We are on week two of our series on the Names of Jesus. 

What’s in a name?  Names have meanings.  Take the name Sherry, it means “darling”, “beloved”, or “dearest”. 

The name Richard means “brave ruler” or “strong king”.  

The name Stephanie means “crown”, “wreath”, or “garland”. 

The Bible is full of names, and those names are full of meaning.  In the Bible, a person’s name had great significance.  It reflected that person’s character. 

Take the name Abraham, it means “father of a nation”.  Or the name Moses, which means “to draw out of water”.  

The name Hannah means “favor” or “grace”.  

Today we are going to dive into the name of Jesus, ‘Wonderful Counselor’.  This name refers to Him as a divine guide with extraordinary wisdom and insight. 

Jesus, as our Wonderful Counselor, not only gives us wise counsel, He also has the power to resolve, and grace to help us. 

As wonderful counselor, He does not just give counsel, He pours in the power for a successful resolution to your problems. 

There are numerous stories throughout the Gospels that demonstrate Jesus’ ability to provide wise guidance and comfort to the people. 

EVERY instance, ALWAYS showing Jesus offering counsel or teaching, as a reflection of the title:  Wonderful Counselor.  

For example, in the story of the Samaritan woman at the well, John 4:7-30, Jesus, the Wonderful Counselor provides wise counsel and comfort to the ‘Woman at the Well’.  He helped her to face her past and trade her shame for salvation. 

In this story, we see the protagonist going from ‘miserable’ to ‘missionary’ as she scurries from the well anxiously desiring to share her good news of Jesus with others.  

By studying the names of Jesus, we get to know Him better.   

Each name of Jesus recorded in the Bible is a way through which we see Him more clearly and know Him better.  

And knowing Him better is essential so we can reflect His character to the world around us. 

Please turn to Isaiah 9:6, and it will also be on the screen,  

“For a child is born to us, a son is given to us.  And the government will rest on his shoulders.  These will be his royal titles:  Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” 

Let us pray together: 

“Dear God, may we hear from Your Word today.  Wonderful Counselor, Jesus, You are the answer.  You knew us while forming us in our mother’s womb.  You know every detail about us, our fears, our struggles, and our successes.  Lord, You know us and exactly where we are.  You love us without judging.  Father, please speak to us today.  Give us Your wise counsel.  Renew us, and give us hope, as there are folks in this room who are weary.  Lord, we extol You oh LORD!!! In Your Holy Name we pray, Amen.” 

Short back ground of the book of Isaiah.  In Chapter 6, Isaiah answers the call and he is commissioned as a prophet.   

God tells Isaiah to go and speak to Judah’s king Ahaz, who is terrified about an impending invasion from Syria and Israel. Isaiah promises this invasion will not happen. Instead, both nations will soon be destroyed. 

In the midst of the darkness, Isaiah prophesized that God would send the ‘Wonderful Counselor’ to save His people.   

The ‘Wonderful Counselor’ will come as a baby to a virgin. 

Isaiah is proclaiming the message of HOPE through the name “Wonderful Counselor”. The birth of baby Jesus fulfilled God’s promise. 

The word “Wonderful” in the English language means ‘exciting wonder’.   

But do we really use the word to describe ‘exciting wonder’? 

We often use wonderful like this: 

• It was a wonderful party. 

• The meal was wonderful. 

• You did a wonderful job. 

It appears that in many cases, perhaps the word ‘wonderful’ has lost its’ power of excitement.  

Matthew Henry, best known for his six-volume biblical commentary ‘Exposition of the Old and New Testaments’, said when explaining the name of Jesus as Wonderful Counselor,  

“Justly is He called wonderful, for He is both God and man.  His love is the wonder of angels and glorified saints; in His birth, death, resurrection, and ascension, He was wonderful.  A constant series of wonders attended Him and, without controversy, great was the mystery of godliness concerning Him.” 

The awe of wonder and the word Wonderful. 

The Hebrew word for ‘Wonderful’ is pele (peh’-leh) which expresses the “wonder”, the divine intervention or miraculous events that reveal God’s power and majesty: 

“Who is like thee, O Lord, among the gods, little ‘g’ god?” 

In ancient Israelite culture, wonders and miracles were seen as direct manifestations of God’s presence and power.  

The Israelites believed that God performed these acts to demonstrate His sovereignty, to deliver His people, and to affirm His covenant with them.  

The concept of “pele”(peh’-leh) is deeply rooted in the understanding that God is actively involved in the world and that His actions transcend beyond human understanding.  

Jesus is our WONDERFUL COUNSELOR.  He is the WONDER of Christmas.  

The word “Counselor” in the Merriam-Webster Dictionary says a Counselor is a person who gives advice or counseling.  

Several examples: 

• A school counselor. They are there to help students’ academic, social, and emotional well-being within a school setting.  

•  A lawyer is a counselor.  They are a licensed professional who advises and represents others in legal matters. 

• A marriage counselor.  Marriage is not something that should be entered into lightly so prior to Thomas and I getting married, we met together with Pastor Kerry Willis for premarital counseling.   

• Pastor Kerry helped us identify our strengths as a couple and also growth opportunities.      

• Pastor Kerry provided counsel to assist us with overcoming conflict, otherwise known as the ‘crazy cycle’.  To this day, we both know that when we are in the midst of a difficult conversation; that one of us has to be the grown-up and stop talking, even sometimes walking away, and allowing a cool down period so we can discuss things with a level head.     

• Pastor Kerry asked us great questions to help us better understand our expectations about marriage, and to address our differences.  For those of you who know us, you know we are totally opposites in our personalities.   

• God knew what He was doing when He put us together.   

There are many different types of counselors:  mental health counselors, substance abuse counselors, grief counselors, and so many more. 

Each play a vital role in addressing specific challenges that individuals face. 

In the Bible, Jesus is our WONDERFUL COUNSELOR!   

My desire is for you to know Jesus as your Wonderful Counselor.   

He cares about you! 

He is your ultimate source of wisdom and guidance for whatever you are facing.  He will listen, provide comfort, and direction in all situations.   

He fully knows you and He loves you unconditionally. 

When referring to the Strong’s Concordance, the Hebrew verb for ‘Counselor’ is  

Yaats (yah-ats’). 

“Yaats”(yah-ats’) means to advise or counsel. It is used in the context of providing guidance, making decisions, or offering wisdom.  

In the biblical context, “yaats” (yah-ats’) is frequently associated with wise and godly counsel, as well as the decisions of leaders and prophets. 

In the Bible, the role of a counselor was significant, as it could influence the direction of a nation or the outcome of a situation.  

Pele (peh’-leh) Yaats (yah-ats’)…WONDERFUL COUNSELOR!!! The Promised one! 

I have two personal stories of the Wonderful Counselor in my life. If I had the time, I could share for hours about the Wonderful Counselor speaking to me. 

Jesus, the Wonderful Counselor used Opal Rush in my life.  I met Opal when I started attending the Tampa Church of God in 1988. 

I was 25 years old and ‘Life was all about me!’ I was selfish AND I was always looking for the next high or the next party.  I had many vices in my life BEFORE Jesus.   

There were several precious women at the Tampa Church who were wonderful Christian counselors, for the Lord, to me.    

For 7 years, almost every Sunday, I drove Opal ‘to’ and ‘from’ church. Opal’s heart was to reach the inner city people for Jesus.   

My total drive time with Opal was one hour each week.  We talked about a lot in an hour.  These drives were a blessing, even in the midst of city traffic.   

Opal had been a hair dresser, and Mr. Rush, prior to his death was a barber.   

Opal shared fond stories of their life.  They experienced many hard times, and God always provided.   

She loved to tell me the story about the time when Montgomery Ward threatened to repossess their refrigerator because they were behind on their payments.   

She told me she trusted God to provide, and He did.  She would tell me over and over about God’s faithfulness.  Opal would always say “You can’t out give God!”   

At 89 years old, she decided to take her life savings and pay off the mortgage on the Tampa Church building.  She didn’t want money to be spent on the mortgage payment.  She wanted the church gifts to go towards Outreach to reach the lost in the city. 

At 38 years old, I couldn’t understand someone having such faith, that Opal would give her life savings, to pay off the mortgage on the church building. 

Opal Rush was a true woman of god.  Through her loving counsel, week-after-week, she taught me God’s faithfulness, and she taught me “generosity”.  Opal also taught me to tithe. 

Advance forward:  I moved home in 1999 under a clear directive from the Wonderful Counselor to move home and “TAKE CARE OF YOUR MOTHER” however, at the time, mom was happily married and nothing was wrong with mom’s health.    

The Wonderful Counselor knew the future.  He called me home and I obeyed.   

I moved home in June 1999.  In October 1999, I remember seeing mom and Earl walk into the sanctuary of the Harrisonburg Church of the Nazarene, and I began to cry.  Mom had never attended church with me.  It was a major God moment in my life. 

What an amazing journey, walking with mom and Earl, and leading them to Christ. Mom got saved, and immediately the Wonderful Counselor began to transform her heart.  

Mom started smoking cigarettes when it was considered glamorous.  All the movie stars in the movies smoked.  It was the thing to do.  Mom smoked one pack a day.  God took cigarettes away from mom.   

Earl died in 2008.  Immediately following Earl’s death, mom’s health problems began.  The last 13 years of her life she suffered with COPD, Congestive Heart failure, A Fib, Aflutter, glaucoma, and macular degeneration.  The last 6 years of mom’s life she was blind.   

Although mom accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior, somewhere following her first visit to the church in 2019, she had not yet fully surrendered her heart to Jesus. 

Ms. Evelyn was a beautiful lady. The Wonderful Counselor helped mom to realize that appearance was important, but it was okay if she wore her natural hair color instead of a wig.  

He gently helped mom to let go of her pride.  He helped her to know it was okay if she needed to wear a gown to a doctor’s appointment rather than getting fully dressed up. 

Even when mom was feeling her worse, she glowed with God’s love and she managed to tell people how God was seeing her through the dark days.     

The Wonderful Counselor used me to stretch mom.  

Through His POWER living in me, mom became interested in the lives of the ladies I was ministering to at the jail.  Mom began to pray for them and ask about how they were doing.   

This was a heart change from the mother I knew growing up.  Prior years, growing up, and even as I was an adult, mom had been judgmental of people, failing to see the best of others.      

Certainly this is not a message on tithing, but I MUST share that the Wonderful Counselor changed mom’s attitude about generosity.  

Mom grew up during the days of the depression.  Her parents were extremely poor.  Mom learned at a young age to work hard and to hold on to what you have.    

Often I would talk to mom about the importance of tithing.  

It didn’t matter what I would say, she would always tell me…“It is none of your business what I do with my money.  God doesn’t expect me to give a dime because I don’t have any money to give.”   

Mom was afraid of running out of money to care for herself.  She was a widow with major health concerns. She truly didn’t think that God expected her to give.   

I would share about the story of the ‘Widows mite’ in the Bible and it didn’t appear to phase her.   

When mom came home from the hospital in December 2019, I remember our conversation well.   

We both agreed that it was a miracle that she was home, as she had been in the hospital for 2 months, and many of those days were in critical care with the doctors saying they didn’t expect her to make it home.  

I asked mom if she wanted to bless God because He had truly extended her life.   

I remember her response well.  This time when I approached the topic of “Tithing” mom’s spirit was kind and gentle.  She wanted to know what amount that I thought she should give.  We talked through it and she committed to tithing monthly. 

Mom began to tell others, “You can’t out give God.”  

WOW! VERY familiar words to me that were once taught to me by the Wonderful Counselor using Opal Rush in Tampa, FL.   

Once mom allowed the Wonderful Counselor to have His way in her life, she gave, and she would often tell others that it was the best decision she had ever made besides asking Jesus to come live in her heart.   

The Wonderful Counselor used me in mom’s life.  He aided mom and she was robust in her proclamation of the Good News of Jesus! 

Jesus is the WONDERFUL COUNSELOR!  He is qualified! 

STOP and think about His name.   

What is so miraculous about the name WONDERFUL COUNSELOR? 

Why follow this counselor?   

Who is he? 

WELL…He is fully God and fully human.  No one knows you like Jesus.   

Three points to help you have a greater understanding of the name ‘WONDERFUL COUNSELOR’ and why that name is true for Jesus. 

Point 1:  The Wonderful Counselor is our source of Hope and renewal.   

• By the indwelling of the Wonderful Counselor, we receive refreshment flowing forth within us that provides energy and satisfaction. 

• Through Jesus, we can find hope for the future, even in the midst of difficult circumstances.  

Hebrews 4:14-15 says, 14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. The Wonderful Counselor is our source of Hope and renewal.   

Point 2:  He is available. He is always present.   

• Whatever hour of the day or night, He is present.   

• You don’t have to schedule an appointment to meet with Jesus.  

The Holy Spirit, the wonderful counselor knows us completely.  He leads us perfectly and is with us forever.   

He is our comforter and counselor.  Jesus ascended to heaven.  He promised to never leave us, and what He meant was that the Holy Spirit will be with us forever. 

John 14:16-17, says, ¹⁶And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— ¹⁷the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. 

Point 3:  The Wonderful Counselor empowers those who are available. 

• He sanctifies you from sin. He helps you leave behind the old self, becoming less of who we are and more like Jesus. 

• He empowers all believers to witness to others for the cause of Christ. 

Acts 1:8, ⁸But 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.” 

What does this mean for you this Christmas?  

The Advent Season is a time to stop and reflect on the hope, peace, love and joy of Jesus.  

Please bow your heads in a spirit of prayer.   God’s Word calls everyone to respond. 

Jesus is our Wonderful Counselor.  For many living in the 21^st century, “Christmas has become dangerously familiar.” 

Is that true for you? (Pause) 

Are you experiencing the ‘Wonder of Christmas’ OR is it the ‘Same old routine”? 

Will you allow Jesus to counsel every area of your life?   

Jesus is our WONDERFUL COUNSELOR.  He is the WONDER of Christmas. 

Many in our world today are walking in darkness. The pressure, stress, loneliness, and strife in our world can leave you longing for hope and guidance.  

Jesus is a Wonderful Counselor, born as a baby, who became man so we could have a relationship with God.  

This Christmas, you can experience Him in a deeper way.  Invite Him to be your Wonderful Counselor in every area of your life and ask Him to give you His WISDOM, HOPE and HIS POWER!  

Today, if you want to respond by saying “Lord, I want You to be my Wonderful Counselor in every area of my life.  I want Your POWER to live my life totally surrendered to Your will.  ” 

This prayer is for the first-time believer, and it is for EVERY believer in this room, including me.   

Every day, I want the POWER of the Wonderful Counselor to give me His wisdom, Hope and power to be the person He is calling me to be. 

Do you want Jesus to be your Wonderful Counselor in every area of your life?   

Whether this season is filled with joy or challenges, prayer opens our hearts to receive God’s peace and guidance. 

Jesus is extraordinary, marvelous, and beyond our human understanding.  

Let us pray: 

God, we pray that this season we are filled with peace, joy, and generosity as we share Your love with those around us.  You are the Wonderful Counselor.  You are our source of Hope and Renewal.  You are present always.  Please draw me, draw us closer to You.  Remind us of the true meaning of Christmas and help me and everyone here to allow You to be Lord of every area of our life.  Empower me to love others well, and to share the Good News of Jesus Christ.  More of You, and less of me.  Here I am Lord, use me.  Help me to be available to You.  I need You Lord.  In Jesus Name I pray, Amen. 

NAMES OF JESUS

· LAST FEW WEEKS-ThanksGIVING

· TWO UPDATES:

A. WE ARE A PROCESSING CENTER-DID 8,552 BOXES

B. TOTAL INCLUDING COUNTIES FROM BEFORE 25,346

C. INCREASE OF OVER 3000 SHOEBOXES

D. LAST WEEK RHONDA PAULSON ISAIAH 117 HOUSE

E. SO FAR 2 DAYS WE HAD GIVEN OVER 17K DIRECTLY TO HER OR THROUGH CHURCH- NO ONLINE GIVING.

WHATS IN A NAME

· HELLO MY NAME IS?

· LAST TIME YOU WORE NAME TAG/

· WHY DO WE WEAR ONE?

· MEET SOMEONE A SECOND TIME AND YOU CAN’T REMEMBER THEIR NAME?

· OR YOU GO TO INTRODUCE THEM TO SOMEONE AND YOU JUST BLANK?

· TODAY WE START – IMPORTANCE OF A NAME

DEFINITION OF WORD NAME: WORD OR SET OF WORDS BY WHICH A PERSON, ANIMAL PLACE OR THING IS KNOWN.

ANGELA/ AMANDA/CHRIS

NAMES MEAN SOMETHING- SOME SAY THEY PROPHETIC

· ANGELA: (IN CHARGE OF EVERYONE)-MESSENGER OF GOD

· AMANDA: WORTHY OF LOVE

· CHRIS: BEARER OF CHRIST

DARYL/JANETTE/JOE

· DARYL: BELOVED/OAK TREE

· JANETTE: GOD IS GRACIOUS/ GRACED BY YAHWEH

· JOE: MAY JEHOVAH GIVE INCREASE

BILLY/SAM

· BILLY: RESOLUTE PROTECTOR

· SAM: GOD HEARS

SLIDE 6: JASMINE/JEREMIAH/RUTH/KEVIN

· JASMINE: FRAGRANT FLOWER/GIFT FROM GOD.

· JEREMIAH: GOD WILL UPLIFT/APPOINTED BY GOD

· RUTH: COMPASSIONATE FRIEND

· KEVIN: HANDSOME

NAMES WERE GIVEN IN THE BIBLE AT THE EARLIEST POSSIBLE TIME IN AN EFFORT TO DEFINE THE HOPES AND DREAMS OF THEIR CHILD.

HEBREW NAMES:

· A KEYSTONE FOR IDENTITY FOR THEM

· THE NAME THEY CHOSE IS BELIEVED TO IMPACT WHAT THAT CHILD WILL BECOME

SCRIPTURE GENESIS 2:19

Now the Lord God had formed out of the ground all the wild animals and all the birds in the sky. He brought them to the man to see what he would name them; and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name.

(ADAM DOESN’T HAVE A NAME YET)

SCRIPTURE GENESIS 2:20

20 So the man gave names to all the livestock, the birds in the sky and all the wild animals. But for Adam no suitable helper was found.

SLIDE 9: SCRIPTURE GENESUS 2:21

21 So the Lord God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man’s ribs and then closed up the place with flesh.

· EVE IS NOT NAMED UNTIL AFTER THE FALL.

· EVE “NAME MEANS GIVER OF LIFE”

· HER WAS SIGNIFIGANT BC CHRIST WOULD COME

SLIDE 10: SCRIPTURE MATTHEW 1:22

22. ALL THIS TOOK PLACE TO FULFILL WHAT THE LORD HAD SAID THROUGH THE PROPHET: “THE VIRGIN WILL CONCEIVE AND GIVE BIRTH TO A SON, AND THEY WILL CALL HIM IMMANUEL” (WHICH MEANS “GOD IS WITH US”)

SLIDE 11: CATHY- CATHE-KATHY-KATHI

10. AGAIN THE LORD SPOKE TO AHAZ, 11.ASK THE LORD YOUR GOD FOR A SIGN, WETHER IN THE DEEPEST DEPTHS OR IN THE HIGHEST HEIGHTS.”

12. BUT AHAZ SAID, “I WILL NOT ASK, I WILL NOT PUT THE LORD TO THE TEST.”

SCRIPTURE ISAIAH 7:13-14

13. THEN ISAIAH SAID, “HEAR NOW, YOU HOUSE OF DAVID! IS IT NOT ENOUGH TO TRY THE PATIENCE OF HUMANS? WILL YOU TRY THE PATIENCE OF MY GOD ALSO? 14. THEREFORE THE LORD HIMSELF WILL GIVE YOU A SIGN: THE VIRGIN WILL CONCEIVE AND GIVE BIRTH TO A SON, AND WILL CALL HIM IMMANUEL.

· PEOPLE WERE BEING ATTACKED/OPPRESSED

· KING AHAZ WAS FEARFUL/ANXIETY AND DREAD

· GOD SHOWS UP AND SAYS” I WILL GIVE A SIGN”

JESUS 50% HUMAN/ 50% 50%GOD

· JESUS WASN’T 50 % HUMAN, 50 % GOD

· MARY A HUMAN GAVE BIRTH TO A GOD MAN

· JESUS WAS 100% HUMAN AND 100 % GOD

· GOD WITH US, IMMANUEL

THINK ABOUT HOW LONG PEOPLE HAVE WAITED

DIDN’T FULLY KNOW WHAT THEY WERE WAITING FOR

· LAST THING YOU WAITED A LONG TIME FOR?

· WAITING GOES BACK TO THE GARDEN TREE

· 4000 YEARS

· 60 PROPECHIES GIVEN

· A DARK- VERY DARK TIME IN HISTORY

· ROMAN OPPRESSION

VIDEO THE CHOSEN

· THE PEOPLE HE ANNOUNCES HIS ARRIVAL TO

· SHEPHERDS

· THE AWE- THE EXCITEMENT

· THE HOPE THAT HAS NOW ARRIVED

SCRIPTURE PHILIPPIANS 2:9

9. THEREFORE GOD EXALTED HIM TO THE HIGHEST PLACE AND GAVE HIM THE NAME THAT IS ABOVE EVERY NAME. 10. THAT AT THE NAME OF JESUS EVERY NAME OF KNEE SHOULD BOW, IN HEAVEN AND ON EARTH AND UNDER THE EARTH.

(THINK ABOUT PLACES WHO WILL BOW LISTED HERE)

NAMES UNDER JESUS

THE TOP 10 NAMES ALL TIME IN HISTORY

1. MOTHER THERESA

2. GEORGE WASHINGTON

3. ALEXANDER THE GREAT

4. NAPOLEAN

5. WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE

6. ABE LINCOLN

7. ARISTOTLE

8. HITLER

9. MUHAMMAD

THEY ARE ALL UNDER THE NAME ALL TIME OF JESUS

· A MAN WHO TRAVELED VERY LITTLE – HIS NAME IS THE MOST FAMOUS NAME OF ALL TIME WORLD WIDE-

· THIS NAME

HIS NAME STATES A PURPOSE- WHY HE CAME

HIS NAME IS POWER

SCRIPTURE LUKE 10:17

17: THE SEVENTY-TWO RETURNED WITH JOY AND SAID “LORD, EVEN THE DEMONS SUBMIT TO US IN YOUR NAME”

· HIS NAME IS PERSONAL

HES THE BRIGHT AND MORNING STAR

HES COUNSELOR/MIGHTY GOD EVERLASTING FATHER

HAD NO MEDICAL DEGREE BUT CALLED HIM HEALER

HE HAD NO SERVANTS AND THEY CALLED HIM MASTER

HAD NO DEGREE BUT THEY CALED HIM RABBI/TEACHER

HE HAD NO MILITARY TRAINING YET HE CONQUERED THE WORLD

WHERE’S WALDO PICTURE

· BOOK THAT CAME OUT YEARS AGO

· THE IDEA IS THERES A CHARACTER BLENDED IN

WALDO ACTION PICTURE

· EACH PAGE GETS HARDER TO FIND HIM

· EACH PAGE THEY TRY AND LOOK MORE LIKE HIM

· I CHECKED THIS WEEK-HES ON EVERY PAGE

· IN MY LIFE-SOME DAYS HARDER TO SEE HIM

· HE’S BEEN PRESENT ON EVERY PAGE IVE TURNED

STATEMENT

‘THE NAMES OF JESUS REVEAL WHO HE IS AND WHO HIS FATHER IS- THE NAMES ALSO REVEAL WHAT HE DOES AND HOW MUCH HIS FATHER LOVES US”

· NAME- SAVIOR- ITS WHO HE IS/ ITS WHAT HE DOES- IT EXPRESSES HOW MUCH HIS DAD LOVES US.

NAME TAG- EMMANUEL

· NAME TAGS HELP YOU IDENTIFY OTHER PEOPLE

· NAME TAGS CREAT CONNECTION

· NAME TAGS ARE REMINDERS FOR US- YOU CAN COME GET A NAME TAG- OUT YOUR NAME ON IT

· KEVIN- REMEMBER- EMMANUEL HAS COME

JESUS MESSIAH, NAME ABOVE ALL NAMES

BLESSED REDEEMER, EMMANUEL

THE RESCUE FOR SINNERS, THE RANSOM FROM HEAVEN

JESUS MESSIAH, LORD OF ALL

________________________________________________________

NAME IS IDENTITY

NAME IS INTIMACY

NAME INDICATES WE KNOW ONE ANOTHER

OLD SONG SAYS

I HAVE A MAKER

HE FORMED MY HEART

BEFORE EVEN TIME BEGAN

MY LIFE WAS IN HIS HANDS

HE KNOWS MY NAME

HE KNOWS MY EVERY THOUGHT

HE SEES EACH TEAR THAT FALLS

AND HEARS MY WHEN I CALL

I HAVE A FATHER

HE CALLS ME HIS OWN

HE’LL NEVER LEAVE ME

NO MATTER WHERE I GO

https://www.bible.com/events/49354939

Church of the Nazarene East Rockingham Campus

The Names of Jesus Part 1 East Rock

Emmanuel, God with us.

Today we begin our Advent teaching series “The Names of Jesus”

Throughout this series we are looking at a few of the different names that the scriptures give to Jesus. Names In the bible often hold far more meaning and importance than what we are accustomed to in our time. Names often spoke of a persons character and even their destiny. The same is true for Jesus.

We begin our series today with a name for Jesus found at the very heart of the Christmas story. Emmanuel.

Matthew 1:18-19

This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.

Mary and Joseph are pledged or betrothed. Betrothal was similar to our idea of engagement, except it was legally binding. During this betrothal Mary has been found to be pregnant.

Here we need to slow down and walk with the characters in the story.

Mary was likely a teenager, pledged to be married. The gospel of Luke records that she was visited by an angle to tell her that she would bear a son. She knows the stigma that will bring. The potential punishment of stoning by the law. But, she says yes.

Jospeh. He’s been working hard to prepare his home. He loves Mary, they have hopes and dreams together. And now this.

This is the scene, this is the confusion, the tension, the hurt, the frustration and fear. Joseph ponders his options.

This is the story of God coming to be with us.

Matthew 1:20-21

But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

One night in the midst of this turmoil an angel of the Lord comes to him in a dream.

The angels message confirms Mary’s story that it was a work of the Lord in her life. She was telling the truth.

Joseph needed to go ahead and taker her as his wife. He had a part to play in what God was doing too

Matthew 1:22-23

All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).

As Matthew is recalling the story of Jesus’ birth, he pauses to help is readers make a connection.

Quoting from the Prophet Isaiah hundreds of years before Jesus was born, Matthew recalls the time when another child was born as a sign of God’s presence with his people and his faithfulness to them.

In the birth of Jesus, Matthew sees the prophet Isiah’s words fulfilled in a much more meaningful and powerful way.

What was true hundreds of years before in the nation of Judah, is now fulfilled completely in the coming of Jesus.

Jesus is not just another sign- he is literally God with us, stepping into our messy and complicated story for our salvation.

Emanuel is God with us.

Over the next few weeks as we journey towards Christmas, we will look at a few of the other names given to Jesus in the scriptures.

We will see Jesus as a wonderful counsellor, the prince of peace. He is Savior, sent to save his people from their sins. Then finally on Christmas Eve, we will see Jesus as the light of the world, dispelling darkness and brining hope

Each of these titles is revealing of the very nature and character of Jesus and they invite us to know him more. That’s certainly true of Emmanuel

The name Emmanuel invites us to recognize that God is with us. To believe that He is not aloof, unaware of the messiness and challenges of our daily lives. But he is with us, regardless of how we feel.

He is Emmanuel, God with us.

Ronda Paulson is the Founder and Executive Director of Isaiah 117 House. Isaiah 117 House is a nonprofit which provides transitional support for children in foster care and for those who come around those who come around those kids during that time. The Isaiah 117 House was founded on the scripture passage Isaiah 1:17
“Learn to do good. Seek justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the cause of orphans. Fight for the rights of widows.”

Isaiah 117 House Rockingham website link

https://linktr.ee/isaiah117houserockinghamcova

https://www.bible.com/events/49351445

Church of the Nazarene East Rockingham Campus

ThanksGIVING Part 2 East Rock

“Generosity flows from a heart of compassion.”

Today we are concluding our 2-part teaching series on ThanksGIVING.

This series is not about a percentage to give, or a guilt trip into doing something. This is about coming to see God’s compassionate heart lived out through our generous actions in the world.

Today we are going to look at a story in the bible of people giving beyond their means.

Before we can dive into unpacking the teaching text of 2 Corinthians 8, we need to get a running start at what’s happening.

During this time the believers in Jerusalem were really struggling.

Scholars aren’t sure what exactly was happening in Jerusalem that led to such dire circumstances. Whatever the reason, the bible tells us people in Jerusalem were in need.

While all this is going on in Jerusalem, the Apostle Paul was traveling around the Roman empire preaching and teaching the gospel and he wanted to help.

As he was going to different cities to preach, he was collecting money to give to the church in Jerusalem to relieve their suffering.

As we come to our teaching text in 2 Corinthians 8, Paul is highlighting the generosity of one specific group of believers from the region of Macedonia.

2 Corinthians 8:1-2

And now, brothers and sisters, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity.

As the Christians in Jerusalem were struggling, the Christians in Macedonia were having a hard time as well.

Here again, we aren’t exactly sure what was to blame for their plight. It’s believed that persecution of Christians was severe in this region effecting their ability to provide for basic needs.

Whatever the cause was, the language Paul uses to describe their condition is stark. He said they were under a “severe trial”. And it was so severe was the situation left them in extreme poverty.

The word here literally translated means “down to the depths poverty” or we might say- they were at rock bottom or dirt poor.

For all that their circumstances had taken from them, it did not take their joy. It didn’t stop them from taking action to love others.

But notice that as Paul holds up the example of the Macedonians, he says “Let me tell you about the grace God has given them”

This whole conversation about generosity is because the grace of God. It was his divine enablement, his favor at work in their lives.

2 Corinthians 5:3-4

because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life.

We don’t know how much they gave because Paul never tells us. And that’s probably because the amount doesn’t matter at all. Generosity is not about an amount.

Paul says they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond. I think what he is trying to say here is that they gave more than what was comfortable.

It was sacrificial giving, it stretched them, and they wanted to do it.

2 Corinthians 8:5

And they exceeded our expectations: They gave themselves first of all to the Lord, and then by the will of God also to us.

For the Christians of Macedonia, their generosity was an outflow of their relationship to the Lord. They saw their generosity as and expression of love and devotion to the Lord.

They realized it was part of their service to him as their Lord and savior. Even in the midst of their own extreme trial and poverty, giving wasn’t an optional part of their lives. It was a priority.

That’s the Macedonian generosity.

For the remainder of Chapter 8 and all of Chapter 9 Paul talks and teaches about generosity following the Macedonian example.

I want to share some things that really stood out to me about the Macedonians story.

Here’s the question I have been asking: How do I take a step of faith in that direction?

The answer would be different for each of us, of course, but a few things have really stood out to me in this story.

They gave themselves to the Lord, they received his grace.

The kind of generosity the bible calls for, the kind that the Macedonians show us- It won’t happen on our own. If we are going to experience the kind of generosity we read about here- we have to start by giving ourselves to the Lord. We have to give our lives to him. We need to be experiencing new life in Christ, his transforming grace at work in our lives.

The Macedonians joyfully refused to miss out on what God was doing in their world.

They caught the passion and the vision of how God was moving to meet the tangible needs of people around them, and they weren’t going to miss it for anything. They believed in the mission of the church and they were willing to leverage their lives to see the mission happen. And friends, we too have to see the connection between our generosity and the movement of God’s kingdom in our world.

Finally, they acted on the call to generous living.

True generosity wont stay hidden inside our hearts or our minds, it MUST be expressed through actions in our world. We can talk about giving and generosity every Sunday of the year and not be any closer to what God really desires for our lives. We have to act. We have to give. Just do it.

That’s what the Macedonians did. That’s why we are talking about them 2000 years later.

Will you live into the grace of giving and see your world changed?