What's in a Name? By Steve Lombardo (Isaiah 9:6)
Summary
In this season of celebrating the birth of Jesus, we delve into the significance of His names, as highlighted in Isaiah 9:6. Names carry deep meanings and origins, and the names of Jesus are the most profound of all. They reveal His character, mission, and the divine nature of His existence. Jesus, who existed before His birth in Bethlehem, is God incarnate. He humbled Himself, taking on human form, to save us from our sins. This humility is a profound aspect of His nature, as He, the Creator of the universe, chose to be born in a manger, embodying the ultimate act of condescension and love.
The name of Jesus is powerful and transformative. In the book of Acts, we see the early church baptized, healed, and saved in His name. Despite opposition, the apostles continued to proclaim His name, understanding its power and significance. Jesus' name is exalted above all others, and one day every knee will bow to Him. This Christmas, we are invited to willingly bow to His name, recognizing His authority and love.
Isaiah's prophecy also speaks of Jesus' claim as the Son of God, a claim affirmed by angels and His own words. His fame is yet to be fully realized, as He will one day return to establish His kingdom on earth. Until then, we live in the tension of the present kingdom of God and the future fulfillment of His reign.
Jesus is our Wonderful Counselor, offering miraculous and divine wisdom. He listens to our concerns and provides guidance that surpasses human understanding. To receive His counsel, we must ask the right questions, seek wisdom in His Word and through the community of believers, and surrender the throne of our lives to Him. By doing so, we open ourselves to the miraculous work He desires to accomplish in us.
Key Takeaways:
- The names of Jesus reveal His divine nature and mission. Before His birth, Jesus existed with God, and His incarnation is a profound act of humility and love. This season invites us to reflect on the significance of His names and their implications for our lives. [06:09]
- The power of Jesus' name is evident in the early church's actions. Despite opposition, the apostles proclaimed His name, understanding its transformative power. We are called to recognize and proclaim the power of Jesus' name in our own lives. [03:48]
- Jesus' claim as the Son of God is affirmed by His words and the testimony of angels. His divine nature is central to our faith, and we are invited to trust in His identity and mission. [11:43]
- The future fulfillment of Jesus' reign is a promise we hold onto. While His kingdom is not yet fully realized, we live in the hope of His return and the establishment of His eternal kingdom. [14:14]
- Jesus, our Wonderful Counselor, offers divine wisdom and guidance. By asking the right questions, seeking His Word, and surrendering our lives to Him, we open ourselves to His miraculous work. [12:39]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[02:11] - The Importance of Names
[03:48] - The Power of Jesus' Name
[06:09] - Humility of Jesus
[09:17] - Jesus' Divine Claims
[11:43] - The Son of God
[12:39] - Jesus' Fame and Future Reign
[14:14] - Eternal Life and Jesus' Return
[16:00] - Wonderful Counselor
[18:30] - Receiving Divine Counsel
[20:00] - Surrendering to Jesus
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Isaiah 9:6
- Acts 4:12
- Philippians 2:9-10
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#### Observation Questions
1. What are the four names given to Jesus in Isaiah 9:6, and what do they signify about His character and mission? [09:17]
2. How did the early church demonstrate the power of Jesus' name according to the book of Acts? [03:48]
3. What does Philippians 2:9-10 say about the exaltation of Jesus' name and its future implications? [06:09]
4. How does the sermon describe Jesus' pre-incarnate existence and His act of humility in becoming human? [09:17]
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#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the name "Wonderful Counselor" reflect Jesus' ability to provide divine wisdom and guidance? [12:39]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that Jesus' name is transformative and powerful in the lives of believers today? [03:48]
3. What does the sermon imply about the tension between the present kingdom of God and the future fulfillment of Jesus' reign? [14:14]
4. How does the sermon explain the significance of Jesus' claim to be the Son of God, and why is this central to Christian faith? [11:43]
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#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on the names of Jesus mentioned in Isaiah 9:6. Which name resonates most with you in your current life situation, and why? [09:17]
2. The early church faced opposition but continued to proclaim Jesus' name. How can you boldly proclaim the power of Jesus' name in your own life, even when faced with challenges? [03:48]
3. Jesus is described as a "Wonderful Counselor." What specific area of your life do you need His divine wisdom and guidance, and how can you seek it this week? [12:39]
4. The sermon invites us to willingly bow to Jesus' name. What does it mean for you personally to bow to His authority and love this Christmas season? [06:09]
5. Consider the future fulfillment of Jesus' reign. How does living in the hope of His return influence your daily decisions and interactions with others? [14:14]
6. Jesus' claim as the Son of God is affirmed by His words and actions. How does this truth impact your trust in His identity and mission? [11:43]
7. The sermon encourages us to ask the right questions and seek wisdom in His Word and through the community of believers. What steps can you take to engage more deeply with Scripture and your faith community this week? [12:39]
Devotional
Day 1: The Divine Nature and Mission of Jesus
The names of Jesus, as highlighted in Isaiah 9:6, reveal His divine nature and mission. Before His birth in Bethlehem, Jesus existed with God, embodying the profound act of humility and love by becoming incarnate. This season invites us to reflect on the significance of His names and their implications for our lives. Jesus' incarnation is a testament to His willingness to humble Himself, taking on human form to save us from our sins. This humility is a profound aspect of His nature, as He, the Creator of the universe, chose to be born in a manger, embodying the ultimate act of condescension and love. [06:09]
Isaiah 9:6 (ESV): "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."
Reflection: Consider the names of Jesus mentioned in Isaiah 9:6. How do these names speak to your current life situation, and how can you invite Jesus to embody these roles in your life today?
Day 2: The Transformative Power of Jesus' Name
The power of Jesus' name is evident in the actions of the early church, as seen in the book of Acts. Despite facing opposition, the apostles continued to proclaim His name, understanding its transformative power. The name of Jesus is powerful and transformative, capable of bringing healing, salvation, and change. We are called to recognize and proclaim the power of Jesus' name in our own lives, trusting in its ability to bring about transformation and renewal. [03:48]
Acts 4:12 (ESV): "And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."
Reflection: Think of a situation in your life where you need transformation. How can you actively proclaim and trust in the power of Jesus' name to bring about change in this area?
Day 3: Trusting in Jesus' Divine Identity
Jesus' claim as the Son of God is affirmed by His words and the testimony of angels. His divine nature is central to our faith, and we are invited to trust in His identity and mission. This trust is not just a mental acknowledgment but a deep-seated belief that influences our actions and decisions. As we reflect on Jesus' divine claims, we are encouraged to deepen our faith and reliance on Him, recognizing His authority and love in our lives. [11:43]
John 1:14 (ESV): "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth."
Reflection: Reflect on your understanding of Jesus as the Son of God. How does this belief shape your daily life and decisions? What steps can you take to deepen your trust in His divine identity?
Day 4: Living in Hope of Jesus' Future Reign
The future fulfillment of Jesus' reign is a promise we hold onto. While His kingdom is not yet fully realized, we live in the hope of His return and the establishment of His eternal kingdom. This hope is not passive but active, influencing how we live and interact with the world around us. We are called to live in the tension of the present kingdom of God and the future fulfillment of His reign, allowing this hope to guide our actions and attitudes. [14:14]
Revelation 21:3-4 (ESV): "And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, 'Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.'"
Reflection: How does the promise of Jesus' future reign influence your current perspective on life? What practical steps can you take to live in the hope of His return today?
Day 5: Seeking Divine Wisdom from the Wonderful Counselor
Jesus, our Wonderful Counselor, offers divine wisdom and guidance. By asking the right questions, seeking His Word, and surrendering our lives to Him, we open ourselves to His miraculous work. This involves a willingness to listen, learn, and be led by His Spirit, allowing His wisdom to surpass our human understanding. As we seek His counsel, we are invited to surrender the throne of our lives to Him, trusting in His guidance and direction. [12:39]
James 1:5 (ESV): "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him."
Reflection: Identify an area in your life where you need divine wisdom. How can you actively seek Jesus' counsel and guidance in this area today? What steps can you take to surrender this aspect of your life to Him?
Quotes
The names of Jesus are the most important. That was a great spot for an amen. Let's try it again. The names of Jesus are the most important. Amen? And Jesus has got a lot of names. And we're going to look at four of them in Isaiah 9, verse 6. But first, let me just give you kind of an overview of the name of Jesus from the book of Acts. The book of Acts is the history of our church. It tells us about how our church started. And they were big on the name of Jesus. [00:03:05] (30 seconds)
And right now you have the opportunity, the chance to willingly choose to bow the knee to Jesus. One day you're not going to have a choice. But I'm inviting you this Christmas to bow at the powerful name of Jesus. Names are important. The names of Jesus are the most important. In Isaiah 9, verse 6, we see this famous Christmas verse. And Isaiah gives us four names of Jesus. And I want to show it to you right now. Isaiah 9. Verse 6. [00:06:30] (32 seconds)
The king of the universe, who holds all things together, became a child. He bore the shame and the humility of humanity. Humanity being born. Now you say, well, was Jesus really God? I mean, did he make that claim? Or were those from people, other people, followed him that said that Jesus was divine? Well, let me give you some scriptures. This is Jesus himself talking about who he is. John chapter 10, verse 30, Jesus says, I and the Father are one. [00:09:17] (37 seconds)
So we see his shame, we see his claim, and we also see his fame. Look back at verse 6. For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government shall be upon his shoulder. Now was the government ever upon Jesus' shoulder? Is Isaiah mistaken here? Is his prophecy wrong? Is it, it didn't come true? Jesus didn't set up his kingdom on earth. A lot of the people wanted Jesus to do that, but he was crucified. [00:13:02] (29 seconds)
There's the kingdom of this world, that still is here. But there's the kingdom of God who has come, Jesus come. We're following him. We're part of the kingdom of God, but it's not here fully yet. But there's coming a day where it's going to be here. And Jesus will be down the road ruling and reigning as the king of heaven and earth. You know, this is how it works. This is how eternal life works. [00:13:55] (24 seconds)