The Real Identity of Bethlehem's Baby

#2/5 The True Identity of Bethlehem’s Baby Stockwell Road MBC
December 6, 2009 MW
“COUNSELOR”
Isaiah 9:6
INTRODUCTION:
A. Eleanor Roosevelt once said, “One’s philosophy is not best expressed in words. It is expressed in the choices one makes. In the long run, we shape our lives and we shape ourselves. The process never ends until we die. And the choices we make are ultimately our responsibility.

B. I like the last thought there, “the choices we make are ultimately our responsibility.” We are living in a day when it is always somebody else’s fault. If we can find a person to blame, we say the devil made us do it. The fact is that your actions are a direct result of your own choices: right or wrong; and the counsel that you have sought: wise or unwise. The Lord Jesus stands before us today as the counselor. In fact in many places, this title is often connected with the first name we looked at making Jesus to be a “wonderful counselor”. This is quite biblical because the Bible says in Isaiah 28:29, “This cometh also forth from the Lord of hosts, which is wonderful in counsel, and excellent in working.” The Scripture also speaks in many places concerning the wisdom of the Lord.

C. Psalm 16:7, 73:24, Isaiah 11:2, Romans 11:33-34, I Corinthians 1:24, Colossians 2:3 all reveal the wisdom of God or the wise counsel of Jesus. Many people who have listened to ungodly counsel can give testimony to the destructive nature of ungodly counsel. They have lost financially, find themselves in great moral bondage, have lost friendships and even their marriages. Why? Because they have rejected the wise counsel of Jesus and instead substituted the unwise, foolish counsel of the world. It is important who you listen to when seeking advice. Why do people seek out counsel? 1. They may have no idea how to handle personal problems. 2. They are making a business or financial decision. 3. They are seeking help with child raising or marital problems. These, as well as, many other things are VERY serious things and the counsel we seek out is critical that we seek out the best available. This morning, we find Jesus Christ and he doesn’t charge hourly fees, no appointment is necessary and you can rest assured that it will be the wisest and best counsel available.

D. Notice the danger of ungodly counsel and the delight in godly counsel this morning from “The Counselor”.

BODY:
I. THE DANGER OF UNGODLY COUNSEL v. 6
Note: Jesus stands as the source of godly counsel and wisdom. As the counselor He alone is able to give advice, help our understanding and direct our steps. A wise man will follow this counsel but an unwise man heeds the counsel of the ungodly. There is great danger ahead if you choose this path.
A. The Forms of Ungodly Counsel
1. self counsel—you decide
2. worldly counsel—you allow others to decide
B. The Foolishness of Ungodly Counsel
1. foolishness of self counsel—“follow your heart”
--our heart is deceitful Jer. 10:23, 17:9-10
--our mind is limited Isaiah 55:8
--our counsel is selfish Psalm 39:5-6, 11
2. foolishness of worldly counsel I Kings 12:1-19 (Israel’s split and Reheboam’s foolish choice)
--always changing—what is the basis?
--very subjective—10 counselors—10 opinions
--financially motivated—tell you what you want to hear
--rejects the need of salvation, spiritual growth and the Spirit
C. The Force of Ungodly Counsel—why is it so influential?
1. listener lacks spiritual discernment
2. listener wants ears tickled
3. listener hears from an authority and believes
4. they feel validated/justified

II. THE DELIGHT OF GODLY COUNSEL
Note: Being a wise person has nothing to do with the independent choices you make. It has everything to do with the dependent choices we make based upon the godly counsel of Jesus and His Word.
A. It Reveals Our Discipleship Luke 9:23
B. It Reveals Our Dependency
1. clear counsel—no psycho babble—TRUTH
2. reliable counsel—Romans 11:34-36
3. honest counsel—not sugar coated—Proverbs 27:6
4. secure counsel—Psalm 119:98-104

CONCLUSION:
Who are you listening to today? Do you put more emphasis on your thoughts and feelings than the Word of God? Do your friends have greater influence upon you than the Scripture? Be wise—choose Jesus today!


Psalms 16:7 I will bless the LORD, who hath given me counsel: my reins also instruct me in the night seasons.
Psalms 73:24 Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.
Isaiah 11:2 And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD;
Romans 11:33-34 O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! (34) For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?
1 Corinthians 1:24 But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.
Colossians 2:3 In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
Jeremiah 10:23 O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.
Jeremiah 17:9-10 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? (10) I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.
Isaiah 55:8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.
Psalms 39:5-6, 11 Behold, thou hast made my days as an handbreadth; and mine age is as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity. Selah. (6) Surely every man walketh in a vain shew: surely they are disquieted in vain: he heapeth up riches, and knoweth not who shall gather them. (11) When thou with rebukes dost correct man for iniquity, thou makest his beauty to consume away like a moth: surely every man is vanity. Selah.
Luke 9:23 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.
Romans 11:34-36 For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor? (35) Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again? (36) For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.
Proverbs 27:6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.

Psalms 119:98-104 Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me. (99) I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation. (100) I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts. (101) I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep thy word. (102) I have not departed from thy judgments: for thou hast taught me. (103) How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth! (104) Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way.