The Real Identity of Bethlehem's Baby

#1/5 The True Identity of Bethlehem’s Baby
Stockwell Road MBC
November 29, 2009 MW
“WONDERFUL”
Isaiah 9:1-6

INTRODUCTION: verses 1-5
A. During the Christmas season we like to bring a lot of attention to the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We read the accounts of His birth, sing songs celebrating His birth and even act out plays that portray His birth. All of these things are wonderful as we draw attention to the birth of Bethlehem’s Baby but sometimes we fail to realize who this Baby is. Who is He? The Bible gives many names for Him: In Genesis, He's the breath of life, In Exodus, the Passover Lamb, In Leviticus, He's our High Priest, Numbers, The fire by night, Deuteronomy, He's Moses' voice, in Ezra, true and faithful scribe, Nehemiah, He's the rebuilder of broken walls and lives, In Esther, He's Mordecai's courage, In Job, the timeless redeemer, In Psalms, He is our morning song, In Hosea, He is forever faithful, In Joel, He's the Spirits power, In Amos, the arms that carry us , In Obadiah, He's the Lord our Savior, In Jonah, He's the great missionary, In Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, He is God, Man, Messiah, In the book of Acts, He is fire from heaven, In Romans, He's the grace of God, In Corinthians, the power of love, In Galatians, He is freedom from the curse of sin, In Hebrews, the everlasting covenant, In James, the one who heals the sick, In First and Second Peter, he is our Shepherd, In John and in Jude, He is the lover coming for His bride, In the Revelation, He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

B. In one of my favorite Christmas passages we find out the Real Identity of Bethlehem’s Baby! Today names don’t mean that much but in biblical days a name was often characteristic of the parent’s hopes and aspirations of their offspring. These five names of the Lord Jesus Christ give great insight into His character and an even greater insight into what He ought to mean to us. These names will comfort and challenge our hearts. Leading us towards Christmas, I hope that it will be the name of Jesus that will captivate our attention this year!

C. As this passage of Scripture opens we find a world that is covered in darkness but a great light shines! This great light that shines none other than the Lord himself. This child and son who is a wonderful counselor and the Mighty God and everlasting Father is also the Prince of Peace. This child and Son is certainly WONDERFUL which means wonder, marvel, extraordinary beyond human comprehension This Jesus is certainly WONDERFUL because…

BODY:
I. HOW THE SCRIPTURE REVEALS HIM v. 6
Note: As I mentioned earlier the Scriptures reveal many names for Jesus but the Bible also declares His life and mission. Jesus is Wonderful because of what the Scriptures tell us about Jesus!
A. The Bible Declares the Humility of Jesus
--a child is born
1. humble in his birth—promised, purposed
2. humble in his life—powerful, personal

B. The Bible Declares the Humiliation of Jesus
--a son is given
1. his suffering before the Cross—betrayed, beaten
2. his suffering upon the Cross
3. his separation on the Cross

C. The Bible Declares the Honor of Jesus
--government shall be upon His shoulders
1. the reason for this honor—resurrection
2. the reality of this honor—He rules

D. The Bible Declares the Hope in Jesus
1. salvation—forgiveness
2. security—eternal
3. serenity—peace

II. HOW THE SAINTS REVEAL HIM
Note: Whenever we experience something wonderful we tell others about it. I have a friend that started kickboxing and they tell EVERYONE about it! When you eat a the wonderful new restaurant you tell others! When you and I experience the WONDERFUL Jesus Christ we have much to share with others about his wonderfulness!
A. We are Led to Reveal Him
1. by the scriptures
2. by the Spirit

B. We Love to Reveal Him
1. our obligation
2. our opportunity

CONCLUSION:
Song of Solomon 5:16, “…he is altogether lovely. This is my beloved, and this is my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem.”