The Promise of the Son of God
Isaiah 9
Dec 15, 2019 AM
Pastor Craig Ledbetter
Bible Baptist Church, Ballincollig, Cork, Ireland
I. Introduction (Isaiah 9:6)
A. I love Christmas
1. Not everybody does
2. Some find this time of year very hard – and lonely, and expensive and stressful
3. Many who DO love Christmas, love it for a load of wrong reasons
a. They love the lights, the gift giving, the family, the shopping
b. Not all bad reasons, but are all still the wrong reasons
B. Christmas is basically taken for granted in our western culture
1. To millions of very well off, very comfortable people, Christmas is just a tradition – a religious thing to do
2. Millions of people and families will go to midnight mass, and it will mean little to nothing to them
3. Others will drink and drink and drink themselves silly at X-mas parties and while watching Home Alone for the 30th time
4. The baby of Christmas is just a ceramic doll in a strange looking crib
5. Christ’s birth was something that happened too long ago to mean anything now – boring history
6. It is SO out of step with modern world - THANKFULLY
C. But long ago, in the most boring time of history, God was working out impossible circumstances through the birth of a small baby, to change the entire world
D. The same circumstances still haunt the human heart and need overcoming
II. The Background to the Christmas Birth (Isaiah 9:1-5)
A. The birth of the Messiah was Prophesied by Isaiah
1. Isaiah was a man living about 2,700 years ago, in the land of Israel
2. God showed him the future – all of it – all the way to the new heavens and new earth way out there in the distant future
3. But in chapters 8 & 9, God also showed him the coming of a little baby – a boy, that would grow up and change the world
B. What Did God Promise?
1. Unto Us is Born LIGHT into so much darkness (Isaiah 9:1,2)
a. The northern region of Israel was a dark place – area around GALILEE
b. Not physically dark – which is hard enough to deal with – especially in winter
c. But demonic darkness, spiritual darkness, emotional darkness – deep depression
d. The fears of death and troubles
e. But a great & bright light was coming – like a clear sunrise after the darkness
f. No technology…
1) We are so used to just turning the lights on when it gets dark
2) So used to electricity, and torches, and street lights
3) But they had nothing but dim candles
g. They were so used to stumbling and tripping and falling in the darkness
h. But here was the promise of a single… little… baby… boy
i. Who was LIGHT Himself
1) John 1:1-5 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
j. He was a brightness – a hope, like you find when travelling through a very long tunnel and see light AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL
1) Mat 4:12-16 Now when Jesus had heard that John was cast into prison, he departed into Galilee; And leaving Nazareth, he came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is upon the sea coast, in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim: That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, The land of Zabulon, and the land of Nephthalim, by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles; The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up.
2. Unto us is born JOY (Isiaha 9:3)
a. A child can sure bring great joy into a home
b. But this birth would bring joy to the WORLD!
c. Even into a world gripped by materialism
1) The nation of Israel had been saved from the Assyrian Empire
2) They now had great independence
3) And great wealth
4) Yet no real joy – only the fleeting joy of having things and food and wealth
5) Israel was only filled with things – materialism
d. That’s when a baby was promised
1) Who would be born into such times of materialism
2) Who would bring, not happiness, but lasting joy!
3) Things do not bring JOY – only a brief time of happiness, but not JOY
4) Have you noticed that OUR world has gone backwards, and replaced that BABY with materialism alll over again?
3. Unto Us is born VICTORY – TRIUMPH (Isiah 9:4,5)
a. A great victory had just occurred in Isaiah’s day…
1) The Assyrian empire, under a guy named Sennacherib had surrounded Jerusalem, and nearly conquered the little nation of Judah
2) But due to the prayer of king Hezekiah, 185,000 Assyrian soldiers were found dead one morning at the hand of just one angel
b. But there would be another war, and then another
c. Israel had always been surrounded by her enemies
d. And so easily could be defeated
e. They constantly fought war after war just to survive
f. But Isaiah 9 says that a BABY was coming who would end all war
g. And this little baby was going to Defeat every enemy, no matter how strong they may be
h. And would give a final victory, a final triumph that would bring in peace
4. These are no easy things to accomplish. They are impossible, especially by a child
a. LIGHT coming into so much darkness
b. JOY, when overwhelmed by materialism
c. VICTORY over every single enemy out there
5. But there it is, “Unto Us is born” a BABY – a child, born on Christmas morning!
a. That would do all of that and more
b. All because of this one baby boy, the world changed
c. And believe me, it needs to change again!
III. Message
A. Learn About His Birth (Isaiah 9:6)
1. His Birth is No Surprise – It was Promised – prophesied
a. You might know of some of the prophesies that God made 6,000 years ago
1) A promise God made to Eve, that a woman one day would have a son that could defeat Satan
2) Gen 3:15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.
b. And some 1,500 years before the first Christmas
1) That the baby would be a king at His birth…
2) Numbers 24:17 I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel
3) Matthew 2:1,2 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.
c. And some 700 years before the first Christmas
1) A promise that a virgin would conceive and bear that same son
2) Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
3) The oldest copy of the Book of Isaiah dates back over 100 years earlier than the birth of Jesus Christ!
4) The prophesies of the Bible are incredible!
d. And some prophecies 500 years before the first Christmas
1) A promise that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem
2) Micah 5:2 But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.
e. These prophesies are amazing – so detailed, and encouraging! And the Bible is full of them!
2. His Birth is Real
a. The Messiah didn’t just appear like a vison. Didn’t just step down from the sky
b. He was BORN, just like you and I were!
1) Carried by His mother’s womb for 9 months
2) He came into this world like the rest of us – screaming and hungry and naked
3) He was tiny, weak, and defenceless
4) He was a BABY
c. No one in Isaiah’s day could have imagined this promised child would come into this world of ours so humbly
1) How would YOU like to start a new job, enter into politics, start a new business AS A HELPLESS LITTLE BABY?
2) And yet that is exactly what GOD did
B. Listen to His Names
1. These are not proper names, like Joe, or John, or Sean, or Pat…
2. They are descriptive words, describing what this little is like
a. Like we would say
1) “You’re a sweetheart”
2) “You are amazing”
3) She’s beautiful
4) He’s so smart
b. Those aren’t names – they describe someone
c. The same with these fives names - specifically describe just one Person…
3. He is called WONDERFUL – a miracle
a. All babies are miracles
b. But this baby is a true blue miracle
1) Born of a virgin
2) Born without any sin nature
3) Born the son of Man, AND the Son of God!
c. His birth is full of wonder – wonder-ful
4. He is called COUNSELLOR – Guide
a. This baby is like a good and wise friend
b. Someone anyone can fully trust in
c. As a matter of fact, He gets called “Friend of Sinners” – a good name!
d. A counsellor is a comforter, an encourager
e. From the day He was born, He would show the way to get through the darkness, through the troubles, all the way home to heaven!
f. Even at twelve years of age, HE was teaching the Lawyers and Doctors
5. He is called THE MIGHTY GOD in the flesh
a. This child shall be called WHAT?
1) Not ‘a’ God
2) But THE God!
3) The only God that has ever been!
b. This little baby IS God – what a thought!
1) Isaiah 44:6 Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God.
2) Isaiah 44:8 Fear ye not, neither be afraid: have not I told thee from that time, and have declared it? ye are even my witnesses. Is there a God beside me? yea, there is no God; I know not any.
3) Isaiah 43:11 I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no saviour.
4) And yet, here is a little boy, born in a manger, in Bethlehem, called the SAVIOUR of the world…
5) Luke 2:10,11 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
c. So, a human baby…
d. Who was also, at the same time, completely God
e. GOD became FLESH and blood like you and me
1) John 1:1-3 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
2) John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
6. THE EVERLASTING FATHER
a. Think about it…
1) Only GOD is called ‘Father’ in the Bible – God the Father
2) Yet here is a baby, that at the moment of his birth, would be called the everlasting FATHER
b. The head of all the universe
c. The creator of everything there is
d. The eternal one
e. All wrapped up in the tiny little body of baby Jesus
7. And, THE PRINCE OF PEACE
a. This little baby in a manger can and does bring peace, folks
b. He is the HIGHEST source of all peace – the PRINCE
c. He brings peace
1) Makes Peace for us WITH God
2) And He brings to us the peace OF God
8. Do you know aby person who could be called all of those things at the same time?
9. Didn’t think so!
10. That baby born in a manger is all these things and more
a. That’s why I love to call Him Jesus
b. I humbly call Him Lord
c. I gladly call Him Saviour
C. What does any of that mean for US? What are we supposed to do now?
D. Yield to His Government – to His rule
1. That new-born baby was born to rule this universe
2. And He was born to rule you and I too
3. He has the shoulders for it
a. He was KING from the moment of His birth (Matt 2:1,2)
1) Ruler
2) Governor
3) Sovereign
b. Able to rule and govern this world of ours with 7 billion people spread throughout 193 nations, speaking 6,909 different languages
c. Able to carry all the burdens of decisions
d. And to establish justice everywhere
e. Knighthood symbolizes this – the touching of the shoulders with a sword, or a ruling staff
4. His realm ONLY increases
a. Never loses any of His subjects
b. They will fail, and fall, but HE remains in control
c. And His kingdom only spreads and grows
d. I am proof of it
e. And so are YOU if you have believed the Gospel!
5. And it results in perfect peace
a. In heart and mind
b. And in every nation and community and home where Jesus is Lord
6. Thank God it will never end
a. Through this life
b. The Tribulation
c. The Millennium
d. The new heaven and earth
e. For all eternity
f. And He shall reign for ever and ever
1) Luke 1:33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.
2) Romans 15:12 And again, Esaias saith, There shall be a root of Jesse, and he that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles; in him shall the Gentiles trust.
3) Revelation 11:15 And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.
7. If only you would yield (Luke 6:46) And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?
IV.The Best Part
A. That baby’s birth was all for US – “Unto US was born…”
1. Did you notice that part?
2. It is the best part
3. History never has much meaning unless we can see OUR part in it
a. Like World War I means nothing to people until they learn that their grandfather fought in the battle of the Somme, in northern France in 1916
b. Like when you find out your great uncle actually helped build parts of the rockets that launched men to the Moon in 1970
4. Well, Christmas takes on a new meaning when we realize that the baby in that manger was born that way and at that time… FOR US!
B. WE are the reason – which became a song written by David Meece in 1980
1. As little children, We would dream of Christmas morn
2. Of all the gifts and toys, We knew we'd find
3. But we never realized
4. A baby born one blessed night
5. Gave us the greatest gift of our lives
6. We were the reason
7. That He gave His life
8. We were the reason
9. That He suffered and died
10. To a world that was lost
11. He gave all He could give
12. To show us the reason to live
C. Isaiah 53:1-6 also recorded US as the reason for Christmas!
1. 1 Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed?
2. 2 For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.
3. 3 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
4. 4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
5. 5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
6. 6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
V. Conclusion
A. Unto Us is Born…
1. LIGHT into all our darkness
a. That what Jesus will bring into your heart and mind
b. A hope - A confidence - No more stumbling and tripping and falling
c. I remember what it was like to be in darkness, loving the darkness, and hating it at the same time
2. Unto us is born JOY
a. Don’t fill your life with only things – materialism
b. Let the Lord Jesus bring lasting joy!
3. Unto Us is born VICTORY - TRIUMPH
a. Are you constantly fighting just to survive?
b. A BABY has come that can end all war in your life
c. Have you trusted the Son of God to give you a final victory, a final triumph that WILL bring peace?
B. His Birth is No Surprise – It was Promised – prophesied
C. His birth is Real
D. And He is Amazing – Have YOU found Him to be
1. WONDERFUL – a miracle?
2. Your COUNSELLOR – Guide?
3. THE MIGHTY GOD in your life?
4. THE EVERLASTING FATHER you pray to and trust?
a. The head of all the universe
b. The creator of everything there is
c. The eternal one
d. The question is, how long will you fight against Him saving your life, and being your Lord?
5. And THE PRINCE OF PEACE you can rest upon?
a. Let Him make Peace between YOU and God
b. And then watch Him bring the peace OF God into every nook and cranny of your troubled life!
E. Will you yield today to HIS governing of your soul?
1. Jesus will NOT rule a world that He has not been allowed to save first
a. By saved, I mean, Jesus rules from the inside out
b. Conquering every sin, paying for every one of them by Himself, on the cross
c. To do all that, God had to enter into our world – be born like us
2. Rom 10:9,10 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
3. Rom 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.