The Gift of a Wonderful Counselor

 The Son was given to be a Wonderful Counselor.  We were given a Wonderful Counselor as a gift.

Isaiah 9:6

⁶    For to us a child is born,

          to us a son is given;

   and the government shall be upon his shoulder,

          and his name shall be called

     Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

        Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

We Need a Wonderful Counselor.

His Name shall be called…  not his Name is…

               “called – Hebrew – proclaimed as… “

                              By those who draw near to Jesus, he will be a wonderful counselor.

I.                  Wonderful

A.     Wonderful Definition

Wonder – actions that cause to think,

          And when you think you realize that it is beyond you, So it points to God.

B.     Wonderful Christmas

Does Christmas make you wonder?  Does this narrative still capture your imagination?

1.      The improbable pregnancy of John the Baptist,

2.      The impossible pregnancy – The Virgin Pregnancy

3.      A star appears, draws curious wise men, and moves.

4.      Angels appears to shepherds.

5.      Two elderly people, Simeon and Anna are moved to go to the temple at the same time as his parents were there and spoke about his future.

Wonder of Christmas.  Does Christmas still make you wonder? Does it still move you? 

Wonder is part of God’s plan.

Isaiah 29:13-14 (ESV)

¹³      And the Lord said:

“     Because this people draw near with their mouth

          and honor me with their lips,

          while their hearts are far from me,

     and their fear of me is a commandment taught by men,

¹⁴      therefore, behold, I will again

          do wonderful things with this people,

          with wonder upon wonder;

God, will do wonder upon wonder; Can you see them?

               When was the last time you experience wonder?

              

God will do wonderful things with this people.

               God will do wonderful things with people who may not experience wonder.

C.     Wonderful Wonder

How do we miss wonder?

              

1.      Wonder requires more than faith, wonder requires risk. 

·        Wonder is found in the improbable, in the impossible,

·        Wonder moves us towards that which is risky, and unpredictable.

2.      Wonder is found more in the future than the past.

We forget wonder, we are not amazed by the past.

He will be called… Wonderful  this is moved towards what is ahead for you.

v  A child is born, a son is given, so you can experience…wonder.

II.               Counselor

Counselor – side by side, in proximity.

Immanuel – God with us.

Isaiah 7:14 (NIV)   Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.

Wonderful Sign = God with us.

The Word became flesh and  dwelt among us.

Counselor – Among us, with us.

Wonderful Counselor – Wonders by among us, wonders with us.

III.              We Wear Wonder

Psalm 139:14 (NIV)

¹⁴     I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

your works are wonderful,

I know that full well.

·        We even wear his wonder.  Wonder is not that far from you… can you see it.

We need a Wonderful Counselor.