https://www.bible.com/events/49365254

Church of the Nazarene East Rockingham Campus

The Names of Jesus Part 4- East Rock

Savior

Today we continue 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 continue today with the name Savior

As you enter the Christmas story, the theme of salvation or rescue is all over the place.

Luke 1:30-31

But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus.

The name Jesus literally translated means “The salvation of God” or “God saves” And so, from the very moment of his miraculous conception, the message of salvation is there.

After Jesus is born in Bethlehem, when the angels appear to the shepherds out in the fields, their announcement is really all about salvation.

Luke 2:10-11

But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.

A savior, a deliverer, has been born to you. A rescuer has arrived.

And I love that in Matthew Chapter 1 Joseph gets perhaps the most clear explanation of them all.

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.”

This baby boy’s name would be his mission- The Lord saves.

He was born to save his people from their sins.

This idea of will save, is one word in the original language.

It has the basic idea of rescuing someone from great peril. Additionally, it carries the idea of protection, to keep alive, to preserve life, to make someone whole.

It’s the basic idea of rescue.

The great rescue mission of Christmas is a little different because it’s not about rescue from a burning building, or from a hiking trip in the woods gone wrong.

Jesus came to rescue his people from their SINS.

The word for sins here means literally to miss the mark.

Literally, it meant shooting at a target and missing.

It was used of a traveler who lost their way, who couldn’t get to their destination.

Sins also spoke of falling short of an intended purpose. Not fulfilling what you were made for.

So as we consider the rescue mission of Jesus, it is not about rescuing us from torrent waters, or not fulfilling our career dreams.

He came to bring us back into relationship with God. To re-align our lives to our created purpose, to bring us back on target.

Jesus himself said “I have come to seek and save the lost.”

It’s all about rescue.

I understand this news of needing rescue might be a little surprising to hear because typically, when you find yourself in the need of rescue, something happened, right? A car accident, you got lost on a hike, something catches fire, etc.

So, you’re hearing all this talk about Christmas and rescue wondering “Why do I need rescue? I’m doing just fine?”

But the bible tells us that something DID happen to put us all in need of rescue, even if everything seems fine now. To see what happened, we need to go back in the Christmas story, WAY back, to the beginning.

The need for rescue begins all the way back in Genesis 3 of our bibles.

In Genesis 1 and 2 we find the story of how God brought all of creation into being. It was his creative power speaking everything into existence, including Adam and Eve, the first human beings.

As you read the creation account we see that Adam and Eve were created for relationship with the Lord. They knew him, they walked with him, and served as co-agents in tending creation.

Think about it- they had deep meaningful Relationship, true sense of identity, and life-giving purpose. They had literally everything that we still long for today. They had it all, until genesis 3.

God had given Adam and Eve virtually unlimited freedom, nothing was off limits except for the fruit of one tree. They were not to eat the fruit from this one special tree in the garden. That was God’s only stipulation to them, they had to choose relationship and obedience to him.

At this point in the story, a strange new character comes in, evil in the form of a snake. This evil one convinces Eve that God is holding out on them, that they should take matters into their own hands. They shouldn’t be told they couldn’t eat from a tree. And so, they do. They disobey God.

Genesis 3:6

When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it.

Adam and Eve fractured their relationship with God, with each other, and with all of creation. They missed the mark, no longer fulfilling their created purpose for relationship with God. They sinned.

The bible looks at this moment of disobedience as the moment when sin and death entered our story. When we first needed rescue.

And it’s not that you are blamed for eating an apple thousands of years ago. But the bible calls out that same spirit of rebellion and self serving interests is in each one of us today.

On our own we are apart from God, fulfilling our own desires, doing our own thing, and we are destined for death.

What makes the rescue story of Christmas different, is that our rescue came to give his life for us.

Jesus did not accomplish our rescue by coming in the manger, he won our salvation by dying.

The bible tells us that the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

The truth is, if we do not embrace Christ as our savior, we will face death, eternity separated from God’s presence. That’s the end result of a life, even a good life, lived in sin.

But it doesn’t have to be that way, because a gift has been given to you in Christ Jesus. It’s the best Christmas gift ever, you just need to receive it.

Have you received that gift? Do you know Jesus as your savior? As your Rescuer?

Romans 10:9-10

If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.

1. Intro 

1. Today as we continue in our Advent Teaching series, we are going to look at the name given to Jesus, the prince of Peace.  The Prince of Peace. 

1. Turn with me to Isaiah Chapter 9, beginning at verse 6 

2. Isaiah 9:6-7 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. ⁷Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end.  He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this. 

1. These words from the book of Isaiah were written hundreds of years before Jesus was born in Bethlehem. 

3. In the days of Isaiah, the people of God were in a desperate and dark place, they didn’t have peace. 

1. They had turned away from serving the Lord, they weren’t really worshipping him like they were called to do. 

1. And they were living in the consequences of those decisions. 

4. God sent the prophet Isaiah to warn his people about the coming judgement, he warned them to change their ways, but they refused. 

1. Soon they would be overcome by the neighboring nation of Assyria, and taken captive to their land. 

5. In the midst of this dark and chaotic place, a word of hope breaks through. 

1. For to us a child is born, to us a son is given… 

1. Hope comes on the horizon in the form of a baby born to rule his people, to bring restoration and redemption to God’s people. 

2. He would be the wonderful counselor, Mighty God, everlasting father, and the prince of peace. 

6. The titles of this coming one reveal that he will be far more than a political leader, far more than a new president to run their nation.  He would be a redeemer a restorer.   

1. He would not just rule the people, he would save them. 

1. He would bring them peace. 

7. I wonder what comes to your mind when you think of peace? 

1. Is it tie-dye, Volkswagen vans, and a peace symbol?  

8. Is peace those precious early morning, or late night hours, when everyone else is in bed, and finally, all is calm and quiet. 

1. Deep breath… Ahhh…. Peace. 

2. That’s one of the things I love about getting up early in the morning.  Peace. 

9. Perhaps when you think of peace, you think of a specific place. 

1. Perhaps an hour or two at the local library or coffee shop. 

2. Maybe at the beach with a good book, or on a hike in nature.  

1. Time alone in the treestand, enjoying the stillness of the woods. 

3. For me peace can often look like this *PICTURE* this was early one morning on Switzer Lake. 

1. Nobody else around, quiet, beautiful. 

10. So, what about you? What do you think about when you think of peace? 

11. If you look up peace in the dictionary, you will find definitions like 

1. Freedom from disturbance. (Parents, that’s those golden hours when everyone in the house is asleep, right?) peace. 

1. Tranquility or quiet. 

12. And there’s a part of every one of us that longs for peace. It’s like a natural hunger, a need that we seek to fulfil. 

1. to be free from disturbance, from conflict and turmoil, to be free from the noise and hustle of life. 

1. To know that stillness not just in our circumstances, but to have peace on the inside. 

13. I don’t know about you, but I have visited plenty of peaceful places this year and yet somehow, even in those peaceful places, I haven’t really been at peace on the inside. 

1. Have you ever been there? 

2. Your surroundings can be completely at peace, but inside you are anything but at rest. 

1. your upset, anxious, racing thoughts about things outside of your control. 

2. The grief of illness, or the loss of a loved one seems like a constant current under the surface. 

3.  Perhaps your worried about the future or haunted by the past. 

1. And peace seems impossible. 

14. Perhaps you feel that way right now.   

1. It’s Christmas time.  It’s supposed to be a time of joy and celebration, a time marked by peace, but you just arent there.  

15. Friends, if you are like me and sometimes struggle to find peace in the midst of everyday life, the message of Christmas is good news. 

1. The message of Jesus, the prince of peace, coming into our world to give peace. 

2. You see, true peace is that it doesn’t come from just the right circumstances, we don’t find it on the perfect vacation, we wont find it in any gift wrapped up under the tree. 

1. True peace only comes through a person, and his name is Jesus, he is the prince of peace. 

3. Jesus said in John 14:27 ²⁷Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. 

1. The gift of peace has been given; will you receive it? 

1. Today we are continuing in part 3 of our teaching series The Names of Jesus. 

1. Throughout this series we are exploring some of the different names the bible gives to Jesus. 

2. Names In the bible often hold far more meaning and importance than what we are accustomed to in our time.  It’s way more than a way to call someone out of a crowd. 

1. Throughout the bible names often spoke of the persons character and even their destiny.  The same is true for Jesus. 

3. Scholars estimate that there are nearly 200 different names or titles that refer to Jesus, each speaking of his nature, his character, and his role in the redemption of his people. 

1. each of these names invite us to know Jesus more.  To see him for who he really is. 

1. And today we are looking at the name Prince of Peace. 

4. Teaching Text 

1. Isaiah 9:6-7 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. 

2. When the bible talks about The Prince of Peace, it’s talking about more than just the person who ends all wars and brings the ever so elusive “world peace”. 

1. The word in the old testament, is the word shalom, maybe you have heard of that before. 

2. Shalom carries the idea of completeness, or wholeness. 

3. It’s not just that the outside is peaceful, but internally we are complete and whole. 

1. It’s like a puzzle with all it’s pieces in place. 

4. It’s well being, restfulness, peace deep with. 

1. That’s the peace this new king would bring. 

3. It way more than protection from invading armies, and higher taxes.  When the prince of peace comes, he will bring healing and wholeness for his people. 

1. As we step into the story of Christmas in the New Testament, we are invited to see Jesus as the one who fulfills this hope-filled promise from Isaiah.  

2. In Luke chapter 2, after Mary had given birth to JEsus, listen to the announcement the angles made to the shepherds who were out in the fields that night.  

4. LUKE 2:8-14 ⁸And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. ⁹An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. ¹⁰But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. ¹¹Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. ¹²This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”  

1. The one Isaiah said was coming, has arrived. 

1. Generations had waited for this moment, for this hope to break out.  And it’s here. The Child has been given. 

2. The wonderful Counselor, almighty God, Everlasting Father, the prince of peace was finally here. 

5. ¹³Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, ¹⁴“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” 

1. As the hosts of heaven looked on, it’s as if they couldn’t contain their excitement.  

2.  They break into praise, glorifying God, and declaring that peace on earth had come, to those who were looking to the Lord. 

1. The prince of peace has come and those who believe in Him, will find wholeness and healing for their souls. 

1. They will know true peace. 

1. The gift of peace had been given to those who would receive it. 

5. Transition 

1. It’s interesting to me that the world was no more at peace after the arrival of the prince of Peace than ours is today. 

2. *Could grab a copy of a news paper and read a few headlines* 

3. *or could use the Christmas truce video* Christmas has come, but the war continues. 

1. This holy family, and most of God’s people for that matter, were still under the brutality of the roman empire, they still had to register in their hometown for government records. 

2. Rome was still in charge, Herod was still king, and He would still try to kill Jesus. 

1. The holy family would have to become refugees in the nation of Egypt to preserve the life of this prince of peace. 

1. It was anything but a tranquil setting that was free of conflict. 

4. But yet it’s right here in the midst of all the chaotic realities of life in this fallen world that we see the beautiful truth of Christmas- 

1. The prince of peace has come, and he offers us peace in the midst of our chaotic world. 

1. To offer wholeness and healing, to put the pieces together in the lives of those who look to him in faith. 

5. Later in the New Testament, the Apostle Paul, reflecting on the life and work of Jesus would say in Colossians 1:19-20 

1. ¹⁹For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, ²⁰and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. 

1. The prince of peace, came to make peace through his death on the Cross. 

2. In Christ, we can have peace with God because Jesus deals with our sin.  And we begin to experience his peace in our relationships and in our world as we surrender our lives to him. 

6. Jesus said in John 14:27 ²⁷Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. 

1. The gift of peace has been given. 

2. That’s the message of Christmas. 

6. Transition 

1. Maybe you are like me at this point, I know that’s a scary thought for many of you, but work with me. 

1. I don’t know about you, but I get to this point in the message, I find myself wrestling with a question. 

2. That question goes something like this- Jesus is the Prince of Peace, he came to redeem and restore us, to bring peace by dealing with sin- yup, im there. 

1. I believe that, but why does my life and my world still have so much turmoil? 

1. I know Jesus, I know the prince of peace, why do I constantly have to fight worry, fear, anxiety? 

2. Why do my thoughts so often end up on a run away train. 

1. Fill in the blank… 

2. It’s almost like peace has a bullseye on it, and everything is trying to kill it. 

2. That’s exactly what street artist simply known as Banksy had in mind when he pained this mural in Bethlehem. 

1. IN BETHLEHEM… 

3. It’s a dove holding an olive branch, which is a traditional sign of peace. 

1. But it’s wearing a bullet proof vest, and there is a set of crosshairs on its chest. 

1. Peace is under attack.   

3. In Christmas, the Prince of Peace came in the midst of chaos to bring peace to those who would place their faith in him. 

1. So how do we experience the peace that Jesus offers in the midst of our story? 

1. How do we tear into the gift of peace for ourself? 

4. This first step might sound to simplistic, but hang with me. 

1. To experience the Peace of Jesus, we have to believe it’s possible. 

1. Not possible in a conceptual alter universe- but possible in the midst of the chaotic reality of our lives and our world. 

1. We need to believe the words of Jesus himself. 

5. Remember Jesus’ words ²⁷Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives.  

1. I remember reading this verse earlier this year. 

6. To be honest, I was not experiencing peace. 

1. I was stressed out, burnt out, and emotionally drained.   

1. Pastoral transition was hard on a work level as we adapted as an organization to lead on in the absence of a lead pastor. 

2. Personally it was killing me to lose that close relationship with such good friends and brothers in the Lord. 

3. On top of all that, the search process for a new lead pastor was a big unknown. 

1. I was a mess, I was not at peace, even at switzer lake. 

7. And I remember reading that very verse and pausing. 

1. A voice just louder than the noise in my heart said “If you don’t have peace, you have a problem” 

1. Wow… yeah… If Jesus gave it, and I don’t have it, I have an issue here. 

8. And in that very moment, rather than continuing to pray into that, I immediately switch to all the reasons why I shouldn’t have peace, why it was ok for me to be troubled. 

1. Like I needed to remind the Lord of everything that was going on in my life. 

2. I didn’t believe that peace was possible for me in the midst of what I was going through. 

1. As if Jesus didn’t really understand… 

3. To put it bluntly, what was really happening in the midst of my unrest, I didn’t REALLY believe Jesus’ word. 

1. I mean, I wouldn’t have ever said it that way, but my unbelief showed up in that I didn’t trust Jesus that it was even possible, that it SHOULD be true in my life. 

9. Friends, to experience the Peace of the Prince of Peace, we need to take the step of faith and believe what he said. 

1. My peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. 

1. We are called to believe that his peace is for us, no matter what is happening in our hearts or in our world. 

1. The chaos of the first Christmas didn’t stop him from bringing peace, and the chaos of 2024 wont either. 

10. As we take a step of faith to believe, we also need to take an active role in pursing peace in our lives. 

1. ²⁷Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. 

1. Jesus says that he has given us his peace, now we have to take action and not allowing our hearts to be troubled. 

1. That tells me, that peace is not automatic.  To live at peace is not a passive endeavor on our part, we have to actively pursue peace in relationship with the prince of peace. 

11. The Apostle Paul writing to the Philippians affirms the same thing. 

1. ⁴Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! ⁵Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. ⁶Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ⁷And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 

1. There are a number of commands there that lead to peace. 

1. Rejoice in the Lord. 

2. Don’t be anxious. 

3. Bring everything before the Lord in prayer and petition 

1. Then Look what he says. 

4. And the peace of God, which transcends understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 

12. There is an all out war on our peace and we have to get in the fight to maintain the peace of God in our lives. 

1. We may need to get into counselling to gain understanding of our thought life. 

2. We might need to stop certain habits or behaviors that are bringing chaos into our lives. 

1. We might need to turn off the news or get off social media. 

3. We might even need healthier boundaries for some relationships with our lives. 

4. We have to take an active role in living out the peace that Christ has given us. 

Conclusion 

1. So how about you, do you have peace today? 

1. Do you want to know peace in your life? 

1. Then come to Jesus. 

2. And look, I am not saying Jesus is a vending machine.  We don’t approach him, deposit a prayer, then select what we want from him. 

1. The invitation to know peace, is the invitation to know Christ as our Lord and savior, and surrender your life to him, including your troubled and anxious heart. 

1. That place of intimacy with Christ, is where we will find true peace. 

3. Maybe you are here today and you are ready to take that step of faith towards peace in your life. 

1. I have made small cards that have the words of JEsus on them 

2. ²⁷Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. 

1. With love, the prince of peace. 

4. As the band plays and we pray together, I would invite you to come and grab a card or two and take with you as a reminder of the gift of peace, found in the prince of peace. 

https://www.bible.com/events/49361778

Church of the Nazarene East Rockingham Campus

The Names of Jesus Part 3 East Rock

The Prince of Peace

Today we continue 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 continue today with a name for Jesus found in Isaiah 9, The Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6

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.

In the days of Isaiah when this was written, the people had turned away from serving the Lord, they weren’t really worshipping him like they were called to do. And they were living in the consequences of those decisions.

God sent the prophet Isaiah to warn his people about the coming judgement, he warned them to change their ways, but they refused. Soon they would be overcome by the neighboring nation of Assyria, and taken captive to their land. It was anything but tidings of great joy, certainly nothing to sing carols about.

But In the midst of this dark and chaotic place, this word of hope breaks through. For to us a child is born, to us a son is given…

Hope comes on the horizon in the form of a baby born to rule his people, to bring restoration and redemption to God’s people. He would be the wonderful counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and the Prince of Peace.

When the bible talks about peace, it’s looking beyond what we might typically think of with a quiet still morning, or just the absence of noise and conflict.

The word for peace in the Old Testament, is the word shalom.

Shalom carries the idea of completeness, or wholeness. It’s like a puzzle with all its pieces in place. It’s not just that the outside is peaceful, but internally we are complete and whole.

It’s well being, restfulness, peace deep within. Peace that is not dependent on circumstances.

That’s the peace this new king that Isaiah spoke about would bring.

As we step into the story of Christmas in the New Testament, we are invited to see Jesus as the one who fulfills this hope-filled promise from Isaiah

Luke 2:9-14

An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

Generations had waited for this moment, for this hope to break out. And it’s here. The child has been given.

The Wonderful Counselor, Almighty God, Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace was here.

It’s interesting that the world seemingly had no more at peace after the arrival of the prince of Peace than ours does today. Rome was still in charge, Herod was still king, and He would still try to kill Jesus.

It was anything but a tranquil setting that was free of conflict.

But yet it’s right there in the midst of all the chaotic realities of life in this fallen world that we see the beautiful truth of Christmas- The Prince of Peace has come and he offers us peace in the midst of our chaotic world.

And he offers wholeness and healing, to put the pieces together in the lives of those who look to him in faith. The gift of peace has been given.

The gift of peace has been given, how then do we experience the peace of the prince of peace?

That journey has to begin with the understanding that Jesus has come to offer us peace with God himself.

If we don’t know peace in our lives with God, peace anywhere else in life will never be found. We must start by seeking peace with God.

Colossians 1:19-20 “19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.”

The Prince of Peace came to make peace through his death on the Cross. As we surrender our lives to him, peace begins to take root and grow in our hearts, and it will transcend into our daily lives. That’s true peace, from the Prince of Peace.

Next, to experience the Peace of Jesus, we have to believe it’s possible.

Not possible in a conceptual, made up way in our minds, but actually possible in the midst of the chaotic reality of our lives and our world.

Jesus himself said in John 14:27 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives.

To experience the Peace of the Prince of Peace, we need to take the step of faith and believe what he said. “My peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.”

I think it’s all to easy for us to approach the topic of peace and imagine that our circumstances are more real, are more powerful, than the peace that Jesus says we are to have.

To receive the peace of Christ, to live into that promise, we have to believe that his peace is for us, no matter what is happening in our hearts or in our world.

The chaos of the first Christmas didn’t stop him from bringing peace, and the chaos of 2024 wont either. He came to bring peace.

Finally As we take a step of faith to believe, we also need to take an active role in pursing peace in our lives.

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

Jesus says that he has given us his peace, now we have to take action in not allowing our hearts to be troubled. That tells me, peace is not automatic. Just because he’s given it, doesn’t mean we will have it.

We have to pursue and defend the gift of peace that Christ is brining to our lives.

The Gift of peace has been given, lets embrace the Prince of Peace.

http://bible.com/events/49359165

Church of the Nazarene – Harrisonburg Campus

The Names of Jesus Part 2

Wonderful Counselor

Today we continue 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.

Counselor:

a person trained to give guidance on personal, social, or psychological problems

3 Characteristics of Effective Counselor

Personal Credibility

Compassionate Listener

Gives Godly/Biblical Advice

Isaiah 9:6

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.

Isaiah 28:29

This also comes from the Lord of hosts; he is wonderful in counsel and excellent in wisdom.

DO YOU WANT TO FIX THIS?

Jesus doesn’t just provide a prohibition, he always provides a path forward.

Pastor Jon Tyson

Any communication that comes to you from the enemy will have enough truth to be believable but enough deception to destroy you.

Jeremiah 17:9

The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?

Bill Gaultiere

Jesus understands the human soul, or psyche — first as our co-creator with God the Father, second as the incarnate Son of God who experienced being a man and living on this earth, third as the Redeemer who never sinned and conquered sin and death and Satan by rising from the dead, and fourth as the ever-living and present Spirit of Christ with us now.

Hebrews 4:15-16

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. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

If you’re not spiritually fed, you will be emotionally led.

DO YOU TRUST HIM AS YOUR WONDERFUL COUNSELOR TODAY?

EXTRA SCRIPTURES

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you” (Psalm 32:8).

The counsel of the LORD stands forever, The plans of His heart from generation to generation” (Psalm 33:11).

Many plans are in a man’s heart, But the counsel of the LORD will stand” (Psalm 19:21).

“I bless the Lord who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me” (Psalm 16:7).

Your testimonies also are my delight; they are my counselors” (Psalm 119:24).

For the LORD gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding. He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk in integrity” (Proverbs 2:6-7).

Counsel is mine and sound wisdom; I am understanding, power is mine” (Proverbs 8:14).

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding” (Proverbs 9:6).

But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him” (James 1:5).

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.