You are listening to a message from Southwood Presbyterian Church in Huntsville, Alabama.
Our passion is to experience and express grace.
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Amen.
Thank you guys so much.
I love Christmas a lot.
Some of the gifts that God has given to this church are people like this who serve us.
Yeah, you can thank them.
There's others who do things like this with flowers and Christmas trees that I don't do.
And they use their gifts on Saturday so you don't actually see them and get to thank them for that.
But it's not just to have fun and just to make something look nice or sound good.
But because we're celebrating something we believe to be worthy of this kind of joy and excitement, right?
It's not just the spirit of a season but the reality of God becoming man that deserves for us to have that kind of joy.
And it's just a gift to see all of you use your gifts in that way, especially to serve this body.
So thank you for the many ways that you do that.
As we enter this Christmas season, we're starting a new sermon series as well and looking at who Jesus is.
Back about 15 years ago as we approached the turn of the millennium in late 1999,
Time magazine ran a cover story that was written by novelist Reynolds Price.
He wrote this,
It would require much exotic calculation to deny that the single most powerful figure,
not merely in these two millenniums but in all human history, has been Jesus of Nazareth.
Not only is the prevalent system of denoting the years based on an erroneous 6th century calculation of the date of his birth,
but a serious argument can be made that no one else's life has proved remotely as powerful and enduring as that of Jesus.
It's an astonishing conclusion in light of the fact that Jesus was a man who lived a short life
in a rural backwater of the Roman Empire,
who died in agony as a convicted criminal,
and who may never have intended so much as a small portion of the effects worked in his name.
Who was Jesus then?
That's the question, isn't it?
Who was Jesus then?
What child is this?
Who was Jesus?
Price gives some of his answer in the rest of that article that he wrote,
but for hundreds of years,
individuals and world religions have been giving answers to that question, haven't they?
A variety of different answers,
and it's a question that's well worth our time to consider.
Jesus is near the top of every reputable, most influential people of all time list.
He's changed the world in many ways.
His birth is going to be celebrated in a variety of ways the world over later this month, right?
By people who believe a wide range of different things about who he is,
who have broadly different answers to that question,
who is Jesus?
Almost everyone these days agrees that there was indeed a baby
who grew up and was a man who lived in the Middle East,
and was called Jesus.
Very few people dispute that anymore.
But they don't agree on who Jesus really was.
And the different answers that they give about his identity
lead to radically different life paths, don't they?
C.S. Lewis has famously said that Jesus was either a liar,
or a lunatic,
or the Lord of all.
That was his famous trilemma.
Who is Jesus?
Either a liar, a lunatic, or the Lord of all.
Now, that may seem like three simple choices,
but those are very different options, aren't they?
Very different answers to the question of who Jesus is.
So it's a very important issue for all of us.
We want to look this Christmas season at the identity of Jesus.
See what the Bible declares about this unique child.
We're going to do that by looking at four titles
that he was given even before his birth,
and ask what they tell us about the child born that first Christmas,
how we see those titles expressed in Jesus' life as he grows up.
So what child is this is the question.
Let's read the context of these titles in Isaiah 9.
We're going to start reading at verse 1.
But there will be no gloom for her who was in anguish.
In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun
and the land of Naphtali.
But in the latter time he has made glorious the way of the sea,
the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations.
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light.
Those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness,
on them has light shined.
You've multiplied the nation.
You have increased its joy.
They rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest,
as they are glad when they divide the spoil.
For the yoke of his burden and the staff for his shoulder,
the rod of his oppressor,
you have broken as on the day of Midian.
For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult
and every garment rolled in blood
will be burned as fuel for the fire.
For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor,
Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of his government and of peace,
there will be no end.
On the throne of David and over his kingdom,
to establish it and to uphold it with justice
and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore,
the zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.
Thus far God's holy,
inerrant, infallible word.
Will you pray with me?
Father, these are words we've heard before
in different contexts.
But they're not our words.
They're not words we say or words we sing.
They are indeed your words.
And so we ask that you would teach us.
That you, Holy Spirit,
would be the one who shows us
not just what they mean,
but what they mean for our hearts
and in our lives.
Would you take hearts that are easily distracted,
hearts that are easily self-reliant,
and would you make them
desirous of hearing from you?
That you might teach us
and that you might change us
and that we might know Jesus more
as a result of looking at your word together.
We ask it in his name.
Amen.
I remember holding each of my girls
in the hospital room
on the day that they were born
and, you know,
looking at them.
They're so small.
And as a dad,
you start to wonder, don't you?
You know,
what's she going to be like?
What kind of things is she going to love?
What will she do?
What will she be like?
Who will she look like?
What will she love?
Will she love me?
That was one of those questions
that was on my mind.
Lots of hopes and dreams
for what this child will be.
As we approach Christmas this year
and we see the baby in the manger,
we have the privilege of knowing
about this baby
because we're looking back, aren't we?
Who was and is Jesus?
What child is this
that we look on in the manger?
God had more than just hopes and dreams
for that child, right?
We find out here in Isaiah
that even as God looks ahead
to the life of His Son
in this prophecy,
He says here's what He's going to be like.
The Son He was giving to His people,
the child to be born,
the Son to be given,
was to be the long-awaited
deliverer and King.
The Messiah that God had promised to send
who would reign on David's throne forever, right?
Look at verse 7.
This is who He's going to be.
On the throne of David
over His kingdom,
He's going to establish it
and uphold it with justice.
He's going to be the one
who rules justly.
The one who's righteous,
who does things right.
And not just for a little while,
but from this time forth
and forevermore.
That's who He's going to be.
Isaiah had prophesied
hard days ahead, hadn't he?
You know the book of Isaiah.
There's a lot of difficult things
He says are coming
for God's people.
But He also holds out hope.
The hope promised
when Adam and Eve
were sent out of the garden
but told that God
would send rescue for them.
The hope promised to Abraham
that His people
would be a great nation
and that all nations
would be blessed through them.
The hope promised to David
that an heir would rule
forever even as the Gentiles
would stream into His kingdom.
And now God is saying what?
He's saying He's coming.
This is the one.
This is that one.
The one I've been telling you about.
The one I've been saying is coming.
That's this one.
What will He be like?
Verse 6 gives us
those four titles
that are hard to hear
without Handel's Messiah
ringing in your head.
Right?
You know,
Wonderful Counselor,
the Mighty God.
I'm going to stop singing
but you've got the general drift.
That was from Handel,
the Messiah.
It's really famous.
It just doesn't sound like that.
And so we hear those notes
in our head
when we hear these
but stop and just look at them again.
We're going to look at them in turn
but Wonderful Counselor,
the Mighty God,
the Everlasting Father,
the Prince of Peace.
Those are not mere wishes
for what His Son might become one day.
What He would be like.
Those are promises
from God the Father
of who this child will be.
We're going to take just the first one
this morning.
Wonderful Counselor.
Look at that for just a minute.
Wonderful Counselor.
Literally,
the words mean
wonder of a counselor.
That word counselor
in Isaiah's context
refers to someone
who makes wise plans,
who gives helpful guidance.
This child is going to be a ruler,
a king,
who leads his people
in the proper direction,
on the right path.
In fact,
for a people described
in this chapter here
as walking in darkness
and dwelling in a land
of deep darkness,
He will be a light,
shining the way forward,
directing them in the proper paths
for their protection
and for their flourishing.
But this is going to be more
than a politician
with a few good ideas, right?
I mean,
Judah and Israel
have known some pretty decent kings,
haven't they?
Judah especially.
They've had some guys
with some good ideas,
some good plans.
And what happens
as you read back
through the history
of God's people
to even the best kings
they have
with the really good ideas
and plans
for God's people?
What's the pattern?
Over and over again,
even the best ones,
and they're not all good
at all,
fail.
They lead the people
well momentarily,
but then they mislead
the people
into idolatry,
into conflict,
even into exile
away from God's promised land.
And God says,
this baby in the manger
is more than just
an above average counselor.
Like somebody who usually
has some nice thoughts
that are helpful
with something.
He is a wonderful counselor.
He will give,
that word actually means
supernatural direction.
He will have wisdom
that is beyond
human comprehension.
It won't just be
the wisest of your friends.
He will make
divine plans unfold.
In fact,
as we keep reading
in Isaiah,
we find these same terms
for wonderful counselor
used for God Himself.
The Lord of hosts,
God Almighty,
described how
in Isaiah 28,
the Lord of hosts
is wonderful in counsel
and excellent in wisdom.
Wonderful in counsel.
God Himself,
it's the way God's described
in His counsel,
in His plans
that stand firm
and are always accomplished,
in His wisdom
that surpasses
all other wisdom.
This child will be divine.
He will be the wonderful counselor
who surpasses
all others.
Where do we see
that reality
in the life of Jesus
as this baby
in the manger
grows into a man?
Where do we see it
as we look at the Gospels?
I think one of the primary
places we see it
is in the teaching
of Jesus
as He explains
the plans of God,
the design for our lives,
the direction He gives
as to where life
is to be found.
God,
perhaps especially
we see it
in a place
like the Sermon on the Mount
which may be
Jesus' most famous
extended teaching lesson
on life, right?
Jesus delivering
in that sermon
remarkable wisdom,
sayings,
and moral teachings
that Christians
and non-Christians
alike
to this day
declare as wise,
think are helpful.
Things like
the Golden Rule,
the Beatitudes,
many others.
But I want to notice
something particular
about this sermon.
In the Old Testament,
God's prophet Moses
is leading His people,
right?
And God wants
to give His law,
His plan for His people
to Moses
and what happens?
Where does Moses go?
Moses goes up
on Mount Sinai, right?
Moses meets with God
there on Mount Sinai
and God sends him
back down
and what's Moses carrying
when he comes down
the mountain?
Two tablets
with some laws
written on them.
God's laws.
We often refer to them
as the Ten Commandments.
Moses comes back
down the mountain
and says,
this is God's wise plan
for our lives.
And now in the
Sermon on the Mount,
what does Jesus do?
Jesus goes up
on a mountain,
but Jesus sits
and stays,
doesn't He?
Jesus stays up
on the mountain
and He doesn't bring
down tablets of stone.
He speaks
God's law,
doesn't He?
He actually
Himself
pronounces
God's wise plans.
The prophet
who Hebrews tells us
is greater
than Moses,
He Himself
delivers
the counsel.
He goes back
to commandments
like,
don't murder,
don't commit adultery.
Others
from the Ten Commandments
and says,
you've heard
one thing about this,
but I tell you
the truth.
This is what God means.
This is God's heart
when He gives you
His law.
This is where life
is truly found.
He Himself
provides
the counsel,
the authoritative,
divine,
wise plan.
And the crowds
notice.
They hear Him teach
in the Sermon on the Mount.
Do you remember
how they respond
at the end of that?
Matthew records it
this way
in His Gospel.
When Jesus finished
these sayings,
the Sermon on the Mount,
the crowds were
astonished
at His teaching.
For He was teaching them
as one who had authority
and not as their scribes.
They marveled.
They were astonished.
They stood open-mouthed,
not just at the wisdom
of what He said,
not just at the sayings,
not just that
that was cute
or that was creative
where that might be helpful.
But this guy has authority
that I've never heard
from the best human teachers.
From those who've given me
the best direction,
there's something different.
Jesus' teaching
has remained
highly regarded
for centuries
since it was
first recorded.
He communicates
everything we need
to know for life.
He talks about
what our priorities
are to be,
whom we can trust,
how we're to deal
with difficulty
and conflict
and suffering
and much,
much more.
And that's what it means
among other things
to say that Jesus
is a wonderful counselor.
He unfolds God's wise plans
for His people.
He gives people direction
to where life is found,
where true flourishing is.
He offers unparalleled leadership
in the right paths.
That's a pretty big statement
to make of a baby
in a manger,
of a child in this case
yet to be born.
It's a big deal
to be able to identify
Jesus in that way.
But I want us to consider
another question this morning.
Not just who is Jesus?
What child is this?
Not just that question,
but who is Jesus to me?
If there's any other question
that would be more important
than who is Jesus,
it may be the question,
who is Jesus to me?
And I don't mean by that
that each of us gets
to identify Jesus
any way we please.
That we can make Him out
to be whoever we'd like Him to be.
That would be as ridiculous
as walking around
the newborn wing
of a hospital
and naming babies
however you wanted them
to be named.
You know, you walk into a room
and the parents say,
this is Jimmy
and you say,
no, you know what?
I'm going to go with Mike.
You don't get that privilege.
We don't get to unilaterally
decide His identity
and make Him
whatever we want Him to be.
We do, however,
have to decide
how we personally respond
to who Jesus is.
That's what I mean
by the question,
who is Jesus to me?
Let me see if I can explain
the vital difference
between those two things
this way.
It's the difference
between knowing the identity
of a great chef
and actually tasting
some of His food.
It's the difference
between walking down
the streets of New Orleans
and seeing Emeril Lagasse
walking down the other side
and saying,
oh, I know that guy.
I recognize him
from the Food Network.
He's a great chef.
He's that guy
that goes bam, bam, bam
all the time.
I know him.
Great chef.
It's the difference
between that
and actually sitting down
and savoring
Emeril's chicken gumbo
one bite at a time
and personally feeling
bam, bam, bam.
wow, I'm actually tasting
that this guy
is a great chef.
It's kind of like
the difference
in some ways
in hearing about
this wonderful place
called Disney World
and looking at all
of the happy people
in their Facebook pictures
as they've gone there
and talk about
how great it is
and then actually going
and seeing the magical looks
on your daughter's faces
as they dance
with princesses
and ride rides
and that sort of thing.
It's a very different experience
to be there
rather than just
hear about it
or know some facts
about it, isn't it?
That's actually
what we all need.
It's what God wants
for us
with his son
not merely
to know a set of facts
but actually
to experience
Jesus.
Many of us
I know a lot of you
have known for years
things about the identity
of Jesus
but have we personally
experienced them?
Are we personally
experiencing him
as for example
our wonderful counselor?
Not just a wonderful counselor
but my wonderful counselor.
It's not much good
to know someone
is a wonderful counselor
if you never find yourself
under his counsel.
What would that look like
in your life
for Jesus
to be your
wonderful counselor?
How would you explain that
to someone
who didn't understand
that Jesus
is actively
your wonderful counselor?
Think about that.
How would you?
How is Jesus
your wonderful counselor?
Let me suggest
two areas
this morning
where we could consider
that reality
in our own lives.
The first is Jesus
as light
in our darkness.
I don't know
if you've ever
been in a cave
where you can get
utter darkness
where you turn off
all the lights
and it's completely dark.
Not too long ago
my family and I
went to
cathedral caverns.
It's not far away
if you haven't been there
you can go actually
do this yourself.
It's a great place.
And at the end
of your journey
into the caverns
you stop
and you turn out
all the lights
and there's this
moment where you can't
see your hand
in front of your face.
You don't even
know that it's there.
If you turn around
even once
it's difficult
to reorient yourself.
Which direction
am I facing?
Which wall
is on which
side of me?
It's very
confusing
in many ways.
Within a few seconds
you have no idea
if the people
next to you
are the same people
and who's where.
Have you ever felt
disoriented like that
spiritually
or in your life?
Without any direction
at all?
Just confused?
Feeling in the dark?
Not knowing
where life was
or which way to head?
Maybe you feel
that way today.
Maybe someone
you know
feels that way.
In the midst
of that kind
of darkness
in that cave
our guide
brought this
really powerful
LED light.
Right?
And you turn off
all the lights
and then he cuts
that powerful light on
and that one clear light
all of a sudden
makes the path
forward clear.
You could just
follow that
one light
all the way back.
It shines
so brightly
gives very clear
direction
and that's the experience
God describes
for his people
in Isaiah 9
isn't it?
People walking
in darkness
seeing a great
light.
Those who are
confused
without a plan
uncertain how
to move forward
perhaps at times
fretting
was there any
hope of moving
forward?
They receive wisdom
divine direction
a clear
and hopeful
way forward.
If you're
disoriented
or confused
in the dark
this morning
might you consider
experiencing
Jesus
as your
wonderful
counselor?
Laying hold
of him
yet again
in a way
you haven't
for a long
time
or maybe
for the first
time
open his word
and ask him
to guide you
talk to someone
you know
who is following
him and ask
them to help
you get
reoriented
pray that God
would give you
light in the
midst of your
darkness
Christian
could you
honestly say
to a friend
that Jesus
is that light
in your moments
of darkness?
Could you cite
some specific
real life
examples where
he has been
and is that
for you
or is Jesus
just theoretical
in your life?
Think of things
in the past
think of
things in the
present
how is Jesus
that for you
now?
Because many of us
have had that
experience
of finding
light and life
in Jesus
when we didn't
know where to
look
when we were
at our wits end
when we'd come
to the end
of ourselves
and found
light and life
in him
but maybe
for many of us
it's been a while
since we found
ourselves actually
in that position
of being confused
and completely
without a plan
has it been a while
for you since you
felt that way?
When we were there
in that cave
in Cathedral Caverns
we were on a tour
with a group
made up of
many young people
and so there was
a large group
that had gathered
around and the
guide said
alright turn all
the lights off
and every young
person in the group
did what?
Yeah turn the
cell phone on
Oh yeah I'm gonna
be the one
with the light
and so everyone
and they one at a
time and he'd tell
them to turn it
off and somebody
else would turn
one on
little faint
screens of light
that showed up
little soft lights
that distracted
from the experience
of total darkness
and one really
bright light
maybe you acknowledge
that you need
some direction
in life
but you know
where to find it
you've got a phone
how am I gonna
navigate this next
season of life?
How will I deal
with the evils
in the world
around me?
How will I reach
a decision
in this crucial
area of life?
You know what
I got this
I got a phone
I've got my
go-to people
there's a really
wise politician
that I'm hoping
will bail us
out
maybe he's got
great ideas
like King Ahaz
in Isaiah's day
some really good
plans
and you think
this is where
Israel can stake
all their hopes
this is where
God's people
are finally gonna
find rescue
but while he seems
to have some wisdom
he's not like
the divine
wonderful
counselor
maybe for you
it's a great
religious teacher
or leader
you say
I always read
what he or she
has to say
I trust whatever
he said
maybe it's a blog
or a pop celebrity
that you say
I always follow
and after I read
her I just
feel good
about the direction
of my life again
it just kind of
re-centers me
listen
we do this
if I haven't
hit on the way
you do it
we do this
just a few years ago
Americans spent
in one year
eleven billion dollars
on the self-help
industry
self-improvement
books
CDs
seminars
coaching
stress management
programs
eleven billion dollars
and estimates
are that that's
increasing
every year
we want a plan
don't we
a wise direction
a solution
to me
to my life
hope for moving
forward
and we say
things like
I'm praying
about it
I'm just trying
to take some time
and pray about it
but in actuality
often we're planning
strategizing
and worrying
about it
in actuality
we're pulling
our phones out
not praying
we're saying
I'll figure out
I'll find a light
here
there's a way
forward
I know there's
something
I've got this
looking for
wisdom
in the world
when God says
he will make
foolish
the wisdom
of the world
because
Jesus himself
becomes our wisdom
1st Corinthians
chapter 1
do you know
Jesus
and the wisdom
he gives
through his
word and spirit
but you found
yourself saying
things like
I'll follow
Jesus
I will
that's important
after my plans
are achieved
after my college
years are fully
enjoyed
or after my
career is settled
or after we
get through this
stage of life
with the kids
Jesus is coming
I've got plans
for now
and I've got to
get through them
and I'll follow
Jesus when I get
through
I'll find his
plans later
maybe you've said
things like
you know
my situation
is just unique
Jesus in his
word don't say
anything to
this decision
I'm unique
I just have to
do what's best
for me
he'd never
understand my
situation
maybe you've
said you know
Jesus and his
priorities just
don't apply in
this area of my
life
they only have to
do with church
stuff and it's
it's really nice
to hear about and
talk about then
but not with the
rest of my life
Jesus says
seek first
his kingdom
and his
righteousness
and all these
other things
will be added
to you as well
sermon on the
mount
you want wise
counsel
he says
God's kingdom
first
he says
your priorities
are out of
whack
you're looking
for direction
in the wrong
places
and for Jesus
to be your
wonderful counselor
means coming to
Jesus first
means submitting
your plans
to his word
means laying
down what
you desire
in order to be
passionate about
what he desires
for your zeal
to match
his zeal
for his
kingdom
he's calling
you to experience
him as the
wonderful counselor
for you
as the one
who guides you
perfectly
who directs
your paths
straight
who always
leads you
to fullness
of life
even when it
doesn't feel
like it
because your
priorities have
changed
you trust
him
that's what
it means
to experience
to taste
him
as it were
as your
wonderful
counselor
and listen
last thing
this is the
glory of the
gospel
the beauty
of Jesus
as wonderful
counselor
is this
when he
gives you
the wise
plan for
your life
he doesn't
ask you
to go
anywhere
he hasn't
already
gone
does he
but we
think
oh no
all the
self-denial
involved
in that
all the
sacrifice
that's going
to demand
of me
when Jesus
asks you
to lay
down your
way
or your
very life
it's because
he's already
laid his
down for
you
he says
over and
over in
the gospels
I've come
to do the
will of
my father
not my
will
but his
will
be done
I choose
to lay
down my
life
for the
sheep
because he
does that
Jesus doesn't
merely show
the way
to abundant
life
he actually
is the
way
the way
the truth
the life
Jesus doesn't
merely point
to the door
to the father
and say
over there
get to him
through that
he is the
door
to the father
Jesus doesn't
merely shine
light into
the darkness
like a guide
with a
flashlight
he is
the light
of the
world
who gives
life to
every man
whoever
follows him
will not
walk in
darkness
but have
the light
of life
the wonderful
counsel you get
from Jesus
is not merely
all the right
things to do
in order to
get back
on the right
path
but he says
follow me
believe in
me
find your
life in
me
I am
the
wonderful
counselor
is he
your
wonderful
counselor
today
let's pray
father I
confess that
I would
rather feel
wise myself
than
trust your
wisdom
I would
rather figure
out where
life is
found than
be told
I would
rather be the
one with the
solution than
the one with
the questions
thank you
that you
come
and offer
yourself
as our
solution
thank you
that we
don't actually
find life
in ourselves
thank you
for the
those moments
where we've
found a
dead end
and an
emptiness
trying to
do things
our own
way
thank you
for showing
us
Jesus
as
not just
one who
gives
light
but one
who is
light
that we
don't have
to try
to figure
things out
we can
just throw
ourselves
on him
would you
give us
the humility
the desperation
the sense
of our own
need enough
that we
would trust
him and
that we'd
find great
joy in
following him
our wonderful
counselor
it's in his
name we pray
amen
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information
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online at
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