Sunday AM Sunday, December 26, 2021

December 26, 2021; Sunday Morning Worship

Service Outline & Sermon Notes

Service outline and sermon notes automatically generated from video content.

Order of Service

  • Call to Worship — Psalm 135:1-3
  • Hymn — Joy to the World
  • Prayer of Invocation
  • Confession of Faith — Westminster Confession of Faith, Chapter 8
  • Scripture Reading — Luke 2:21-35
  • Hymn — Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus
  • Pastoral Prayer
  • Offering
  • Prayer of Dedication
  • Hymn — It Came Upon the Midnight Clear
  • Sermon
  • Hymn — Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming
  • Benediction — Numbers 6:24-26

Sermon Title: The Treasures of the Child Born to Us

Scripture: Isaiah 9:6

I. Introduction: A Child as the Answer

A. The people described in darkness, gloom, and anguish leading into Isaiah 9 B. Isaiah 9:1 announces a transformation — light coming to those in darkness C. Isaiah 9:4-5 give two evidences of this change: liberation and triumph D. Isaiah 9:6 gives the final, culminating reason — a child born, a son given E. The announcement of the incarnation: fully man (born) and fully God (son given) F. Four names reveal four bounteous benefits of life in Christ's kingdom

II. Find in His Kingdom the Benefit of a Counselor

A. Christ is called Wonderful Counselor

  1. The Hebrew suggests something unexpected and excellent — counsel better than expected
  2. His counsel is wisdom for the weary, living in darkness and distress

B. Christ offers himself as the wonderful counselor

  1. Matthew 11:28 — "Come to me, all who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest"
  2. Calvin: he is the most perfect teacher; Jesus says "learn from me"

C. The danger of going within for wisdom

  1. Sin teaches us to think too highly or too lowly of ourselves
  2. C.S. Lewis: our problem is that we simply think of ourselves too much
  3. Do not settle for wisdom that is not from Christ

D. Christ as counselor teaches a new life

  1. New relationships with God, neighbor, family, and the world
  2. He comes to teach us to hate sin and love what God loves

III. Find in His Kingdom the Benefit of a Conqueror

A. Christ is called Mighty God

  1. In the Old Testament, "mighty God" often refers to God as warrior, fighting for his people
  2. He brought Israel out of Egypt and fought for them against surrounding enemies

B. Christ is a conqueror for the weak

  1. Sin leaves God's people weak — like shallow-rooted plants easily uprooted
  2. No human effort or self-discipline can strengthen us for the battle against sin

C. Our true enemy is spiritual

  1. Ephesians 6:12 — we wrestle not against flesh and blood but against rulers, authorities, and cosmic powers
  2. On our own we stand no chance against this enemy

D. The Mighty God has conquered and continues to fight

  1. Victory secured on the cross over sin and death
  2. Christ intercedes now at the right hand of the Father for his people
  3. Those in Christ are secure — he preserves and protects them to the end

IV. Find in His Kingdom the Benefit of a Comforter

A. Christ is called Everlasting Father

  1. Care must be taken not to confuse the persons of the Trinity
  2. This name points to the very heart of Christ toward his people — overflowing comfort

B. His comfort is affectionate and knowing

  1. Jesus says "I know my own" — an intimate, not merely a cataloguing, knowledge
  2. He knows our weaknesses, our motivations, our struggles

C. His comfort is protective

  1. As a father guards his children, so Christ guards his own
  2. Already seen in the name Mighty God — he fights for his people

D. His comfort is everlasting

  1. His fatherly care will not end
  2. John 14:18 — "I will not leave you as orphans"
  3. Immense comfort for the fatherless, the lost, those stumbling in darkness

V. Find in His Kingdom the Benefit of a Conciliator

A. Christ is called Prince of Peace

  1. A conciliator is one who makes peace between parties in dispute — a go-between, a mediator
  2. The peace we need first and foremost is peace with God

B. He has authority to make peace

  1. A kingdom has been given to him by the Father — he reigns as the God-man
  2. Many earthly princes have authority but cannot accomplish peace; Christ has accomplished it

C. Peace secured by the cross

  1. Romans 5:1 — we have peace with God through the Lord Jesus Christ
  2. Sinners reconciled to God through Christ who makes peace by the blood of his cross
  3. The Hebrew word shalom encompasses wholeness, well-being, and harmony

D. The gifts of the Prince of Peace

  1. Full reconciliation with God — offered even now, before the new heavens and new earth
  2. Enemies made friends, members of his kingdom, and children of God
  3. He gives bountifully of himself — restoration and peace with God

VI. Conclusion: Come and Find Christ in These Four Names

A. The four names reveal the treasures on offer to all who trust in Christ B. Those who have not trusted in him remain in peril — in darkness, distress, and the danger of eternal judgment C. Christ offers himself freely and generously — come to him by faith, laying aside pride and self-worship

  1. Learn from Christ — he is the Wonderful Counselor
  2. Hide in Christ — he is the Mighty God
  3. Fly to Christ — he is the Everlasting Father
  4. Receive from Christ — he is the Prince of Peace
Older John 1:14-18 Newer Giant Obstacles to Faith