Emmanuel: Experiencing the Gift of Jesus This Christmas

Devotional

Day 1: Seeking Divine Wisdom

Jesus, as our Wonderful Counselor, offers wisdom and guidance that surpasses human understanding. His counsel is always available, inviting us to seek His insight in every aspect of our lives. In a world filled with confusion and uncertainty, His wisdom provides clarity and direction. By turning to Jesus, we can navigate life's challenges with confidence, knowing that His guidance is rooted in love and truth. His authority is unmatched, and He desires to lead us on a path of righteousness and peace. [14:23]

"For the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding; he stores up sound wisdom for the upright; he is a shield to those who walk in integrity." (Proverbs 2:6-7, ESV)

Reflection: In what area of your life do you need Jesus' wisdom today? How can you intentionally seek His counsel in this situation?

Day 2: Embracing Divine Power

As Mighty God, Jesus demonstrates His power through miraculous works and His resurrection. This power assures us that He is capable of overcoming any challenge we face. His strength is not just a historical fact but a present reality that provides us with hope and confidence. By trusting in His power, we can face life's difficulties with assurance, knowing that He is with us and for us. His ultimate return will reveal His power in its fullness, but even now, we can experience His might in our daily lives. [18:10]

"Ah, Lord GOD! It is you who have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for you." (Jeremiah 32:17, ESV)

Reflection: What is a current challenge you are facing that seems insurmountable? How can you rely on Jesus' power to help you overcome it?

Day 3: Resting in Eternal Care

Jesus, as our Everlasting Father, offers eternal care and provision. Unlike earthly fathers who may tire, Jesus never does. His constant presence and protection are assured, providing us with a sense of security and peace. In a world where relationships can be fleeting and unreliable, His love remains steadfast and unchanging. We can rely on Him to support and guide us through every season of life, knowing that His care is both personal and eternal. [23:10]

"Even to your old age I am he, and to gray hairs I will carry you. I have made, and I will bear; I will carry and will save." (Isaiah 46:4, ESV)

Reflection: How can you rest in the assurance of Jesus' eternal care today? What steps can you take to trust Him more fully in your daily life?

Day 4: Experiencing True Peace

As the Prince of Peace, Jesus reconciles us with God, offering a peace that transcends circumstances. This peace is both with God, through the forgiveness of sins, and of God, providing comfort and assurance in life's challenges. In a world filled with turmoil and unrest, His peace is a precious gift that calms our hearts and minds. By embracing His peace, we can navigate life's storms with a sense of calm and assurance, knowing that He is in control. [26:33]

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid." (John 14:27, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need Jesus' peace? How can you invite Him to bring His peace into this situation today?

Day 5: Receiving the Greatest Gift

The greatest gift we can receive is Jesus Himself. To experience His wisdom, power, care, and peace, we must first accept Him as our Savior and Lord. This decision transforms our lives, allowing us to fully embrace the hope and joy of Christmas. By receiving Jesus, we open our hearts to His transformative power, experiencing the fullness of His love and grace. This Christmas, may we see Jesus more clearly and experience His presence in a deeper way. [31:18]

"But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God." (John 1:12, ESV)

Reflection: Have you fully received Jesus as your Savior and Lord? What steps can you take today to deepen your relationship with Him and experience His transformative power in your life?

Sermon Summary

In this Advent season, we are exploring the profound hope that Christmas brings, focusing on the person of Jesus Christ. This journey began with understanding the prophecies about Christ before His arrival and His divine nature as described in John 1. Today, we delve into the humanity of Jesus, emphasizing His role as Emmanuel, God with us, who came to rescue and save us from sin. We explore the significance of names, particularly those associated with Jesus, as they reveal His character and mission.

Isaiah 9:6 provides us with four names that describe Jesus: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. Each name offers a unique insight into His nature. As the Wonderful Counselor, Jesus possesses wisdom and authority beyond our comprehension, guiding us with unmatched insight. His role as Mighty God highlights His power, evident in His miraculous works and words, and ultimately in His resurrection. The title Everlasting Father speaks to His eternal care and provision, akin to a father who never tires. Lastly, as the Prince of Peace, Jesus reconciles us with God, offering a peace that surpasses all understanding.

These names not only help us understand who Jesus is but also invite us to experience His grace and goodness in our lives. The ultimate question is whether we have received the greatest gift of all—Jesus Himself. To truly know Him as our Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace, we must first accept Him as our Savior and Lord. This Christmas, may we see Jesus more clearly and experience His transformative power in our lives.

Key Takeaways

1. Wonderful Counselor: Jesus is our Wonderful Counselor, possessing wisdom and authority beyond our comprehension. His guidance is available to us at all times, inviting us to seek His counsel in every aspect of our lives. We should never hesitate to reach out to Him, trusting in His unmatched wisdom and power. [14:23]
2. Mighty God: Jesus, as Mighty God, demonstrates His power through miraculous works and words. His strength is evident in His resurrection and His ultimate return. This power assures us that He is capable of overcoming any challenge we face, providing us with hope and confidence. [18:10]
3. Everlasting Father: Jesus is our Everlasting Father, offering eternal care and provision. Unlike earthly fathers who may tire, Jesus never does. We can rely on His constant presence and protection, knowing that He is always there to support and guide us. [23:10]
4. Prince of Peace: As the Prince of Peace, Jesus reconciles us with God, offering a peace that transcends circumstances. This peace is both with God, through the forgiveness of sins, and of God, providing comfort and assurance in life's challenges. [26:33]
5. Receiving the Gift of Jesus: The greatest gift we can receive is Jesus Himself. To experience His wisdom, power, care, and peace, we must first accept Him as our Savior and Lord. This decision transforms our lives, allowing us to fully embrace the hope and joy of Christmas. [31:18]
** [31:18]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[02:00] - Christmas Eve Candlelight Services
[03:30] - Advent Series Overview
[04:37] - Significance of Names
[06:06] - Isaiah's Prophecy
[08:23] - Wonderful Counselor
[11:06] - Mighty God
[14:23] - Wisdom and Authority
[15:19] - Miraculous Works and Words
[18:10] - Everlasting Father
[20:47] - Eternal Care and Provision
[23:10] - Prince of Peace
[24:42] - Peace with God and of God
[26:33] - Peace Beyond Understanding
[29:40] - Receiving Jesus
[31:18] - Invitation to Respond

Sermon Clips

And the names that are given here as identifiers, as descriptors of the coming Christ are important for us to see and understand if we're going to gain the fullest picture of Jesus. So the first name is Wonderful Counselor. Jesus is Wonderful Counselor. In the original Hebrew, that word for wonderful, it can literally be translated as incomprehensible. [00:08:23] (26 seconds)

Think about his miracles when Jesus shows up on the scene. The very first miracle he performs is at a wedding ceremony when he turns water into wine. Think about the authority of his teaching that many times Jesus would teach. The Bible says in the synagogues was such an authority that even though it ruffled the feathers of the ruling religious elite, they didn't know how to respond. [00:10:25] (21 seconds)

This term is interesting because unlike the other three identifiers given to the person of Christ, so a wonderful counselor and then everlasting father and prince of peace, those are identifiers that have been also associated with ancient Jewish people. But this mighty God is most closely associated in the scriptures with ancient military leaders. [00:15:19] (26 seconds)

And the evidence of his strength is that he is the God who conquered sin, death, hell, and the grave, and he died. And the evidence that he is mighty God, he is the one who came the first time as the sacrificial lamb. He comes again as the lion of the tribe of Judah. [00:19:03] (15 seconds)

And it's only because of the sacrifice of Jesus that that peace is then ushered in. And that relationship that was divided is now ultimately in Christ Jesus restored. The Bible says the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus. [00:24:21] (21 seconds)

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