100’s of years before Jesus Christ was born, the Isaiah 9:6 prophecy was given as a gift from God. We look back in amazement at the specifics.Isaiah 9:6.
The child is Jesus Christ, born of the virgin Mary, born in a stable, a feeding trough for a bed. Is. 9:6: four descriptions of who Jesus is, or better, his gifts to us: wonderful counselor, mighty God, everlasting father, prince of peace.
The child is Jesus Christ, born of the virgin Mary, born in a stable, a feeding trough for a bed. Is. 9:6: four descriptions of who Jesus is, or better, his gifts to us: wonderful counselor, mighty God, everlasting father, prince of peace.
Take a look around the surroundings of Is. 9:6. Isaiah is speaking to a people who are hurting and struggling: Is. 8:21: “The people will wander through the land discouraged and hungry…" Is. 9:2 “They lived in a land of shadows…” (GNB). I can still see in my minds eyes, as a young boy, lost in the woods on the peninsula, having taken the wrong trail, and in the shadows I saw dozens of bears, a cougar, falling trees, knowing I could never outrun any of my imaginary enemies, I walked very slowly, hoping they would mistake me for a stump. “A land of shadows”… creating,
imagining problems, most of which are out of proportion, uncertainties…”
With God, there is always a glimmer of hope. In the darkness a ray of light penetrates. “the people who walked in darkness have seen a great light” (Is. 9:2). As the words build up to the great difference making description of Jesus, hope comes from a future promise, a day of light, great joy, the broken yoke” It’s all there in Is. 9:2-5, until at last God’s promise is incredibly specific of a child that will lead the nations
This incredibly early description of the child Jesus, gives amazing insight into the difference making role of Jesus. Jesus Christ is a ruler that came to earth to make a positive difference to you. Today, let’s consider his role as a Wonderful Counselor. Jesus Christ makes a difference as a Wonderful Counselor. Contained within that word is a personalized approach, choice, urging to make the best choice, knowledge, understanding, wanting the best…
As a counselor: 1. he’s on your side, he cares, 2. He has a vision of a better future. 3. he has tremendous insights into your life, 4, and, how you respond is still your choice.
Counseling today is at an all time high in our society. From Dr. Phil, to Oprah Winfrey people are seeking advice. We, as believers, have access to most wonderful counselor imaginable – Jesus Christ.
I have great respect for good counselor’s. The role of a counselor can make a huge difference, whether it is the council for the right classes in school, the council of an attorney for specific needs, or personal counseling. A professionally trained counselor certainly has more tools than me, but I do my best. Here’s a bit of insight from my perspective. In the case of marriage counseling, if two people come to me, as I begin to listen to the story, I’m listening for something very specific, I want to identify which of these two people sitting before me cares the least about resolving the problem. It’s highly unlikely that the two are even in caring. One will walk away, or one is willing for the issue to remain, more than the other. The one who cares the least is usually the one that is talking the least. In all likelihood, there is a good chance one of these people was talked into coming to talk to me by the other person, so they come, and they say very little. My task, often, is to get the non-talkative person to talk. How often the first person has never heard the person who cares less describe the relationship. The person who cares more about the relationship has more flexibility, it’s the person who cares less, the person who is usually talking less, that I need to hear from. Believe me, if you get one person that is really talkative, finishes every sentence, and another that is really quiet, and my task is to get the quiet one talking, it can be exhausting. There have been times I’ve even instructed the talkative one to keep still…
That’s just one example of counseling. “[Jesus] will be called Wonderful Counselor.” Jesus is not the Dictator of your life. You are not under his authority to make him look good. As a ruler, he counsels you, he knows you, he wants to hear from you, he is invested in you.
1. he’s on your side, he cares, Using book of John…John 14:1 Some counselors only care as long as you can pay the bill. Not Jesus! He cares about you as a person. He cares about your character. He cares about your spiritual growth and emotional welfare. He cares about the pain you suffer. He considers you of value and of worth. You can hear it in his words: “Do not let your heart be troubled…” In those words is a caring spirit. As a pastor, my insight is limited, the odds are that there are folks sitting in this room today that are troubled in spirit, and none of the rest of us know it. But the Lord does, and the Lord cares, and the Lord invites you to trust him. It’s not a command, it’s an invitation. Unless you trust your counselor, there is no point. From time to time I talk to people who are forced to go to a counselor for school problems, or the court system, and the person really does not want to be there, it is a formality, and changes are highly unlikely. Jesus invites you to trust him, to be your counselor, helping to guide you through life’s issues and challenges.
He cares so much that He will help you with your problems. He will help you deal with them. That’s why He is called Wonderful Counselor. He’s not going to leave us to fend for ourselves. You have probably heard it said, "God helps those who help themselves." The truth of the matter is when you have reached the bottom - "God helps those who can’t help themselves." When you see no way out - God steps in - if you call on Him. Matthew 11:28 gives us this promise: “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (NKJV) That is a promise! He will not turn His back on us. He will not abandon us. God cares for us. What an incredible gift…
2. Jesus has a vision of a better future, John 14:2-4. Most commonly we read these verses at funerals. Excellent verses. But the words have profound meaning for this world, too. “The place” Jesus prepares is a better future, to die to your old problems, your old patterns, the destructive behavior, and the Lord, the Wonderful Counselor, will resurrect you to a new life, a life of peace, a life of joy, a life of satisfaction.
There is room for everyone to have a better life, a spirit filled life that honors God. A life that sees with the eyes of faith. We need counselors that see something better for us, because when we are stuck in life’s issues, we have a hard time imagining anything else. Jesus does. “I see many rooms” he says, “and there is a place for you.” “And I will take you.” “And I will be the host and give you a guided tour.”
I remember one woman came to me probably 16-18 years ago, she hated her husband. We talked 3-4 times, what a good man he was, how the path she was considering would be destructive to her and her marriage. I think I helped a little bit. Today when I see her in the community she has nothing but kind words and pride for her husband and now her grandchildren. With my limited insight, to talk about a better future, but with Jesus, he sees the whole house, each room, he’s prepared your future home, the place in life where he envisions you. He sees with clarity what your life can be.
3. he has tremendous insights into your life: truth John 14:15-17a Jesus gets it. He understands it. He can relate to you. Sometimes when we are going through a difficult situation and someone says, “I understand what you are going through…” it seems empty because unless they have been through the same situation how can they possibly understand our problems. But Jesus does understand. He knows exactly what you are going through. When you come to him in need of counsel he knows your situation. He knows your heart and He knows your mind. “the Spirit of Truth” means no façade, no acting, no hiding, no putting on a happy face.
Jesus gets it. Have you ever been betrayed? He has. Have you ever been wrongly accused? He has. Have people ever gossiped about you? Have you ever suffered physical pain? Have you ever been in physical need? Have you ever felt lonely? Have you ever suffered loss? Have you ever been afraid? Have you ever felt that you have reached the bottom and there is no way up? He understands. When Jesus says, “If you love me, you will obey what I command,” he is making a claim that no mere human can, because my knowledge is limited of your past and your future, and I probably do not fully understand your situation. But the Lord does, he’s been there and done that. A Wonderful Counselor.
The Bible tells us that: “the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” John 1:14 Jesus was fully human like you and I. He knows how mean people can be. He knows how rough life can get. He understands your struggles.
4. how you respond is still your choice. Jesus is a Wonderful Counselor. Not a dictator. Bottom line: you may accept or reject his counsel/him. Philip, one of the disciples, provides a great example: John 14:8-11. It’s as if Philip is saying to Jesus, just transform us – just show us the father and then everything will be find and dandy, Lord, just drop a million dollars in my lap and life will be fine, just give me the perfect job, just instantly change my circumstances, just show me perfection.
Jesus says, no, being a Christian is not magic because it involves you, and it involves relationship. I want your heart. I want your will – its your choice. Do you trust Jesus, do you desire to have him as your Lord, your counselor? A few verse later the scripture says, “I will do whatever you ask in my name, and I will do it.” “In my name” is the key phrase, not in the sense of uttering the words Jesus like it’s a magic formula, but in the sense of asking anything with the full awareness and acceptance that Jesus is your advocate, your counselor, who understand you, who knows the truth.
It is your choice to accept or reject Jesus Christ as the wonderful counselor. The Lord will walk along with you guiding you through life issues towards a better future that he has prepared for you, as you trust him. He knows you, he understands. Open your heart up to Jesus Christ. Tell Him what is going on in your life. There is no heartache He can not mend. There is no problem He can not solve – because He is our Wonderful Counselor.
imagining problems, most of which are out of proportion, uncertainties…”
With God, there is always a glimmer of hope. In the darkness a ray of light penetrates. “the people who walked in darkness have seen a great light” (Is. 9:2). As the words build up to the great difference making description of Jesus, hope comes from a future promise, a day of light, great joy, the broken yoke” It’s all there in Is. 9:2-5, until at last God’s promise is incredibly specific of a child that will lead the nations
This incredibly early description of the child Jesus, gives amazing insight into the difference making role of Jesus. Jesus Christ is a ruler that came to earth to make a positive difference to you. Today, let’s consider his role as a Wonderful Counselor. Jesus Christ makes a difference as a Wonderful Counselor. Contained within that word is a personalized approach, choice, urging to make the best choice, knowledge, understanding, wanting the best…
As a counselor: 1. he’s on your side, he cares, 2. He has a vision of a better future. 3. he has tremendous insights into your life, 4, and, how you respond is still your choice.
Counseling today is at an all time high in our society. From Dr. Phil, to Oprah Winfrey people are seeking advice. We, as believers, have access to most wonderful counselor imaginable – Jesus Christ.
I have great respect for good counselor’s. The role of a counselor can make a huge difference, whether it is the council for the right classes in school, the council of an attorney for specific needs, or personal counseling. A professionally trained counselor certainly has more tools than me, but I do my best. Here’s a bit of insight from my perspective. In the case of marriage counseling, if two people come to me, as I begin to listen to the story, I’m listening for something very specific, I want to identify which of these two people sitting before me cares the least about resolving the problem. It’s highly unlikely that the two are even in caring. One will walk away, or one is willing for the issue to remain, more than the other. The one who cares the least is usually the one that is talking the least. In all likelihood, there is a good chance one of these people was talked into coming to talk to me by the other person, so they come, and they say very little. My task, often, is to get the non-talkative person to talk. How often the first person has never heard the person who cares less describe the relationship. The person who cares more about the relationship has more flexibility, it’s the person who cares less, the person who is usually talking less, that I need to hear from. Believe me, if you get one person that is really talkative, finishes every sentence, and another that is really quiet, and my task is to get the quiet one talking, it can be exhausting. There have been times I’ve even instructed the talkative one to keep still…
That’s just one example of counseling. “[Jesus] will be called Wonderful Counselor.” Jesus is not the Dictator of your life. You are not under his authority to make him look good. As a ruler, he counsels you, he knows you, he wants to hear from you, he is invested in you.
1. he’s on your side, he cares, Using book of John…John 14:1 Some counselors only care as long as you can pay the bill. Not Jesus! He cares about you as a person. He cares about your character. He cares about your spiritual growth and emotional welfare. He cares about the pain you suffer. He considers you of value and of worth. You can hear it in his words: “Do not let your heart be troubled…” In those words is a caring spirit. As a pastor, my insight is limited, the odds are that there are folks sitting in this room today that are troubled in spirit, and none of the rest of us know it. But the Lord does, and the Lord cares, and the Lord invites you to trust him. It’s not a command, it’s an invitation. Unless you trust your counselor, there is no point. From time to time I talk to people who are forced to go to a counselor for school problems, or the court system, and the person really does not want to be there, it is a formality, and changes are highly unlikely. Jesus invites you to trust him, to be your counselor, helping to guide you through life’s issues and challenges.
He cares so much that He will help you with your problems. He will help you deal with them. That’s why He is called Wonderful Counselor. He’s not going to leave us to fend for ourselves. You have probably heard it said, "God helps those who help themselves." The truth of the matter is when you have reached the bottom - "God helps those who can’t help themselves." When you see no way out - God steps in - if you call on Him. Matthew 11:28 gives us this promise: “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (NKJV) That is a promise! He will not turn His back on us. He will not abandon us. God cares for us. What an incredible gift…
2. Jesus has a vision of a better future, John 14:2-4. Most commonly we read these verses at funerals. Excellent verses. But the words have profound meaning for this world, too. “The place” Jesus prepares is a better future, to die to your old problems, your old patterns, the destructive behavior, and the Lord, the Wonderful Counselor, will resurrect you to a new life, a life of peace, a life of joy, a life of satisfaction.
There is room for everyone to have a better life, a spirit filled life that honors God. A life that sees with the eyes of faith. We need counselors that see something better for us, because when we are stuck in life’s issues, we have a hard time imagining anything else. Jesus does. “I see many rooms” he says, “and there is a place for you.” “And I will take you.” “And I will be the host and give you a guided tour.”
I remember one woman came to me probably 16-18 years ago, she hated her husband. We talked 3-4 times, what a good man he was, how the path she was considering would be destructive to her and her marriage. I think I helped a little bit. Today when I see her in the community she has nothing but kind words and pride for her husband and now her grandchildren. With my limited insight, to talk about a better future, but with Jesus, he sees the whole house, each room, he’s prepared your future home, the place in life where he envisions you. He sees with clarity what your life can be.
3. he has tremendous insights into your life: truth John 14:15-17a Jesus gets it. He understands it. He can relate to you. Sometimes when we are going through a difficult situation and someone says, “I understand what you are going through…” it seems empty because unless they have been through the same situation how can they possibly understand our problems. But Jesus does understand. He knows exactly what you are going through. When you come to him in need of counsel he knows your situation. He knows your heart and He knows your mind. “the Spirit of Truth” means no façade, no acting, no hiding, no putting on a happy face.
Jesus gets it. Have you ever been betrayed? He has. Have you ever been wrongly accused? He has. Have people ever gossiped about you? Have you ever suffered physical pain? Have you ever been in physical need? Have you ever felt lonely? Have you ever suffered loss? Have you ever been afraid? Have you ever felt that you have reached the bottom and there is no way up? He understands. When Jesus says, “If you love me, you will obey what I command,” he is making a claim that no mere human can, because my knowledge is limited of your past and your future, and I probably do not fully understand your situation. But the Lord does, he’s been there and done that. A Wonderful Counselor.
The Bible tells us that: “the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” John 1:14 Jesus was fully human like you and I. He knows how mean people can be. He knows how rough life can get. He understands your struggles.
4. how you respond is still your choice. Jesus is a Wonderful Counselor. Not a dictator. Bottom line: you may accept or reject his counsel/him. Philip, one of the disciples, provides a great example: John 14:8-11. It’s as if Philip is saying to Jesus, just transform us – just show us the father and then everything will be find and dandy, Lord, just drop a million dollars in my lap and life will be fine, just give me the perfect job, just instantly change my circumstances, just show me perfection.
Jesus says, no, being a Christian is not magic because it involves you, and it involves relationship. I want your heart. I want your will – its your choice. Do you trust Jesus, do you desire to have him as your Lord, your counselor? A few verse later the scripture says, “I will do whatever you ask in my name, and I will do it.” “In my name” is the key phrase, not in the sense of uttering the words Jesus like it’s a magic formula, but in the sense of asking anything with the full awareness and acceptance that Jesus is your advocate, your counselor, who understand you, who knows the truth.
It is your choice to accept or reject Jesus Christ as the wonderful counselor. The Lord will walk along with you guiding you through life issues towards a better future that he has prepared for you, as you trust him. He knows you, he understands. Open your heart up to Jesus Christ. Tell Him what is going on in your life. There is no heartache He can not mend. There is no problem He can not solve – because He is our Wonderful Counselor.
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