Sermon #1825                                                                                                   Miscellaneous Sermons

 

            Title:                           When the Savior ComesÉ

 

            Text:               Isaiah 9:1-9

            Subject:                     The SaviorÕs First Advent

            Date:                          Tuesday Evening — December 22, 2009

            Tape #                                   Z-78a

            Readings:     Bobbie Estes and Joe Blakely

            Introduction:

 

Turn with me to Isaiah chapter 9. I want to talk to you for a little while about our great Savior. Specifically, the title of my message is — When the Savior ComesÉ I want to show you how the Prophet Isaiah was inspired by God the Holy Spirit to describe the coming of our Lord Jesus 750 years before he actually came into this world in human flesh to save his people from their sins.

 

The preceding chapter of IsaiahÕs prophecy is all about judgment, the judgment of God which Israel and Judah heaped upon themselves by their unbelief and sin. But in wrath our God remembers mercy. Israel and Judah were destroyed that the gospel might go forth into all the world, so that GodÕs elect among the Gentiles might be called.

á      Chapter 8 closes with Òtrouble and darkness.Ó

á      Chapter 9 shines with hope, pointing the hearts of GodÕs elect to the blessedness of ChristÕs coming, the blessedness of Immanuel.

 

Though the land of Judea would be overrun by the Assyrians, yet it would not be destroyed, until Immanuel, the son of the virgin, (Isaiah 7:14) was born there. In fact, the land of Judea is called ImmanuelÕs land in Isaiah 8:8. — LetÕs look at the first seven verses of chapter nine.

 

(Isaiah 9:1-7) ÒNevertheless the dimness shall not be such as was in her vexation, when at the first he lightly afflicted the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, and afterward did more grievously afflict her by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, in Galilee of the nations. 2 The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined. 3 Thou hast multiplied the nation, and not increased the joy: they joy before thee according to the joy in harvest, and as men rejoice when they divide the spoil. 4 For thou hast broken the yoke of his burden, and the staff of his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, as in the day of Midian. 5 For every battle of the warrior is with confused noise, and garments rolled in blood; but this shall be with burning and fuel of fire. 6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.Ó

 

ÒNeverthelessÓ

 

This 9th chapter begins with ÒNevertheless — Oh, what a word! When the Lord God is talking about well-deserved wrath and judgment, I love to hear him say, ÒNevertheless.Ó Whenever God says, ÒNevertheless, he is saying, ÒThere is still hope. I will yet be merciful. In wrath, I will remember mercy.Ó

 

Matthew Henry wrote, ÒIn the worst of times GodÕs people have a nevertheless to comfort themselves with, something to allay and balance their troubles.Ó

 

á      I rejoice to say with David, when I behave as a brute beast before my God — ÒNevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right handÓ (Psalm 73:23).

á      Whenever my soul is smarting under his chastening rod, I am thankful to remember that my heavenly Father declared — ÒNevertheless my lovingkindness will I not utterly take from him, nor suffer my faithfulness to failÓ (Psalm 89:33).

á      Though, like the nation of Israel, we often provoke the Lord to wrath, it is written — ÒNevertheless he regarded their affliction, when he heard their cryÓ (Psalm 106:44).

á      Though often we believe not, we are assured of GodÕs faithfulness still — ÒNevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquityÓ (2 Timothy 2:19).

á      And though we see all things here dissolving and coming to an end — ÒNevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousnessÓ (2 Peter 3:13).

 

I am thankful for that huge word of comfort — ÒneverthelessArenÕt you?

 

Back here, in Isaiah 9:1, this word, ÒNevertheless,Ó was a truly blessed word of hope for Israel and Judah. Isaiah was inspired of God to inform the nation that though the judgment he spoke of was sure, it was not to be the forerunner of greater judgment, but the forerunner of great mercy.

 

(Isaiah 9:1) ÒNevertheless the dimness shall not be such as was in her vexation, when at the first he lightly afflicted the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali (Under Tiglathpileser — 2 Kings 15:29), and afterward did more grievously afflict her by the way of the sea (Under Shalmaneser — 2 Kings 17:5), beyond Jordan, in Galilee of the nations.Ó

 

The prophet of God has been describing the judgments of God which were to come upon apostate Israel. The nation would be engulfed in spiritual blindness, cut off and left desolate in their unbelief and hardness of heart. Yet, while pronouncing GodÕs judgments upon the apostate nation, the faithful prophet took great care to comfort and cheer GodÕs elect remnant.

 

In this ninth chapter Isaiah prophesied that these times of IsraelÕs greatest darkness and desolation would also be times GodÕs greatest blessing and most abundant grace upon his people. The times of which he spoke were the times of ChristÕs coming to redeem and save his people. The days of which Isaiah prophesied are these gospel days, when GodÕs true Israel must be gathered out of the Gentile nations, as Paul explains in Romans 11:25-26É

 

(Romans 11:25-26) ÒFor I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. (26) And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob.Ó

 

Proposition: Our text is a prophecy of ChristÕs first advent. It is all about our great Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.

 

We know that this is the proper interpretation of Isaiah 9 because the Holy Spirit specifically tells us so in Matthew 4:12-17É

 

(Matthew 4:12-17) ÒNow when Jesus had heard that John was cast into prison, he departed into Galilee; (13) And leaving Nazareth, he came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is upon the sea coast, in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim: (14) That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, (15) The land of Zabulon, and the land of Nephthalim, by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles; (16) 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. (17) From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.Ó

 

I am giving you the very sense of the text, when I tell you that Isaiah 9:1-7 speaks of the blessedness of ChristÕs coming to the earth in human flesh to accomplish redemption for us and of the blessedness of his coming spiritually, in saving grace, by the power of his Holy Spirit, to apply that redemption and all its benefits to chosen sinners. Who knows, it may be that you are one of those people spoken of in this prophecy! Perhaps these words will be fulfilled in our midst this very hour.

 

Great Light

 

The first thing we see in this chapter is that the Lord Jesus Christ gives light to those who sit in darkness (v. 2). — Here is a description both of manÕs nature and of GodÕs grace. Isaiah tells us what man is by nature and what God does for chosen, redeemed sinners by his grace in the Lord Jesus Christ.

 

Isaiah 9:2 ÒThe people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.Ó

 

All men and women, by nature, live in total spiritual darkness. There are no exceptions to this fact. Humbling and offensive as it is to human flesh, the fact remains that no man or woman by nature possesses even the very slightest perception or understanding of spiritual truth.

 

The Jews were GodÕs professed people, but they lived in utter spiritual darkness. They had the law, the prophets, the sacrifices, the priesthood, the temple and the ceremonies of divine worship. They read the law every sabbath day in their synagogues. They studied the Word of God in meticulous detail. There has probably never been a people more well trained in religious orthodoxy than the Jews during the days of the Pharisees and Sadducees. Yet, when Christ came, they did not have a clue as to the meaning of the Scriptures. They were engulfed in total spiritual darkness (Matthew 22:29).

 

Matthew 22:29 ÒJesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.Ó

 

Illustration: Nicodemus (John 3:3-8)

 

We are no different. ÒFor ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the LordÓ (Ephesians 5:8). — When Christ came to us, we were darkness. Some of you are yet just the embodiment of darkness. Everything in you is darkness, utter darkness! Though blessed with the privilege of hearing the gospel preached three times a week, every week of your lives, though you have been raised under the constant influence of GodÕs Word, though you have heard it from your youth up, at home, in your Bible classes and from this pulpit, you still cannot see the kingdom of God. Like fish hatched and raised in a cave, you have no eyes with which to perceive light. Like a blind man walking in an open field, though he looks straight into the face of the noonday sun, he cannot see it, so you who are yet in darkness cannot see the Light of the Sun of Righteousness, though it is shining all around you (1 Corinthians 2:14).

 

1 Corinthians 2:14 ÒBut the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.Ó

 

I am not talking now about illiterate, unsophisticated men and women. I am talking about all men and women. I am talking about you. It is utterly impossible for the natural man to see anything of a spiritual nature apart from divine revelation. Though you may be perfectly instructed in doctrinal truth, you know nothing spiritual unless God himself teaches you. You are totally blind to the things of God.

 

á      The Depravity of Your Heart (Matthew 15:19).

á      The Glorious Character of God (Exodus 33:18-19).

á      The Necessity and Nature of ChristÕs Atonement (Romans 3:24-26).

á      Salvation by Grace Alone (Ephesians 2:8-9; 1 Corinthians 1:26-31).

 

Men and women are blind because, since the sin and fall of our father Adam, and our sin and fall in him, we all ÒDwell in the land of the shadow of deathÓ (v. 2). — Man by nature is spiritually dead (Romans 5:12; 1 Corinthians 15:22; Ephesians 2:1-3).

 

Romans 5:12 ÒWherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.Ó

 

1 Corinthians 15:22 ÒFor as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.Ó

 

Ephesians 2:1-3 ÒAnd you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins: (2) Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: (3) Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.Ó

 

We are all dead men; and we all live and walk in this place called Òthe land of the shadow of death That is a pretty good description of this world. Man, by nature, dwells in Òthe land of the shadow of deathÓÉ

á      Separated from God.

á      Alienated from God.

á      Utterly Helpless.

á      Totally Ignorant of His Condition.

 

Illustration: EzekielÕs Vision of the Valley of Dry Bones (Ezekiel 37)

 

But, look at verse 2 again. When the Lord Jesus Christ comes to sinners in saving power and grace he gives them the Light of Life. ÒUpon them hath the light shined!Ó — If you see the things I am talking about and rejoice in them, ÒBlessed are your eyes for they see, and your ears for they hearGod does not allow all men to hear the gospel. And he does not cause many who hear it to understand it. ÒMany are called, but few are chosen If you now see the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ, if you now seeÉ

á      The Corruption of Your HeartÉ

á      The Glory of the CrossÉ

á      Salvation by Grace AloneÉ

You see because the Light of the World has shone in your heart, because God has caused you to see. Salvation comes to men and women by the will, purpose, and power of God alone, by his free and sovereign grace in Christ (Matthew 11:20-25; John 1:11-13).

 

Matthew 11:20-25 ÒThen began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not: (21) Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. (22) But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you. (23) And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. (24) But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee. (25) At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.Ó

 

John 1:11-13 ÒHe came unto his own, and his own received him not. (12) But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: (13) Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.Ó

 

And that salvation comes, at GodÕs appointed time, through the light of the gospel, by the instrumentality of gospel preaching (1 Corinthians 1:23; 2 Timothy 1:9-10).

 

1 Corinthians 1:23 ÒBut we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;Ó

 

2 Timothy 1:9-10 ÒWho hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, (10) But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:Ó

 

The Nation Multiplied

 

When the Lord Jesus Christ comes in saving power he multiplies the citizens of the Holy Nation, the Israel of God ÒThou hast multiplied the nation, and not increased the joyÓ (v. 3). — The prophet, here, is talking about a time when God diminished the physical nation of Israel greatly. Yet, though he destroyed the physical nation and gave no joy to the physical seed of Israel, he multiplied the Holy Nation of his elect (1 Peter 2:9). This Holy Nation, spoken of by Peter, is the Church of GodÕs elect, the Israel of God. Peter says of us, with an obvious reference to our text here in IsaiahÉ

 

1 Peter 2:9 ÒBut ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light.Ó

 

In both Isaiah 9 and 1 Peter 2, the Holy Spirit is telling us that Christ has enlarged the borders of Zion to include Gentiles as well as Jews. I am fully aware that the number of GodÕs elect never increases or diminishes. God chose his own elect in Christ before the world began. Their number can never be changed. It is always 144,000. Never 144,001. Never 143,999. But always 144,000! Not one name shall ever be written in or stricken from the LambÕs Book of Life, which was written by the finger of God according to the election of grace and sealed by his purpose before the world began. But I know this, tooÉ ——— GodÕs elect are not known by us, or anyone else in this world, until they are called out of darkness into his marvelous light by his grace (1 Thessalonians 1:4-5).

 

1 Thessalonians 1:4-5 ÒKnowing, brethren beloved, your election of God. (5) For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.Ó

 

And God calls his elect to life and faith in Christ by the gospel (2 Thessalonians. 2:13-14).

 

2 Thessalonians 2:13-14 ÒBut we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: (14) Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.Ó

 

God does not send his servants to preach the gospel in vain (Isaiah 55:11; 1 Corinthians 15:58). Wherever God sends his Gospel he sends his Son; and wherever God sends his Son, it is that he may Òmultiply the nationÓ of his elect.

 

Isaiah 55:11 ÒSo shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.Ó

 

1 Corinthians 15:58 ÒTherefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.Ó

 

And whenever Christ comes in saving power and grace to chosen sinners, the first thing that happens is not an increase of joy but a flood of sorrow. — ÒThou hast not increased the joy!Ó — While I was studying for his message, I looked at those words a hundred times, read everything I could about them, and prayed for some light and understanding from the Spirit of God. After a few hours, I got up from my desk and walked outside. No sooner had I gotten a breath of fresh air than it came to me. Our LordÕs first works of grace in our souls are painful, sorrowful works; but they are necessary. He works conviction in us that he might work repentance in us. He breaks our hearts and squeezes from us the humble, contrite confession of sin. Conversion is a painful process. As I will show you in a minute, it is joyous in the end; but it is painful, sometimes very painful in the process.

á      Christ sends his Spirit to strip away our righteousness, that he might clothe us with his righteousness.

á      He condemns us by his holy law and slays us, that he may give us life and free us by his grace.

á      He humbles us, that he may exalt us.

á      He makes us hunger and thirst for righteousness, that he might fill and satisfy us by his grace.

á      He causes us to seek him, that we might find him.

 

Joy Bestowed

 

Then, blessed be his name, our all glorious Savior brings joy to those whom he has broken by his grace (v. 3). The brokenness, contrition, hunger, thirst and seeking, which are sometimes looked upon by men as conditions of grace, are not conditions of grace at all. These things which cause sinners to look to Christ are themselves works of grace which he has wrought in his elect, that he might work in us the experimental joy of grace spoken of in the latter part of verse three.

 

Isaiah 9:3 ÒThou hast multiplied the nation, and not increased the joy: they joy before thee according to the joy in harvest, and as men rejoice when they divide the spoil

 

There is no contradiction in the text. If God graciously breaks your heart in repentance, he will cause your heart to rejoice in faith; and there is no joy in this world like that which Paul calls the Òjoy of faithÓ (Phil. 1:25).

á      It is like the joy of a full harvest after a long summer.

á      It is like the joy of victory with complete, bounteous spoils after a long battle.

á      But it is the joy of full harvest for which someone else did all the labor, and the joy of complete victory and spoils which someone else won.

 

This joy of faith which God gives to his elect is the fruit of the Spirit. It is not something men work up. It is not just emotionalism. This joy is the work of GodÕs grace. What is it? It isÉ

 

á      The Joy of Complete Forgiveness (Psalm 51:7-12).

 

Psalms 51:7-12 ÒPurge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. (8) Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice. (9) Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. (10) Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. (11) Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. (12) Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.Ó

 

á      The Joy of Perfect Reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:17-21).

 

2 Corinthians 5:17-21 ÒTherefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. (18) And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; (19) To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. (20) Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in ChristÕs stead, be ye reconciled to God. (21) For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.Ó

 

á      The Joy of Gracious Adoption (1 John 3:1-2).

 

1 John 3:1-2 ÒBehold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. (2) Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.Ó

 

á      The Joy of A Good Hope Through Grace (Lam. 3:1-26).

 

Lamentations 3:21-26 ÒThis I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. (22) It is of the LORDÕS mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. (23) They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. (24) The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him. (25) The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him. (26) It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD.Ó

 

Liberty for Bondage

 

When he comes to chosen, redeemed sinners in saving grace and power, The Son of God gives liberty to those who are in bondage (v. 4). As Gideon delivered Israel from the Midianites, not by might, nor by power, but by the power of GodÕs Spirit (Judges 7:15-25), so the Lord Jesus Christ brings his people into Òthe glorious liberty of the sons of GodÓ by the irresistible power and grace of his Holy Spirit.

 

Isaiah 9:4 ÒFor thou hast broken the yoke of his burden, and the staff of his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, as in the day of Midian.Ó

 

It is written, ÒIf the Son therefore shall make you free you shall be free indeed!Ó Let me take just a minute to tell you about the freedom Christ brings to sinners in bondage. The freedom he gives is freedom fromÉ

á      The Curse and Dominion of GodÕs Holy Law (Romans 6:14-15; 7:4; 8:1; 10:4).

á      The Torments of A Guilty Conscience (Hebrews 9:14; 10:22). The Apostle tells us, in Hebrews 10:22, that once sin has been purge there remains no more conscience of sins.

á      The Tyranny of Satan — (Illustration: The Strong Man Bound)

á      The Dominion of Sin (Romans 6).

á      The Love of This World.

 

Christ Jesus also gives his people the liberty of free access to and acceptance with the holy Lord God as their Father (Hebrews 4:16; 10:19).

 

Hebrews 4:16 ÒLet us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.Ó

 

Hebrews 10:19 ÒHaving therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus.Ó

 

And the Son of God gives his people a blessed liberty and freedom from the fear of death (Hebrews 2:15).

 

Hebrews 2:15 ÒAnd deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.Ó

 

            Now, read verse Isaiah 9:5.

 

Isaiah 9:5 ÒFor every battle of the warrior is with confused noise, and garments rolled in blood; but this shall be with burning and fuel of fire.Ó

 

More than Conquerors

 

Here the prophet of God, speaking by divine Inspiration, tells us that when the Lord Jesus Christ comes to chosen, redeemed sinners in his sovereign, saving grace and power he brings victory to every believer. As Paul puts it in Romans 8:37 — ÒNay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us!Ó

 

Again, like GideonÕs victory over the Midianites, the victory of grace is won not by the noise of rattling sabers, roaring guns and dying warriors; but by the might and power of his Spirit. It is a victory accomplished by the work of God in the hearts of his elect, Òwith burning and with fuel of fireThat is to say, With the burning of conviction and with the fuel of the fire of gospel preaching.

á      The Lord condescends to use earthen vessels to accomplish his work (2 Corinthians 4:7).

á      Our Lord saves his elect by the light of revealed truth, by the Word of truth, the gospel of your salvationÓ.

á      He saves his people with nothing but the blast of a trumpet, the gospel trumpet.

á      And the work is altogether his work.

 

Victory is ours by the irresistible grace and power of God the Holy Spirit in Christ. He gives it to us when he give us faith in Christ. We are more than conquerors in him, because ÒGreater is he that is in you than he that is in the worldÓ (Romans 8:28-39).

 

Romans 8:28-39 ÒAnd we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. (29) For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. (30) Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. (31) What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? (32) He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? (33) Who shall lay any thing to the charge of GodÕs elect? It is God that justifieth. (34) Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. (35) Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? (36) As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. (37) Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. (38) For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, (39) Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.Ó

 

This is what the Lord Jesus Christ does for sinners when he comes in saving grace and power. He givesÉ

á      Light to them that sit in darkness.

á      Increase to the family and kingdom of God.

á      The blessed joy of faith.

á      The glorious liberty of the sons of God.

á      Victory over sin, Satan, death, hell and the grave.

 

This is He

 

It is my prayer that he will so come to you all this day. If he will, if he does, if the Lord Jesus comes to you in his almighty, saving grace, you will recognize him, worship him and confess him in all the fullness and glory of his holy character as God our Savior.

 

(Isaiah 25:9) ÒAnd it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is the LORD; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation.Ó

 

Look, just briefly at verses 6 and 7. — Isaiah 9:6-7. This is our God. This is our SaviorÉ

 

(Isaiah 9:6-7) ÒFor unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.Ó

 

In these two verses the prophet of God describes the glorious Person and work of the Messiah, the Redeemer, our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, by whom God fulfils all his promises of mercy and grace.

 

Here is the incarnation and virgin birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. — ÒFor unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder.Ó Isaiah speaks first of the humanity of Christ. ÒFor unto us a child is born.Ó As the Son of man, Christ was born, the womanÕs Seed. In his humiliation, as a human baby, our Savior was as helpless as any other baby! He required the sustenance of his motherÕs breasts, the care of her hands and the warmth of the blankets she wrapped around him. He was a real man. But he is also the eternal God. Here is the deity of our Savior. ÒUnto us a Son is given.Ó The Son of God was not born of the virgin, but given through the virginÕs womb. Though he assumed our nature as the child born, he never ceased to be God, the Son given.

 

The prophet also proclaimed the exaltation of Christ as the incarnate God-man. — ÒThe government shall be upon his shoulder.Ó As the reward of his obedience to God as our Representative, Christ has been given the government of creation, providence and grace.

 

Here is the amazing character of our Savior. — ÒAnd his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, the mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.Ó Yes, Jesus Christ is wonderful in all that he is and does. He is our Counsellor to teach us wisdom. He is God, the mighty One, the Second Person of the Holy Trinity. He is the Father of his spiritual seed, the church, forever. And he is the Prince of Peace. He promised peace, purchased peace and bestows peace.

 

Here is the glorious exaltation of Christ. — ÒOf the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth, even forever!Ó His kingdom is an ever increasing, peaceful, prudent, just and eternal, spiritual kingdom.

 

Here is the infallible security of GodÕs purpose. — ÒThe zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.Ó GodÕs zeal for his own name and his own people will accomplish his purpose of grace.

 

ÒJoy to the world, the Lord is come!

Let earth receive her King;

Let every heart prepare Him room,

And Heaven and nature sing,

And Heaven and nature sing,

And Heaven, and Heaven, and nature sing.

 

Joy to the earth, the Savior reigns!

Let men their songs employ;

While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains

Repeat the sounding joy,

Repeat the sounding joy,

Repeat, repeat, the sounding joy.

 

No more let sins and sorrows grow,

Nor thorns infest the ground;

He comes to make His blessings flow

Far as the curse is found,

Far as the curse is found,

Far as, far as, the curse is found.

 

He rules the world with truth and grace,

And makes the nations prove

The glories of His righteousness,

And wonders of His love,

And wonders of His love,

And wonders, wonders, of His love.Ó

 

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ÒOne sat alone beside the highway begging,

His eyes were blind, the light he could not see.

He clutched his rags and shivered in the shadows

Then Jesus came and bade his darkness flee.

 

Chorus — When Jesus comes, the tempter's power is broken;

When Jesus comes, the tears are wiped away,

He takes the gloom and fills the life with glory,

For all is changed when Jesus comes to stay.

 

From home and friends the evil spirits drove him,

Among the tombs he dwelt in misery;

He cut himself as demon powers possessed him,

Then Jesus came and set the captive free.

 

Unclean, unclean!" the leper cried in torment,

The deaf, the dumb, in helplessness stood near;

The fever raged, disease had gripped its' victim,

Then Jesus came and cast out every fear.

 

Their hearts were sad as in the tomb they laid him,

For death had come and taken him away;

Their night was dark and bitter tears were falling,

Then Jesus came and night was turned to day.

 

So men today have found the Savior able,

They could not conquer passion, lust and sin;

Their broken hearts had left them sad and lonely,

Then Jesus came and dwelt, Himself, within.

 

Chorus — When Jesus comes, the tempter's power is broken;

When Jesus comes, the tears are wiped away,

He takes the gloom and fills the life with glory,

For all is changed when Jesus comes to stay.Ó

 

Amen!

 

 

 

 

 

Don Fortner

 

 

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