We are grabbing our Bibles. We're going to be in the Old Testament tonight. Isaiah. Isaiah chapter number 9. And just one verse this evening. It is a very familiar verse of Bible prophecy and one that is an important verse this time of the year. Don't you just love this time of the year, church? I love it. I love singing the songs. I love hearing the songs. I love the Word. I love what it means. And once you've found your place in Isaiah, stand with us out of respect for the reading of God's word. If you haven't found it yet, you can just open your Bible and look at the screens and nobody will know the difference. Since it is just one verse, I'm gonna ask if we could read it in unison together. The Bible says, 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, Counselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. Tonight, from this verse, I'd like to bring a message entitled, And He Shall Be Called. Father, help us in these moments as we turn our hearts to Your Word. God, it's a busy season. God, many of us are juggling many different things. Lord, we're even struggling with many different things. In these moments, I pray that you would give us the grace to really focus on your word, that you would give us the grace to come to your table tonight as we open your word and be ready for the Holy Spirit of God to feed us, to change us, to grow us. Help us, I pray, in these moments, in Jesus' name. Amen. Thank you, you may be seated. Of course, this passage is a favorite at Christmas time. And what I love about this passage is it contains a list. A list of names for Messiah that really, if we're not careful, these names come so fast and they have become so familiar that we are apt to read right through them and not let them sink in the way that they should. Names in the Bible, though, have great meaning. This is why, when you get to verses like Isaiah, if you go back a couple of chapters, to chapter eight and verse number one, get a load of this with me, all right? Moreover, the Lord said unto me, take thee a great roll, and write in it with a man's pen concerning, who's gonna pronounce that name? Mahershalal Hashbaz. Josh, did I say it right? Is it close enough? Maller Shallal Hashbaz. How would you like for that to be on your birth certificate? I mean, maybe a middle name slip it in there somewhere, right? Christopher Maller Shallal Hashbaz Holmes. But that name had tremendous meaning. Now names today still have meaning, but we pick them less based on their meaning and more based on their sound or their cultural popularity. I like to point out when I get the chance that my name is Richard Allen. Richard means a ruler. Allen means handsome. So my name literally means the handsome ruler. Amy is Amy Marie. Amy means beloved. Marie means sea of bitterness or simply rebellion. So she is my beloved sea of bitterness. But tonight we're not talking about my name or her name or your name. We're going to talk about Jesus' name. When you go through the Scripture, there are over 256 names in Scripture given to the Lord Jesus Christ. And I think that Scripture gives us so many names for the Savior because no one name could sufficiently declare His glory. And so tonight, we're gonna tackle this list. I got a few more points than normal, but hang on, we'll get through it and we'll get out. Amen and amen. And we're just gonna lift up the Savior this evening because there is no other name that is as worthy as his. So look with me at verse number six. The Bible says, and he shall be, oh, we'll go to the back end of the verse, all right? And he shall be called, what's that first one, church? He shall be called? Wonderful. Now, be careful. Wonderful is not to be grouped with counselor. It's not saying that he is a wonderful counselor. It's saying that Jesus is wonderful. The name refers to the facts. The word wonderful refers to the fact, to borrow the modern vernacular, that Jesus is awesome. that He is all-inspiring, that Jesus is beyond full discovery or description. Oh, we could talk and we could write and we could study and try as we may, we could never completely unpack the glory and the majesty of who Jesus is. He's wonderful. Jesus is like no one else. 1 Timothy 3.16 reminds us of that truth. Without controversy, great is the mystery of godliness that God was made manifest in the flesh, justified in the spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, and received up into glory. Jesus is like none other. He had a birth like none other, amen? Matthew shows that he fulfills the prophecy that Jesus was born of a virgin. the miraculous virgin birth. He had a life like no other, a death like no other, a resurrection like no other. Truly Jesus is wonderful. John 1 14 reminds us of this glorious truth. The Bible says, And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glories of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. Jesus is wonderful. Jesus is wonderful in his relationship to humanity. Think about this. Jesus is so great. Jesus is so awesome. Jesus is so majestic. He's so glorious that he is beyond what we could ever figure out. And yet he can be known by even a child. Jesus is wonderful. Jesus is wonderful in his love toward us. Why in the world would Jesus love us like he does? The psalm said in Psalm 8 verse 4, the Bible says, what is man? Thou art mindful of him. And the son of man that thou visitest him. What is man? We're nothing. He's wonderful. He's awesome. He's awe-inspiring. Jesus is wonderful. He shall be called wonderful. But my question tonight, is He wonderful to you? Do you know it is possible to lose the wonder and awe of a relationship? Is He wonderful to you? When you open the Bible, does your heart begin to flutter? Does something begin to move inside of you? Because Jesus is wonderful. When you come to church and you know you're going to be with the people of God and the presence of God, does something begin to happen? Because He's so wonderful. He is wonderful. But is He wonderful to you? You know, the thing about wonder is wonder creates anticipation. Wonder creates an appetite I think about because you know we did the whole start all over thing and we have Timothy and I think about Timothy is in that stage where Christmas is Wonderful. I mean we have that snow before Thanksgiving and I thought the kid was gonna panic. Why isn't our tree up? It's snowing Christmas is here. Where's the tree? Where's the presents I? mean to him it's We have watched The Grinch 736 times. That boy loves Christmas. We have this Santa figurine that stands about this and we have a snowman figurine. And I will tell you, he goes up to those and he'll look at them and play with them and hug them and all sorts of things. To him, Christmas is wonderful. It is awesome. It is awe-inspiring. When's the last time Jesus was that wonderful to us? Can I ask you, Christian, is there still that magnetic mystique that draws me to him, that creates an appetite in my soul for more of him? God, help us, stir within us the wonder of Jesus again. Why? Because Jesus is wonderful. Number one, we see what church? We see Jesus is wonderful. The Bible says in Isaiah 9, and he shall be called wonderful. Help me, counselor. Not only is Jesus wonderful, Jesus is counselor. You know, a counselor is one who guides, one who directs, one who brings wisdom to bear on the circumstances of life. is counselor. He's not merely a good advisor. He is the wisdom of God in human flesh. 1 Corinthians 1.30, look at this verse. But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom and righteousness and sanctification and redemption. Christ is made wisdom for us. Now, let me ask you, if you were to go to a counselor, what would you look for? Well, I would probably look for somebody that has some age and experience. I don't know that I'd feel really comfortable walking in and sitting down with an 18-year-old and bearing my heart. Well, if you're looking for age and experience, Psalm 90 in verse 2 reminds us, before the mountains were brought forth or ever thou hast formed the earth or the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God. You know what I would look for? I would look for somebody that has some knowledge. Well, 1 John 3 and verse number 20 reminds us, for if our heart condemns God is greater than our heart and what he knoweth all things. Check that one off. What about cost? I mean, counselors can be expensive. What about cost? Well, James 1 verse number 5 tells us what? If any of you lack wisdom, what do we do? Ask of God that giveth to all men liberally, generously, and upbraideth not, and it shall be given him. How about availability? Jesus said in Matthew 28, 20, He said, Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen. Can I tell you when it comes to counsel and counselors, there is no one more qualified than Jesus. By the way, the Living Word has given us perfect counsel in His written Word to guide us and to direct our steps. The Bible says that the Word of God is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path. The Bible says that the Word of God is profitable for doctrine, what's right, for reproof, what's wrong, for correction, how to get right, for instruction in righteousness, how to stay right. God's Word speaks with perfect wisdom. The Word of God speaks with perfect understanding of the issues of the human heart. The Word of God speaks life and light and truth and righteousness. The counsel of our Counselor never fails. You say, preacher, there's some things going on in life and I can't make head of tails. See, the problem is you and I, from our mortal view, all we see is the jumbled pieces of the puzzle. And sometimes we struggle to see how it all fits together. We see the jumbled pieces. He sees the whole picture. Jesus is counselor. But I want to ask you tonight, is he your counselor? You know, I was always amazed when I was youth pastor. I was youth pastor here for about six years. I was always amazed how often teens went to other teens for advice. Kids, what do I tell you about your friends? Well, how much do they know? Huh? They know what? Help me out, guys. They know... Am I gonna have to give you a microphone? They know nothing. Thank you, Sam. Your friends know nothing. But it amazed me how often they would go to one another for advice on work, on relationships, on money, on parents. And I'm like, guys, what in the world are you doing? But the problem is adults are just as guilty. We'll put it on Facebook. We'll ask chat GPT. We'll go and we'll ask our peers. And we'll do all of that without ever asking the one who is the greatest counselor there ever was. What does the Bible say in Proverbs 3? Trust in the Lord with all thine heart. I like that. That makes me feel warm and fuzzy. And lean not. unto thine own understanding." I don't like that as much, to be honest, because my understanding, in my own understanding, my understanding is pretty good understanding. Most of the time, I know what I'm talking about. I know what I'm feeling. Most of the time, if God would just get on board with what I know should happen, it would all be great. But that's not what the Bible says. Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not into thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him. So I should acknowledge God in the big things, yes? God, what should I do about this situation? God, how can I rectify this relationship? God, what should I do about this job? What should I do about this purchase? I should acknowledge him in the big things. But guess what all means? All means all, and that's all that all means. So in all my ways I should acknowledge Him. And He shall direct my path. You know, this being the standard, I don't use my counselor the way I should. Especially when things are unclear or counterintuitive. He is wonderful. Is He wonderful to you? He is Counselor. Is He your Counselor tonight? That's not all it says. What does it say after that? His name shall be called Wonderful. His name shall be called Counselor. What is it church? The Mighty God. The mighty God. Jesus is the mighty God. The word here for mighty God refers to a strong one, an invincible one. To borrow modern vernacular, it refers to a hero. By the way, if we want our young people to have the right kind of heroes, we ought to give them a good example. Why is Jesus mighty God? Why should Jesus be your hero? Well, I'm going to tell you, there is no enemy that has not been absolutely crushed by Him. Think of the enemy of death tonight. 1 Corinthians 15, beginning in verse 55, Paul wrote, O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? Verse 57 says this, Thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus put death to death. He has crushed death. He has crushed sin. Romans 6 and verse number 14 says this glorious truth. For sin shall not have dominion over you. Can I tell you, Christian? You can walk with God. You can live for God. You can yield your members as instruments of righteousness to God. You can do it. Why? For you're not under the law, but under grace. and the Spirit of God lives within you. He's crushed death. He's crushed sin. He's crushed Satan. 1 John 3 and verse number 8, the Bible says this, For he that committed sin is of the devil, for the devil sinned from the beginning. For this purpose was the Son of Man manifested, that he might destroy, dismantle, annihilate the works of the devil. I'm going to tell you the undeniable, unmistakable sign of victory the greatest there ever has been. It's not a basketball team holding up a net. It's not a soccer team holding up a trophy. It's not a politician giving a victory speech. The greatest symbol of victory that there has ever been is the empty tomb. And it stands to this day. Jesus is mighty God. But is he my mighty God? Is he my hero? Is He the one that I run to and rest in during my times of trouble? He's not just my divine deliverer, He's my divine defender. Romans chapter 8 verse number 31. What shall we say to these things if God be for us? Who can be against us? Jesus defends His children as we travel through this life as strangers and pilgrims. Church, if God knows the intimate details about the sparrows, and God knows and has the hairs on your head numbers, then I guarantee you, your mighty God knows exactly what you face. And as big as your problem seems to you, it is not a problem for Him. Because He is mighty God. So help me, church, with Jesus tonight. Number one, Jesus is... He's awesome. He's awe-inspiring. Number two, Jesus is? Counselor. The greatest there's ever been. Number three, Jesus is? Mighty God. Let Him be the hero of the church. Jesus, mighty God. Go back to Isaiah 9, 6. We see, and His name shall be called. Read it with me. Wonderful. Counselor. The mighty God. The everlasting Father. Jesus is the everlasting Father. This does not mean that He is God the Father. We know Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. But Father here refers to the fact that He is the source and the origin of all things. He is creator. He is the great cause. John 1 verse number 3 says this, All things were made by Him, and without Him was not anything made that was made. Jesus is the source all. He is everlasting. Do you know Jesus did not begin at Bethlehem? Micah 5 and verse number 2, as it foretold the coming of the Messiah, look what it said, But thou Bethlehem Ephrathah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me, that is to be ruler on Israel, look what it says, whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting. Jesus did not begin at Bethlehem, He is everlasting. He is everlasting Creator God. He is the everlasting source of all. You know, as the everlasting Father, He's not only the source of all things, praise God, He is the sustainer of all things. Colossians 1, 16 and 17, for by Him were all things created that are in heaven and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones or dominions or principalities or powers, all things were created by Him and for Him. And He is before or preeminent above all things, and by Him all things consist. You see, Jesus is not just the source of all, He is the sustainer of all. But our sustainer is not far off. Our sustainer is not uninvolved in His creation. It's not where, if you've ever been to maybe a factory that had a lot of robotics and things like that, and everything was automated, and you just kind of had to sit there and watch it go. That's not how Jesus sustains. He's not sitting back, watching the clock unwind, watching the mechanisms flow. No. He is the everlasting Father. When you think of the role of the Father, you think of the fact that as our sustainer, He cares for us. You know, I say it from time to time, you realize whatever burden is on your heart, God knows, God's near and God's enough. He cares for us. He provides for us. Maybe not always all at once, but He provides for us all our needs. He provides for us. And let's be honest, He provides most of our wants. But not a cell phone, kids. You ain't getting a cell phone. He cares for us. He provides for us. He holds us securely. He is the everlasting Father. But let me ask you, is He your everlasting Father? Jesus wants you to know this care personally and intimately. Matthew 11 and verse number 28, Jesus said, come unto me all you that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. In verse 29, He says, take my yoke upon me and learn of me. What is Jesus inviting us to do? To yoke with Him. It's a very intimate position to be. Do we run to Jesus for the help that we need? Jesus is the Everlasting Father. One more and we're done. We've listened so well tonight. Help me church. His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. Finally tonight, Jesus is the Prince of Peace. You know, that was the message of that first Christmas. Luke 2 and verse number 14, the angel said, Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, goodwill toward men. As the prince of peace, he is the ruler over the dominion of peace. Jesus makes peace with God possible. Romans 5 verse number 1 tells us this glorious truth. Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Verse number 10 of that same chapter says this. For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son, much more being reconciled we shall be saved by His life. Jesus makes peace with God possible. I know it's a Wednesday night. But there may be somebody here, there may be somebody by way of internet or radio that needs to hear it. There is no way to have peace with God except through Jesus Christ. You cannot have peace with God through baptism or through communion or through confession. You can't have peace with God through a church or through a preacher or through a priest. You can't have peace with God through our own efforts or good works, through our lineage, through our parents' and grandparents' work. No, none of that gives us peace with God. The only way to have peace with God is through the Lord Jesus Christ. John 14, 6, Jesus said unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life, and no man cometh unto the Father but by me. Jesus is our peace with God. I want you to know tonight, the Prince of Peace, he offers not just peace eternally, he offers us peace every day. You see, He is the ruler over the domain of peace. In other words, where Jesus is ruling, there is peace. Humanity has tried all sorts of things to find peace. Distractions, amusements, substances, drugs. None of that brings peace. True, lasting, sustainable peace only comes from God. Peace of heart comes from Jesus alone. Peace of mind comes from Jesus alone. Peace of conscience comes from Jesus alone. And where Jesus reigns, His peace guards and keeps our hearts. You say, preacher, where do you get that from? Philippians 4, verse 6 and 7. Be careful, be anxious, be worried, be bothered, be careful for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. Look what it says, and the peace of God which passeth all understanding shall keep. That means God's peace is going to guard my heart. Put a fortress, a defense around my heart, and the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. You see, we've got it all wrong, church. We think somehow we have to attain peace. We have to gather peace. We have to possess peace. No, when Jesus is allowed to rule, His peace possesses us. His peace keeps us. His peace guards us. It's easier said than done, but give you a little counsel tonight. If it's out of your control, put it under his. You know, most of our anxiety, Most of our problems, most of our struggles, most of our loss of sleep and lack of peace comes when we struggle with things that aren't ours to manage in the first place. We get all tangled up because somebody's doing something. Friend, I'm sorry, you can't control them. And as long as you try to control what you can't control, you're not gonna have peace. There's some things, they're out of our control. If they're out of our control, put them under His. Because those things don't belong to us anyways. We would do well to stop sometimes and look at our problems, jot them down, and just make note which of these problems actually belongs to me. You know, there are some things that I can control. There are some things that I need to deal with. There are some things that are well within my bounds to manage. There's a lot of things that aren't. But it does me well to say, you know what, this is mine to deal with. Well, this is not mine to deal with. And when I understand that it is not mine to deal with and I give it to God, can I tell you what happens? God replaces that anxiety, that worry, that tangled feeling inside. God replaces it with a peace that passes understanding. You know you can have peace and not get what you want. You can have peace and the bad thing not go away. You can have peace and the other people never respond like they should. God can still give you peace. Because I'm gonna tell you, peace does not mean necessarily an absence of conflict. Peace comes not from absence of conflict, but from a settled confidence. He is the Prince of Peace. If it's out of your control, put it under His. He is the Prince of Peace. But does His peace reign in your life tonight? Jesus is these things. He is wonderful. He is Counselor. He is the Mighty God. He is the Everlasting Father. He is the Prince of Peace. But can Jesus truly be called these things in my life? Church, I'm gonna tell you, it's only profitable if it's personal. There's a big difference between the Lord is a shepherd and the Lord is my shepherd. It's only really profitable if it's personal. Jesus came not just to be an answer. Jesus came to be your answer and my answer to every weakness, to every need, to every longing. I promise you. You will find what you need in His wonderful name.