Christmas Wonder The Wonder of Peace Isaiah 9:6-7 6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. 1 I love a comeback story. One where there was a dramatic turn of events where a surprise happens and changes everything. A dramatic plot twist. Something that you didn t see coming This NEVER happens on the Hallmark Channel - EVER! Same story EVERY TIME! Set Up Isaiah 9 Isaiah was written about 700 years before Jesus was born. Isaiah is a prophet. This one is really interesting. I always try to put myself into the situation, the circumstance, the room where this was happening. What was happening in Isaiah? What was happening in Isaiah s life? Distress, bad, made bad decisions and not consequences. Tried to do things they re way and it back fired. Tried to live life without God and now it s bad. Mickey Mouse "You've buttered your bread, now sleep on it" -- mixing up the two phrases. "You've buttered your bread, now eat it" and "You've made your bed, now sleep in it." Confession Isaiah 9 Love it but I never thought about the previous verses being about Jesus. Think about this
2 Just think of how God has worked in the Bible in this department. Raising unknowns up to places of prominence. Bringing down those who were puffed up and filled with thoughts of invincibility. Think of people like Job and the sudden turns in his life. Think of the many instances of God delivering his people in the face of overwhelming odds. Your life Think of your own life too. Before coming to Christ what path were on? In which direction was your life headed? What attitudes and behaviors characterized your life? What happened? Jesus entered in and your life took a 180 turn.. Your Future Also: where you at right now there can be a God engineered turnaround. To back this point up: check out verse 1 Isaiah 9:1 Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. Here is what is happening now but your story can change because For unto us a child is born. Isaiah 9:2 The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned. Instead of darkness light He s coming Jesus changes your story by turning the light on. He reveals what s in your heart and then heal you. 1 John 1:5 5 God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.
3 6 If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. I like to say it like this If we say we re Christian but don t let Jesus change us then we are only deceiving ourselves. He is called the prince of peace because he has come to bring light into darkness. He reveals what is in our heart and then helps us fix it. Light chases out darkness. What do I do? Open the door for Jesus to come in and can change you. The Prince of Peace has come to bring light into darkness. Isaiah 9:3a You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy Isaiah is saying that when you open the door for God to come with his LIGHT. Things start to change. Instead of shame honor and Joy The Prince of Peace would come He is a prince and every prince has a kingdom. His kingdom is a kingdom of Peace and he offers it to you. This kingdom, this nation will enlarge every time someone lets the Prince of Peace in. Where ever he goes JOY follows!!!! Jesus takes on your sins. No more guilt and no more shame. The Joy of my salvation Vs. 3 they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest
4 Rejoice like a farmer who has worked the land with a hope of something later. That later has come and there is a great harvest. Vs. 3 as warriors rejoice when dividing the plunder. Rejoice like a soldier who has defeated an unjust aggressor. Now instead of living in fear there is the plunder of a WON WAR in front of them. 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 Peter 2:9 He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. (NIV) Instead of darkness - The Prince of Peace pours out his joy. Vs. 4 For as in the day of Midian s defeat, you have shattered the yoke that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor. Famous Battle Midian 135,000 Gideon 32,000 If afraid go home = 10,000 If you drink water a certain way = 300 300 against 135,000 Blew trumpets, broke jars and ran in with torches. That day the Midianites became confused and turned on themselves and ran. All Gideon had to do was listen to God and obey him. God ensured his victory. Because Gideon listened to God and obeyed him When Gideon did it God s way God brought victory to the underdog.
5 Do you ever feel like your 300 against 135,000? When you open the door for Jesus to come in and let him change you. Burdening Yokes are shattered. Bars across their shoulders are shattered. Oppressing rods are gone. Have you ever had this thought? Why do I do some of the things I do? Jesus came to destroy everything that keeps you from living in freedom. When you trust Jesus he breaks the things that hold you back. The Prince of Peace Revelation / Praise God is the liberator who breaks the oppressive bondage of the evil one. Request / Petition Release your power to us to break the power of the enemy. Send your freedom! Isaiah 9:5 Every warrior s boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood will be destined for burning, will be fuel for the fire. Question Do you ever get tired of fighting and striving? Unpack Jesus guarantees that you will not have to fight your battles by yourself. Jesus fights my battles for me. Because of Jesus you will no longer need to fight any more battles. Isaiah 9:6 6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
6 Conclusion The Prince of Peace is someone to be experienced. The Prince of Peace is someone I can know. A. You must experience the prince. 1. If you want Peace with God you must experience the Prince of Peace. 2. What does it mean to experience the Prince of Peace? The Prince of Peace is someone to be experienced. Romans 5:1 Since we have been made right in God s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. (NLT) B. How do I make peace with God? 1. I make peace with God by believing in and standing on the promises of God. C. Talk about believing in the promises of God. 1. Believing in means that I trust God as his word. D. Standing on the promises of God. 1. Standing on means that I stand on them and claim them as my own. 2. They are from God and for me. 3. From God? a. Loving, compassionate, caring, justice filled, grace filled, bondage destroying, yoke breaking, God. b. He is all of these things for me. c. Look back at the prophecy from Isaiah 9:6.