 00:11:34.879 and miraculous ability for Christ, 00:11:34.879 --> 00:11:38.120 he gives us guidance and he gives us wisdom. 00:11:38.120 --> 00:11:41.159 Now Christ being part of the Trinity, 00:11:41.159 --> 00:11:44.039 he has supernatural ability 00:11:44.039 --> 00:11:47.720 and in him is wisdom and knowledge. 00:11:47.720 --> 00:11:50.399 In fact, when you look at the Colossians passage, 00:11:50.399 --> 00:11:54.639 you will see that that verse is saying that in Christ, 00:11:54.639 --> 00:11:59.639 all the treasures, they are of wisdom and of knowledge. 00:11:59.639 --> 00:12:02.840 So Christ being part of the Holy Trinity 00:12:02.840 --> 00:12:07.360 is much like how the Holy Spirit also can give us wisdom, 00:12:07.360 --> 00:12:08.600 can give us insight. 00:12:08.600 --> 00:12:10.960 So too does Christ. 00:12:10.960 --> 00:12:13.759 And Christ is the wonderful counselor 00:12:13.759 --> 00:12:17.799 in the fact that he counsels us to come to him, 00:12:17.799 --> 00:12:21.159 that he guides us in our walk with him. 00:12:21.159 --> 00:12:23.720 Now, many of you may have heard me say this before, 00:12:23.720 --> 00:12:26.200 I hope and I pray that all of you 00:12:26.200 --> 00:12:31.200 are on a spiritual journey towards Christ, right? 00:12:32.080 --> 00:12:34.960 And in Christ you walk with the Lord, 00:12:34.960 --> 00:12:38.460 you continue on a spiritual journey with him. 00:12:39.720 --> 00:12:42.840 And there's much like how there's the John passage 00:12:42.840 --> 00:12:44.640 in your notes that states that, 00:12:44.640 --> 00:12:49.640 that Christ is the way, the truth and the life. 00:12:49.720 --> 00:12:52.000 So he is that wonderful counselor. 00:12:52.000 --> 00:12:54.480 He has supernatural ability. 00:12:54.480 --> 00:12:57.680 He will lead and guide you. 00:12:57.680 --> 00:13:01.600 This should be encouraged for us to believe in him, 00:13:01.600 --> 00:13:06.320 to trust in him and to allow him to be the authority 00:13:06.320 --> 00:13:08.080 in our life. 00:13:09.039 --> 00:13:13.500 Will you follow the path that God has set before you? 00:13:13.500 --> 00:13:17.039 Are you on that walk with Christ? 00:13:18.200 --> 00:13:20.080 We then go to the next one. 00:13:20.080 --> 00:13:23.080 And what is that title, mighty God, right? 00:13:23.080 --> 00:13:25.520 Let's say that together, mighty God. 00:13:25.520 --> 00:13:29.200 And this is the second description, the mighty God. 00:13:29.200 --> 00:13:30.560 When we think of mighty, right? 00:13:30.560 --> 00:13:32.600 We're thinking of someone who is strong, right? 00:13:32.600 --> 00:13:34.879 We're thinking of someone who has great might. 00:13:34.879 --> 00:13:37.879 And this typically, this language is typically used 00:13:37.879 --> 00:13:39.980 to describe a warrior, right? 00:13:39.980 --> 00:13:41.400 So we can think of a soldier, 00:13:41.400 --> 00:13:44.200 we can think of someone who is very strong, right? 00:13:44.200 --> 00:13:48.240 Someone who's very athletic, someone who has that strength. 00:13:48.240 --> 00:13:50.680 And when we think of mighty God, 00:13:50.679 --> 00:13:54.479 we're talking about Jesus Christ being strong. 00:13:54.479 --> 00:13:56.319 Thinking about the triune God, right? 00:13:56.319 --> 00:13:58.679 We have God the Father, God the Son, 00:13:58.679 --> 00:14:02.359 and God the Holy Spirit, the three in one. 00:14:02.359 --> 00:14:05.319 We talked about how Christ is the creator, 00:14:05.319 --> 00:14:07.359 the redeemer and the sustainer. 00:14:07.359 --> 00:14:10.239 And I cannot help but mention in your notes, 00:14:10.239 --> 00:14:12.519 the passages that we have gone over, 00:14:12.519 --> 00:14:16.199 which mention the idea, the truth, 00:14:16.199 --> 00:14:19.039 that Christ is the mighty God, 00:14:19.039 --> 00:14:22.159 that Jesus Christ is strong. 00:14:23.719 --> 00:14:25.120 The Hebrew passage in your notes, 00:14:25.120 --> 00:14:28.279 it talks about how Christ is the radiance 00:14:28.279 --> 00:14:31.779 of the glory of God and upholds the universe. 00:14:31.779 --> 00:14:33.480 Well, that talked about some strength right there 00:14:33.480 --> 00:14:35.199 to uphold the universe. 00:14:35.199 --> 00:14:39.360 And of course, John 1.1 talks about how Jesus was there 00:14:39.360 --> 00:14:40.799 at the beginning, right? 00:14:40.799 --> 00:14:44.079 Existing as the word in the beginning was the word 00:14:44.079 --> 00:14:46.959 and the word was with God. 00:14:46.960 --> 00:14:50.400 All of this describes the strength, the presence, 00:14:50.400 --> 00:14:53.240 and the power of Jesus Christ. 00:14:53.240 --> 00:14:54.840 And then we go into the next one. 00:14:54.840 --> 00:14:57.680 What's the third description? 00:14:57.680 --> 00:15:00.519 Everlasting Father, let's say that together. 00:15:00.519 --> 00:15:02.480 Everlasting Father. 00:15:02.480 --> 00:15:05.040 Now this one, although it's simple, 00:15:05.040 --> 00:15:07.680 it can be easily misunderstood. 00:15:07.680 --> 00:15:11.240 Are you saying that Jesus Christ is God the Father? 00:15:11.240 --> 00:15:13.680 Well, no, it's saying everlasting Father 00:15:13.679 --> 00:15:18.439 as Jesus has the attributes of a Father, right? 00:15:18.439 --> 00:15:20.279 Someone who is strong, 00:15:20.279 --> 00:15:25.279 someone who is exhibiting fatherly qualities. 00:15:26.039 --> 00:15:28.319 So we have the Father, Son, and the Spirit. 00:15:28.319 --> 00:15:30.919 We read this section where it talks about 00:15:32.599 --> 00:15:36.079 we have Jesus as the everlasting Father, right? 00:15:37.199 --> 00:15:39.439 One who cares for his own. 00:15:39.439 --> 00:15:43.039 We think of Christ as the shepherd, right? 00:15:43.039 --> 00:15:45.519 He's taking care of his sheep. 00:15:46.599 --> 00:15:49.240 When we are considering Jesus being everlasting, 00:15:49.240 --> 00:15:51.319 we can see that he has existed 00:15:51.319 --> 00:15:54.639 from the foundation of the earth. 00:15:54.639 --> 00:15:59.639 And he is also with us today and forever. 00:15:59.839 --> 00:16:01.360 We think of the idea of Father, 00:16:01.360 --> 00:16:04.039 we're thinking of someone who is protecting us, 00:16:04.039 --> 00:16:06.279 someone who helps us to grow 00:16:06.279 --> 00:16:09.240 and one who keeps his promises. 00:16:09.240 --> 00:16:11.559 In the Hebrews passage in your notes, 00:16:11.559 --> 00:16:14.000 there's a verse there that's saying 00:16:14.000 --> 00:16:19.000 that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. 00:16:19.239 --> 00:16:21.399 That's the everlasting part. 00:16:22.479 --> 00:16:24.679 And there is the John passage in there. 00:16:24.679 --> 00:16:28.679 That's John chapter 10, verse 30, 00:16:28.679 --> 00:16:33.679 which is saying that Christ and God the Father are one. 00:16:33.679 --> 00:16:37.119 A lot of these verses are mentioning the attributes of Christ, 00:16:37.119 --> 00:16:41.039 but also mentioning the triune God, the Trinity. 00:16:41.039 --> 00:16:43.480 And I say all of this to help us understand 00:16:43.480 --> 00:16:45.679 that Christ is like a father to us. 00:16:45.679 --> 00:16:47.199 He is that shepherd for us. 00:16:47.199 --> 00:16:49.039 He protects us. 00:16:50.039 --> 00:16:53.120 And what's also interesting is that Jesus Christ 00:16:53.120 --> 00:16:57.759 is referenced as the Alpha and the Omega, 00:16:57.759 --> 00:17:00.319 the first and the last. 00:17:00.319 --> 00:17:04.960 And this would have to do with Jesus being everlasting. 00:17:04.960 --> 00:17:06.839 And then we go to that fourth description, 00:17:06.839 --> 00:17:08.759 which is the Prince of Peace. 00:17:08.759 --> 00:17:09.599 Let's say that together. 00:17:09.599 --> 00:17:10.879 It's the fourth description. 00:17:10.879 --> 00:17:14.240 Jesus is the Prince of Peace. 00:17:14.240 --> 00:17:15.799 It's the final quality. 00:17:15.799 --> 00:17:19.240 It's the final attribute for Christ being the Prince of Peace. 00:17:19.240 --> 00:17:22.879 For in Jesus Christ, we place our faith in Him. 00:17:22.879 --> 00:17:24.119 We believe in Him. 00:17:24.119 --> 00:17:25.559 We trust in Him. 00:17:25.559 --> 00:17:26.719 What does Christ do? 00:17:26.719 --> 00:17:29.919 He gives us peace. 00:17:29.919 --> 00:17:31.480 And that's wonderful. 00:17:31.480 --> 00:17:34.679 Much like how in the John passage where Christ is saying, 00:17:34.679 --> 00:17:36.439 the peace He will give to us, 00:17:36.439 --> 00:17:38.559 the kind of peace is not the kind of peace 00:17:38.559 --> 00:17:39.879 that the world gives. 00:17:41.679 --> 00:17:46.359 Don't you see that Jesus Christ gives us hope for this life? 00:17:46.359 --> 00:17:49.359 Don't you see that Jesus Christ gives us hope 00:17:49.359 --> 00:17:53.559 for salvation, for eternal life in Him? 00:17:53.559 --> 00:17:56.200 Just it's all connected with each other. 00:17:57.240 --> 00:17:58.639 In the Ephesians passage, 00:17:58.639 --> 00:18:02.720 it says that Christ Himself is our peace. 00:18:02.720 --> 00:18:05.839 And all of these attributes are the wonderful name 00:18:05.839 --> 00:18:09.919 of Jesus Christ and it's a chance for us to celebrate 00:18:09.919 --> 00:18:14.079 as we are preparing for the coming of Jesus Christ. 00:18:14.079 --> 00:18:19.079 And every year, we celebrate how Jesus is born in a manger. 00:18:19.079 --> 00:18:21.919 Such humble beginnings in a time 00:18:21.919 --> 00:18:24.639 where there was not a lot of hope, 00:18:24.639 --> 00:18:27.159 but that hope came from Christ. 00:18:27.159 --> 00:18:29.039 And it reminds me so much of the world 00:18:29.039 --> 00:18:31.159 that we live in today. 00:18:31.159 --> 00:18:33.480 Is it seeing that the world is full of hope 00:18:33.480 --> 00:18:36.039 and full of inspiration? 00:18:36.039 --> 00:18:39.799 I mean, could you imagine just for a moment 00:18:39.799 --> 00:18:44.799 if the news told maybe half of the stories 00:18:45.319 --> 00:18:47.599 being inspirational and good stories? 00:18:48.519 --> 00:18:49.599 Could you imagine that? 00:18:51.000 --> 00:18:54.319 I mean, every time I think of the news or what's going on, 00:18:54.319 --> 00:18:56.599 it's never good. 00:18:56.599 --> 00:18:57.599 It's never good news. 00:18:57.599 --> 00:18:59.720 I mean, maybe once in a while, okay? 00:18:59.720 --> 00:19:01.559 You have to account for that. 00:19:01.559 --> 00:19:06.279 But the reality is hope comes from Jesus Christ. 00:19:06.279 --> 00:19:09.359 And here's the thing, when you place your faith in Christ, 00:19:09.359 --> 00:19:13.879 you have that everlasting hope to be comforted, 00:19:13.879 --> 00:19:16.839 to be protected by Jesus Christ. 00:19:19.599 --> 00:19:21.359 It doesn't take much for us to look, 00:19:21.359 --> 00:19:24.759 for us to observe the world that we live in. 00:19:24.759 --> 00:19:27.599 But when there's hopelessness in this world, 00:19:27.599 --> 00:19:29.819 there is hope in Jesus. 00:19:29.819 --> 00:19:33.939 This might be a call for you to believe in the Lord, 00:19:33.939 --> 00:19:35.980 to be saved by Him. 00:19:36.939 --> 00:19:39.899 May also be a call for you to grow in your faith 00:19:39.899 --> 00:19:42.139 or to reconnect with the Lord. 00:19:42.139 --> 00:19:45.419 And this leads us to our second scripture reading, 00:19:45.419 --> 00:19:48.500 which is going to be in Romans chapter 15, 00:19:48.500 --> 00:19:50.299 verses 12 through 13. 00:19:50.299 --> 00:19:51.299 Let's turn there together. 00:19:51.299 --> 00:19:58.299 It's going to be on page 1129. 00:19:58.299 --> 00:20:00.299 Okay, let's do this. 00:20:00.299 --> 00:20:03.299 Let's go ahead and read it together. 00:20:03.299 --> 00:20:05.299 I'm going to read it together. 00:20:05.299 --> 00:20:11.299 So it's Romans chapter 15, verses 12 through 13. 00:20:11.299 --> 00:20:14.299 Let's read it together. 00:20:14.299 --> 00:20:17.299 And again, Isaiah says, 00:20:17.299 --> 00:20:20.299 the root of Jesse will come. 00:20:20.299 --> 00:20:25.299 Even he who arises to rule the Gentiles in him, 00:20:25.299 --> 00:20:29.299 will the Gentiles be able to do the same. 00:20:29.299 --> 00:20:33.299 So it's Romans chapter 15, verses 12 through 13. 00:20:33.299 --> 00:20:34.299 Let's read it together. 00:20:34.299 --> 00:20:36.299 And again, Isaiah says, 00:20:36.299 --> 00:20:38.299 the root of Jesse will come. 00:20:38.299 --> 00:20:42.299 And again, in this chapter, 00:20:42.299 --> 00:20:46.299 the Gentiles in him will the Gentiles hope. 00:20:46.299 --> 00:20:48.299 And then the next verse. 00:20:48.299 --> 00:20:53.299 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing 00:20:53.299 --> 00:20:56.299 so that by the power of the Holy spirit, 00:20:56.299 --> 00:20:57.299 you may abound in what? 00:20:57.299 --> 00:21:01.299 In hope. 00:21:01.299 --> 00:21:04.299 We've been going over many different verses that talk about the 00:21:04.299 --> 00:21:08.299 the root of Jesse, from the Davidic line, 00:21:08.299 --> 00:21:13.299 even tracing Jesus Christ back all the way through scripture. 00:21:14.299 --> 00:21:16.299 There's a lot of significance in that. 00:21:17.299 --> 00:21:22.299 This verse in Romans is referencing the prophet Isaiah once again, 00:21:22.299 --> 00:21:25.299 mentioning the lineage where Christ comes from. 00:21:27.299 --> 00:21:29.299 What's also interesting though, 00:21:29.299 --> 00:21:33.299 is that this verse is talking about how Christ will arise 00:21:33.299 --> 00:21:39.299 to rule the Gentiles, and in him there is hope, 00:21:40.299 --> 00:21:44.299 for it is in Jesus Christ that we have that living hope. 00:21:44.299 --> 00:21:48.299 The coming forth of Jesus Christ was fulfillment of prophecy, 00:21:48.299 --> 00:21:51.299 so that salvation, I want you to listen here, 00:21:51.299 --> 00:21:55.299 so that salvation would be available for everyone. 00:21:55.299 --> 00:21:59.299 It wouldn't be exclusive to one group of people, 00:21:59.299 --> 00:22:02.299 but to all who believe. 00:22:02.299 --> 00:22:06.299 And that is the beauty of our Lord and our God. 00:22:06.299 --> 00:22:10.299 That is the living hope that is in Jesus Christ. 00:22:10.299 --> 00:22:13.299 It doesn't matter what you look like, 00:22:13.299 --> 00:22:16.299 it matters if you come to Christ and believe in him, 00:22:16.299 --> 00:22:18.299 and allow for the word of God, 00:22:18.299 --> 00:22:23.299 allow for the Lord to mold you into the men and the women 00:22:23.299 --> 00:22:26.299 that God wants you to be. 00:22:26.299 --> 00:22:32.299 In being saved there is transformation that exists. 00:22:32.299 --> 00:22:35.299 And that transformation is a wonderful process, 00:22:35.299 --> 00:22:38.299 just like how we talked about the refiner's fire 00:22:38.299 --> 00:22:45.299 and the fuller soap being made more holy by our Lord and our God. 00:22:45.299 --> 00:22:49.299 Sometimes it can be difficult, I admit, it can be. 00:22:49.299 --> 00:22:52.299 Right, when you're thinking about the heat that's turned up 00:22:52.299 --> 00:22:55.299 and the imperfections of metal that's coming out, 00:22:55.299 --> 00:22:59.299 but it's a process, knowing that God is with you 00:22:59.299 --> 00:23:04.299 in that process as well. 00:23:04.299 --> 00:23:10.299 Our God extends salvation to all who believe. 00:23:10.299 --> 00:23:15.299 It is the question then of if you are going to believe 00:23:15.299 --> 00:23:18.299 in Jesus Christ or not believe. 00:23:18.299 --> 00:23:22.299 That is not a decision that I can make for you. 00:23:22.299 --> 00:23:25.299 That is a decision that you make. 00:23:25.299 --> 00:23:29.299 Will you believe in the Lord and receive salvation, 00:23:29.299 --> 00:23:31.299 or will you not? 00:23:31.299 --> 00:23:35.299 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever, 00:23:35.299 --> 00:23:39.299 and he provides a very different way of doing things. 00:23:39.299 --> 00:23:43.299 As opposed to this system, this way of doing things 00:23:43.299 --> 00:23:48.299 that other fates say that you have this checklist 00:23:48.299 --> 00:23:51.299 and you must check off everything in the checklist. 00:23:51.299 --> 00:23:54.299 Well, God forbid you make a mistake 00:23:54.299 --> 00:23:57.299 or you forget to check off your list. 00:23:57.299 --> 00:23:59.299 I don't want to do that way. 00:23:59.299 --> 00:24:03.299 In fact, knowing that God saved, 00:24:03.299 --> 00:24:07.299 that God provides salvation through Christ, 00:24:07.299 --> 00:24:09.299 that I have to believe in him, 00:24:09.299 --> 00:24:14.299 and that I am saved in believing in him. 00:24:14.299 --> 00:24:16.299 That's much better than this way. 00:24:16.299 --> 00:24:18.299 I've got to be honest here. 00:24:18.299 --> 00:24:23.299 I'm going to continue to check off the list. 00:24:23.299 --> 00:24:26.299 This way is what you can do. 00:24:26.299 --> 00:24:29.299 But when we think of the cross, when we think of Christ, 00:24:29.299 --> 00:24:34.299 it's about what has been done. 00:24:34.299 --> 00:24:38.299 Christ calls us to believe in him. 00:24:38.299 --> 00:24:43.299 Knowing. 00:24:43.299 --> 00:24:49.299 When we think of Jesus Christ, think of the last words that Christ said that it is finished, 00:24:49.299 --> 00:24:56.299 providing a new way, an alternative, a different way of doing things. 00:24:56.299 --> 00:25:00.299 Let me tell you, this alternative is so much better. 00:25:00.299 --> 00:25:02.299 So much better. 00:25:02.299 --> 00:25:06.299 It is in Christ that we have new life, we have salvation, 00:25:06.299 --> 00:25:09.299 and we find our identity in him. 00:25:09.299 --> 00:25:13.299 In Christ, we will be secure. 00:25:13.299 --> 00:25:16.299 Don't we need security in this life? 00:25:16.299 --> 00:25:21.299 Don't we want to feel safe, no matter what's happening, 00:25:21.299 --> 00:25:25.299 quite honestly, what's happening in our own lives? 00:25:25.299 --> 00:25:27.299 We may have stable lives, 00:25:27.299 --> 00:25:33.299 but we need that eternal security, that true safety, 00:25:33.299 --> 00:25:38.299 that we call that blessed assurance. 00:25:38.299 --> 00:25:41.299 And then in the ending of the Romans passage, 00:25:41.299 --> 00:25:47.299 it says, may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, 00:25:47.299 --> 00:25:53.299 so that by the power of the Holy Spirit, you may abound in hope. 00:25:53.299 --> 00:25:59.299 And this last part of the verse, we see sort of a benediction, as it were, 00:25:59.299 --> 00:26:03.299 where the Jews and the Gentiles, together, 00:26:03.299 --> 00:26:07.299 those who believe in Christ can be filled with joy, with hope and with peace. 00:26:07.299 --> 00:26:10.299 Doesn't that sound interesting? 00:26:10.299 --> 00:26:17.299 Doesn't that remind you of the advent season to be filled with joy and peace, right? 00:26:17.299 --> 00:26:19.299 And you may abound in hope. 00:26:19.299 --> 00:26:22.299 It's very interesting to find that in Scripture. 00:26:22.299 --> 00:26:25.299 And we're not talking about something that is superficial. 00:26:25.299 --> 00:26:29.299 We're talking about something that is rather on another level, 00:26:29.299 --> 00:26:32.299 a divine level, so to speak. 00:26:32.299 --> 00:26:41.299 And God fulfills all of his promises, and he provides hope now and in the future. 00:26:41.299 --> 00:26:47.299 God gives us hope, especially in this world, where we need it. 00:26:47.299 --> 00:26:52.299 I speak of receiving salvation and the promise of eternal security. 00:26:52.299 --> 00:27:00.299 I speak of how God made promises, and he made sure that those promises were seen to completion. 00:27:00.299 --> 00:27:03.299 God is not a liar. 00:27:03.299 --> 00:27:05.299 There is truth in God. 00:27:05.299 --> 00:27:08.299 There is life in the Lord. 00:27:08.299 --> 00:27:10.299 There is salvation in him. 00:27:10.299 --> 00:27:14.299 And this, my friends, is the great encouragement. 00:27:14.299 --> 00:27:21.299 We should be encouraged to be filled with hope, especially in times such as this. 00:27:21.299 --> 00:27:28.299 And as we conclude our time today, I want to remind us of what we have learned in God's word. 00:27:28.299 --> 00:27:33.299 We have gone through the names about the coming of Jesus Christ, the Messiah, right? 00:27:33.299 --> 00:27:41.299 That Jesus is the wonderful counselor, mighty God, everlasting Father, and the Prince of Peace. 00:27:41.299 --> 00:27:50.299 And we've also seen how in Romans that Christ provides hope for everyone, the Gentile and the Jew. 00:27:50.299 --> 00:27:55.299 And that salvation is available for all who believe. 00:27:55.299 --> 00:28:01.299 And in this Advent season, we are called to prepare our minds and our hearts for Jesus Christ, 00:28:01.299 --> 00:28:08.299 and to really embrace and be thankful and be grateful for all that God has done for us. 00:28:08.299 --> 00:28:15.299 Let us be reminded of, in this season, about the significance of Jesus. 00:28:15.299 --> 00:28:18.299 And I want you to consider your own journey. 00:28:18.299 --> 00:28:21.299 Do you believe in the Lord? 00:28:21.299 --> 00:28:26.299 If you don't believe in him and you shall receive salvation. 00:28:26.299 --> 00:28:31.299 If you feel disconnected, maybe this is an opportunity for you to reconnect with the Lord. 00:28:31.299 --> 00:28:35.299 I know there have been times in my life where I felt very disconnected with the Lord, 00:28:35.299 --> 00:28:41.299 and I had to pray, I had to be in fellowship with other believers who encouraged me. 00:28:41.299 --> 00:28:49.299 Maybe it's a call for you to go deeper in the Word and to continue your walk and to inspire the next generation of people. 00:28:49.299 --> 00:28:56.299 Friends, when we think of salvation, we may be saved, but what about our friends and our family? 00:28:56.299 --> 00:29:01.299 Do you share in the gospel? Do you share in your testimony with others? 00:29:01.299 --> 00:29:07.299 Let this be an encouragement, not a discouragement, but an encouragement to share in the good news, 00:29:07.299 --> 00:29:11.299 the message of hope that is found in the gospel. 00:29:11.299 --> 00:29:21.299 Let us seek Christ, let us come to know him, and let us grow in faith in him, and let us share our faith with others. 00:29:21.299 --> 00:29:24.299 Let's pray together. 00:29:24.299 --> 00:29:31.299 And Father, as we close our time together, we want to thank you for your son, Jesus, who is the Christ. 00:29:31.299 --> 00:29:39.299 We ask that you help us to trust in you and know that you provide hope in your son. 00:29:39.299 --> 00:29:50.299 Help us to internalize this message that Jesus is the wonderful counselor, the mighty God, the everlasting Father, and the Prince of Peace. 00:29:50.299 --> 00:29:56.299 May you guide us in this season and in our very lives. 00:29:56.299 --> 00:30:01.299 Your grace is so wonderful, and it is so powerful. 00:30:01.299 --> 00:30:10.299 You provide hope in a dark world, in a world that desperately needs hope. 00:30:10.299 --> 00:30:19.299 We need you, and we need to have you in our lives, for without you we are nothing. 00:30:19.299 --> 00:30:21.299 We ask for your wisdom. 00:30:21.299 --> 00:30:28.299 We ask for your guidance, and we ask for the strength to live out the truth of your word. 00:30:28.299 --> 00:30:40.299 We ask that you're with us as we finish in this last song, and as we just we ask that you're with us every single moment and every single day in our lives. 00:30:40.299 --> 00:31:01.299 May Jesus' name be with you.