R468 Christmas Child

All you some good counsel. Counselor is the name of Jesus. Wonderful counselor must study God's word today welcome to The Encouraging Word, featuring the Bible-based reading of Dr. Don Wilton and today these next few moments will head to Isaiah beginning in chapter 9 verse to talk about this Christmas child.

The wonderful counselor that is Jesus. As we study the word we are excited to see so many of you dropping by a brand-new website it's GW online.org many of the same resources you come to God of love and know the phone numbers. The text lies the opportunities to sign up for the daily encouraging email. That's all there. But there's more W online.org will talk more about in the broadcast. Right now, let's head to Isaiah chapter 9 and open our hearts and God's word together with Dr. Don Wilton in this message of the wonderful counselor. I want you to take a copy of God's word and turn with me the Old Testament to the book of Isaiah chapter 9 Isaiah chapter 9, a most incredible passage of Scripture. I'm going to read for you this morning, just three fairly long verses I'm off to the first verse I want to stop for just a moment and say some things to you that would throw light upon what God would have us to understand from his word on this world when Isaiah chapter 9 and I'm going to read first of the verse two.

In those days the people walking in darkness have seen a great light on those living in the land of the shadow of a life has grown. Now let's hold right.

For among because this is so important during this time of Christmas in those days the people walking in darkness have seen a great light. When Isaiah wrote these words, he had not seen the Messiah. The Messiah had not, and he was writing these words in the context of the struggles that the people that surrounded him were in doing. They were living in great problems.

There was a lot of things that they were having to endure and actually between Jerusalem and Jericho in that area which is called the Judean wilderness.

Remember the Lord Jesus when he was tempted and many times in the Bible we read about going into the Judean wilderness. While this is a monumentally bottomed out area. It is dry inhabited. It is very frightening and has very little. It is very hilly and very mountainous in many wires in between the city of Jerusalem. And when Herod would have me squared up and Jericho. There was a long track of land in the mountain regions that comprise the great valleys and high mountaintops with very little greenery, no trees or anything supply conditions, permits and monks would build and construct monasteries and look in the fabric of the lives of these mountaintops and running down deep in the valleys would be these little trailers that shepherds and people with chronic they wanted to go from Jerusalem down to the lower regions of the Galilee.

It was the only way that they could get at this region became known as the Valley of the shadow how many of you remember a song that was written about the valley of the shadow of day wonderful Saul yeah go on through the valley of the shadow of this one, I will fear no evil why why why am I able to take courage, because thou with me drywall and biased off comfortably. One of the things about Christmas candy canes and maybe we can leave that for another time, but boys and girls love those striped candy canes.

But you know they were in the value in the shape of a shepherds and you know there was great symbolism they not just because Jesus is the great shepherd of the sheep, but can find right throughout Scripture that references to the Messiah find the right inevitability to the action by the Christ child. So that's why the psalmist was able to say even though I through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil because Bio-Rad and by ship install, they comfort me.

Many travelers traveling that particular road and that highway would be attacked. They would be Bob molested many of them would be killed. It was an ideal spot for Robbins to set up an attack and to be able to steal from unsuspecting travelers. It became a real hazard so it is that the prophet Isaiah writing within the context of announcing the coming Messiah, the Christ child which we gain read about in verse six and seven in just a moment that he put this into context, and he said, listen, hold on a minute I want you to know that even though you may find yourself lacking through the valley of the shadow of death I want you to know that you need not create evil. Why, because God is with you Emmanuelle God with us the Christ child. His neck wonderful.

It's the most wonderful announcement that was ever made. It's no wonder I think that those angels sang Joy to the world.

No wonder that Jesus said I am the light of the world. It's no wonder that Jesus said I will never leave you and I will never forsake you. It is no wonder that Jesus was able to cite, listen, if you abide in me and I abide in you, I want you to know that you are going to be sustained in the journey of life. That's what he said but of course this was Isaiah, what about us, but what about us. You see what the prophet Isaiah was saying here is that is, those of us who believe in Christ Jesus. We try saying which side of the our politicians by Saddam.

The prophet Isaiah was saying here. Listen when nations are plunged into crises and win political pundits are standing up from one of the nation to the other to express opinions.

We need to remember that the government of the world is upon the shoulders of Jesus Christ. We need to go back to the fundamental basis upon which we stand and I'm going to submit to you today beloved men and ladies that we need to be reminded that we are a nation on the God that means that the movement is upon his shoulders, perhaps today. Sadly, we may be reaping the consequence of a nation of people who have continually rejected the governmental authority of the God in whom we trust. What is Isaiah saying to us here at this juncture, there are some had a day walking through the valley of the shadow day. You see, one thing comes upon another. These are the values that we go through taking this journey.

Others are struggling with finances today and others who are looking around and seeing families get together but I have no family others were saying, you know, my life is absolutely in ruins. I don't know where to turn to listen. Listen to what the prophet says he says the people walking in darkness have seen a great light on those living in the land of the shadow of day light has door and I love that I love the love that the light of Bethlehem.how's this might possible fix. Look at verse six for to us a child is born, to us a son is given, the government could be on his shoulders and he will be: wonderful Counselor, mighty God, costing father, Prince of peace. The increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and his kingdom, establishing and upholding justice and righteousness from that time on and forever the CU of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this by the Lord Jesus Christ write this word upon our hearts. You know it's interesting when we study this many names were given to the Christ child. I want us to look at the one designation here wonderful counselor this baby Jesus you be interested to know that in the Hebrew time in which Isaiah was writing that names were synonymous with the character of the person that still true in many areas of life, but we seem to have strayed from that somewhat names with a significant and in fact there was something that I discovered that was most significant about Orleans nightmares in Isaiah's time and among the Hebrew people names were given teams to the ancient kings and to the pharaohs of that day. Pain age when he took office, not just when it was based upon the office that they took and these names were not meant to be proper names but rather they were given as exalted Bible exalted tracking so you knew something about the character and the personality of the Pharaoh the king based upon the name that you quote him or her by. When I went back and looked at some of the Old Testament minds. Even means dedicated Abraham, the father of a multitude. Needless to say, Genesis chapter 12 the spiritual program. Isaac means laughter, why because Sarah will often God fulfilled his promise. Elijah by God is Jehovah.

Jeremiah means exalted of God. David means beloved love that Abigail don't you love the name Abigail. I just love the may maybe if I hadn't with my wife. If we had another if we had another daughter. I would love to call her Abigail.

She shaking her head, but Enright you know what Abigail means folks of father's joy. I rest my case. Abigail of father's joy –*Hannah Grace power. The ideal woman you know the name Hannah literally means transliterated means the ideal woman. If there are any Hannah's daughter Naomi pleasant, Sarah, all you sailors out there from six about the New Testament Peter means a rock. John God is gracious and loving as my middle name.

I just wanted you to know that Matthew gift of God, Nicodemus and all the people Stephen Stephen Stephen Crowell means you are royalty. My brother has a smack to that doesn't like you.

Means little and some of you say goodness me. I need to talk to mom and dad about this. Let me tell you something.

Do you know what that word little means spiritually.

It means humble in the presence of God its spiritual significance which was spread so eloquently by the apostle means that the loan we become in the eyes of man, the greater we will be in the eyes of God. That's what it means to be poor Anna, love and grace. Elizabeth also gone off of this is my favorite monopole.

Martha, you know why because every monster that I know in this church fits into this category, not of means, lady love that don't you don't you love it when you look at a person and say she's a real lady so Phila means beautiful we could go on and all you see what the problem was in Isaiah's time folks was that they had gone through difficult times. They will looking through the valley of the shadow, but the whole nation, the people they went running to God. They were running to the clips of the kings and when they ran to the collapse of the kings – what kind of counseling they receive whizzes people who consulted the median sorceress reaches palm readers, astrologers, people who consulted kinds of demonic powers and influences, and I believe beloved friends when we find ourselves in the midst of this most wonderful Christmas time that we need to remember that Jesus Christ the Savior was none other than wonderful counselor why because the prophet was saying to us, please don't go to ice that will never satisfy you, but isn't it true that many times we find a source to really is not satisfied. It's it's a substitute God's ready to give us the real thing is we spend these moments together another world they will not just during the broadcast for 24 hours a day, our prayer line is 86689 and it is a prayer line. First and foremost, but it's more than that.

It's an opportunity for us to connect with resources will help you on a daily basis grow in your faith. Give us a call at 866-899-WORD 9673 and ask for your free copy of the daily Encouraging Word. It'll bless you back today's message with Dr. Don Wilton go to the one who has the capacity and the capability and the complete authority of a loving God to be able to provide you with every sense of counseling in every sense of counseling that you need in order to be able to function in this world. Isaiah saw a better life for a better day disabled, laughter and hope in the coming Messiah upon whose shoulders would grasp government and the well-being of the people by make an announcement. All of us need counseling don't go to sources that are going to break you down. Don't fall into the trap. My dear friend Don succumbed to 900 numbers on television with Hollywood personalities smiling at you saying that if you just go this number 18 someone in New York or Chicago who doesn't know you from a bar of soap is going to be able to say something to you that's going to make you feel better leaders of the sensor is a medium. God says so much that I am sending Jesus Christ as the wonderful counselor.

Amen. He's the one someone says to me pasta by marriage is falling apart. Who do I go to don't go to people who love godless people done go to non-Christian sources. My friends every now and again I give people in our congregation that are paying 50 and $100 and not a gun, consult with somebody who defies the name of Almighty God and what Isaiah was saying to his back, then, is as relevant today as it was back then go to them to the wonderful counselor Jesus Christ.

All these things might not be popular, beloved friends.

God is given us so many wonderful Christian counselors.

Mom's and dad's psychiatrists and psychologists, medical doctors, I think of the school and administrative personnel in our city.

I think about high school and elementary school principals. I think of the superintendence of our education system. Even here in Spartanburg. Godly men and remodel of my heart and I respect even I think of coaches in basketball coaches.

I think of Sunday school teachers think of pastas and tractors and men and women of every persuasion and I think godly counseling that is made available to us in a place called Spartanburg but above all else. I think about the fact that we are a nation under God and we are a nation that is pledged our allegiance not to ourselves but to this wonderful counselor.

When we develop a disdain for the wonderful counselor, we turn our back upon the morality of the righteousness of a God who loves us, we open ourselves to a debate upon the feral that eventually would culminate in the destruction of lives in the division of a nation.

The Bible says, unless God the Buddha is booting very unless Christ is the Christ of Christmas joy and exaltation is nothing but a momentary satisfaction to a human. It would celebrate together this Christmas season, the Christ of Christmas why counselor all the so many reasons why he was called wonderful Counselor, don't you think perhaps first of all because he listens to us with compassion. Read it for yourself. Blonde brought Amaya's purpose. The Jesus took time to listen to people's needs, the woman with the issue of blood taught us that Jesus cared about people's hurts. The disciples distract on the Sea of Galilee tortoise that Jesus is present when storms break Peter's denial of the very preciousness of who Jesus Christ is. Thus, the Jesus Christ accepts us despite our weaknesses and failures. The impeachment process the sadness that we find ourselves in the broken homes and hearts teach us to look to this wonderful counselor why because Jesus offers us wisdom and stability when all around us is in chaos. We can never cling to our own wisdom because this is not a democracy. This is a constitutional republic foundered under God than wonderful counselor listens to us with compassion. The psalmist put it like this in Psalm 103 just as the father has compassion on his children, so that it has compassion on those who fear him, for he knows our frame and he is mindful that we all got drops. I'm so glad this Christmas when we celebrate the Christ child. We are celebrating the one who is wonderful, counselor listens to us with compassion, but I want you to also note that he helps us interpret life and you liked to see the counselors that Isaiah condemned had nothing to offer them only human superstition. Tradition forms of ritual, but God in his grace and in his mercy is given to us the wonderful counselor and through the provision of God, Jesus Christ has shed light and hope of them even on the need of mankind to the valley of the shadow he helped them and asked to see our own circumstances in a new life. He helps us to interpret life data from a speech in perspective from a political human perspective access to Trenton saying the multi faceted rise and fall of human emotion that within our hearts and within so this is the wonderful counselor to help the Pharisees to understand and interpret the true meaning of the Sabbath day Jesus contradicted their traditions by healing and by putting others and helping them to see what it really means to worship Jesus, help them think about the meaning of the pride of life, he bounded into the very meaning of salvation people themselves would be exalted. These Pharisees understand and interpret their own sense of self righteousness. He told them that they could not reach heaven because of their self-righteousness, but rather because Jesus Christ was quelling them to repentance. Jesus was putting his finger on the popular Brescia plan of salvation and of how to please God. Same Jesus the Christ child. The us to interpret life data in a spiritual sense, not only listens to us with compassion and helps us to interpret the law in the but he confronts us with the truth.

Just think of the rich young ruler see Jesus doesn't tell us what we want to hear. He tells us what we need to hear, but there's a final thing that he does wonderful counselor. He expects personal responsibility and practical response. That's what a wonderful counselor does.

That's what a wonderful counselor. He expects personal responsibility and a practice this Christ child. This this suite little baby boy born in Bethlehem's manger what Christmas water celebration. What time to be together for the fullness of God's spirit. This this suite by wonderful so many times we think of this baby in a manger here Christmas time smart and he is the Savior of a full getaway which you hold on it and listen with an open heart to our closing thoughts Dr. Don Wilton our teacher here.

Are you ready to pray this prayer with me right now. Dear God, I know that Jesus loves me and that he died on the cross for me today. I repent of my sin and I can face my sin to the Lord Jesus, and I give him my heart and my life in Jesus name I pray, amen. If you prayed that pray from your heart and you giving your life to Christ. I welcome you to the family of God. You are my brother, my sister in Christ, lit skating gauge together because we all connected together for ever as believers in Christ, if you just gave your heart to Christ you prayed along with Dr. Wilton may be rededicated your life to Christ, you need to tell somebody how about telling us we'd love to talk with you, pray, would you rejoice with you at 866899. That's her phone number 866-899-9673. Dr. Don has prepared some wonderful resources for you as you begin this new path in Christ. What you have them for free. Call 866899673 m online. It online.org for more friends are saying. How can we get involved prayerfully and even financially in the ministry of The Encouraging Word, you become and encourage her peers lives with all the details for the past few months. Our viewership calls to our prayer line for our quarterly emotional reaching just one more your monthly deletion of any natural things around you seeing out of control.

You can make it 899 wearing 8999 times offered David, let's connect on our website@twonline.org. There's a wonderful using package launching here with the devotion on the front page of our website that's TW online.org. Let's connect today also encourage you to sign up and The Encouraging Word you do it all. Right here on our website TW online.org. We would love to connect with you till next time. Take care and God bless