For a child will be born for us, a

Son will be given to us; the government

rests on his shoulders. His name will be

called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

and of His government there will be no end.

 

 

Isaiah prophesied this word during a war. Actually, an invasion from two sides. Assyria who represents demonic powers was attacking from the north and the east.

 

The Philistines, archenemies of the Israelites were harassing from the south and west.

 

In the middle of this invasion, the renowned prophet spoke. His oracle is a prophecy for us as well as a word for the invaded people of that time.

 

A breakthrough is coming! It will be a game-changer!

 

You’ll break the burden, the staff on their shoulders, the rod of their oppressors as at the Battle of Midian.

 

In the middle of the invasion, an even more powerful invasion is coming.

 

 

A Child will be born to us, a Son will be given to us and the government will rest

on His shoulders.

 

 

This Christmas prophecy is a prophecy of new government. It’s a prophecy of a Child born to be a king, a Child who will establish a kingdom safe from invaders.

 

 

This prophecy came through Isaiah 700 years before Jesus was born.

 

Much of it is still not accomplished. It wasn’t accomplished in the first thousand years of

Jesus’ reign, it wasn’t accomplished in the second thousand years of Jesus’ reign.

 

It’ll only be accomplished during the Millennium.

 

 

The prophet announced that a Child will be born for Israel.

 

Because believers are grafted into the tree of Israel, this is also a prophecy for the church.

 

All who are men of faith are sons of Abraham. By faith, this child is born for us.

 

He’s come to establish His government for us.

 

A Child will be born for us, a Son will be given

to us!

 

Although it has not happened fully for the nations, yet it is happening individually for men of faith.

 

 

Is Jesus your Lord?

 

Is Jesus your king?

 

Is Jesus your Governor?

 

Is His government established in your life?

 

These are the critical questions of Christmas.

 

The central issue is not that He’s a baby born, but that He’s a baby born to become King.

 

This baby is for us.

 

It’s not only that we belong to him, but that He belongs to us.

 

For a child will be born to us, a Son will be given to us.

 

We are in him and He’s in us. All that He is and has is for us.

 

The first of the four names given to us by the prophet is . . .

 

Wonderful Counselor

 

Names mean something. Names are significant. In the Bible names reveal both character and destiny.

 

What is the meaning of your name? If you know the meaning of your name, you have a clue to your destiny.

 

My name means fighter. My name means warrior like Mars, the god of war.

Fortunately, God is redeeming some of my bad characteristics. I’m sorry my brother and sister had to be with me as I was growing up. But God changed me and still is changing me. He’s redeeming my character and turning my destiny to fight evil.

 

This Christ-child was born with a destiny. He was born with a job to do.

 

Let’s look at the first of His names–Wonderful Counselor.

 

In the Bible wonderful means supernatural. It means filled with wonder. That’s our God. It’s not a wonder here are a wonder there or a wonder sometimes or a wonder maybe.

 

Our God is a wonder-filled God. He’s a God overflowing with wonders. Marvelous is his nature. It’s who He is. This Child was born to supernaturally act in your life and mine.

The greatest wonder is that Jesus Christ died for us. The Bible says that Christ died for the ungodly. Yes, He died for the criminals. Christ died for each and every person has ever been born into the world. That’s why there’s hope for everyone.

I was lovingly proclaiming Christ in a prison cell in the Pulaski County Jail in Little Rock, Arkansas. One of the guys told me  he was too bad to be saved. Nonsense! The good news is Jesus Christ died for the ungodly. No one is too bad to be saved. Christ came to save sinners. And that’s why we’re here today.

We’re here today because our sins are forgiven because Jesus Christ took the death blow for our sin.

A Modern Day Wonder

Do you remember the time I was wearing these braces and walking with a cane?

God is a wonderful God. He healed me from stage 4 inoperable cancer. I was wearing this brace on one foot and the other brace on the other foot. I have really big feet, don’t I? And I had to walk with a cane. God healed me! How I praise him.

 

God is an energetic and merciful God who is pouring out his life for us. Not just on the cross but also from the throne.

 

He’s pouring out His life for us. He’s pouring out wonders. He’s pouring out miracles.

 

Will you say yes to God today? Will you allow Him to work wonders around you today?