Sermon
delivered on December 11th, 2016
Morning Service
By: Pastor Greg Hocson
Scripture Text: Isaiah 9:1-7
Introduction
Two
Sundays ago I introduced the series of sermons entitled "The Name Above
All Names." We looked and will continue to look at the prophecy
made by Isaiah in:
Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is
given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be
called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The
Prince of Peace.
This
prophecy clearly refers to Jesus Christ, the Messiah. Notice that Jesus is
given several names. In each of these names given, we find out more about Who
He is and What He is!
Last
time we looked at the first name Isaiah ascribed to our Lord, the "Wonderful Counsellor". Everything about Jesus Christ is
wonderful. He is full of wonder. There is nothing about Him that is not
wonderful. He is Wonder Himself. He is wonderful in His character. He is
wonderful in His care. He is wonderful in His counsel.
Today,
we give attention to the second name. Isaiah wants us to understand that
the Child that is to be born and the Son that is to be given is not just an
ordinary child. The Child that is to be born and the Son that is to be given is
the Mighty God. His Name is Mighty God because He is the Mighty God!
I - What this Name Means
This
name refers both to the Deity and Omnipotence of Jesus Christ.
1. Jesus Christ's Divinity
The
name "Mighty God" in Hebrew is El Gibbor. El is the last syllable of names like, Emmanuel (God
with us), Israel (God prevails or contends), Daniel (God judges), Bethel (House
of God), etc. El means God or Strong One testifying
to the deity of Christ.
As
you know there are many who deny that Jesus the Messiah is God. But clearly
this name points out the Divinity of Christ. What He came to do could only be
done by God Himself.
This
is the same title that God Himself gives to Himself in ...
Isaiah 10:20 And it shall come to pass in that day, that the
remnant of Israel, and such as are escaped of the house of Jacob, shall no more
again stay upon him that smote them; but shall stay upon the LORD, the Holy One
of Israel, in truth. 21: The remnant shall return, even the remnant of Jacob,
unto the mighty God.
2. Jesus Christ's Omnipotence
He
is the Mighty God. He is El Gibbor. As we have already seen El means God. Gibbor means powerful, strong or mighty. The word "Gibbor" is from a root which is commonly associated with
warfare and has to do with the strength and vitality of the successful
warrior. The word implies "one who is victorious in battle." God
is mighty. God is a Warrior.
Jeremiah
depicts God as a great warrior...
Jeremiah 32:17 Ah Lord GOD! behold, thou hast made the heaven
and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing
too hard for thee: 18: Thou shewest lovingkindness unto thousands, and
recompensest the iniquity of the fathers into the bosom of their children after
them: the Great, the Mighty God, the LORD of hosts, is his name,
This
name speaks of God's military might for no enemy will be able to prevail
against Him. He has the power to deliver
which is exactly what He will do to fulfill Isaiah's prophecy in ...
Isaiah 9:4 For thou (the
Messiah) hast broken the yoke of
his burden, and the staff of his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, as in the
day of Midian.
The
Messiah, Jesus Christ, the "Warrior God" will supernaturally breaks
the yoke and the staff and the rod from Israel.
What
is His power for?
God
through His prophets and apostles wants us to know that He is the mighty God,
what for?
In
the 60's there was a television talk show called the "Merv
Griffin Show". In this show a guest appeared who was a body builder. As he
entered with his huge muscular frame, the crowd went crazy with applause. He
flexed his muscles walking over to take his seat to be interviewed. Merv's
first question caught the body builder off guard. He asked him, "What
do you use all those muscles for?" The surprised body builder simply
stood up and flexed his muscles again while the crowd again applauded wildly.
As he sat down, Merv again asked him, "What do you use all those
muscles for?" Again with a surprised and somewhat frustrated
appearance the body builder stood up and flexed his muscles once again to a cheering
crowd. Merv however was undaunted and insisted a third time, "What do
you use those muscles for?" The body builder was stumped and had no
answer, all he could do is sit there and look bewildered at Merv's constant
question. The man had a lot of power, but with no purpose!
But
not so with our Messiah. The Lord Jesus Christ is not like this body
builder who just flex his muscles to show off how strong he is, and that's
about it. The body builder had a lot of power, but with no purpose. But our
Lord has purpose in His power.
Jesus
Christ is called the Mighty God for a reason. His power is to defeat and
deliver us from the enemies.
Psalm 24:7 Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye
everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. 8: Who is this King of
glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle.
Isaiah 63:1 Who is this that cometh from Edom, with dyed
garments from Bozrah? this that is glorious in his apparel, travelling in the
greatness of his strength? I that speak in righteousness, mighty to
save.
He
is mighty to save. He is mighty to deliver. He is mighty to defeat all our
enemies.
Consider
His birth - they sought to kill Him - but
He escaped.
Warren
Wiersbe said, "What a paradox that a babe in a manger should be called
mighty. Yet even as a baby, Jesus Christ revealed power. His birth affected the
heavens as that star appeared. The star affected the Magi, and they left their
homes and made that long journey to Jerusalem. Their announcement shook King Herod
and his court. Jesus' birth brought angels from heaven and simple shepherds
from their flocks on the hillside. Midnight became midday as the glory of the
Lord appeared to men."
Consider
His life -
Hebrews 4:15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be
touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like
as we are, yet without sin.
Jesus
came into this evil world, but evil could not corrupt Him. He was pure. In Him
was no deceit, no wicked thought, no evil intention, no sinful deed. He
overcame evil with His righteous life, with His mighty power.
Consider
His death and resurrection
The
grave could not hold Him. His Mighty Power overcame every enemy that He faced!
1 Corinthians 15:55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where
is thy victory? 56: The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the
law. 57: But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord
Jesus Christ.
Romans 6:14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are
not under the law, but under grace.
Romans 6:18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the
servants of righteousness.
All
of these reveal the mighty power of God. The Lord Jesus is the only One
Who is able, the One who has the power and the might to save.
II - What this Name Means for Us
Those
who has placed their confidence in this Mighty God should have ...
1. Faith and Confidence
The
deity and omnipotence of Christ means for us refuge resulting fearlessness and
confidence.
Psalm 91:1 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High
shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. 2: I will say of the Lord, He is
my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.
Those
who dwell in the shelter of the Most High, and abide in the shadow of the
Almighty, will say to the Lord, "My refuge
and my fortress; my God, in whom I trust".
Understand
that the Child that was born and the Son that was given, is the Mighty God. The
One Who loves you and gave Himself for you is the Mighty God. That means you
are safe and protected by an omnipotent God, with Whom nothing is impossible
and nothing is too hard.
2. Fear and Reverence
The
deity and omnipotence of God means for us fear and reverence.
Revelation 15:3 And they sing the song of Moses the servant of
God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord
God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints. 4: Who shall not
fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all
nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made
manifest.
The
deity and omnipotence of God should and would teach people to reverence and
adore God.
III - Closing Thoughts
Every
one in your neighborhood probably has Christmas trees and Christmas
decorations. Christmas lights are in their front yard and in inside their
house. Stores and radio stations are all playing Christmas songs and carols.
Multitudes are celebrating Christmas, whether they believe this Jesus Christ is
the Mighty God or not. But does it really matter what you believe? Does it
really matter if Jesus Christ is God or not? The simple answer is, it does!
If
we reject the deity of Christ, is to call Him a liar.
1 John 2:22 Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus
is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son. 23:
Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: (but) he that
acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.
If
Jesus is not God, then we are all idolaters here.
Matthew 4:10 Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan:
for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only
shalt thou serve.
But
don't worry we are not committing idolatry when we worship Christ because He is
not just another man but He is God Man. He is the Son of God and God Himself.
Hebrews 1:5 For unto which of the angels said he at any time,
Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a
Father, and he shall be to me a Son? 6: And again, when he bringeth in the
firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God
worship him.
If
the Son is not God why would the Father command all the angels to worship the
Son.
If
Jesus is not God, we have no salvation
If
we reject the very teaching of God's word that is so clearly given to us we won't
have a Saviour, we won't have anything.
He
came into the world to save sinners. Only a Mighty God could save us! He came
to give salvation full and free!
Oh, sinners, come to Christ and put your trust in Him for He is
"the mighty God." It is not enough to have good feelings towards God
or towards Christmas. You must come and humbly acknowledge your sins and your
helplessness to save yourself from your sin. Come to the One who is mighty to
save.
Hebrews 7:25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the
uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession
for them.
He
is able to save unto the uttermost them that come unto God by him, because when
He died He was not manhood, without divinity, but He was "the mighty
God."
Turn
today to the Mighty God - turn your life over to Jesus Christ whom sin could
not touch, death could not hold and Satan cannot defeat! He will give you the
power you need most - the power to overcome sin and death - the power of eternal
life!
Oh, Christians, the Child born and the Son given is to us "the
Mighty God."
What
a word of encouragement to those who trust in Him. He is not only the Wonderful
Counsellor but the power of God also. His power is without limit.
Believe
Him more than ever, cast your cares upon Him for the One who cares for you the
Mighty God. Never get tired of going to Him in all your troubles for never gets
tired to hear your troubles. Continually go to Him, Who He is mighty to deliver
you from all your troubles.
AMEN!