Advent in Isaiah: A Child Is Born

Order of Service

• Call to Worship — Luke 2:13-20
• Hymn — Angels from the Realms of Glory
• Prayer of Invocation
• Prayer of Confession — from Psalm 38:1-4, 18, 21-22
• Assurance of Pardon — Ephesians 1:7
• Confession of Faith — Colossians 1:15-20
• Scripture Reading — Luke 2:1-7
• Pastoral Prayer
• Offering
• Prayer of Dedication
• Hymn — O Come, All Ye Faithful
• Sermon
• Lord's Supper
• Hymn — When I Survey the Wondrous Cross
• Benediction — Numbers 6:24-26

Sermon Title: A Child Is Born — The Hope of Advent

Scripture: Isaiah 9:1-7

I. Who the Child Is

• A. The passage centers on the child himself — all emphasis in Isaiah 9:6 falls on his person before his work.

• B. "A child is born" declares his full humanity.

  1. Born of a woman like any other baby — conceived, nourished in the womb, born in weakness.
  2. He must be fully human to fulfill Genesis 3:15 — the seed of the woman who crushes the serpent's head.
  3. He must share our nature to be a true "me too" — one who has experienced all the infirmities of fallen human life alongside us.

• C. "A son is given" declares his full deity.

  1. The term son carries the weight of Israel as God's son, the Davidic son whose kingdom is everlasting, the Messiah of Psalm 2, and the Son of Man of Daniel 7.
  2. The child born is the second person of the Trinity — very God of very God, of one substance with the Father.
  3. The incarnation means Emmanuel, God with us — do not let familiarity rob you of wonder at this truth.

• D. Together the two lines form the beginning of the doctrine of the incarnation: fully God and fully man.

II. Who the Child Is For

• A. The phrase "to us" appears twice in Isaiah 9:6, front-loading the identity of the recipients.

• B. The gospel must be proclaimed to all people without distinction — Christ must be preached freely, lavishly, and generously to all.

• C. Yet Christ is given to a definite people — his elect.

  1. If Christ were given for all without distinction, he would be secured for none; the burden of salvation would rest entirely on the sinner.
  2. John 1:12-13 — recipients are those who believe, born not of human will but of God.
  3. God set his eternal love on a people from the foundation of the world, gives them Christ, grants them new spiritual life, and calls them to faith.

• D. The personal application: Have you believed on Jesus? Are you trusting in the finished work of this child born to be Savior of sinners?

III. What the Child Has Brought

• A. The government shall be upon his shoulder — Christ the child is king, come to reign in the hearts of his people (Isaiah 9:6-7).

• B. He is Wonderful.

  1. This word stands alone as a noun heading the list of names, rousing attention to all that follows.
  2. John Calvin notes Isaiah does not speak of Christ's mysterious essence but of his excellencies perceived by faith.
  3. Do you find Christ wonderful — not merely a good moral teacher, but the altogether lovely, gentle, strong, and perfect one?

• C. He is Counselor.

  1. He is absolute, perfect wisdom, always knowing what to do, putting his wisdom to use for his people.
  2. As prophet, he teaches and leads his people in the way of the Lord.
  3. Will you go to him and his word for counsel in the many hardships and trials you face?

• D. He is Everlasting Father.

  1. This name does not confuse the persons of the Trinity; it speaks of Christ's relationship to his people, not his divine essence.
  2. He is the fountainhead and author of his people's new life — a source that never runs dry.
  3. Calvin: "When new terrors spring up suddenly, let us rely on that eternity of which he is with good reason called the Father."

• E. He is Prince of Peace.

  1. Sin makes us children of wrath, at odds with God — Christ comes to establish peace.
  2. Romans 5:1 — justified by faith, we have peace with God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
  3. Because he is a mighty prince, this peace is never in question: "of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end" (Isaiah 9:7).
  4. Do not seek peace in self, success, good works, or another person — lasting peace with God is found in Christ alone.