Adam Knowlden
12-11-2002, 12:47 AM
The Centerpiece of Christmas
"Unwrapping the Christmas Gift"
This is a special prophecy post! One set for the season. Christmas is almost here! Time flies huh! Well, as we draw closer to Christmas the evidence of its coming is all around us. Christmas lights decorate houses and stores, Santa Clauses are light up on every corner, Christmas decorations are everywhere, wreathes adorn walls and streets, Christmas carols are heard on the radio and TV, and all the many other awesome things that accompany Christmas let us know 'tis the season.
I love all that stuff too. It's a time for family and friends. But let's not forget the real reason for the season, the best gift that God gave us that holy night over 2000 years ago; the giving of His Son, to lay down his life for us. All most everyone knows of the birth of Jesus, but I am going to attempt to break it down so that you can see exactly what this gift means to us. The Christmas story doesn't stop at the manger, in fact it just begins there!
What's in a name?
1. Names are very important to God. (Gen. 1:5, 8, 10)
God called the light "day" and the darkness "night", he didn't just say, "there it is", He gave the morning and night their names!
God called the expanse "sky", and dry ground "land", and gathered waters "seas".
Adam's first job was naming all the animals.
2. Names often relate to some aspect of ones birth.
Isaac = Laughing (Gen. 18:9-15:21:1-8)
Moses = Drawn Out (Gen. 27:36)
Jabez = Sorrow (I Chron. 4:9-10)
Jacob = Deceiver (Gen. 27:36) Sorry bro! I couldn't resist! Of course this doesn't represent the man we all know and love! Heck my name essentially means "Dirt" so don't feel bad! LOL!
3. Names often relate the aspect of one's character.
For example, Alexander the Great, William the conqueror, Simon the Zealot, John the Baptist, Ace Ventura "Pet Detective"(Ok, that was bad humor), but you get the point. Names of great people always relate to their character!
A newspaper ad read:
Lost one dog, brown hair with several bald spots. Right leg broken due to auto accident. Left hip hurt. Right eye missing. Left ear bitten off in dog fight. Answers to the name "Lucky".
Now onto the most important name...
Jesus = Jehovah Saves (Matt. 1:21)
"And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins."
Detailing the Gift.
Isaiah 9:6
<font color="red">"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this."
</font color>
This prophecy was given to Isaiah around 700 years before Jesus' birth. Just imagine the grand vision he saw! He put it into words that give us hope of an eternal king who wants to be Lord of our life! Not to shove us around with "thou shall" and "thou shall not" but to be a best friend, one who will stick closer than a brother. A God who can create a whole universe with a whim of his will, yet Love enough to care about every minute detail in your life! What a Christmas Gift indeed!
Isaiah begins by telling us "unto us a child is born, unto us a child is given." One speaks of the humanity of Jesus ("a child is given") while one speaks of a Deity of Jesus ("a son is given"). One tells He is the Son of Man, the other tells us He is the Son of God. One tells us of His earthly beginning, the other tells of His Eternal Being. One tells us He is the Babe in Bethlehem; the other tells He is the Glory of God. As a child, He was born to live with us, as a Son He was given to die for us.
1. This is the child that will gladden!
There is truth in His name. He is our "Wonderful Counselor"
Jesus offers us no confusion. As our counselor He is always available. As our counselor he always comforts us, enables us, and guides us in the right way.
Jesus doesn't give opinions, He gives truth!
<font color="blue"> Is. 28:29
This also cometh forth from the LORD of hosts, which is wonderful in counsel, and excellent in working.
I Cor. 1:24
But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.
John 14:6
And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
Matt. 11:28
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
</font color>
2. There is wealth in His name and no chaos. He is the "Mighty God". Jesus has been given all power in heaven and earth.
<font color="blue"> Matt. 28:18
"And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth." </font color>
He created it all! No doubt of that in my mind! Check out this cool fact!
The molecules in one drop of water, if they became grains of sand, could build a hi-way ½ mile wide, one foot thick, from New York to San Diego.
God hold the universe together by his sheer power. We can stare up into the night sky at night and stand in awe of the vastness of the Universe. If we could "see" the vastness of God, the universe would look like one of those molecules of water. His power, wisdom, and counseling are omnipotent. Yet with all that power, He gave Himself, to die for us, so that we could live forever with Him, in communion for all eternity, as Co-heirs to Christ's kingdom.
3. There is acceptance in His name. "Everlasting Father" and no condemnation. Father in Hebrew means "source" and Jesus is the Father(source) of eternal life and the only one who can give it.
If you know Jesus you know the Father...
<font color="blue"> John 14:7-11
"8 Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us.
9 Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?
10 Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.
11 Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake."
John 1:1-13
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 The same was in the beginning with God.
3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made...
11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not.
12 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:
13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. </font color>
He is the Father of the fatherless, we are all Children of God.
<font color="green"> Ps. 68:5
5 A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in his holy habitation.
6 God setteth the solitary in families: he bringeth out those which are bound with chains: but the rebellious dwell in a dry land.
</font color>
4. There is completion in his name, "the Prince of Peace", and no conflict.
He is the only one that can bring peace to your life. Now, I don't mean a peace from violence, although someday He will bring that. Jesus said the peace he brings is not of this world. It's a peace with God, that you have when Jesus lives in your heart, and the Holy Spirit guides your Life. It's the peace the bible calls the peace that passes understanding that only a relationship with God can bring.
<font color="red"> John 14:27
27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
</font color>
However, there will come a day, that He will come again, you bet. Not in humbleness like the first time, but in Glory as King of the earth. And that will be the fulfillment of Him being the Prince of Peace...
<font color="green">Isa. 2:4
4 And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.
</font color>
5. We live with the promise that one day, he will be the Lord that will govern, and the government will "rest upon His shoulders".
It will be a universal government
<font color="red">Zech. 14:9
9 And the LORD shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one LORD, and his name one.
And a un-ending government
Dan. 2:44
And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.
</font color>
Why did it happen? Why did the infinite become an infant? Why was it necessary that the child who was born be the Son that was given? Why was it necessary that eternal Deity become part of earthly humanity?
Well, I think the famous Apologist Calvin Beisner sums it up best:
<font color="purple"> "Because our sins are against a God of infinite holiness, they are of infinite consequence. So the proper punishment for them is infinite. We are finite, so we can't experience infinite punishment in a finite period of time; it takes eternity for us to experience infinite punishment. God planned for someone to bear our punishment as our substitute but however would do it would have to be capable of bearing infinite punishment of an infinite amount of time. That's why the substitute had to be Himself. That's why the Son of God became a man, so that a man He could properly represent those for whom He died. And, as God, His payment could be infinite, and that's to satisfy the justice of God's infinite holiness"
</font color>
Man! And what a gift too! As you see Christmas did not stop at the manger! Everyday is Christmas for a Christian! God gave us direct access to Him on that Holy night, and that is the greatest Gift of all!
<font color="red"> "Lo, I am with you always, even until the end of the ages"
</font color>
<font color="red">Merry Christmas! </font color>
"Unwrapping the Christmas Gift"
This is a special prophecy post! One set for the season. Christmas is almost here! Time flies huh! Well, as we draw closer to Christmas the evidence of its coming is all around us. Christmas lights decorate houses and stores, Santa Clauses are light up on every corner, Christmas decorations are everywhere, wreathes adorn walls and streets, Christmas carols are heard on the radio and TV, and all the many other awesome things that accompany Christmas let us know 'tis the season.
I love all that stuff too. It's a time for family and friends. But let's not forget the real reason for the season, the best gift that God gave us that holy night over 2000 years ago; the giving of His Son, to lay down his life for us. All most everyone knows of the birth of Jesus, but I am going to attempt to break it down so that you can see exactly what this gift means to us. The Christmas story doesn't stop at the manger, in fact it just begins there!
What's in a name?
1. Names are very important to God. (Gen. 1:5, 8, 10)
God called the light "day" and the darkness "night", he didn't just say, "there it is", He gave the morning and night their names!
God called the expanse "sky", and dry ground "land", and gathered waters "seas".
Adam's first job was naming all the animals.
2. Names often relate to some aspect of ones birth.
Isaac = Laughing (Gen. 18:9-15:21:1-8)
Moses = Drawn Out (Gen. 27:36)
Jabez = Sorrow (I Chron. 4:9-10)
Jacob = Deceiver (Gen. 27:36) Sorry bro! I couldn't resist! Of course this doesn't represent the man we all know and love! Heck my name essentially means "Dirt" so don't feel bad! LOL!
3. Names often relate the aspect of one's character.
For example, Alexander the Great, William the conqueror, Simon the Zealot, John the Baptist, Ace Ventura "Pet Detective"(Ok, that was bad humor), but you get the point. Names of great people always relate to their character!
A newspaper ad read:
Lost one dog, brown hair with several bald spots. Right leg broken due to auto accident. Left hip hurt. Right eye missing. Left ear bitten off in dog fight. Answers to the name "Lucky".
Now onto the most important name...
Jesus = Jehovah Saves (Matt. 1:21)
"And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins."
Detailing the Gift.
Isaiah 9:6
<font color="red">"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this."
</font color>
This prophecy was given to Isaiah around 700 years before Jesus' birth. Just imagine the grand vision he saw! He put it into words that give us hope of an eternal king who wants to be Lord of our life! Not to shove us around with "thou shall" and "thou shall not" but to be a best friend, one who will stick closer than a brother. A God who can create a whole universe with a whim of his will, yet Love enough to care about every minute detail in your life! What a Christmas Gift indeed!
Isaiah begins by telling us "unto us a child is born, unto us a child is given." One speaks of the humanity of Jesus ("a child is given") while one speaks of a Deity of Jesus ("a son is given"). One tells He is the Son of Man, the other tells us He is the Son of God. One tells us of His earthly beginning, the other tells of His Eternal Being. One tells us He is the Babe in Bethlehem; the other tells He is the Glory of God. As a child, He was born to live with us, as a Son He was given to die for us.
1. This is the child that will gladden!
There is truth in His name. He is our "Wonderful Counselor"
Jesus offers us no confusion. As our counselor He is always available. As our counselor he always comforts us, enables us, and guides us in the right way.
Jesus doesn't give opinions, He gives truth!
<font color="blue"> Is. 28:29
This also cometh forth from the LORD of hosts, which is wonderful in counsel, and excellent in working.
I Cor. 1:24
But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.
John 14:6
And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
Matt. 11:28
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
</font color>
2. There is wealth in His name and no chaos. He is the "Mighty God". Jesus has been given all power in heaven and earth.
<font color="blue"> Matt. 28:18
"And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth." </font color>
He created it all! No doubt of that in my mind! Check out this cool fact!
The molecules in one drop of water, if they became grains of sand, could build a hi-way ½ mile wide, one foot thick, from New York to San Diego.
God hold the universe together by his sheer power. We can stare up into the night sky at night and stand in awe of the vastness of the Universe. If we could "see" the vastness of God, the universe would look like one of those molecules of water. His power, wisdom, and counseling are omnipotent. Yet with all that power, He gave Himself, to die for us, so that we could live forever with Him, in communion for all eternity, as Co-heirs to Christ's kingdom.
3. There is acceptance in His name. "Everlasting Father" and no condemnation. Father in Hebrew means "source" and Jesus is the Father(source) of eternal life and the only one who can give it.
If you know Jesus you know the Father...
<font color="blue"> John 14:7-11
"8 Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us.
9 Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?
10 Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.
11 Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake."
John 1:1-13
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 The same was in the beginning with God.
3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made...
11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not.
12 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:
13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. </font color>
He is the Father of the fatherless, we are all Children of God.
<font color="green"> Ps. 68:5
5 A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in his holy habitation.
6 God setteth the solitary in families: he bringeth out those which are bound with chains: but the rebellious dwell in a dry land.
</font color>
4. There is completion in his name, "the Prince of Peace", and no conflict.
He is the only one that can bring peace to your life. Now, I don't mean a peace from violence, although someday He will bring that. Jesus said the peace he brings is not of this world. It's a peace with God, that you have when Jesus lives in your heart, and the Holy Spirit guides your Life. It's the peace the bible calls the peace that passes understanding that only a relationship with God can bring.
<font color="red"> John 14:27
27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
</font color>
However, there will come a day, that He will come again, you bet. Not in humbleness like the first time, but in Glory as King of the earth. And that will be the fulfillment of Him being the Prince of Peace...
<font color="green">Isa. 2:4
4 And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.
</font color>
5. We live with the promise that one day, he will be the Lord that will govern, and the government will "rest upon His shoulders".
It will be a universal government
<font color="red">Zech. 14:9
9 And the LORD shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one LORD, and his name one.
And a un-ending government
Dan. 2:44
And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.
</font color>
Why did it happen? Why did the infinite become an infant? Why was it necessary that the child who was born be the Son that was given? Why was it necessary that eternal Deity become part of earthly humanity?
Well, I think the famous Apologist Calvin Beisner sums it up best:
<font color="purple"> "Because our sins are against a God of infinite holiness, they are of infinite consequence. So the proper punishment for them is infinite. We are finite, so we can't experience infinite punishment in a finite period of time; it takes eternity for us to experience infinite punishment. God planned for someone to bear our punishment as our substitute but however would do it would have to be capable of bearing infinite punishment of an infinite amount of time. That's why the substitute had to be Himself. That's why the Son of God became a man, so that a man He could properly represent those for whom He died. And, as God, His payment could be infinite, and that's to satisfy the justice of God's infinite holiness"
</font color>
Man! And what a gift too! As you see Christmas did not stop at the manger! Everyday is Christmas for a Christian! God gave us direct access to Him on that Holy night, and that is the greatest Gift of all!
<font color="red"> "Lo, I am with you always, even until the end of the ages"
</font color>
<font color="red">Merry Christmas! </font color>