That Name Above All Others

Temple Baptist Church - 12-18-2011

Isaiah 9:1-7

Introduction:

A. Israel has been in darkness for 400+ years prior to the first coming of our Lord. In what is called the “400 Silent Years,” no prophet spoke the Word of the Lord to the people; no man of God performed the great miracles that were done in the past; Phariseeism blossomed in Israel and the people fell into spiritual bondage. They were dark days for Israel as they were under both spiritual bondage to the Pharisees and physical bondage to Rome. They “walked in darkness!” They walked aimlessly and hopelessly: blinded in bondage.

B. In the dispensation of the fullness of times, God sent forth His only begotten Son—born of a virgin in a manger in Bethlehem—but He that was born was no longer expected. The sacrifices of the people were simply a discipline and routine with the Messiah no longer expected by the masses.

C. God in His faithfulness and grace kept His promise to Israel and, as the Christ child grew, God began to turn up the brightness of the Light of the World in the presence of His people. “Upon them hath the light shined!” They saw the Christ of God with all of His glory and miracles. They heard His words and walked in His light but the Scripture is clear when it says, “He came unto his own and his own received Him not!” They expected a King, not a Lamb!

D. Most today have also seen the light of the glorious gospel of Christ which has shined for over 200 years here in the United States of America. The gospel has shined from sea to shining sea in this land and, yet, the people still continue to walk in darkness. The Christ of the Bible is as rejected today as He was then! The people love their darkness and refuse to come to the Light because it exposes that which the darkness covers.

E. These verses tell us that, one day, “his name shall be called” those wonderful, descriptive words that we see in verse 6. One day, He will truly reign over this Earth and every one will see Him as He is. The knowledge of the Lord will cover the Earth and all people will praise the Lord Jesus Christ forever and ever. Bless His holy name for He is worthy to be praised. But, to those of us who know Him; to those of us who love Him; to those of us who serve Him—He is a “name above all others!”

F. I want to look at that description of Christ in verse 6 for a few minutes.

1. WONDERFUL – marvelous or extraordinary – Exciting, surprising, astonishing, miraculous, powerful, incredible, exceeding, supernatural, admirable. Do you hear me tonight? That is our wonderful Lord Jesus Christ! Do you know Him this morning?

His name is Wonderful, His name is Wonderful,
His name is Wonderful, Jesus my Lord;
He is the mighty King, master of everything,
His name is Wonderful, Jesus, my Lord.

He's the great Shepherd, the Rock of all ages,
Almighty God is He;
Bow down before Him, love and adore Him,
His name is Wonderful, Jesus, my Lord.

a. He wonderfully saved my soul in 1976! What a wonderful thought that I will be in Heaven for eternity because He loves me.

b. He wonderfully forgave all of my sin in 1976! Past, present, and future. I am both saved and secured through the Light of the World.

c. He wonderfully changed the direction and desires of my life in 1976! What a wonderful change in my life has been wrought since Jesus came into my heart.

d. His name became Wonderful to me! He is the sole reason of my praise tonight!

2. COUNSELOR – to give advice, to purpose, to devise or plan, to conspire, to manage causes in court.

a. He counsels me when my heart is troubled.

b. He counsels me when my faith is tried.

c. He counsels me when my integrity is tempted.

d. He has the remedy for all of my problems! He knows all because He is the COUNSELOR! His advice is slways good, His counsel is always right, and His path is always safe. He maketh no mistake nor does He turn from His divine purpose. Ask and ye shall receive! Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not!

3. THE MIGHTY GOD – strong, valiant, excelling, powerful, great, prevailing, authoritative, accomplished, extraordinary degree or quality in respect to size, character, importance, and consequences! That’s my God! That’s my Lord!

a. He is mighty when I am weak.

b. He is mighty when my enemy is strong!

c. He is mighty when the winds and waves roll over my soul!

d. He is mighty when the impossible becomes the probable.

e. He is the Resource of my power!

f. He can do anything at anytime, anywhere! When I have to “withstand in the evil day,” He stands with me. When I have done all and must continue to stand, He stands with and for me. That’s my MIGHTY GOD! With Him, I can fear no evil. With Him, I can face tomorrow.

4. THE EVERLASTING FATHER – eternal in duration, never coming to an end, a begetter, a parent, the founder of a family, the head of the home, important, distinguished!

a. As a Father, He loves me.

b. As a Father, He has pity upon me.

c. As a Father, He directs me.

d. As a Father, He corrects me.

e. As a Father, He protects me.

f. As a Father, He provides for me.

g. As a Father, He will never leave nor forsake me!

5. THE PRINCE OF PEACE – of the highest rank, in the highest place, of the highest authority, He is the Sovereign, He is the Monarch, He is the Authority, He is the Son of a King, He is of royal blood, He is of great ancestry, there is no one like Him, He is of highest rank, He is the Head of the Church, He is preeminent, He is predominant,

a. He brings stillness to my troubled soul.

b. He brings rest in restlessness.

c. He brings hope in hopelessness.

d. He brings victory out of defeat.

e. He is the Fairest of Ten Thousand to my soul!

f. There were none before Him.

g. There will be none after Him.

h. He is the Manifestation of Peace.

i. He is the Minister of Peace.

j. He is the Master of Peace. Do you know Him tonight?

Conclusion: He truly is indescribable! He is the “I AM THAT I AM!”

TO THE ARCHITECT HE IS THE CHIEF CORNERSTONE.

TO THE ASTRONOMER HE IS THE BRIGHT AND MORNING STAR.

TO THE BUTCHER HE IS THE LAMB OF GOD WHO WAS SLAIN BEFORE THE FOUNDATION OF THIS WORLD.

TO THE BAKER HE IS THE LIVING BREAD.

TO THE CARPENTER HE IS THE MASTER BUILDER.

TO THE DIPLOMAT HE IS THE PRINCE OF PEACE.

TO THE DOCTOR HE IS THE GREAT PHYSICIAN.

TO THE EDUCATOR HE IS THE MASTER TEACHER.

TO THE ELECTRICIAN HE IS THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD.

TO THE FARMER HE IS THE LORD OF THE HARVEST.

TO THE FLORIST HE IS THE LILY OF THE VALLEY AND THE ROSE OF SHARON.

TO THE GEOLOGIST HE IS THE ROCK OF AGES.

TO THE HORTICULTURIST HE IS THE TRUE VINE.

TO THE JEWELER HE IS THE PEARL OF GREAT PRICE.

TO THE JUDGE HE IS THE RIGHTEOUS JUDGE.

TO THE LAWYER HE IS THE CHIEF ADVOCATE.

TO THE PHILOSOPHER HE IS THE WISDOM OF GOD.

TO THE PUBLISHER HE IS GOOD TIDINGS OF GREAT JOY.

TO THE SCULPTOR HE IS THE LIVING STONE.

TO THE THEOLOGIAN HE IS AUTHOR AND FINISHER OF OUR FAITH.

TO THE ZOOLOGIST HE IS THE LION OF THE TRIBE OF JUDAH.



IF YOU'RE HUNGRY, HE'S THE BREAD OF LIFE.

IF YOU'RE THIRSTY, HE'S THE FOUNTAIN OF LIVING WATER.

IF YOU'RE BLIND, HE'S THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD.

IF YOU'RE LOST, HE'S THE WAY.

IF YOU'RE CONFUSED, HE'S THE TRUTH.

IF YOU'RE DYING, HE'S THE LIFE.



He is WONDERFUL - He is my DELIGHT

He is THE COUNSELLOR - He is my DIRECTION

He is THE MIGHTY GOD - He is my DEITY

He is THE EVERLASTING FATHER - He is my DEFENDER

He is THE PRINCE OF PEACE- He is my DIFFERENCE