Christmas – Who Christ is & Why He Came – Isaiah 9:6

Christmas Carols Service 2020 – Gospel sermon.

Many in the world today are confused about who Christ is. Like the Jews of old, they ask “who is this?” (Matt. 21:10). Even when Christ walked this earth, there were various opinions about Him. In Mark 8:27-28, Jesus asked His disciples, “Whom do men say that I am?” and they answered, “John the Baptist: but some say, Elias; and others, One of the prophets.”

Many are also confused about why Christ came – some think it was simply to be a good example or to show us the way. But it was much more! God’s Word holds the answer to both these questions.

Who is Christ? (Isaiah 9:6)

The famous prophecy from Isaiah tells us 5 truths about the Person of the Messiah. Who is Jesus Christ?

He is Wonderful

1. This word means a miracle, a marvellous thing, wonder (Strongs). “In the Bible the root word (pl’) refers to things that are unusual, beyond human capabilities.” (TWOT) The word means “miracles, wonders,” in reference to the extraordinary deeds of God (Ex. 3:20) (Mounce). The word “indicates a wonder, a mysterious act of God, beyond human grasp.” (Buksbazen)
2. The same Hebrew word is frequently translated ‘wonders’. For example, “Who is like unto thee, O LORD, among the gods? Who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?” (See also Ps. 77:11, 14; 78:12; 88:10, 12; 89:5). It is interesting to note that each of these references have to do with the wonders that God does, the miraculous, Divine things He performs.
3. Truly Christ is the Wonderful One. Consider the wonder of His incarnation – the coming together of the Divine and Human. Luke 1:35 “And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.”
4. Article 2: “The Son, which is the Word of the Father, begotten from everlasting of the Father, the very and eternal God, and of one substance with the Father, took Man’s nature in the womb of the blessed Virgin, of her substance: so that two whole and perfect Natures, that is to say, the Godhead and Manhood, were joined together in one Person, never to be divided, whereof is one Christ, very God, and very Man; who truly suffered, was crucified, dead, and buried, to reconcile his Father to us, and to be a sacrifice, not only for original guilt, but also for actual sins of men.”

He is the Counsellor

1. The word comes from the root “to advise”.
2. In the O.T. it is used frequently to refer to the giving of counsel. For example, where Jethro speaks to Moses, “Hearken now unto my voice, I will give thee counsel, and God shall be with thee…” (Ex. 18:19) It is translated ‘advise’ in 1 Kings 12:6.
3. Christ is the source of all true wisdom, counsel and knowledge – “In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” (Col. 2:3)
4. Christ is called “the wisdom of God.” (1 Cor. 1:24)
5. Christ is called “the Word” (John 1:1, 14; Rev. 19:13)
6. Christ is called “the truth” (John 14:6)
7. The Word of God is the only infallible guide on all matters relating to life and eternity. Make sure you hear Christ’s counsel on all matters but especially on the most important subject of all, salvation and eternal life.
8. Challenge to believers: Where are you getting your council from for the Christian life?

He is the Mighty God

1. He is Mighty – this speaks of His Power. The word is used to describe “mighty men” (1 Chr. 11:15-19) and God’s mighty acts (Psalm 106:8; 145:4, 11, 12). The Power of the Son of God is without limit. He upholds all things “by the word of his power” (Heb. 1:3) and “by him all things consist” (Col. 1:17). And the good news is that Christ has the power to save you from your sins!
2. He is God – this speaks of His Divinity. Jesus Christ, the Messiah, is God Almighty! This babe, lying in a manger, is God come in human flesh!
   1. Isaiah 7:14 “Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” Matthew 1:23 adds, “which being interpreted is, God with us.”
   2. 1 Timothy 3:16 “And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.”

He is the Everlasting Father

1. He is Everlasting – Christ is the eternal Son, without beginning and without end. Christ did not come into existence when He was born to Mary. He existed before His incarnation for all eternity past with the Father.
2. He is Father – this does not mean that Christ replaces God the Father but from the N.T. we understand that He manifests the Father – “…he that hath seen me hath seen the Father…” (John 14:9) We also know that Christ is one with the Father – “I and my Father are one.” (John 10:30) The word ‘Father’ also speaks to us of the heart and nature of the Messiah in His disposition and dealings towards His people.

He is the Prince of Peace

1. Luke 2:13-14 “And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”
2. Christ Himself is peace – “For he is our peace…” (Eph. 2:14).
3. Christ paid the price for our peace – “And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.”
4. In the N.T. the word ‘peace’ means ‘peace’ = The word peace means “to join together that which is separated.” It “indicates a lack of hostility and a mutual acceptance between those who were hostile or appeared to be hostile. It is not only a lack of hostility but it is also acceptance or friendship.” (Hoehner)
5. The word here in the O.T. is Shalom. According to Victor Buksbazen, “Shalom is not merely absence of war and strife but prosperity, well-being, harmony within and without, peace in one’s heart and peace with God, it is the perfect state of man.”
6. Without Christ we are not at peace with ourselves, with others and most devastatingly, with God.

NOTE: This glorious Lord Jesus who has just been described by those 5 names has been given for us! The verse says “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given…” The greatest gift God gave to the world was His only begotten Son. Will you personally receive Christ this Christmas? Christ is…

1. The Love Gift – “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life.” “…I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” (Gal. 2:20)
2. The Precious Gift – “Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift” (2 Cor. 9:15) The word ‘unspeakable’ means “indescribable” (Strongs), that which cannot be uttered, that cannot be expressed” (Webster). “Words fail Paul to describe the gift of Christ to and for us.” (RWP)
3. The Free Gift – “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” (Eph. 2:8-9) “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Rom. 6:23)

Why Did Christ Come? (Matt. 1:21)

1. We are Sinners – “from their sins.”
   1. The Bible declares our sin (Rom. 3:10, 23; 5:12).
   2. The Bible details our sins (I John 3:4)
2. Christ is the Saviour – “JESUS: for he shall save his people”
   1. ‘JESUS’ = the name literally means “Jehovah is salvation”. The very name ‘Jesus’ fills us with hope, joy and peace. He is the Saviour!
   2. ‘save’ = the word means to deliver, rescue. Christ came on a rescue mission to save us from sin and the punishment of our sin which is hell fire.
   3. Christ made salvation from sin possible through His death on the cross, burial and resurrection. This is the good news! (
   4. What is the message of Christmas? Jesus Christ was born so that you might be born again, he died that you might live.

What Must You Do? (Matt. 27:22)

“Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ?” Like Pilate of old, every one of us must come to terms with this same question. What will we do with Christ? Christ cannot be ignored and you cannot remain neutral to Him. The Bible makes it clear what you must do in relation to Christ. You must…

1. Repent – “Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;” (Acts 3:19)
2. Believe/Receive – “…Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved…” (Acts 16:31) “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.” (John 1:12) Remember, salvation is to be received as a gift (Eph. 2:8-9; Rom. 6:23)
3. Confess – “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Romans 10:9-10, 13)

Sermon Audio Id: 12202022904171