Embracing Our Call: Jesus as Mighty God
Summary
In this message, we reflect on the profound ways God is working through our church and beyond, emphasizing the call to be His hands and feet in the world. As we approach the new year, it's a time to consider how God might be leading us to serve, whether through missions, local outreach, or within our church community. We are reminded that our contributions, both in time and resources, are investments in God's kingdom, impacting lives globally. As we prepare for Christmas, we are invited to join together in worship, celebrating the birth of Jesus, the Wonderful Counselor, and Mighty God.
The focus then shifts to the significance of names in the Bible, particularly the names given to Jesus in Isaiah 9:6. These names are not mere labels but reveal deep truths about His character and mission. Last week, we explored Jesus as the Wonderful Counselor, and today, we delve into His identity as Mighty God. In the context of Isaiah's prophecy, God's people faced dark times, looking to their leaders for guidance. Yet, they were promised a child who would be both human and divine, a Mighty God who would deliver them.
This promise finds fulfillment in Jesus, whose life and ministry are chronicled in the Gospels. Each Gospel presents a unique perspective, yet together they form a symphony, declaring Jesus as the promised Messiah, the suffering servant, the Son of Man, and the eternal God. Jesus' might is not only seen in His miraculous works but also in His sustaining power over the universe. He upholds all creation by His word, demonstrating His divine authority and care.
As Mighty God, Jesus establishes a kingdom unlike any earthly empire, a kingdom of righteousness, justice, and peace. His victory over sin and death through the cross and resurrection offers true freedom and life to all who believe. This narrative is woven throughout Scripture, pointing to Jesus as the central figure in God's redemptive plan. We are invited to live in the strength He provides, trusting in His might and grace.
Key Takeaways:
1. God's Call to Serve: As we reflect on God's work in our church, we are reminded of our call to serve beyond our walls. Whether through missions or local outreach, God invites us to be His hands and feet in the world. This call is an opportunity to invest in His kingdom and experience the joy of giving and serving. [04:13]
2. The Significance of Names: In the Bible, names carry deep meaning, revealing truths about a person's character and calling. Jesus' names in Isaiah 9:6—Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace—speak to His divine nature and mission. Understanding these names enriches our worship and appreciation of who Jesus is. [08:37]
3. Jesus as Mighty God: Jesus' identity as Mighty God is affirmed through His miraculous works and His sustaining power over creation. He is not a distant deity but intimately involved in upholding the universe and our lives. This truth invites us to trust in His might and seek His strength in our daily walk. [22:50]
4. The Kingdom of God: Jesus came to establish a kingdom of righteousness and peace, transcending earthly empires. His victory over sin and death offers true freedom and life. As citizens of this kingdom, we are called to live in the light of His triumph, embracing our identity in Christ. [25:18]
5. Living in His Strength: Jesus, our Mighty God, strengthens us to live differently. He invites us to rely on His power, not our own, and to seek His help in times of need. This reliance on His strength transforms our lives, enabling us to face challenges with confidence and faith. [39:09]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [04:13] - Reflecting on God's Work
- [08:37] - The Significance of Names
- [12:36] - Context of Isaiah's Prophecy
- [15:55] - Fulfillment in Jesus
- [21:18] - Jesus as Mighty God
- [22:50] - Sustaining Power of Jesus
- [25:18] - The Kingdom of God
- [29:12] - Victory Over Sin and Death
- [30:15] - The Centrality of Jesus in Scripture
- [32:24] - True Freedom in Christ
- [33:53] - Jesus' Sacrificial Love
- [35:30] - Living in His Strength
- [39:09] - Invited to Seek His Help
- [41:38] - Worshiping the Mighty God
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Isaiah 9:1-7
- Matthew 4:12-17
- Hebrews 1:1-3
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Observation Questions:
1. What are the names given to Jesus in Isaiah 9:6, and what do they signify about His character and mission? [08:37]
2. How does the sermon describe the context in which Isaiah's prophecy was given, and what challenges were God's people facing at that time? [12:36]
3. According to the sermon, how do the Gospels collectively present Jesus' identity and mission? [15:55]
4. What examples from the sermon illustrate Jesus' sustaining power over creation? [22:50]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does understanding Jesus as "Mighty God" influence the way believers perceive His role in their lives and the world? [21:18]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that Jesus' kingdom differs from earthly empires, and what implications does this have for believers today? [25:18]
3. How does the sermon explain the significance of Jesus' victory over sin and death, and what does this mean for believers' understanding of freedom? [29:12]
4. What does the sermon suggest about the importance of relying on Jesus' strength rather than our own, and how might this change a believer's daily life? [35:30]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on the call to serve as God's hands and feet in the world. What specific opportunities for service might God be placing on your heart as you approach the new year? [04:13]
2. Consider the significance of Jesus' names in Isaiah 9:6. How does understanding these names deepen your worship and appreciation of who Jesus is? [08:37]
3. In what areas of your life do you need to trust more in Jesus' might and seek His strength? How can you begin to rely on His power rather than your own? [22:50]
4. How can you live as a citizen of Jesus' kingdom of righteousness and peace in your daily interactions and decisions? What changes might this require in your life? [25:18]
5. Reflect on a time when you experienced Jesus' sustaining power in your life. How can this experience encourage you to trust Him in current or future challenges? [22:50]
6. How can you actively participate in the joy of giving and serving within your church community and beyond? What steps can you take to invest in God's kingdom? [04:13]
7. Identify a specific area where you feel weak or inadequate. How can you invite Jesus to strengthen you in this area, and what practical steps can you take to seek His help? [39:09]
Devotional
I'm ready to provide the 5-day devotional based on the steps outlined. Here it is:
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Day 1: Embracing God's Call to Serve
In the journey of faith, believers are called to be active participants in God's work, extending His love and grace to the world. This call to serve is not limited to the confines of the church but extends to missions and local outreach, where individuals can be the hands and feet of Christ. Serving is an opportunity to invest in God's kingdom, impacting lives and experiencing the joy of giving. As the new year approaches, it is a time to reflect on how God might be leading each person to serve, whether through time, resources, or talents. This call is a reminder that every contribution, no matter how small, is significant in God's eyes. [04:13]
Matthew 25:35-36 (ESV): "For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me."
Reflection: Identify one specific way you can serve your community this week. How can you be the hands and feet of Jesus in a tangible way today?
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Day 2: Understanding the Power of Names
In biblical times, names were more than mere identifiers; they revealed profound truths about a person's character and mission. The names given to Jesus in Isaiah 9:6—Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace—each carry deep significance, unveiling aspects of His divine nature and purpose. Understanding these names enriches worship and deepens appreciation for who Jesus is. As believers explore these names, they are invited to reflect on the multifaceted nature of Christ and how each aspect speaks to their personal journey of faith. [08:37]
Isaiah 43:1 (ESV): "But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: 'Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.'"
Reflection: Reflect on the names of Jesus mentioned in Isaiah 9:6. Which name resonates with you the most today, and why?
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Day 3: Trusting in Jesus as Mighty God
Jesus' identity as Mighty God is affirmed through His miraculous works and His sustaining power over creation. He is not a distant deity but is intimately involved in upholding the universe and the lives of His followers. This truth invites believers to trust in His might and seek His strength in their daily walk. Jesus' might is not only seen in His miraculous works but also in His sustaining power over the universe. He upholds all creation by His word, demonstrating His divine authority and care. [22:50]
Colossians 1:16-17 (ESV): "For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together."
Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to trust in Jesus' sustaining power today? How can you actively seek His strength in this area?
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Day 4: Living as Citizens of God's Kingdom
Jesus came to establish a kingdom of righteousness, justice, and peace, transcending earthly empires. His victory over sin and death offers true freedom and life to all who believe. As citizens of this kingdom, believers are called to live in the light of His triumph, embracing their identity in Christ. This kingdom is not of this world, and its values often stand in contrast to worldly pursuits. Believers are invited to align their lives with the principles of this kingdom, living out their faith in ways that reflect the righteousness and peace of Christ. [25:18]
Hebrews 12:28 (ESV): "Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe."
Reflection: How can you live out the values of God's kingdom in your daily interactions? What is one practical step you can take to reflect His righteousness and peace?
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Day 5: Relying on His Strength
Jesus, our Mighty God, strengthens believers to live differently. He invites them to rely on His power, not their own, and to seek His help in times of need. This reliance on His strength transforms lives, enabling believers to face challenges with confidence and faith. In a world that often values self-reliance, this call to depend on Christ's strength is countercultural. Yet, it is in this dependence that true strength is found, as believers are empowered to overcome obstacles and live out their faith with boldness. [39:09]
2 Corinthians 12:9 (ESV): "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to rely more on Jesus' strength? How can you begin to shift your focus from self-reliance to dependence on Him today?
Quotes
Jesus is the mighty God in the sense that he does those things that we don't see on a day-to-day basis. That John can start his gospel and say, in the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God, and he was in the beginning with God, and all things were made through him. And then without him was not anything made that was made. He created all of this. [00:21:59] (22 seconds)
So when he came, he came preaching the kingdom of heaven is at hand and when he went to the cross what would have been a decisive defeat for all kingdoms of man your leader, your ruler your king defeated, killed dead in a grave and the kingdom of God became the very decisive victory that set it in stone because in that when Jesus went to the grave three days later he said he had the authority to raise it up again and he did. [00:28:48] (30 seconds)
He is our mighty God who saves His people from their sins. But the beauty of it is that He doesn't stop there. Because from there, as we walk with Him, today, the Scriptures tell us that as mighty God, He strengthens us as well. That He imparts His own strength to us, that we might now live differently. Right? And so God, the God who spoke the universe into existence, the God who by His very word sustains the world that we live in, strengthens you and I each and every day. [00:35:30] (38 seconds)
He invites us to live not in our own society, strength, but in His. So the God who rained down manna from heaven, the God who fed His people in the wilderness and parted the Red Sea to deliver them from their sins, enemies the god who would call us cause the walls to fall around jericho with the sound of a trumpet the god who during his earthly ministry would heal the sick and calm storms and give sight to the blind and raise the dead today strengthens us the same mighty god that we read of and think wow wouldn't it be extraordinary to see and witness and he says all i've done is invite you to come he invites us only to come and to know that he is mighty and to share in that strength he invites us to come and find help in our times of need [00:36:22] (56 seconds)
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