## Life of Christ in One Verse

## Isaiah 9:6

Courtney and I have discussed the topics of study that he is taking the teens through in S/S and on Wednesday evenings. Recently he has been teaching the basics of the life of Christ. No this evening I want to get really basic. I want to teach the life of Christ in one verse!

Isa 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

Isaiah, the prophet looked down the telescope of prophecy, and saw 700 years into the future. He saw three things about our wonderful Lord.

1. He saw a CRIB "unto us a child is born."

2. He saw a CROSS "unto us a Son is given."

3. He saw a CROWN "and the government shall be upon his shoulders."

I. He saw a CRIB: "Unto us a child is born"

A. This is the beginning of the earthly ministry and life of Christ.

1. Not the beginning of Christ…He has always been.

2. He is God…But He became flesh.

Joh 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

Joh 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

3. He is God who became man…the creator who became the creation.

4. Fully God and fully man…the miracle of Christmas.

B. Of course we consider this verse often at this time of year because it speaks of His birth.

1. We see around us the nativity scenes with the babe in the manger.

2. But this was no ordinary baby!

3. His birth was anything but ordinary in:

a. Its announcement - the angels of God delivered the news to Mary, Joseph, and then to the shepherds on the hillside.

Lu 1:32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:

Lu 2:11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

b. Its timing - the world was in chaos.

Lu 2:7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

c. Its significance - a Savior, the promised Messiah.

Joh 1:11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not.

II. He saw a CROSS: "unto us a Son is given."

A. Even though Jesus, was the son of man, He was also the Son of God!

1. As the Son of God, He was given to be a sacrifice for sin.

2. For God so loved the world that He gave…

3. The cross overshadowed the cradle…it was always God's plan for His Son to die for the sins of mankind.

Ga 4:4-5 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.

B. This was a mystery to man, but not unto God.

1. The Lord fully understood His purpose.

John 18:37 Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.

2. In the quiet and serene nativity as Mary cuddled the newborn Savior, God's purpose and plan was clear.

3. Jesus would one day be taken by an angry mob and crucified on an old rugged cross! 4. It had to be that way to fulfill the plan of God.

III. He saw a CROWN: "and the government shall be upon his shoulders."

A. The prophets of old saw only what God revealed to them.

1. They were not fortunetellers or hucksters.

2. They were men to whom God revealed His secrets.

3. Isaiah saw what God wanted him to see.

4. And often they didn't understand it all.

B. This vision of Isaiah would span a great time period of thousands of years.

1. It began with the first advent of Christ.

2. It viewed the horror of Calvary and the crucifixion.

3. And it ended with the second coming of Christ.

4. Jesus is coming back to this world, not as a Lamb, but as the Lion of the tribe of Judah.

5. He is returning, not to die, but to reign, not to suffer, but to put down evil.

6. He came the first time as a Lamb to die, this time He comes as a King to conquer.

Re 19:11-12 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.

C. Consider His name (Not "Names!" He is all of this at the same time!)

1. Wonderful - Full of wonder to those who truly know Him.

2. Counselor - A leader and guiding force in the lives of men.

3. Mighty God - Hero! (Strong, mighty, invincible!) He has conquered all our enemies.

4. Everlasting Father- He is the "I AM" - Never was there a time when He was not, and there will never be a time when He will not be.

5. Prince Of Peace - He gives peace with God, Self, Others, ultimately, He will bring peace to the world for eternity!

I. He saw a CRIB: "unto us a child is born." II. He saw a CROSS: "unto us a Son is given." III. He saw a CROWN: "and the government shall be upon his shoulders."

Isaiah gives us the life of Christ in this one powerful verse. As we prepare for our Christmas celebrations, let's not forget to remember that we celebrate Christ in all of His power and glory. There is so much more to consider than just a babe in a manger.