Mighty God

Over the holidays we took our kids to grandma’s house, who happens to live “through the woods” by Clegg Gardens. Along the drive I saw a recently fallen giant oak tree, and you could see the massive roots exposed out of the ground from recent winds that had knocked it over.

Just like that oak tree…trials or windy times reveal the strength of the roots for our lives.

Think about a time when your heart was incredibly anxious and fearful?

• Health concern

• Relational challenges

• Job loss

• Government turmoil (Share possible story of Christ Christensen in hospital in Israel)

Each windy trial reveals the might of our security.

Our security like our work or our health or our family or our government, is revealed to be not that mighty.

What does the Bible say that the people of Israel needed to trust when their hearts and even the heart of the most powerful person humanly speaking in their nation, the king “shook as the trees of the forest shake with the wind?”

They needed to trust and be rooted in the “Mighty God.”

Please open your Bible to Isaiah chapter 9...page 492 in the front section of the Bible under the chair in front of you.

Each year we look at a different aspect of the Christmas story. Sometimes we focus on the characters like Mary, Joseph, the shepherds, or even Herod. Sometimes we focus on the details of Jesus’ birth in Matthew and/or Luke. Sometimes we discuss the various prophecies about Jesus birth.

• - This year, our Christmas series is called The Light of the World.

• We wanted to spend a few weeks thinking about our savior and his character.

• Therefore, we decided to go back to Isaiah 9 where we find 4 descriptions of Messiah – Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace.

This Christmas season our goal is to find hope in Jesus that motivates us to faithful living, which is a fitting ending to our church’s annual theme of Hope for Everyday Life.

Let’s get the larger picture of the book of Isaiah before we zoom into the specifics.

I think the prophets are the hardest books of the Bible to interpret. Sometimes I read Isaiah and don’t seem to have the foggiest idea what he is talking about. So, it helps me to keep a couple things in mind as I read.

It helps me to remember the role of the prophets – like Isaiah. The people have not kept their covenant with God. They worship other Gods and ignore the Lord’s commands. Therefore, God sent his messengers, his prophets, for three basic purposes.

• - Confront the nation’s sin and tell them of the consequences

• - Command them to repent

• - Call them to faithfulness to the Lord

When I am reading Isaiah and getting lost in the 66 chapters of the book, I remember. The Lord sent Isaiah to confront their sin, command them to repent, and call them to faithful living!

• - The prophets had a tough and dangerous job. They were often persecuted and even killed presenting the truth of God’s Word.

But amid confrontation, the prophets also gave predictions of hope. In fact, their prophecies often relate to three different time periods that are filled with hope.

• - Restoration of the nation to the land

• - Restoration of relationship with God through Messiah

• - Restoration of all things at the second coming

This is where the prophets can get really complicated. Sometimes the message is about one of these, sometimes two out of the three and sometimes all three are involved.

• - Even though it might be challenging, you can always return to this point – God provides a message of hope for the future.

Our Christmas series, taken from Isaiah 9:6, is a message of hope amid confrontation for sin that reminds us of the character of the coming messiah and what he will ultimately accomplish. Last week we focused on Jesus as the wonderful counselor.

Aren’t you glad that he provides counsel that is truly wonderful. His counsel is surprising and unexpected. But following it results in joy and blessing. This is contrast to much counsel available today which as in Isaiah’s day God says will not stand.

• - I hope there was at least one time this week that you were faced with the decision of my way / my wants or following the Lord’s wonderful counselor, even if it was hard.

This morning we are going to focus on Jesus, our ultimate Christmas present, who is also The Mighty God…

• - Please open your Bible to Isaiah chapter 9...page 492 in the front section of the Bible under the chair in front of you.

We have a message of hope placed inside a message of judgment with the associated consequences. Isaiah 1-39 is a bunch of hard news with several moments of hope scattered throughout.

The message in Isaiah 9 has everything to do with the coming of Messiah – Jesus. Although Isaiah’s prophecies were given some 700 years before the birth of Christ, their accuracy is breath taking.

• - The Lord gave us the privilege of living further down the road of salvation history where we can look back and see what the Lord has done and look forward to see what is still to come.

Please follow along as I read Isaiah 9:1-7. This is the Word of the Lord. Read 9:1-7.

This morning we have some good news…the God of Heaven and earth has a Christmas present for you…it’s His Son the Lord Jesus Christ…who has many names and attributes…but one of them is…He’s The Mighty God…

- this morning, we want to focus on the second name...where we learn about The Gift that is Mighty...

- in our time this morning, I’d like us to concentrate on Four principles necessary to understand and benefit from God’s power.

I. God Predicted that the Messiah Would be the Mighty God.

I believe that this is such an important statement. While Matthew and Luke provide information about Jesus’ birth, Mark and John skip it.

• - They have different purposes and begin their books proving that Jesus is Messiah (that is John) and that Jesus is Yahweh or the OT covenant name for God (that is Mark).

Think for a moment if someone entered the church this morning proclaiming to be God. We would think that person is crazy. Jesus confirmed his identity through signs/wonders, and also by fulfilling OT prophecy like this one.

They were expecting a Messiah that would be the Mighty God.

• - A little later I will spend more time focusing on Jesus as God and the things he does that only God can do. Things that are mighty.

For now, let’s put our focus on the concept of his power or his might. Here are a few other places in the Bible where the term is used.

Other uses of “mighty”.

1. Outstanding bravery.

1 Samuel 17:51 - ...And when the Philistines saw that their champion was dead, they fled.

The word mighty is translated as “champion” in this verse. We might think in terms of strength, power, toughness, courage, or bravery.

1. Uncommon faithfulness.

1 Chronicles 29:24 - All the leaders and the mighty men, and also all the sons of King David, submitted themselves to King Solomon.

This passage recounts the particularly sad reality of the split between the northern 10 tribes and the 2 southern tribes. In the division, those who were loyal to David remained loyal to his son Solomon.

• - There was a group of people called David’s mighty men. These were like the men who earned the Medal of Honor and survived while doing it.

• - To qualify you had to kill a thousand people with a toothpick.

• These men were known as “mighty.” Those with skill and power.

1. Heroic power.

Psalm 103:20 - Praise the Lord, you his angels, you mighty ones who do his bidding, who obey his word.

What an interesting verse. The Psalmist encourages the angels themselves to praise the Lord. They are described as mighty. Again, this sense of power, strength, irresistible force comes out.

This term describes the Lord in places like …

Psalm 89:8 - O Lord God Almighty, who is like you? You are mighty, O Lord, and your faithfulness surrounds you.

1. Vast justice

Psalm 89:13-14 - Your arm is endued with power; your hand is strong, your right hand exalted. Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; love and faithfulness go before you.

Please notice a pattern in these verses. Might, power, or strength, when referring to the Lord is closely associated with other divine characteristics. The New International Dictionary of OT Theology says …

New International Dictionary of Old Testament Theology – God’s power is inextricably linked to righteousness, goodness, justice, steadfast love, and faithfulness. The divine power and righteousness are as vast as the immeasurable distance separating earth from the high heavens (Psa. 71:18-19).

Whereas humans do not always exercise their might and power in helpful ways.

Jeremiah 23:10 - The land is full of adulterers; because of the curse the land lies parched and the pastures in the desert are withered. The prophets follow an evil course and use their power unjustly.

1. Wise understanding.

Job 12:13 - To God belong wisdom and power; counsel and understanding are his.

When Isaiah writes that the coming Messiah would be the Mighty God it was a message of hope. Let’s consider its …

Significance.

Telling us that the Messiah, this child, the son given to us would be called Mighty God was hopeful in context and one of the identifying features of Messiah.

• - We will discuss the context of hope in a minute for the people of Isaiah’s day. But as we fast forward biblical history to the birth of Jesus …

• - I find difficult to comprehend just how radical the birth of Jesus would have been.

• o Yes, they were expecting a coming Messiah. But it would be hard to accept Jesus as Messiah without prophecy regarding his identification and then fulfillment of that prophecy. They needed to see he was the Wonderful counselor and Mighty God.

The Messiah is not just lowly, born in a manger surrounded by shepherds. He is the Mighty God of Isaiah 9. Thankfully, the gospels help us see that while his first mission involved giving his life as a ransom for many, he fulfilled Isaiah’s words of Mighty God.

I mentioned earlier that prophecy involved 3 basic possible timelines. (1) restoration of the nation to the land of Israel; (2) reconciliation with God through Messiah; and (3) restoration of all things at Jesus’ second coming. Prophecies could address 1, 2, or all 3 of these timelines. So, let’s return to Isaiah and try to put ourselves in their shoes and understand what is happening.

II. The People of Isaiah’s Day Needed this Message.

Isaiah ministered during the reigns of 4 different kings. Chapters 7-9 describe the events surrounding the rule of King Ahaz around 735 BC. This is before the Assyrians conquered the northern 10 tribes in 722 and before the Babylonians destroyed the south in 586.

In 735 the nation was divided.

• - Israel in the north and Judah in the south.

• - The northern kingdoms were more advanced in their idolatry and turning away from the Lord.

• - Isaiah was ministering to the southern kingdom...to King Ahaz...

There was a problem. The leader of the northern kingdom made an alliance with two of the pagan nations and then they tried to pressure Ahaz, and the southern kingdom, to join their alliance.

• - As Americans we don’t think much about that. We have two massive oceans to our east and west making invasion particularly challenging for every country in the world except Canada and Mexico.

• - While we are different, the US and Canada have maintained peaceful relationships. While our history with Mexico is more tumultuous, we spend far more time thinking about immigration policy than preparing for invasion.

• - That was not true for Israel.

Invasion was a constant threat for such a small kingdom. King Ahaz feels the pressure of these powerful nearby kingdoms. Ahaz does not join this alliance. Isaiah explains that the alliance would fail because they were trusting in their own power and might to rescue them.

As good as that news is, well, Ahaz decided he would make his own alliance with an even worse nation – Assyria!

Rather than trust in the Lord to deliver them from their enemies as the Lord commanded them, they make an alliance with a king and kingdom they believe is mightier.

• - It indicated a lack of trust in the Mighty God and a willingness to compromise.

The king’s choice.

In Isaiah 7 God’s word to Ahaz was to not fear these two kings, but to believe in the Mighty God.

Isaiah 7:4, 9 “Say to him, ‘Take care and be calm, have no fear and do not be fainthearted because of these two stubs of smoldering firebrands… If you will not believe, you surely shall not last.”’

God wanted to give Ahaz and his people hope and confidence. So God commanded Ahaz to ask for the mightiest sign of God’s power, so God could assure them about the security of God’s promise.

Isaiah 7:10-11 “Then the Lord spoke again to Ahaz, saying, “Ask a sign for yourself from the Lord your God; make it deep as Sheol or high as heaven.”

But Ahaz refused to believe the Lord pretending a fake spiritual answer, while he already purposed to lean on the might of Assyria rather than the might of the Lord. But the Lord was still faithful to provide the promised sign and hope for God’s people.

Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel.

Ahaz chose to trust his own wisdom, and his own ability to get out of a jam, even if he had to compromise everything he believed. It’s like what God warned about through the prophet Jeremiah.

Jeremiah 9:23-24 - This is what the Lord says: “Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom or the strong man boast of his strength or the rich man boast of his riches, but let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,” declares the Lord.

• - When it was decision time, he had to determine whether he would trust in the might of God, even though he might not be able to see how it is all going to work out or was he going to ignore God’s Word and His will and figure this out himself?

• - We know what he decided. The Lord describes what he wants in passages like …

Psalm 147:10-11 - His pleasure is not in the strength of the horse, nor his delight in the legs of a man; the Lord delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love.

It did not take long for disaster to strike. Within 15 years the northern tribes were destroyed and the south, while intact through divine rescue, also suffered. It was a difficult time to be alive.

Amid Isaiah confronting this sinful behavior and all the consequences they would experience from it, he provided a message of hope. A messiah is coming who will be born to us and he will called wonderful counselor and mighty God.

This would help all of God’s people, not just Ahaz, trust in the Lord, have hope for his promises, and motivation to live faithfully.

God purposed the consequences for an important point for his people…

Isaiah 10:20–21 - Now in that day the remnant of Israel, and those of the house of Jacob who have escaped, will never again rely on the one who struck them, but will truly rely on the Lord, the Holy One of Israel. A remnant will return, the remnant of Jacob, to the mighty God.

The same would be true for …

Isaiah himself.

Please turn back to chapter 6 for a moment. Isaiah has a vision of God seeing his holiness and majesty. In v. 5 Isaiah recognizes his own inadequacy and proclaims that he is undone and he is a man of unclean lips.

• - But the Lord provides forgiveness and cleansing (vv. 6-7) and calls him to ministry.

Isaiah’s call is a tough one. The Lord told him that his ministry would bear very little fruit in his lifetime.

• - Yet, the book that bears his name is one of the most treasured in the OT and quoted directly in the NT often.

• - He had to decide, like Ahaz, whether he would trust in his own power and might or whether he would trust in the Lord and carefully follow God’s Word.

In God’s kindness, he revealed to Isaiah that while things are difficult now. He would give his life for the sake of ministry and not see the days of prosperity, but he did have hope.

Hope that impacted his everyday life because one day the Lord would give a marvelous gift. A child will be born, a son will be given and the government will rest on his shoulders and he will called wonderful counselor and mighty God.

• - The people who walk in darkness will see a great light!

The hopes and dreams for God’s people will come true. Discipline for unfaithfulness comes today, but there will come a day when the Messiah comes.

In Isaiah 9:1-7 we see this hope of the Mighty God, the promised Messiah.

(v.1) His saving strength turns the dishonored into the honored.

[Galilee]

(v. 2-3) His powerful presence brings life-giving light.

(v. 3) His might multiplies blessing and joy.

(v.4) His dominance delivers from backbreaking burdens.

(exodus and Midian salvation/deliverance background)

(v. 5) His power brings the rewards of victory.

(v. 6-7) His reign fulfills all hope for the future.

Now we need to move forward 700 years in biblical history to the coming of Jesus.

III. Jesus Christ is the Marvelous Fulfillment of this Prophecy.

- how did Christ demonstrate his mighty power as the Mighty God?

The birth of the Messiah of the virgin Mary fulfills the prophecy as he is given the name Jesus, which means God saves. Because he is the mighty God who saves his people from their sins.

Matthew 1:21 - She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.

Jesus is the child born, the Son given, who is the mighty Go.

Just as the mighty angels announced with great joy…

Luke 2:11 - for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord

This Savior who is born of the virgin, this child, Jesus is fully human and fully God…he is the fulfillment of hope that Isaiah promised that God is now with us.

Matthew 1:22–23 - Now all this took place to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet: “Behold, the virgin shall be with child and shall bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which translated means, “God with us.”

Jesus demonstrates that he is the Mighty God by doing only the works that God can do.

A. The power to withstand temptation.

- you remember, Satan’s offer to Jesus was...”If you are the Son of God?...”

- Luke 4:5-6 - The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. And he said to him, “I will give you all their authority and splendor, for it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to.

- and of course the Mighty God refused that offer, and it is interesting to note that...

- Luke 4:14 - Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside.

B. The power to heal.

Matthew 9:7-8 - And he arose and departed to his house. Now when the multitudes saw it, they marveled and glorified God, who had given such power to men.

C. The power to do good.

Acts 10:38 - how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.

D. The power to teach with authority.

Luke 4:32 - They were amazed at his teaching, because his message had authority.

E. The power to forgive.

Mark 2:10-11 - But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins”—He said to the paralytic, “I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.”

F. The power to voluntarily die for our sins.

- John 10:18 - No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father.

G. The power to rise from the dead.

- Luke 22:69 - But from now on, the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the mighty God.

H. The power to build His church.

- Matthew 28:18-20 - And Jesus came and spoke unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

- would it be fair to say that the testimony of the Scriptures is that Jesus Christ demonstrated Himself to be the Mighty God?

- now, what does that mean to people like you and me?

IV. Today’s Question – How Mighty is Your God?

A. Do you have a powerful Savior?

1 Corinthians 1:23-24 - but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

B. Do you have a powerful hope?

Romans 15:13 - May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

C. Do you have a powerful witness?

Acts 1:8 - But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Acts 4:33 - With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all.

Romans 1:16 - I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.

D. Do you have powerful confidence?

Ephesians 1:17-18 - I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints,

2 Timothy 1:7 - For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.

E. Do you have powerful wisdom?

1 Corinthians 2:1-5 - When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling.
My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on men’s wisdom, but on God’s power.

2 Peter 1:3 - His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.