Mighty God
Isaiah 9:6
[6] For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Advent, what is it? Not much history within the Baptist denomination of Advent or this observance, though we do…just not a formal event on our calendar. It is using the 4 weeks leading up to Christmas to remember that Jesus came to earth as a man (a baby) to save us and a reminder that He is coming again. Think of the word “arrival” or “anticipation”
The earliest dating of Advent is impossible to determine. Maybe the 300s.
Historically the first two weeks of Advent, the church would reflect on the Second Coming. Disciples would chasten their hearts, confess sins, and spend time hoping for the quick coming of the Lord. The last two weeks of Advent would then transition to focus on the first coming, Christ in the manger.
This double meaning in Advent history signals an important reality in the liturgical calendar: Advent and Christmas are never held as a full re-enactment of the life of Christ but point to our place between the Resurrection and Second Coming. Advent and Christmas are not merely about the coming of Jesus, but about everything since the birth of Jesus.
“We are not a people who merely look to the one moment God broke into history. We await his coming again in glory, when the King’s reign shall be on earth as it is in heaven.” – Ryan Reeves
In the next for weeks leading up to Christmas we are going to do just that….remember who He is and look forward to His return. We will see Him as Mighty God, Prince of Peace, Light of the World and Immanuel.
This week we will pause and reflect on Mighty God.
Why would Mighty God be important?
Before we go there…again, I realize many of you just hosted family or traveled to visit with family for Thanksgiving and you maybe ate a bit too much or even were ready to go home or have others to go home or you had three Thanksgivings or maybe you didn’t have one at all…. Some of you have to clean up and get ready for work next week and oh by the way Christmas is on the way, I’ve got to get the tree up, decorate, do all that shopping and prices are high. I really get it. Can I ask you to pause your mind for just a few minutes? Honestly all of that stuff will be there either way. All the more reason to pause a moment and think on the Mighty God. You can worry about it sitting here, or you can take a minute to calm your soul and hear what the Lord has to say.
Mighty God (if He’s not mighty, then He’s no God at all)
Isaiah 9:6-7
[6] For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
[7] Of the increase of his government and of peace
there will be no end,
on the throne of David and over his kingdom,
to establish it and to uphold it
with justice and with righteousness
from this time forth and forevermore.
The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.
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In the news this week, we have:
- a Walmart Manager who killed himself and 6 others in Virginia. “Bing wrote, “Sorry everyone but I did not plan this I promise things just fell in place like I was led by the Satan.”
- We have the 4 students stabbed in Idaho with no idea of who did it.
- We have Russia and Ukraine still at war.
- Personally we have health concerns, family concerns, relationship concerns, job concerns, money concerns, inflation concerns….right?
Pretty depressing again pastor….thought we were coming off of a Thanksgiving Holiday and looking forward to Christmas?
Well….we are a mess. I mean I’m no fatalist, but you see what happens when the world fulfills its job description right? Scripture is clear about this. As people we are flawed and imperfect and to make matters worse Satan is prowling about like a roaring lion waiting to devour us.
Genesis 4:6-7
[6] The LORD said to Cain, “Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen? [7] If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is contrary to you, but you must rule over it.”
But remember from a few weeks ago….
John 6:66-69
[66] After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him. [67] So Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you want to go away as well?” [68] Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, [69] and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.”
How then can I believe there is a Mighty God up there who will help me make sense of all of this?
Romans 10:13-17
[13] For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
[14] How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? [15] And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” [16] But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?” [17] So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.
The “how” is here in scripture. Faith comes from hearing through the word of Christ. Listen, seek Him. Ask and the door will be opened.
Why the word of Christ? Because He is Mighty God
Colossians 1:15-20
[15] He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. [16] For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. [17] And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. [18] And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. [19] For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, [20] and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.
Matthew 28:18
[18] And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
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If He is Mighty God…and He is…what does that mean for you every day?
Isaiah 41:10
[10] fear not, for I am with you;
be not dismayed, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you,
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Hebrews 13:5b-6
[5b] …….. “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” [6] So we can confidently say,
“The Lord is my helper;
I will not fear;
what can man do to me?”
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My favorite Christmas song is O Holy Night …it’s not scripture, but it’s accurate
O Holy Night
The stars are brightly shining
It is the night of our dear Savior’s birth
Long lay the world in sin and e’er pining
‘Til He appeared and the soul felt its worth
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.
Fall on your knees O hear the angels voices.
O night divine O night when Christ was born
O night divine, O night, O night divine.
Led by the light of Faith serenely beaming,
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand.
So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming,
Here came the wise men from Orient land.
The King of Kings lay thus in lowly manger;
In all our trials born to be our friend.
He knows our need, to our weakness is no stranger,
Behold your King! Before Him lowly bend!
Behold your King! Before Him lowly bend!
Truly He taught us to love one another;
His law is love and His gospel is peace.
Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother;
And in His name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful raise we,
Let all within us praise His holy name.
Christ is the Lord! O praise His Name forever,
His power and glory evermore proclaim.
O night divine, O night, O night divine.
————
Why would you fall on your knees?
Why would you proclaim His Name forever?
He is Mighty God. Please follow Him today.
