Sermon Tone Analysis

Intro; While we were in Louisiana at Thanksgiving, I got a text from UPS that there was a package that was put on hold because it could not be delivered unless we were at the church.

It asked me to go online and reschedule a new delivery date.

I called Jeff at UPS and he said it was a scam.

If it had been real from UPS, more than likely it will arrive on that newly scheduled date.

But there have been times that we’ve ordered things and they didn’t arrive when they say they would, or there have been times they never come [Like our Toberlone chocolate from Norway, because Svein wrote “fragile chocolate” on the package].

Christmas season is here and people are ordering gifts for one another with the hopes that they will arrive on time.

But there are some Christmas gifts that God has ordained in eternity past but they are still yet to be delivered.

Tonight I want to look at some of those gifts.

Text; Isaiah 9:6-7

1. Gifts Already Given; 6a

“For unto us” - this means that God’s gifts are given for our benefit!

The phrase “a child is born,” identifies Jesus as a man.

The baby Mary brought into the world 2,000 years ago was fully human.

The phrase “a son is given,” identifies Him as God.

God did not come to this world a fully grown man; He came as a helpless infant.

But, that baby was God!

He was given so that we might be redeemed from our sins and born again into the family of God.

Jesus is God’s gift to mankind.

Now if that is all that God gives us, that would be more than enough, Amen!

2. Gifts Still to Come; 6b-7b

“The Government will be on His shoulders”

This is a reference to His Millennial Reign.

It will be a time that the government of the world will be for the people instead of against them.

Throughout the history of the world, men have proven to be incompetent in governing the people, but Jesus will govern properly because He will govern from the standard of righteousness.

“His name will be called/hallowed”

Today the name of Jesus is not honored among men, it is cursed and many people try to erase His name from society altogether.

But when He returns and rules in righteousness, people will hallow His name as it should be.

Wonderful- supernatural, exceptional, beyond common [words, works, ways]

Counselor- advice, guidance, purpose

Mighty God- [El Gibbor/Hebrew] Strong Hero or Invincible King.

Jesus has defeated all our enemies [death, sin, satan, the grave and hell]

Everlasting Father- His fatherly care of His people and tenderness towards them are everlasting/never ending.

Prince of Peace- A ruler who governs His people with peace and in peace.

This is the very thing that kings, presidents or dictators have never been able bring about.

“Increase of His government and peace will never end”

When Christ rules in His government there will be continual growth of abundance and prosperity throughout society.

How can this happen?

Get rid of Washington DC.

and all the politicians in government.

Imagine a world in which there is no lawlessness or violence, no prejudice or intolerance, no injustice or unrighteousness, no wars, famines, poverty or pestilences.

A world that does not recognize republican or democrat, black or white, rich or poor.

Our leaders can’t even get along long enough to transact the business that is in the best interests of the people of this nation.

But when Christ rules, everything will change!

When Jesus comes, the curse of sin will be removed from the world.

When Jesus comes the world be restored to the beauty and glory of the original creation.

When Jesus comes, He will give the world everything it would have had if sin had not entered in and destroyed everything.

3.

Guaranteed Delivery; 7c

“Zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this”

Unlike man who cannot guarantee delivery of gifts on time because of various reasons, God has guaranteed the delivery of His Christmas gifts.

Zeal- enthusiastic diligence in pursuit of a cause or objective

It means that the Lord will not quit until He has accomplished all these things.

He will not rest until every promised gift of Christmas has been delivered!

Close;

Unlike the modern package carriers of our day who do a pretty good job of delivery, but are not 100% guaranteed, Jesus has a perfect record of delivering what He promises on time.

So this christmas when all your gifts are open, and whether you get all that you wanted or not, remember that God has delivered the greatest gift of all in giving His Son Jesus Christ, and the best christmas gifts are yet to come in Christ when He rules in righteousness because He is Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace!