Mighty God
“MIGHTY GOD!”
For Unto Us a Child is Born – Part 2 of 4
Isaiah 9:6
Pastor Robby Roberson
December 9, 2007
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God…”
I would like to talk about these two words in reverse order.
1. THIS CHILD IS GOD.
“No other person ever has God’s name and God is never called Moses, Abram, David, or Jeremiah, so there must be something very special about this son that cause him to have God’s name” (Gary Smith, The New American Commentary: Isaiah, pg. 241).
Not only did Isaiah prophesy that this child would be God but the New Testament confirms it over and over. One of the most prominent places is in the writing of an eye witness named John. In fact, John’s Gospel could well be entitled, “Behold, Thy God!”
· HE IS GOD – ETERNALLY (v. 1a).
“In beginning”…has the absence of the definite article which speaks of quality or characteristics or essence and is intended to carry us back to the most remote point that can be imagined! It is the un-beginning!
An imperfect verb for “was”…stressing continuous action in the past. He is eternal and only God is eternal (illus. of eternity…an eagle, moon (metal ball) and feather…when friction has eroded it away to nothing – eternity has just begun).
· HE IS GOD – EQUALLY (v. 1b).
The preposition “pros” means communion with and movement towards, intimate fellowship. The word is literally “face-to-face.” He had a distinct, equal existence in the God-head! It was one of glory (Jn. 17:5)!
· HE IS GOD – ESSENTIALLY (vv. 1c-2).
The absence of the definite article in the phase “and the Word was God” is the anarthrous construction and stresses quality or essence…lit. “the same stuff…Holy!”
The “Word” was true deity and John wanted there to be no doubt about it! It was this same “Word” that was made flesh and dwelt among us at a place called Bethlehem (1:14)! John’s Gospel documents referrals to Jesus’ deity over and over again:
“But do not think I will accuse you before the Father. Your accuser is Moses, on whom your hopes are set. If you believed Moses, you would believe me, for he wrote about me.” Jn 5:45-46
“At this the Jews began to grumble about him because he said, “I am the bread that came down from heaven.” They said, “Is this not Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How can he now say, ‘I came down from heaven’?” Jn 6:41-42
“Your father Abraham rejoiced at the thought of seeing my day; he saw it and was glad.” “You are not yet fifty years old,” the Jews said to him, “and you have seen Abraham!” “I tell you the truth,” Jesus answered, “before Abraham was born, I am!” At this, they picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus hid himself, slipping away from the temple grounds.” Jn 8:56-59
“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.” Again the Jews picked up stones to stone him,” Jn 10:27-31
2. THIS CHILD IS MIGHTY.
This word means “strong, valiant, often translates warrior – the heroes or champions among the armed forces.” “Some have suggested that this simply means ‘a godlike person’ or hero. But Isaiah meant more than that, for he had already spoken of the Messiah doing what no other person had been able to do (e.g., 9:2-5)” (J.F. Walvoord, The Bible Knowledge Commentary, Libronix). He is a “powerful warrior” (MacArthur Study Bible, pg. 968). He is literally “God Hero, i.e., heroic God” (Criswell Study Bible, pg. 790). “If one supplies a verb, the name might mean, ‘God is mighty’ or ‘God is a mighty warrior’” (Smith, Ibid, pg. 241).
Throughout his Gospel, John gives clear evidence that this One who was the Word made flesh is mighty:
· HE CAN OVERCOME CIRCUMSTANCES (John 2).
Only a mighty God can turn water into wine! This festive atmosphere and attitude was about to come to a screeching halt. The wine had run out! For the eastern culture that would be like running out of Dr. Pepper at a Youth Pizza Pig-Out!
· HE CAN OVERCOME MISTAKES (John 4).
Only a mighty God can tell a woman every thing about her at their first meeting!
· HE CAN OVERCOME OBSTACLES (John 4).
Only a mighty God can heal a nobleman’s son while never going to see him!
· HE CAN OVERCOME DEFICIENCIES (John 6).
Only a mighty God can feed thousands with only five barley loaves and two fish!
· HE CAN OVERCOME IMPOSSIBILITIES (John 6, 9, 11).
It is impossible for a man to walk on water. It is impossible for a man to give sight to a blind man. It is impossible for a man to speak to a dead man and cause him to live again. Only a mighty God could do those things! And that is John’s point…He does what only GOD can do!
“What about the one whom the Father set apart as his very own and sent into the world? Why then do you accuse me of blasphemy because I said, ‘I am God’s Son’? Do not believe me unless I do what my Father does. But if I do it, even though you do not believe me, believe the miracles, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me, and I in the Father.” Jn 10:36-38
I remind you of the words in Isaiah’s text…unto us. He is your warrior!
· If your marriage is failing…mighty God.
· If your child is a prodigal…mighty God.
· If your circumstances are overwhelming…mighty God.
· If your situation is impossible…mighty God.
“After Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in the towns of Galilee. When John heard in prison what Christ was doing, he sent his disciples to ask him, “Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?” Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor. Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me.” Mt 11:1-6
“Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. Then will the lame leap like a deer, and the mute tongue shout for joy. Water will gush forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert.” Is 35:5-6
“They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!” Mk 4:41