WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:12.380 In December of 1903, after many failed attempts, the Wright brothers were successful in getting 00:00:12.380 --> 00:00:14.900 their flying machine off the ground. 00:00:16.580 --> 00:00:25.140 You can imagine what excitement they felt to actually fly for the first time. 00:00:25.140 --> 00:00:34.460 Well, they, as quick as they could, shared that news with their sister in this telegraphed 00:00:34.460 --> 00:00:35.020 message. 00:00:36.179 --> 00:00:39.620 We have actually flown 120 feet. 00:00:40.359 --> 00:00:42.299 We'll be home for Christmas. 00:00:44.079 --> 00:00:50.299 Well, Catherine, their sister, she was excited and wanted to get that word out. 00:00:50.299 --> 00:00:57.780 And so she hurried to the editor of her local newspaper and showed him that telegram, showed 00:00:57.780 --> 00:00:58.920 him the message. 00:00:59.719 --> 00:01:06.439 But he was busy and he just glanced at it and said, how nice, the boys will be home for Christmas. 00:01:08.340 --> 00:01:16.179 He totally missed the big news that she was trying to communicate to him. 00:01:16.180 --> 00:01:23.860 He missed that they had flown, that man had flown for the first time. 00:01:25.400 --> 00:01:35.420 I wonder how many people will totally miss the big news of Christmas as they do all the 00:01:35.420 --> 00:01:40.300 different good things they enjoy during this holiday season. 00:01:40.299 --> 00:01:50.799 The big news of Christmas is that God sent his son into this world to save sinners like 00:01:50.799 --> 00:01:51.359 us. 00:01:53.739 --> 00:02:04.379 Hopefully, we will read something in the Bible related to this good news, this big news during 00:02:04.379 --> 00:02:05.299 the Christmas season. 00:02:05.299 --> 00:02:09.639 And if we will, we can't help but see it. 00:02:09.740 --> 00:02:11.199 It comes through loud and clear. 00:02:12.020 --> 00:02:14.879 I want you to look at two examples at the beginning of this time. 00:02:16.000 --> 00:02:23.300 In Matthew's gospel, the angel of the Lord said this to Joseph, she will bear a son and 00:02:23.300 --> 00:02:28.479 you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins. 00:02:28.479 --> 00:02:38.639 Then in Luke's gospel, the angel Gabriel explained to Mary who Jesus was. 00:02:40.079 --> 00:02:45.039 He will be great and be called the Son of the Most High. 00:02:45.799 --> 00:02:50.019 And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David. 00:02:50.539 --> 00:02:53.439 And he will reign over the house of Jacob forever. 00:02:53.439 --> 00:02:57.459 And of his kingdom, there will be no end. 00:02:57.460 --> 00:03:07.920 It's true that the Christmas story is found in just a small section of the Bible. 00:03:08.920 --> 00:03:17.240 I mean, the true Christmas story, the events that took place in Bethlehem before and during 00:03:17.240 --> 00:03:23.200 right after the birth of Jesus, they're only found in Matthew's gospel and in Luke's gospel. 00:03:23.199 --> 00:03:32.039 But what we need to remember as God's people, the Christmas story in the Bible really began 00:03:32.039 --> 00:03:34.379 hundreds of years earlier. 00:03:35.659 --> 00:03:37.759 It begins in the Old Testament. 00:03:38.519 --> 00:03:46.079 Old Testament prophets wrote about a coming Savior, the Messiah. 00:03:46.080 --> 00:03:51.620 One of the best known prophecies is found in Isaiah chapter 9. 00:03:52.300 --> 00:03:54.320 And I'd like for you to turn with me to that chapter. 00:03:55.020 --> 00:04:02.240 And what we're going to look at this morning is something that is very familiar to most Christians 00:04:02.240 --> 00:04:06.680 because we sing about this every year at Christmas. 00:04:06.680 --> 00:04:17.920 writing under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Isaiah described the power and glory of the coming Messiah, 00:04:18.319 --> 00:04:19.879 the coming Savior. 00:04:20.400 --> 00:04:24.879 In chapter 9, what we're going to look at is verses 6 and 7. 00:04:24.879 --> 00:04:38.819 What I want us to see is the special names or titles that are used to describe this coming Savior. 00:04:39.819 --> 00:04:46.800 Our children's choir did a great job in telling us about those special names when they sung last week. 00:04:46.860 --> 00:04:49.519 How many of you children's choir kids are in here this morning? 00:04:50.480 --> 00:04:51.259 Raise your hand high. 00:04:51.399 --> 00:04:53.300 There's some scattered out through here. 00:04:53.300 --> 00:04:58.939 Well, you did a great job last Sunday morning in singing about who Jesus is. 00:05:00.280 --> 00:05:04.560 You better bundle up tonight because it's going to be cold. 00:05:05.340 --> 00:05:07.960 But we're going to listen for you to sing and tell us about, 00:05:08.460 --> 00:05:11.439 tell people maybe who've not heard this good news about Jesus. 00:05:11.780 --> 00:05:13.139 You're going to sing that tonight. 00:05:13.800 --> 00:05:15.680 And then again next Sunday morning. 00:05:15.680 --> 00:05:23.060 Well, I want us to read from Isaiah chapter 9, verses 6 and 7. 00:05:23.300 --> 00:05:27.780 About who Jesus really is. 00:05:27.780 --> 00:05:36.740 By these special names or titles that Isaiah assigns to Him. 00:05:37.580 --> 00:05:41.960 Isaiah chapter 6, 9 rather, beginning in verse 6. 00:05:41.959 --> 00:06:08.659 You know those names, don't you? 00:06:08.660 --> 00:06:12.000 This is where they originate. 00:06:12.000 --> 00:06:14.280 It says in verse 7, 00:06:14.439 --> 00:06:19.920 Of the increase of His government and of peace, there will be no end. 00:06:20.800 --> 00:06:23.480 On the throne of David and over His kingdom, 00:06:24.140 --> 00:06:29.440 to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness, 00:06:29.439 --> 00:06:33.439 from this time forth and forevermore. 00:06:33.439 --> 00:06:39.379 The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this. 00:06:40.480 --> 00:06:46.959 This prophecy explains how the coming Messiah that we know, 00:06:47.819 --> 00:06:49.779 as we read back into the New Testament, 00:06:50.659 --> 00:06:51.740 is Jesus Christ. 00:06:51.740 --> 00:06:59.319 This prophecy tells how He will reign in power, in glory. 00:07:00.400 --> 00:07:03.500 It says the government shall be upon His shoulder, 00:07:04.220 --> 00:07:07.319 and that it will be His government. 00:07:08.600 --> 00:07:15.100 Now, that prophecy is only partially fulfilled at this time. 00:07:16.139 --> 00:07:17.560 Think with me like this. 00:07:17.560 --> 00:07:22.639 When Jesus came into the world as a baby, 00:07:23.339 --> 00:07:26.220 in that stable in Bethlehem, 00:07:27.040 --> 00:07:31.459 when Jesus came the first time like that, 00:07:32.399 --> 00:07:40.360 grew up and taught and did the things that we read about 00:07:40.360 --> 00:07:42.000 in the New Testament in the Gospels, 00:07:42.000 --> 00:07:48.879 when He died on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins, 00:07:49.779 --> 00:07:53.240 and rose triumphantly from death, 00:07:54.819 --> 00:07:57.079 and then ascended into heaven, 00:07:58.360 --> 00:08:04.279 and then sent His Holy Spirit to indwell all of His people, 00:08:04.279 --> 00:08:09.619 that was Jesus coming in power, 00:08:09.619 --> 00:08:11.079 in glory, in power, in glory, 00:08:12.199 --> 00:08:15.719 to reign, to rule, listen to this, 00:08:17.539 --> 00:08:21.099 in the lives of those who believe in Him, 00:08:22.379 --> 00:08:27.899 in the lives of those in whom God has called to faith in Him. 00:08:27.899 --> 00:08:34.340 This is like the first coming of Jesus. 00:08:35.000 --> 00:08:41.459 It's sort of like a secret or invisible kingdom 00:08:41.459 --> 00:08:46.059 that He has established, that God has established. 00:08:46.059 --> 00:08:50.339 We, as Christians, 00:08:51.339 --> 00:08:53.839 are citizens of that kingdom. 00:08:55.539 --> 00:08:57.079 God is our God. 00:08:57.239 --> 00:08:59.359 Christ is our Savior and our Lord. 00:09:01.759 --> 00:09:03.519 But Christ rules 00:09:03.519 --> 00:09:06.339 in our lives 00:09:06.339 --> 00:09:10.159 us who believe in Him. 00:09:10.159 --> 00:09:13.919 People outside the church, 00:09:14.319 --> 00:09:15.100 the real church, 00:09:15.360 --> 00:09:16.139 the people of God, 00:09:17.019 --> 00:09:18.819 they don't acknowledge Jesus as King. 00:09:19.519 --> 00:09:22.620 They don't acknowledge God's rule, 00:09:22.939 --> 00:09:24.419 God's authority. 00:09:25.579 --> 00:09:28.059 That's just for us right now. 00:09:29.539 --> 00:09:30.919 But one day in the future, 00:09:31.799 --> 00:09:33.379 Scripture promises 00:09:33.379 --> 00:09:37.459 Jesus Christ will return to this world 00:09:37.460 --> 00:09:40.060 and there will be nothing secret 00:09:40.060 --> 00:09:42.560 or invisible about it. 00:09:43.460 --> 00:09:44.860 When He comes back, 00:09:45.540 --> 00:09:46.540 He will come back 00:09:46.540 --> 00:09:48.220 and everyone will see Him. 00:09:49.820 --> 00:09:51.180 They'll see Him coming 00:09:51.180 --> 00:09:54.620 as the one who has ultimate authority 00:09:54.620 --> 00:09:56.100 and power. 00:09:56.420 --> 00:09:58.360 He'll come in great glory. 00:10:00.040 --> 00:10:00.580 And then, 00:10:01.440 --> 00:10:03.600 He will establish His kingdom 00:10:03.600 --> 00:10:06.560 visibly in this world 00:10:06.559 --> 00:10:08.799 and as Paul tells us 00:10:08.799 --> 00:10:10.179 in Philippians chapter 2, 00:10:10.879 --> 00:10:12.339 every knee will bow 00:10:12.339 --> 00:10:15.359 and every tongue will confess 00:10:15.359 --> 00:10:17.939 that Jesus Christ is Lord. 00:10:18.500 --> 00:10:20.219 That's what's going to happen 00:10:20.219 --> 00:10:22.899 when Jesus comes the second time 00:10:22.899 --> 00:10:26.539 and He will truly rule and reign 00:10:26.539 --> 00:10:28.379 not just over His people, 00:10:28.679 --> 00:10:30.279 not just over people who believe in Him, 00:10:30.919 --> 00:10:32.439 but He will rule and reign 00:10:32.439 --> 00:10:35.039 over the entire world. 00:10:35.039 --> 00:10:39.099 The authority and rule of Jesus Christ 00:10:39.099 --> 00:10:43.099 over our lives now 00:10:43.099 --> 00:10:46.719 and over all lives in the future 00:10:46.719 --> 00:10:51.099 far exceeds the authority and rule 00:10:51.099 --> 00:10:53.199 of all earthly leaders. 00:10:53.200 --> 00:10:56.240 and what Isaiah is doing 00:10:56.240 --> 00:10:58.620 in these special names or titles 00:10:58.620 --> 00:11:01.000 for this Messiah in verse 6, 00:11:02.000 --> 00:11:04.040 what Isaiah is doing 00:11:04.040 --> 00:11:05.360 is helping us to understand 00:11:05.360 --> 00:11:07.700 the unique features, 00:11:08.259 --> 00:11:10.800 power, and authority 00:11:10.800 --> 00:11:13.320 of our Lord Jesus Christ. 00:11:13.320 --> 00:11:16.100 these names help us to understand 00:11:16.100 --> 00:11:18.420 why He can be trusted 00:11:18.420 --> 00:11:22.100 to rule over our lives now 00:11:22.100 --> 00:11:24.600 and for all eternity. 00:11:25.340 --> 00:11:26.920 So as we go through this, 00:11:27.280 --> 00:11:29.100 looking at wonderful counselor, 00:11:29.379 --> 00:11:30.200 mighty God, 00:11:30.680 --> 00:11:31.760 everlasting Father, 00:11:32.340 --> 00:11:33.220 Prince of Peace, 00:11:33.220 --> 00:11:36.920 I want you to think, 00:11:36.920 --> 00:11:40.740 do I know Jesus 00:11:40.740 --> 00:11:42.920 in this way 00:11:42.920 --> 00:11:45.000 in my life? 00:11:45.840 --> 00:11:47.440 Make it very personal. 00:11:48.620 --> 00:11:49.240 Let's begin. 00:11:50.300 --> 00:11:52.860 Jesus Christ rules with wisdom. 00:11:54.139 --> 00:11:57.060 He is wonderful counselor. 00:11:57.059 --> 00:11:59.019 The King James Version 00:11:59.019 --> 00:12:01.079 separates the word wonderful 00:12:01.079 --> 00:12:02.739 and counselor with a comma 00:12:02.739 --> 00:12:04.159 as if they are two. 00:12:05.219 --> 00:12:06.619 Well, most translations 00:12:06.619 --> 00:12:07.899 keep them together 00:12:07.899 --> 00:12:10.899 and that makes the most sense 00:12:10.899 --> 00:12:12.619 because it makes this 00:12:12.619 --> 00:12:16.079 a two-word description of Jesus 00:12:16.079 --> 00:12:18.199 just like the other three. 00:12:19.059 --> 00:12:21.179 As wonderful counselor, 00:12:21.179 --> 00:12:24.120 the idea is that Jesus Christ 00:12:24.120 --> 00:12:26.120 has supernatural wisdom. 00:12:27.719 --> 00:12:28.120 And you know, 00:12:28.179 --> 00:12:29.639 during His earthly ministry, 00:12:30.179 --> 00:12:32.500 the way that He related to people, 00:12:32.599 --> 00:12:33.659 the things that He taught, 00:12:34.139 --> 00:12:35.319 He demonstrated 00:12:35.319 --> 00:12:39.500 that He is wonderful counselor 00:12:39.500 --> 00:12:43.039 by the wise teaching 00:12:43.039 --> 00:12:44.819 and counsel He gave to people. 00:12:46.819 --> 00:12:49.559 Jesus always knew exactly 00:12:49.559 --> 00:12:51.239 what to say 00:12:51.239 --> 00:12:53.839 and how to say it to people. 00:12:55.539 --> 00:12:55.839 I mean, 00:12:55.899 --> 00:12:57.099 if you stop and think about it, 00:12:57.159 --> 00:12:57.759 most of you, 00:12:57.859 --> 00:12:59.419 you've read the Gospels. 00:13:00.079 --> 00:13:01.359 Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. 00:13:01.559 --> 00:13:02.979 You've read how Jesus 00:13:02.979 --> 00:13:04.539 interacted with people. 00:13:05.399 --> 00:13:06.159 For example, 00:13:06.559 --> 00:13:08.739 when Jesus reached out 00:13:08.739 --> 00:13:11.119 to genuine seekers, 00:13:11.719 --> 00:13:13.299 I mean, people who came to Him 00:13:13.299 --> 00:13:16.099 wanting sincerely 00:13:16.099 --> 00:13:17.579 to learn about Him. 00:13:17.859 --> 00:13:18.359 For example, 00:13:18.360 --> 00:13:19.899 like the man Nicodemus. 00:13:20.519 --> 00:13:22.060 It says in John chapter 3 00:13:22.060 --> 00:13:22.980 that Nicodemus 00:13:22.980 --> 00:13:24.539 came to Jesus by night. 00:13:24.639 --> 00:13:25.800 He was a religious leader. 00:13:26.039 --> 00:13:26.759 It doesn't say why 00:13:26.759 --> 00:13:27.639 He came by night. 00:13:27.740 --> 00:13:28.620 Maybe He was afraid 00:13:28.620 --> 00:13:29.720 of being seen. 00:13:29.980 --> 00:13:30.620 We don't know. 00:13:30.700 --> 00:13:31.100 Maybe it was just 00:13:31.100 --> 00:13:32.080 the end of a long day. 00:13:32.879 --> 00:13:34.259 But Nicodemus came 00:13:34.259 --> 00:13:37.399 inquiring of Jesus, 00:13:38.180 --> 00:13:39.700 trying to learn more about Him. 00:13:39.700 --> 00:13:43.820 And Jesus got His attention 00:13:43.820 --> 00:13:47.379 and responded to questions 00:13:47.379 --> 00:13:49.860 like this. 00:13:51.300 --> 00:13:51.940 Nicodemus, 00:13:52.320 --> 00:13:55.259 unless a person is born again 00:13:55.259 --> 00:13:57.020 or born from above, 00:13:57.720 --> 00:13:58.820 he cannot enter into 00:13:58.820 --> 00:13:59.900 the kingdom of God. 00:14:01.080 --> 00:14:02.360 Now that was something 00:14:02.360 --> 00:14:04.720 that intrigued Nicodemus. 00:14:04.960 --> 00:14:06.300 He was confused. 00:14:06.640 --> 00:14:07.720 He didn't understand. 00:14:07.720 --> 00:14:09.860 Maybe He grinned 00:14:09.860 --> 00:14:10.860 when He looked at Jesus 00:14:10.860 --> 00:14:12.100 after Jesus said that. 00:14:12.580 --> 00:14:13.040 He said, 00:14:13.120 --> 00:14:13.379 Jesus, 00:14:13.500 --> 00:14:14.139 you try and say 00:14:14.139 --> 00:14:14.879 a person's got to 00:14:14.879 --> 00:14:15.860 enter his mother's womb 00:14:15.860 --> 00:14:16.660 and be born again. 00:14:17.500 --> 00:14:17.980 You know, 00:14:17.980 --> 00:14:18.920 something ridiculous. 00:14:20.500 --> 00:14:21.180 And Jesus went on 00:14:21.180 --> 00:14:22.080 just to explain 00:14:22.080 --> 00:14:23.240 in a little bit 00:14:23.240 --> 00:14:24.139 different words. 00:14:25.220 --> 00:14:25.960 And the point 00:14:25.960 --> 00:14:26.779 I'm trying to make is 00:14:26.779 --> 00:14:28.200 Jesus knew how 00:14:28.200 --> 00:14:29.120 to relate to Him 00:14:29.120 --> 00:14:29.740 in a way that 00:14:29.740 --> 00:14:30.580 got His attention, 00:14:30.720 --> 00:14:31.540 held His interest, 00:14:31.720 --> 00:14:32.740 made Him think. 00:14:32.740 --> 00:14:35.500 And it worked. 00:14:36.200 --> 00:14:37.379 Because at the end 00:14:37.379 --> 00:14:38.700 of John's gospel, 00:14:39.580 --> 00:14:40.940 when Jesus is crucified, 00:14:41.879 --> 00:14:43.220 His body is taken down 00:14:43.220 --> 00:14:44.120 from the cross, 00:14:45.060 --> 00:14:46.080 Nicodemus joins 00:14:46.080 --> 00:14:47.980 with Joseph of Arimathea 00:14:47.980 --> 00:14:52.240 in preparing Jesus' body 00:14:52.240 --> 00:14:53.759 for the tomb. 00:14:54.600 --> 00:14:55.759 All the other disciples 00:14:55.759 --> 00:14:56.560 had left. 00:14:56.559 --> 00:14:57.799 Nicodemus, 00:14:59.059 --> 00:14:59.819 at that time, 00:15:00.279 --> 00:15:00.959 surfaces 00:15:00.959 --> 00:15:03.739 as one who believes. 00:15:05.000 --> 00:15:05.939 We know 00:15:05.939 --> 00:15:06.919 how Jesus 00:15:06.919 --> 00:15:07.619 demonstrated 00:15:07.619 --> 00:15:09.119 His wisdom 00:15:09.119 --> 00:15:09.579 and the way 00:15:09.579 --> 00:15:10.059 that He dealt 00:15:10.059 --> 00:15:11.099 with hurting people. 00:15:12.259 --> 00:15:12.799 You know, 00:15:12.919 --> 00:15:13.939 time and time again, 00:15:14.279 --> 00:15:15.299 people who were 00:15:15.299 --> 00:15:16.399 in great need, 00:15:16.839 --> 00:15:17.619 blind people, 00:15:17.759 --> 00:15:18.559 lame people, 00:15:18.959 --> 00:15:20.419 all kinds of issues, 00:15:20.539 --> 00:15:21.479 they came to Jesus 00:15:21.479 --> 00:15:22.199 and they found 00:15:22.199 --> 00:15:23.679 compassion in Him. 00:15:24.299 --> 00:15:25.019 Someone who 00:15:25.019 --> 00:15:25.819 looked, 00:15:25.820 --> 00:15:26.560 not just their 00:15:26.560 --> 00:15:27.600 physical issues 00:15:27.600 --> 00:15:28.800 or physical problems, 00:15:29.040 --> 00:15:29.879 but He looked deeper 00:15:29.879 --> 00:15:31.200 at the spiritual issues. 00:15:31.760 --> 00:15:32.400 That's why He would 00:15:32.400 --> 00:15:33.379 say things like 00:15:33.379 --> 00:15:34.240 to the person 00:15:34.240 --> 00:15:35.040 He healed 00:15:35.040 --> 00:15:35.840 who was crippled, 00:15:36.480 --> 00:15:37.300 in addition to 00:15:37.300 --> 00:15:37.900 rise, 00:15:38.020 --> 00:15:38.760 take up your pallet 00:15:38.760 --> 00:15:39.280 and walk, 00:15:39.580 --> 00:15:40.280 He's talked about 00:15:40.280 --> 00:15:41.540 having their sins 00:15:41.540 --> 00:15:42.140 forgiven. 00:15:44.080 --> 00:15:44.540 And then, 00:15:45.480 --> 00:15:47.020 Jesus demonstrates 00:15:47.020 --> 00:15:49.020 great wisdom. 00:15:50.140 --> 00:15:51.920 He knew how to relate 00:15:51.920 --> 00:15:52.440 to people 00:15:52.440 --> 00:15:54.340 of all walks of life 00:15:54.340 --> 00:15:55.660 when those religious 00:15:55.660 --> 00:15:56.780 hypocrites came 00:15:56.780 --> 00:15:59.379 and tried to trick Him, 00:15:59.460 --> 00:16:00.500 tried to trip Him up, 00:16:00.680 --> 00:16:01.259 tried to make Him 00:16:01.259 --> 00:16:02.000 look bad. 00:16:03.340 --> 00:16:05.080 Jesus always knew 00:16:05.080 --> 00:16:05.700 their heart, 00:16:05.980 --> 00:16:06.780 knew the lack 00:16:06.780 --> 00:16:07.480 of sincerity, 00:16:07.740 --> 00:16:08.899 knew their hypocrisy, 00:16:09.080 --> 00:16:09.740 and a lot of times 00:16:09.740 --> 00:16:10.879 He called them out. 00:16:12.180 --> 00:16:12.840 He called them 00:16:12.840 --> 00:16:14.399 just point-blank liars, 00:16:14.660 --> 00:16:15.800 children of the devil, 00:16:17.160 --> 00:16:17.840 people who weren't 00:16:17.840 --> 00:16:18.680 concerned about 00:16:18.680 --> 00:16:19.639 really the truth. 00:16:19.639 --> 00:16:21.120 They were just concerned 00:16:21.120 --> 00:16:22.319 about themselves, 00:16:22.899 --> 00:16:24.500 about their position 00:16:24.500 --> 00:16:25.539 and prominence. 00:16:27.039 --> 00:16:27.840 Jesus taught 00:16:27.840 --> 00:16:28.620 in such a way 00:16:28.620 --> 00:16:29.740 that those who heard Him 00:16:29.740 --> 00:16:31.179 said things like this 00:16:31.179 --> 00:16:31.759 that you read about 00:16:31.759 --> 00:16:32.799 in John 7, 00:16:33.299 --> 00:16:34.860 no one ever spoke 00:16:34.860 --> 00:16:36.519 like this man. 00:16:38.139 --> 00:16:39.340 When people heard Jesus, 00:16:40.379 --> 00:16:41.580 they heard someone 00:16:41.580 --> 00:16:42.620 who was different, 00:16:44.019 --> 00:16:44.919 someone who 00:16:44.919 --> 00:16:45.819 embodied 00:16:45.820 --> 00:16:47.200 the wisdom 00:16:47.200 --> 00:16:47.940 of God. 00:16:49.800 --> 00:16:50.100 Jesus 00:16:50.100 --> 00:16:52.080 was able 00:16:52.080 --> 00:16:52.760 to speak 00:16:52.760 --> 00:16:53.400 and teach 00:16:53.400 --> 00:16:54.020 like He did 00:16:54.020 --> 00:16:55.440 because He is 00:16:55.440 --> 00:16:56.060 the source 00:16:56.060 --> 00:16:56.680 of all truth. 00:16:56.920 --> 00:16:58.640 He embodies truth 00:16:58.640 --> 00:16:59.879 as He said 00:16:59.879 --> 00:17:01.000 in John 14, 00:17:01.120 --> 00:17:02.840 6 of the familiar passage. 00:17:03.360 --> 00:17:03.800 Jesus said, 00:17:04.019 --> 00:17:04.779 I am the way 00:17:04.779 --> 00:17:05.900 and the truth 00:17:05.900 --> 00:17:06.660 and the life 00:17:06.660 --> 00:17:07.820 and no one comes 00:17:07.820 --> 00:17:08.279 to the Father 00:17:08.279 --> 00:17:09.180 except through Me. 00:17:10.140 --> 00:17:11.140 It's because Jesus 00:17:11.140 --> 00:17:12.259 is the ultimate source 00:17:12.259 --> 00:17:12.759 of truth 00:17:12.759 --> 00:17:13.660 and wisdom 00:17:13.660 --> 00:17:15.720 that you and I 00:17:15.720 --> 00:17:16.360 need to turn 00:17:16.360 --> 00:17:16.980 to Him 00:17:16.980 --> 00:17:17.640 to find 00:17:17.640 --> 00:17:20.019 ultimate answers 00:17:20.019 --> 00:17:21.840 in our own lives. 00:17:23.100 --> 00:17:23.860 That's the only way 00:17:23.860 --> 00:17:24.360 we're going to be able 00:17:24.360 --> 00:17:25.279 to make sense 00:17:25.279 --> 00:17:26.440 out of the confusion 00:17:26.440 --> 00:17:27.900 and chaos 00:17:27.900 --> 00:17:30.019 and contradictions 00:17:30.019 --> 00:17:32.060 that we find 00:17:32.060 --> 00:17:32.800 all around us 00:17:32.800 --> 00:17:33.560 in this world. 00:17:34.840 --> 00:17:35.740 I want you to think 00:17:35.740 --> 00:17:36.240 right now. 00:17:37.279 --> 00:17:38.779 The Lord Jesus Christ 00:17:38.779 --> 00:17:39.640 knows you. 00:17:40.680 --> 00:17:41.660 He knows your 00:17:41.660 --> 00:17:43.040 life situation 00:17:43.040 --> 00:17:43.519 right now 00:17:43.519 --> 00:17:43.960 that you're dealing 00:17:43.960 --> 00:17:44.180 with. 00:17:45.079 --> 00:17:45.920 No one else 00:17:45.920 --> 00:17:46.559 may know 00:17:46.559 --> 00:17:48.839 but He knows. 00:17:49.879 --> 00:17:50.460 He knows 00:17:50.460 --> 00:17:51.839 what you need 00:17:51.839 --> 00:17:53.460 and He knows 00:17:53.460 --> 00:17:54.079 the best way 00:17:54.079 --> 00:17:55.119 to meet your needs. 00:17:55.799 --> 00:17:56.379 And that may not 00:17:56.379 --> 00:17:57.299 always be 00:17:57.299 --> 00:17:58.420 the way you want 00:17:58.420 --> 00:17:58.819 to meet. 00:18:00.339 --> 00:18:01.339 Jesus always 00:18:01.339 --> 00:18:02.299 gives wise 00:18:02.299 --> 00:18:03.400 counsel to those 00:18:03.400 --> 00:18:04.700 who will humbly 00:18:04.700 --> 00:18:05.660 come to Him, 00:18:06.839 --> 00:18:08.000 listen to Him, 00:18:08.000 --> 00:18:10.220 and be willing 00:18:10.220 --> 00:18:11.579 to obey Him. 00:18:11.579 --> 00:18:14.679 that means you. 00:18:16.179 --> 00:18:17.699 I hope that you 00:18:17.699 --> 00:18:18.619 have already, 00:18:19.000 --> 00:18:19.980 if not that you 00:18:19.980 --> 00:18:21.240 will experience 00:18:21.240 --> 00:18:24.799 this wonderful 00:18:24.799 --> 00:18:26.079 counselor 00:18:26.079 --> 00:18:28.879 who will help you 00:18:28.879 --> 00:18:30.779 with His wisdom 00:18:30.779 --> 00:18:31.960 in ways that 00:18:31.960 --> 00:18:33.699 will make a difference 00:18:33.699 --> 00:18:34.519 in your life. 00:18:34.519 --> 00:18:37.420 Christ rules 00:18:37.420 --> 00:18:38.059 with wisdom, 00:18:38.299 --> 00:18:38.940 Isaiah is telling 00:18:38.940 --> 00:18:39.299 us. 00:18:39.980 --> 00:18:40.660 We also see 00:18:40.660 --> 00:18:41.500 that Jesus Christ 00:18:41.500 --> 00:18:43.079 rules with power. 00:18:43.799 --> 00:18:44.920 He is mighty 00:18:44.920 --> 00:18:45.460 God. 00:18:46.460 --> 00:18:47.119 As a wonderful 00:18:47.119 --> 00:18:47.639 counselor, 00:18:47.799 --> 00:18:48.420 Jesus tells us 00:18:48.420 --> 00:18:49.059 what to do. 00:18:49.460 --> 00:18:50.539 As mighty God, 00:18:50.539 --> 00:18:51.779 He supplies us 00:18:51.779 --> 00:18:52.519 with the power 00:18:52.519 --> 00:18:53.819 to be able 00:18:53.819 --> 00:18:54.539 to do it. 00:18:55.599 --> 00:18:55.759 You know, 00:18:55.839 --> 00:18:56.740 human counsel 00:18:56.740 --> 00:18:57.460 can only go 00:18:57.460 --> 00:18:58.079 so far. 00:18:58.079 --> 00:19:00.819 haven't you 00:19:00.819 --> 00:19:01.859 talked to people 00:19:01.859 --> 00:19:04.539 about various 00:19:04.539 --> 00:19:05.399 problems in their 00:19:05.399 --> 00:19:05.899 life? 00:19:06.859 --> 00:19:07.639 And in many 00:19:07.639 --> 00:19:08.399 of those situations 00:19:08.399 --> 00:19:09.919 the solution 00:19:09.919 --> 00:19:10.919 was obvious. 00:19:11.960 --> 00:19:12.199 You see, 00:19:12.259 --> 00:19:12.919 every one of us 00:19:12.919 --> 00:19:13.319 in this room, 00:19:13.439 --> 00:19:14.359 we are counselors 00:19:14.359 --> 00:19:15.240 to some people. 00:19:16.759 --> 00:19:17.599 There's some people 00:19:17.599 --> 00:19:18.039 who would never 00:19:18.039 --> 00:19:19.039 dream of talking 00:19:19.039 --> 00:19:19.720 to a pastor 00:19:19.720 --> 00:19:20.699 or actually going 00:19:20.699 --> 00:19:22.079 to a licensed 00:19:22.720 --> 00:19:23.919 real counselor. 00:19:25.299 --> 00:19:26.059 But they talk 00:19:26.059 --> 00:19:26.539 to you. 00:19:26.539 --> 00:19:29.680 You are the 00:19:29.680 --> 00:19:30.319 person that 00:19:30.319 --> 00:19:31.180 some people 00:19:31.180 --> 00:19:32.000 go to 00:19:32.000 --> 00:19:33.700 to get help 00:19:33.700 --> 00:19:35.039 with serious 00:19:35.039 --> 00:19:35.779 issues in their 00:19:35.779 --> 00:19:36.159 life. 00:19:36.859 --> 00:19:37.519 And sometimes 00:19:37.519 --> 00:19:38.099 when they go 00:19:38.099 --> 00:19:38.500 to you, 00:19:38.720 --> 00:19:39.519 sometimes you 00:19:39.519 --> 00:19:39.960 just sort of 00:19:39.960 --> 00:19:41.059 think to yourself, 00:19:41.220 --> 00:19:41.639 I don't know 00:19:41.639 --> 00:19:42.200 what to do. 00:19:44.259 --> 00:19:45.240 Sometimes they 00:19:45.240 --> 00:19:45.879 come to you 00:19:45.879 --> 00:19:46.619 and they ask 00:19:46.619 --> 00:19:47.599 questions 00:19:47.599 --> 00:19:49.420 and you have 00:19:49.420 --> 00:19:49.920 the answer. 00:19:51.819 --> 00:19:52.519 The problem 00:19:52.519 --> 00:19:53.000 is, 00:19:53.839 --> 00:19:55.659 you have 00:19:55.659 --> 00:19:56.259 an answer 00:19:56.259 --> 00:19:57.599 but you 00:19:57.599 --> 00:19:58.079 can't give 00:19:58.079 --> 00:19:58.539 them the 00:19:58.539 --> 00:19:59.559 power that 00:19:59.559 --> 00:20:00.400 they need 00:20:00.400 --> 00:20:01.799 to change. 00:20:03.799 --> 00:20:04.839 Jesus Christ 00:20:04.839 --> 00:20:05.700 has the power 00:20:05.700 --> 00:20:06.660 to bring about 00:20:06.660 --> 00:20:08.759 change in our 00:20:08.759 --> 00:20:09.599 lives, in any 00:20:09.599 --> 00:20:10.460 person's life 00:20:10.460 --> 00:20:11.619 because He is 00:20:11.619 --> 00:20:12.720 mighty God. 00:20:13.440 --> 00:20:14.460 He is God 00:20:14.460 --> 00:20:15.500 in the flesh. 00:20:16.359 --> 00:20:17.319 That's a part 00:20:17.319 --> 00:20:17.720 of what the 00:20:17.720 --> 00:20:18.200 whole Christmas 00:20:18.200 --> 00:20:19.019 story is. 00:20:20.299 --> 00:20:21.140 Jesus Christ 00:20:21.140 --> 00:20:22.079 has always existed 00:20:22.079 --> 00:20:23.039 as the Son of God, 00:20:23.119 --> 00:20:23.819 the second person 00:20:23.819 --> 00:20:24.359 of the Trinity. 00:20:24.359 --> 00:20:26.359 He came into 00:20:26.359 --> 00:20:27.039 this world 00:20:27.039 --> 00:20:28.439 as a man, 00:20:29.959 --> 00:20:30.740 a baby born 00:20:30.740 --> 00:20:31.519 in Bethlehem. 00:20:32.939 --> 00:20:34.000 He is God 00:20:34.000 --> 00:20:35.259 incarnate. 00:20:35.339 --> 00:20:36.000 That means God 00:20:36.000 --> 00:20:37.219 in the flesh. 00:20:37.899 --> 00:20:38.799 John tells us 00:20:38.799 --> 00:20:39.379 about that 00:20:39.379 --> 00:20:40.139 in his first 00:20:40.139 --> 00:20:40.639 chapter, 00:20:40.919 --> 00:20:41.679 verses 1 and 00:20:41.679 --> 00:20:42.119 14. 00:20:42.579 --> 00:20:43.259 Look at it. 00:20:43.699 --> 00:20:44.199 In the beginning 00:20:44.199 --> 00:20:45.159 was the Word, 00:20:45.399 --> 00:20:46.119 he's describing 00:20:46.119 --> 00:20:46.559 Jesus. 00:20:47.299 --> 00:20:47.939 And the Word 00:20:47.939 --> 00:20:49.299 was with God 00:20:49.299 --> 00:20:50.059 and the Word 00:20:50.059 --> 00:20:51.479 was God. 00:20:51.480 --> 00:20:52.559 And the Word 00:20:52.559 --> 00:20:53.720 became flesh 00:20:53.720 --> 00:20:56.160 and dwelt 00:20:56.160 --> 00:20:57.740 among us. 00:20:59.940 --> 00:21:00.940 Jesus, on one 00:21:00.940 --> 00:21:01.420 occasion, 00:21:02.339 --> 00:21:04.200 trying to clear up 00:21:04.200 --> 00:21:04.940 some confusion 00:21:04.940 --> 00:21:06.940 among His disciples, 00:21:07.660 --> 00:21:08.339 in particular 00:21:08.339 --> 00:21:09.180 with Thomas, 00:21:10.319 --> 00:21:10.900 He just couldn't 00:21:10.900 --> 00:21:11.559 grasp, 00:21:12.519 --> 00:21:12.759 you know, 00:21:12.960 --> 00:21:14.860 who is God? 00:21:15.700 --> 00:21:16.720 Who are you 00:21:16.720 --> 00:21:17.319 even, Jesus? 00:21:17.319 --> 00:21:19.279 Jesus said to him, 00:21:19.720 --> 00:21:20.539 whoever has seen 00:21:20.539 --> 00:21:21.399 me has seen 00:21:21.399 --> 00:21:22.019 the Father 00:21:22.019 --> 00:21:24.439 because I'm God 00:21:24.439 --> 00:21:25.399 in the flesh. 00:21:26.579 --> 00:21:27.240 I've come 00:21:27.240 --> 00:21:27.960 that you might 00:21:27.960 --> 00:21:29.179 be able to see 00:21:29.179 --> 00:21:30.519 what God 00:21:30.519 --> 00:21:31.480 looks like 00:21:31.480 --> 00:21:33.319 in terms of 00:21:33.319 --> 00:21:35.299 Him coming 00:21:35.299 --> 00:21:36.039 into the world 00:21:36.039 --> 00:21:37.059 as a man 00:21:37.059 --> 00:21:38.639 because Jesus 00:21:38.639 --> 00:21:39.319 is mighty God. 00:21:40.879 --> 00:21:41.259 I want you to 00:21:41.259 --> 00:21:41.480 understand, 00:21:41.579 --> 00:21:42.379 He has the power 00:21:42.379 --> 00:21:43.720 to forgive sin. 00:21:43.720 --> 00:21:46.360 guilt is a lot 00:21:46.360 --> 00:21:47.160 of people's 00:21:47.160 --> 00:21:48.799 real burden. 00:21:49.880 --> 00:21:50.420 It could be 00:21:50.420 --> 00:21:51.299 yours this morning. 00:21:53.160 --> 00:21:53.799 It could be 00:21:53.799 --> 00:21:55.420 that things 00:21:55.420 --> 00:21:56.819 are not good 00:21:56.819 --> 00:21:57.640 in your life 00:21:57.640 --> 00:21:58.200 because 00:21:58.200 --> 00:22:00.259 they're sin 00:22:00.259 --> 00:22:01.799 and you're 00:22:01.799 --> 00:22:02.880 weighted down 00:22:02.880 --> 00:22:03.600 by guilt. 00:22:04.880 --> 00:22:05.559 I want you 00:22:05.559 --> 00:22:05.920 to understand 00:22:05.920 --> 00:22:06.660 that that weight 00:22:06.660 --> 00:22:07.779 can be lifted 00:22:07.779 --> 00:22:09.920 if you're not 00:22:09.920 --> 00:22:10.299 a Christian 00:22:10.299 --> 00:22:10.860 by putting your 00:22:10.860 --> 00:22:11.600 faith and trust 00:22:11.600 --> 00:22:12.039 in Jesus 00:22:12.039 --> 00:22:12.779 as you turn 00:22:12.779 --> 00:22:13.299 from your sin, 00:22:13.299 --> 00:22:14.000 as you admit 00:22:14.000 --> 00:22:14.240 it, 00:22:14.700 --> 00:22:15.359 forsake it. 00:22:16.680 --> 00:22:17.839 God can forgive 00:22:17.839 --> 00:22:18.039 you. 00:22:18.099 --> 00:22:18.960 He will forgive 00:22:18.960 --> 00:22:19.240 you. 00:22:20.180 --> 00:22:20.740 It may be 00:22:20.740 --> 00:22:21.319 that you are 00:22:21.319 --> 00:22:21.940 a Christian 00:22:21.940 --> 00:22:24.039 but you, 00:22:24.259 --> 00:22:24.579 there's some 00:22:24.579 --> 00:22:25.119 things in your 00:22:25.119 --> 00:22:25.779 life or a 00:22:25.779 --> 00:22:26.460 thing in your 00:22:26.460 --> 00:22:27.079 life that 00:22:27.079 --> 00:22:28.960 you've just 00:22:28.960 --> 00:22:29.799 rebelled against 00:22:29.799 --> 00:22:31.480 God about 00:22:31.480 --> 00:22:34.099 and the result 00:22:34.099 --> 00:22:35.000 is there's a lot 00:22:35.000 --> 00:22:35.579 of guilt, 00:22:35.799 --> 00:22:36.259 maybe some 00:22:36.259 --> 00:22:36.919 anger and 00:22:36.919 --> 00:22:37.559 frustration. 00:22:38.960 --> 00:22:39.599 I want you 00:22:39.599 --> 00:22:40.079 to understand 00:22:40.079 --> 00:22:40.559 that Scripture 00:22:40.559 --> 00:22:41.159 says if you 00:22:41.159 --> 00:22:42.279 will confess 00:22:42.279 --> 00:22:43.000 your sins, 00:22:43.299 --> 00:22:44.240 God is 00:22:44.240 --> 00:22:44.779 faithful and 00:22:44.779 --> 00:22:45.159 just to 00:22:45.159 --> 00:22:45.779 forgive you 00:22:45.779 --> 00:22:46.079 and to 00:22:46.079 --> 00:22:47.019 cleanse you 00:22:47.019 --> 00:22:48.079 from all 00:22:48.079 --> 00:22:49.079 unrighteousness. 00:22:51.579 --> 00:22:52.319 Our Lord 00:22:52.319 --> 00:22:52.919 has the power 00:22:52.919 --> 00:22:53.799 to rebuild 00:22:53.799 --> 00:22:54.460 a person's 00:22:54.460 --> 00:22:54.779 life. 00:22:56.419 --> 00:22:56.960 When I was 00:22:56.960 --> 00:22:57.659 growing up 00:22:57.659 --> 00:22:58.859 in the 00:22:58.859 --> 00:22:59.480 community that 00:22:59.480 --> 00:23:00.220 I lived in, 00:23:01.220 --> 00:23:02.059 there was a 00:23:02.059 --> 00:23:02.940 man who was 00:23:02.940 --> 00:23:03.919 known by 00:23:03.919 --> 00:23:05.119 everyone as 00:23:05.119 --> 00:23:06.059 the community 00:23:06.059 --> 00:23:06.799 drunk. 00:23:06.799 --> 00:23:06.980 drunk. 00:23:08.180 --> 00:23:10.119 Now, he was 00:23:10.119 --> 00:23:10.779 such a guy, 00:23:10.960 --> 00:23:11.759 lived such a 00:23:11.759 --> 00:23:13.740 life, no one 00:23:13.740 --> 00:23:14.220 thought of him 00:23:14.220 --> 00:23:14.980 as an alcoholic 00:23:14.980 --> 00:23:15.740 because that was 00:23:15.740 --> 00:23:16.639 too good a word 00:23:16.639 --> 00:23:17.279 for this guy. 00:23:18.419 --> 00:23:19.319 He just 00:23:19.319 --> 00:23:20.919 looked and 00:23:20.919 --> 00:23:22.599 acted, treated 00:23:22.599 --> 00:23:25.960 people as 00:23:25.960 --> 00:23:27.159 just a drunk. 00:23:28.759 --> 00:23:29.559 No one 00:23:29.559 --> 00:23:30.419 respected him. 00:23:30.420 --> 00:23:32.240 No one 00:23:32.240 --> 00:23:34.180 thought anything 00:23:34.180 --> 00:23:35.240 positive about 00:23:35.240 --> 00:23:36.580 him because 00:23:36.580 --> 00:23:37.060 of the way he 00:23:37.060 --> 00:23:37.740 mistreated his 00:23:37.740 --> 00:23:39.300 family, because 00:23:39.300 --> 00:23:39.759 of the way he 00:23:39.759 --> 00:23:41.519 couldn't be 00:23:41.519 --> 00:23:42.039 trusted. 00:23:43.240 --> 00:23:43.800 He did a lot 00:23:43.800 --> 00:23:45.100 of funny as 00:23:45.100 --> 00:23:45.860 well as foolish 00:23:45.860 --> 00:23:46.560 things. 00:23:47.360 --> 00:23:47.759 One of the 00:23:47.759 --> 00:23:48.500 stories of the 00:23:48.500 --> 00:23:49.140 community that 00:23:49.140 --> 00:23:49.980 everyone knew, 00:23:51.100 --> 00:23:52.220 on one occasion, 00:23:52.820 --> 00:23:53.480 he was driving 00:23:53.480 --> 00:23:53.900 drunk. 00:23:53.900 --> 00:23:55.700 he was driving 00:23:55.700 --> 00:23:58.940 real slow and 00:23:58.940 --> 00:23:59.480 he went out, 00:23:59.519 --> 00:23:59.920 it was on the 00:23:59.920 --> 00:24:00.620 Clemson Highway. 00:24:02.060 --> 00:24:03.540 He ran into a 00:24:03.540 --> 00:24:04.440 highway patrolman. 00:24:05.460 --> 00:24:05.860 It wasn't a 00:24:05.860 --> 00:24:06.480 major wreck, 00:24:06.640 --> 00:24:07.000 the patrolman 00:24:07.000 --> 00:24:07.580 saw him coming, 00:24:07.660 --> 00:24:08.160 just couldn't get 00:24:08.160 --> 00:24:08.680 out of the way. 00:24:08.840 --> 00:24:09.340 He was going 00:24:09.340 --> 00:24:10.300 slow and he 00:24:10.300 --> 00:24:11.380 hit the highway 00:24:11.380 --> 00:24:12.420 patrolman's car. 00:24:13.700 --> 00:24:14.540 The patrolman 00:24:14.540 --> 00:24:15.019 got out of the 00:24:15.019 --> 00:24:15.759 car and came up 00:24:15.759 --> 00:24:18.200 to his window and 00:24:18.200 --> 00:24:18.940 I can't tell you 00:24:18.940 --> 00:24:19.860 to use all the 00:24:19.860 --> 00:24:20.500 words that he 00:24:20.500 --> 00:24:21.759 used, but he 00:24:21.759 --> 00:24:22.560 basically looked 00:24:22.560 --> 00:24:23.340 at the patrolman 00:24:23.340 --> 00:24:23.780 and said, 00:24:23.900 --> 00:24:25.580 you sure got 00:24:25.580 --> 00:24:26.480 here in a hurry. 00:24:29.920 --> 00:24:30.980 That was the 00:24:30.980 --> 00:24:31.440 guy. 00:24:33.840 --> 00:24:34.420 But somewhere 00:24:34.420 --> 00:24:37.420 in his 60s, 00:24:37.420 --> 00:24:38.019 after I'd grown 00:24:38.019 --> 00:24:38.480 up and gone 00:24:38.480 --> 00:24:40.440 away, my dad 00:24:40.440 --> 00:24:41.320 told me about 00:24:41.320 --> 00:24:41.620 him. 00:24:42.700 --> 00:24:43.519 Sometime in 00:24:43.519 --> 00:24:46.420 his 60s, he 00:24:46.420 --> 00:24:47.100 was saved. 00:24:48.560 --> 00:24:49.240 And my dad 00:24:49.240 --> 00:24:51.180 said, his life 00:24:51.180 --> 00:24:52.460 just totally 00:24:52.460 --> 00:24:53.420 changed. 00:24:53.900 --> 00:24:56.440 180 degree turn. 00:24:58.320 --> 00:25:00.580 For years, all I 00:25:00.580 --> 00:25:01.480 ever saw in him 00:25:01.480 --> 00:25:02.380 was just somebody 00:25:02.380 --> 00:25:04.300 who looked like 00:25:04.300 --> 00:25:05.620 he'd lived a hard 00:25:05.620 --> 00:25:06.120 life. 00:25:06.280 --> 00:25:06.980 He looked it in 00:25:06.980 --> 00:25:07.800 his face, 00:25:08.519 --> 00:25:10.160 unkempt, bent 00:25:10.160 --> 00:25:11.880 over, sort of. 00:25:12.720 --> 00:25:13.759 Not just when he 00:25:13.759 --> 00:25:15.420 was drinking, slurred 00:25:15.420 --> 00:25:16.700 kind of speech. 00:25:16.700 --> 00:25:19.380 But this is the 00:25:19.380 --> 00:25:20.279 honest truth. 00:25:20.279 --> 00:25:22.220 When God saved 00:25:22.220 --> 00:25:25.180 him, he stood up 00:25:25.180 --> 00:25:25.720 straight. 00:25:27.279 --> 00:25:28.420 The countenance on 00:25:28.420 --> 00:25:29.160 his face was 00:25:29.160 --> 00:25:30.019 changed. 00:25:31.080 --> 00:25:32.580 He became a more 00:25:32.580 --> 00:25:34.580 articulate person. 00:25:35.319 --> 00:25:36.559 And everybody 00:25:36.559 --> 00:25:37.559 noticed it. 00:25:38.120 --> 00:25:39.120 Everybody was just 00:25:39.120 --> 00:25:40.319 taken back by it. 00:25:40.319 --> 00:25:42.599 And after he 00:25:42.599 --> 00:25:43.579 demonstrated the 00:25:43.579 --> 00:25:45.000 reality of his 00:25:45.000 --> 00:25:45.720 faith, of his 00:25:45.720 --> 00:25:46.419 relationship with 00:25:46.419 --> 00:25:48.200 the Lord, after 00:25:48.200 --> 00:25:49.759 several years, his 00:25:49.759 --> 00:25:50.939 church actually 00:25:50.939 --> 00:25:53.539 elected him to be a 00:25:53.539 --> 00:25:54.279 deacon in that 00:25:54.279 --> 00:25:54.819 church. 00:25:55.279 --> 00:25:55.960 And nobody 00:25:55.960 --> 00:25:56.659 thought it was 00:25:56.659 --> 00:25:57.059 funny. 00:25:58.119 --> 00:25:58.899 Nobody thought it 00:25:58.899 --> 00:25:59.519 was a joke. 00:26:00.799 --> 00:26:02.299 He became in that 00:26:02.299 --> 00:26:03.220 community a 00:26:03.220 --> 00:26:04.819 testimony of God's 00:26:04.819 --> 00:26:06.700 grace and God's 00:26:06.700 --> 00:26:07.240 power. 00:26:07.240 --> 00:26:07.380 power. 00:26:08.940 --> 00:26:09.819 And what I want 00:26:09.819 --> 00:26:10.460 you to hear in 00:26:10.460 --> 00:26:13.140 this story is, the 00:26:13.140 --> 00:26:14.220 Lord Jesus Christ, 00:26:14.339 --> 00:26:17.099 mighty God, he has 00:26:17.099 --> 00:26:18.900 the power to change 00:26:18.900 --> 00:26:20.400 any person's life. 00:26:21.880 --> 00:26:22.920 But you've got to 00:26:22.920 --> 00:26:23.839 come to him on his 00:26:23.839 --> 00:26:24.460 terms. 00:26:26.799 --> 00:26:28.180 Confess your need 00:26:28.180 --> 00:26:29.519 for a Savior. 00:26:31.259 --> 00:26:32.599 Not just trust in 00:26:32.599 --> 00:26:33.640 him, but submit to 00:26:33.640 --> 00:26:35.779 his authority as the 00:26:35.779 --> 00:26:37.059 mighty God over 00:26:37.059 --> 00:26:37.819 your life. 00:26:39.539 --> 00:26:40.440 Jesus Christ 00:26:40.440 --> 00:26:42.119 rules with 00:26:42.119 --> 00:26:43.539 wisdom, rules 00:26:43.539 --> 00:26:44.319 with power. 00:26:45.159 --> 00:26:46.279 But we also see 00:26:46.279 --> 00:26:47.460 in these titles, 00:26:47.980 --> 00:26:49.519 Jesus Christ rules 00:26:49.519 --> 00:26:51.159 lovingly and 00:26:51.159 --> 00:26:52.200 sovereignly. 00:26:52.960 --> 00:26:53.359 He is 00:26:53.359 --> 00:26:54.099 everlasting 00:26:54.099 --> 00:26:54.859 father. 00:26:56.359 --> 00:26:57.119 And don't be 00:26:57.119 --> 00:26:58.099 confused by that 00:26:58.099 --> 00:26:58.759 word father. 00:26:59.359 --> 00:27:00.259 The everlasting 00:27:00.259 --> 00:27:03.059 father title is 00:27:03.720 --> 00:27:04.599 not intended to 00:27:04.599 --> 00:27:05.299 cause us to 00:27:05.299 --> 00:27:07.359 think that Jesus 00:27:07.359 --> 00:27:10.180 Christ is the 00:27:10.180 --> 00:27:11.619 same person as 00:27:11.619 --> 00:27:12.720 God the father. 00:27:13.359 --> 00:27:14.599 That he's God the 00:27:14.599 --> 00:27:15.659 son and he's God 00:27:15.659 --> 00:27:16.059 the father. 00:27:16.220 --> 00:27:16.940 That wouldn't make 00:27:16.940 --> 00:27:17.599 sense. 00:27:18.819 --> 00:27:19.680 In the Old 00:27:19.680 --> 00:27:20.619 Testament, what this 00:27:20.619 --> 00:27:22.980 means is kings were 00:27:22.980 --> 00:27:24.359 sometimes called 00:27:24.359 --> 00:27:26.799 fathers of the 00:27:26.799 --> 00:27:27.500 people that they 00:27:27.500 --> 00:27:27.940 ruled. 00:27:27.940 --> 00:27:30.279 God the 00:27:30.279 --> 00:27:31.960 ESV study Bible 00:27:31.960 --> 00:27:33.759 explains this, I 00:27:33.759 --> 00:27:34.259 think, very 00:27:34.259 --> 00:27:34.720 well. 00:27:35.860 --> 00:27:37.100 It says that as 00:27:37.100 --> 00:27:38.380 everlasting father, 00:27:39.140 --> 00:27:39.820 he is a 00:27:39.820 --> 00:27:40.700 benevolent 00:27:40.700 --> 00:27:42.700 protector, which 00:27:42.700 --> 00:27:43.799 is the task of the 00:27:43.799 --> 00:27:46.080 ideal king and is 00:27:46.080 --> 00:27:47.380 also the way God 00:27:47.380 --> 00:27:49.080 himself cares for 00:27:49.080 --> 00:27:49.559 his people. 00:27:51.320 --> 00:27:52.320 It should be 00:27:52.320 --> 00:27:53.019 comforting to every 00:27:53.019 --> 00:27:53.680 one of us, we're 00:27:53.680 --> 00:27:55.420 Christians, to know 00:27:55.420 --> 00:27:56.660 that our Lord is 00:27:56.660 --> 00:27:58.580 our benevolent 00:27:58.580 --> 00:27:59.440 protector. 00:28:00.580 --> 00:28:01.720 He's our loving, 00:28:02.360 --> 00:28:03.720 sovereign Savior 00:28:03.720 --> 00:28:06.279 who always works 00:28:06.279 --> 00:28:07.320 for God's glory 00:28:07.320 --> 00:28:08.820 and our good. 00:28:10.039 --> 00:28:11.080 Now you know, 00:28:12.080 --> 00:28:12.980 hopefully you know, 00:28:13.400 --> 00:28:13.940 that doesn't mean 00:28:13.940 --> 00:28:15.620 everything as God 00:28:15.620 --> 00:28:16.200 works in our life, 00:28:16.259 --> 00:28:16.500 that doesn't mean 00:28:16.500 --> 00:28:16.960 everything will be 00:28:16.960 --> 00:28:17.440 easy. 00:28:17.980 --> 00:28:18.560 It doesn't mean that 00:28:18.560 --> 00:28:19.259 everything will always 00:28:19.259 --> 00:28:20.160 work out the way that 00:28:20.160 --> 00:28:21.120 we want it to. 00:28:21.119 --> 00:28:23.619 But our Lord can be 00:28:23.619 --> 00:28:24.879 trusted to take care 00:28:24.879 --> 00:28:25.459 of us. 00:28:26.599 --> 00:28:27.979 He can be trusted to 00:28:27.979 --> 00:28:28.919 never let anything 00:28:28.919 --> 00:28:30.659 take us out of his 00:28:30.659 --> 00:28:32.259 protecting hand, 00:28:32.599 --> 00:28:34.579 just as Jesus 00:28:34.579 --> 00:28:35.239 promised. 00:28:36.000 --> 00:28:36.879 Look again at 00:28:36.879 --> 00:28:38.099 John's gospel, this 00:28:38.099 --> 00:28:38.879 time the 10th 00:28:38.879 --> 00:28:39.319 chapter. 00:28:40.479 --> 00:28:41.979 Jesus says, my 00:28:41.979 --> 00:28:42.939 sheep, that's how 00:28:42.939 --> 00:28:43.939 he's describing his 00:28:43.939 --> 00:28:44.779 people, people who 00:28:44.779 --> 00:28:45.479 believe in him. 00:28:46.000 --> 00:28:47.739 My sheep hear my 00:28:47.739 --> 00:28:49.500 voice, and I know 00:28:49.500 --> 00:28:51.200 them, and they 00:28:51.200 --> 00:28:52.579 follow me. 00:28:53.240 --> 00:28:54.019 I give them 00:28:54.019 --> 00:28:55.599 eternal life, and 00:28:55.599 --> 00:28:56.420 they will never 00:28:56.420 --> 00:28:58.240 perish, and no one 00:28:58.240 --> 00:28:59.259 will snatch them out 00:28:59.259 --> 00:28:59.940 of my hand. 00:29:00.660 --> 00:29:02.420 My Father, who has 00:29:02.420 --> 00:29:04.500 given them to me, is 00:29:04.500 --> 00:29:06.880 greater than all, and 00:29:06.880 --> 00:29:08.019 no one is able to 00:29:08.019 --> 00:29:09.099 snatch them out of 00:29:09.099 --> 00:29:10.000 the Father's hand. 00:29:10.619 --> 00:29:11.680 I and the Father 00:29:11.680 --> 00:29:13.019 are one. 00:29:13.900 --> 00:29:15.079 The Lord's promising 00:29:15.079 --> 00:29:16.680 us here that no 00:29:16.680 --> 00:29:19.480 matter what, we 00:29:19.480 --> 00:29:20.640 can count on him. 00:29:21.640 --> 00:29:22.980 We can count on our 00:29:22.980 --> 00:29:24.819 heavenly Father to 00:29:24.819 --> 00:29:26.019 take care of us. 00:29:26.360 --> 00:29:28.839 That is, we who are 00:29:28.839 --> 00:29:29.640 his sheep. 00:29:31.400 --> 00:29:34.039 We who follow him. 00:29:35.660 --> 00:29:36.980 What that means is we 00:29:36.980 --> 00:29:38.559 need to make sure we're 00:29:38.559 --> 00:29:39.259 one of them. 00:29:43.400 --> 00:29:45.000 Isaiah is telling us 00:29:45.000 --> 00:29:46.660 that the Christ of 00:29:46.660 --> 00:29:48.819 Christmas, he rules with 00:29:48.819 --> 00:29:50.839 wisdom, he rules with 00:29:50.839 --> 00:29:55.259 power, he rules with 00:29:55.259 --> 00:29:56.659 loving protection. 00:29:58.200 --> 00:29:58.919 And there's one more 00:29:58.919 --> 00:29:59.279 way. 00:29:59.879 --> 00:30:01.159 Jesus Christ rules in 00:30:01.159 --> 00:30:01.460 peace. 00:30:01.539 --> 00:30:02.359 He's the Prince of 00:30:02.359 --> 00:30:02.759 Peace. 00:30:03.619 --> 00:30:04.299 And I want to come 00:30:04.299 --> 00:30:06.039 back to that, either on 00:30:06.039 --> 00:30:07.240 Christmas Eve or 00:30:07.240 --> 00:30:09.519 Christmas Day, and just 00:30:09.519 --> 00:30:11.899 focus on him being the 00:30:11.899 --> 00:30:12.639 Prince of Peace. 00:30:13.779 --> 00:30:14.839 You know, we all have 00:30:14.839 --> 00:30:16.099 our Christmas traditions. 00:30:16.099 --> 00:30:17.639 Some of us have already 00:30:17.639 --> 00:30:20.139 started them, and we're 00:30:20.139 --> 00:30:20.879 going to be participating 00:30:20.879 --> 00:30:23.059 in them throughout this 00:30:23.059 --> 00:30:24.079 holiday season. 00:30:24.799 --> 00:30:26.759 Some of you have put up 00:30:26.759 --> 00:30:27.419 your Christmas tree 00:30:27.419 --> 00:30:28.759 already, or you will, 00:30:28.859 --> 00:30:29.980 because you always do it 00:30:29.980 --> 00:30:31.579 on a certain day in a 00:30:31.579 --> 00:30:32.199 certain way. 00:30:32.779 --> 00:30:34.199 Some of you have already 00:30:34.199 --> 00:30:36.939 or will enjoy going out 00:30:36.939 --> 00:30:38.359 shopping with a certain 00:30:38.359 --> 00:30:40.859 family member or a certain 00:30:40.859 --> 00:30:41.259 friend. 00:30:41.480 --> 00:30:42.439 You do it every year 00:30:42.439 --> 00:30:43.219 together at Christmas. 00:30:43.220 --> 00:30:45.640 Some of you, one of your 00:30:45.640 --> 00:30:47.000 Christmas traditions is you 00:30:47.000 --> 00:30:48.180 do things around the house 00:30:48.180 --> 00:30:49.660 with a Christmas CD on. 00:30:50.519 --> 00:30:52.140 Or maybe you like to watch 00:30:52.140 --> 00:30:53.880 Christmas specials on TV, 00:30:55.059 --> 00:30:56.180 hopefully that are more 00:30:56.180 --> 00:30:57.319 edifying than something 00:30:57.319 --> 00:30:58.700 like Christmas vacation. 00:30:59.079 --> 00:31:02.259 Now, a lot of us, we like 00:31:02.259 --> 00:31:03.400 to gather with family 00:31:03.400 --> 00:31:03.940 members. 00:31:05.319 --> 00:31:06.059 You know, you're going to 00:31:06.059 --> 00:31:08.620 meet with certain, one set 00:31:08.620 --> 00:31:09.940 of family, one side of the 00:31:09.940 --> 00:31:11.600 family, maybe, on Christmas 00:31:11.599 --> 00:31:13.639 Eve, another side of the 00:31:13.639 --> 00:31:14.939 family on Christmas Day. 00:31:17.759 --> 00:31:20.699 We all in this room, we have 00:31:20.699 --> 00:31:22.899 some Christmas traditions that 00:31:22.899 --> 00:31:26.579 really are big events to us. 00:31:27.500 --> 00:31:28.319 And that's good. 00:31:30.000 --> 00:31:33.299 Every family, every member of 00:31:33.299 --> 00:31:34.619 every family should have 00:31:34.619 --> 00:31:37.740 Christmas traditions that mean 00:31:37.740 --> 00:31:38.819 something to them. 00:31:38.819 --> 00:31:41.639 But let's be careful that we 00:31:41.639 --> 00:31:44.919 do not miss the real big event 00:31:44.919 --> 00:31:45.659 of Christmas. 00:31:46.980 --> 00:31:48.759 The coming of God's Son, 00:31:49.740 --> 00:31:52.559 Jesus Christ, into this world 00:31:52.559 --> 00:31:55.099 to save His people from their 00:31:55.099 --> 00:31:55.639 sins. 00:31:56.899 --> 00:31:59.200 The names or titles of Jesus 00:31:59.200 --> 00:32:00.460 that we see in Isaiah, 00:32:01.460 --> 00:32:04.319 they help us to understand that 00:32:04.319 --> 00:32:07.279 our Savior is able to meet our 00:32:07.279 --> 00:32:12.220 deepest needs as He provides us 00:32:12.220 --> 00:32:14.899 with wise counsel, power to 00:32:14.899 --> 00:32:17.500 change, loving protection, 00:32:18.839 --> 00:32:19.819 and perfect peace. 00:32:22.099 --> 00:32:23.460 Two questions. 00:32:25.160 --> 00:32:27.420 How have you responded to the 00:32:27.420 --> 00:32:28.460 Christ of Christmas? 00:32:28.460 --> 00:32:29.460 Jesus Christ? 00:32:29.460 --> 00:32:34.460 If you're not a Christian, if 00:32:34.460 --> 00:32:36.220 you've not experienced the 00:32:36.220 --> 00:32:38.240 salvation that God freely gives 00:32:38.240 --> 00:32:40.519 through faith in Jesus, I want 00:32:40.519 --> 00:32:42.279 to invite you right now to turn to 00:32:42.279 --> 00:32:42.559 Him. 00:32:43.920 --> 00:32:45.579 That means you've got to admit that 00:32:45.579 --> 00:32:47.579 you are a sinner separated from God 00:32:47.579 --> 00:32:49.480 by your sin and be willing to 00:32:49.480 --> 00:32:52.100 admit that, change your mind about 00:32:52.100 --> 00:32:54.340 living that way, grieve over your 00:32:54.340 --> 00:32:57.400 sin, turn from that and turn to 00:32:57.400 --> 00:32:59.840 Christ, trusting that when He died 00:32:59.840 --> 00:33:00.940 on the cross, He took your 00:33:00.940 --> 00:33:01.420 punishment. 00:33:01.940 --> 00:33:03.800 He paid the penalty for your sins. 00:33:05.320 --> 00:33:06.580 Put your faith in Him. 00:33:07.560 --> 00:33:09.200 Call upon Him to save you. 00:33:10.040 --> 00:33:11.720 Surrender your life to Him now. 00:33:13.259 --> 00:33:15.140 How have you responded to Christ, 00:33:15.820 --> 00:33:17.759 the Christ of Christmas? 00:33:17.759 --> 00:33:24.000 If you are a Christian, if you have 00:33:24.000 --> 00:33:26.940 experienced His salvation, I want to 00:33:26.940 --> 00:33:30.400 encourage you this day, this Sunday, 00:33:31.059 --> 00:33:34.119 December the 11th, make sure you are 00:33:34.119 --> 00:33:38.200 honoring Him as the Lord of your life. 00:33:38.200 --> 00:33:43.519 not just during Christmas season, but 00:33:43.519 --> 00:33:44.559 every day that you live. 00:33:45.819 --> 00:33:48.660 Make sure that this Christ of 00:33:48.660 --> 00:33:52.640 Christmas, that He's also the Lord of 00:33:52.640 --> 00:33:53.240 your life. 00:33:55.920 --> 00:33:56.680 Is He? 00:33:58.519 --> 00:34:01.400 And if He's not, would you come back to 00:34:01.400 --> 00:34:01.840 Him now? 00:34:02.759 --> 00:34:03.700 Let's pray together. 00:34:03.700 --> 00:34:09.639 Father, help us this morning to 00:34:09.639 --> 00:34:14.559 understand just what a great, powerful, 00:34:15.079 --> 00:34:19.860 loving, wise Savior Jesus is. 00:34:22.360 --> 00:34:24.940 Show us, Father, how we should respond to 00:34:24.940 --> 00:34:28.039 the Lord Jesus. 00:34:28.039 --> 00:34:33.800 Give us the wisdom and the power, the 00:34:33.800 --> 00:34:39.099 desire, the ability to respond the way 00:34:39.099 --> 00:34:42.099 that we as individuals need to. 00:34:43.480 --> 00:34:44.739 You just pray now. 00:34:45.639 --> 00:34:46.779 You listen to the Lord. 00:34:47.179 --> 00:34:49.159 You respond to Him as He speaks, as He 00:34:49.159 --> 00:34:50.440 shows you what you need to do. 00:34:51.679 --> 00:34:53.239 If I could pray with you or help you 00:34:53.239 --> 00:34:54.800 here at the front, I will be here. 00:34:55.500 --> 00:34:56.559 I would love to do that. 00:34:56.559 --> 00:34:59.460 Let's just listen to the Lord and obey Him 00:34:59.460 --> 00:34:59.739 now.