SERMON NOTES Introduction ‌As the Christmas season begins, our focus naturally shifts to the passages in Scripture about the birth of Jesus. In this series we’re going to focus on one specific verse (Isa. 9:6) and use this as a launching point to other passages that help us understand the big picture. While we often limit the coming of Jesus to sin and forgiveness, Scripture goes far beyond those limits. ‌ Jesus came to do far more than forgive sin. ‌ Isaiah 9:6 ESV 6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. ‌ For to us = Meaning, to Israel. Jesus was an Israelite from the tribe of Judah. ‌ A child is born = Meaning, this will be a human being. ‌ A son is given = Meaning, this human is given by God as a divine gift. ‌ The government shall be upon his shoulder = The Hebrew word for “government” here is misrah, which means dominion/rule/authority. In the OT, the Messiah is described as a King from the tribe of Judah who is also a descendant of David (Gen. 49:8-12; Num. 24:17; Isa. 11:1-16). This child would become the ruler of ALL nations. This is exactly what Jesus claimed before His ascension, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me” (Matt. 28:18). ‌ His name shall be called = In the OT context, a person’s name reveals their intended purpose. Noah means comfort/rest. Abraham means father of a multitude. Jesus (Yeshua) means Yahweh saves. Therefore, the names of the Messiah mentioned in Isaiah reveal what the Messiah would do and what kind of person/character He will be. ‌ Wonderful = Heb. pele - miraculous, unusual, unique. In modern terms we might say, “mind-blowing.” While we may connect this term with the miraculous healings of Jesus (physical acts), Isaiah connects it to a more spiritual role. This Messiah would do something spiritually miraculous. ‌ Counselor = Heb. yoes - adviser, planner, counselor. This “Son” who will be the King of all authority will be “called” or known as a Miraculous Counselor. ‌ Wonderful Counselor = Miraculous Personal Adviser ‌ It is interesting that this title (adviser, counselor, advocate, mediator) is used of the Son because we usually associate these terms with the Holy Spirit. ‌ Is the Son of God the Counselor or is it the Holy Spirit? YES ‌ What is the role of a counselor? — To be a helper of another. ‌ A counselor or adviser’s purpose is to help another person. In the ancient world, kings had a council of advisers who would help them make decisions and/or carry out the decrees of the king. A personal adviser helps someone by guiding their thinking in the right direction toward the best outcome. ‌ Jesus on the Holy Spirit ‌Before the final events of Jesus’ life leading up to the cross, He had a lengthy conversation with the apostles in John 13-17. This occurs just after the Last Supper. This is the longest conversation between Jesus and the apostles in all of the New Testament. Jesus takes this opportunity to prepare the apostles for what was about to happen and what would continue to happen. This section of John’s Gospel contains the most clear teaching on the role and purpose of the Holy Spirit. ‌ John 14:15–17 ESV 15 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, 17 even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you. ‌ Jesus called the Holy Spirit “the Helper” or “the Advocate” ‌ Helper = Grk. parakletos - counselor, advocate, encourager, mediator, comforter. ‌ The most common use of parakletos in ancient Greek writings is a legal advocate. This is a person who speaks and acts on behalf of another in order to help them. The NT authors picked up this word and expanded it further. The Spirit indwelt Jesus who is our advocate to the Father by settling the legal debt (sin) between us and God. In the same way, the Spirit indwells believers and continues to be our advocate, helper, and mediator. ‌ The Wonderful Counselor gives God what He always wanted—to be with us forever. ‌ John 14:26 ESV 26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. ‌ The Wonderful Counselor teaches us all we need to know. ‌ John 15:26 ESV 26 “But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me. ‌ The Wonderful Counselor leads us to the truth and away from lies. ‌ The Wonderful Counselor leads us to Jesus (the Truth). ‌ John 16:7 ESV 7 Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. ‌ John 16:13 ESV 13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. ‌ The Wonderful Counselor prepares us for what is coming. ‌ 1 John 2:1 ESV 1 My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. ‌ Advocate = Grk. parakletos - helper, counselor, intercessor. In this context, John describes the Holy Spirit as an intercessor/mediator—which means that the Spirit pleads our case to the Father. In modern terms, the Spirit acts as our defense attorney. The NT says that both Jesus and the Spirit intercedes for us: ‌ Rom. 8:34 “Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.” 1 Tim. 2:5 “For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,” ‌ Heb. 7:25 “Consequently, he (Jesus) is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.” ‌ The Wonderful Counselor advocates for sinners so we can be forgiven and transformed from sinners to saints. ‌ Conclusion ‌The Father gave us the Son, so the Son could give us the Spirit. ‌ Today, we should respond by asking the Father to give us the Spirit—which is a prayer that the Father already wants to answer. The Father has always wanted to be with us. The entire story of the Bible is about God’s desire to dwell with people.