Isaiah 9:1-7
1 Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the
past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future
he will honor Galilee of the nations, by the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan—
2 The people walking in darkness have seen a great light, on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.
3 You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest as warriors rejoice when dividing the plunder.
4 For as in the day of Midian’s defeat, you have shattered the yoke that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor.
5 Every warrior’s boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood
will be destined for burning, will be fuel for the fire.
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.
7 Of 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.
Poll the room. By show hands how many heard it as:
o A: Hope for a change
o B: Hope, for a change
o C: Both
BIG IDEA: Jesus’ birth gives me hope that life will change for the good.
1. Hope for a Change (v.1-5) [What]
a. That The Future will be Better than the Past (v.1)
Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the nations, by the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan—
Proverbs 18:12b NASB
“But humility goes before honor.”
Deuteronomy 8:2-3 NASB
“ 2 And you shall remember all the way which the LORD your God has led you in the wilderness these forty years, in order to humble you, putting you to the test, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not. 3 And He humbled you and let you go hungry, and fed you with the manna which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, in order to make you understand that man shall not live on bread alone, but man shall live on everything that comes out of the mouth of the LORD.”
Our issue is that we want honor without humility…
b. That Light will Shine in Darkness (v.2)
2 The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.
This promise was fulfilled in John 1
John 1:5 NIV
“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”
c. That Joy will be your Reality (v.3)
3 You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy;
they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as warriors rejoice when dividing the plunder.
d. That We will be Set Free from Oppression (v.4)
4 For as in the day of Midian’s defeat, you have shattered
the yoke that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor.
Midian’s Defeat (Judges 7:8-22)
e. That We will See an End to Strife (v.5)
5 Every warrior’s boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood
will be destined for burning, will be fuel for the fire.
Sofia in the Color Purple said, “All my life I had to fight!”
There is a difference between a bully and a fighter.
2. Hope, for a Change (v.6-7) [Why]
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. 7 Of 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.
a. Because the Birth of Jesus is Promising
b. Because the Complexity of Jesus is Sufficient
How can Jesus be all these things at once?
1. Wonderful Counselor
a. marvel; hard to understand
b. to advise, give counsel
2. The Mighty God (KJV)
a. Strong; brave
3. The Everlasting Father (KJV)
a. Perpetuity; continuing future
4. The Prince of Peace (KJV)
a. Ruler; leader
b. Shalom; completeness; soundness; welfare
c. Because the Reign of Jesus is Eternal
The Second Advent will be better than the First
His rule, reign, throne will be eternal [2 Sam 7:11-13; Jude 24-25; Matt. 1:7-17; Rev. 22:16]
BIG IDEA: Jesus’ birth gives me hope that life will change for the good.
Ask: What area of your life do you want to see a change?
Action Item: Place hope in Jesus for that area
