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!