The Name That Changes Everything | Sunday Message
Greg Laurie: A New Beginning
Counselor: God’s Guidance for Decisions
Greg Laurie urges seeking Jesus as Counselor over AI or emotions and points listeners to Scripture for direction.
Isaiah 9:6 tells us what Jesus, the name above all names, means to us. Pastor Greg Laurie brings us insight in this message.
Notes:
Focus verse - Isaiah 9:6
Jesus Christ.
That is the name above all names.
Isaiah 9:6
For unto us a Child is born,
Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
From Heaven’s perspective, Jesus was given.
From earth’s perspective, Jesus was born.
Jesus lived our life and then He died our death.
The first Christmas gift was not a gift to a child but the gift of a child.
Each of these descriptions of Jesus’ name deals with an important part of our life.
Jesus said, “Lo, I come, in the volume of the book it is written of Me.
(Hebrews 10:7 KJV)
Jesus is in the Old Testament concealed and in the New Testament revealed.
Jesus said, “Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day: and he saw it, and was glad.”
(John 8:56 KJV)
Jacob wrestled with Jesus.
Before conquering Jericho, Joshua met Jesus and bowed before Him.
Let’s look at these descriptions Isaiah gives us of Christ.
#1 His name is Wonderful: this takes care of the dullness of life.
Wonderful comes from the word wonder.
There is nothing this world has to offer that will fill the void in your life.
That’s where Jesus comes in.
The word, wonder, means:
amazement, surprise, astonishment, admiration, bewilderment, worship, and awe.
The best way to sum it up is, “God is awesome!”
Knowing this wonderful God personally takes care of the dullness of life.
When the shepherds shared what happened,
“All that heard it wondered at these things told to them by the shepherds.”
(Luke 2:18)
Everything about Jesus was wonderful:
His birth, His life, His words, His death, and His resurrection.
Wonder will lead to worship and a desire to know Jesus better.
#2 His name is Counselor: this takes care of the decisions of life.
Do you know that God wants to give personal counsel and direction to you?
Psalm 73:24 (NKJV)
You will guide me with Your counsel,
And afterward receive me to glory.
Almighty God, the Everlasting Father, Jesus Christ, is offering you His counsel.
Jesus, our Counselor, has a plan for our lives.
Jesus has given us His word so we might learn to think and act biblically.
Everything you need to know about God and life is found in Scripture.
2 Timothy 3:16–17
All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true
and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives.
It straightens us out and teaches us to do what is right.
It is God's way of preparing us in every way,
fully equipped for every good thing God wants us to do.
But your Counselor, Jesus, is very involved and wants the best for you.
Jesus, our Counselor, prays for us too.
#3 His name is Mighty God: this takes care of the demands of life.
Jesus Christ was not just a “good man,” but the “God-Man.”
The Creator became a creation.
He did not lose His deity, but He added humanity.
Eternal, yet an infant, the Infinite became touchable.
Jesus was fully God and became fully man.
Jesus did not become identical to us, but He did become identified with us.
Jesus could not have identified with us more closely than He did.
It was total identification without any loss of identity.
Jesus claimed to be God many times.
On one occasion, Jesus was crossing the Sea of Galilee and He fell asleep.
What could be more human than that?
Jesus rebuked the storm and it stopped instantly.
What could be more divine than that?
He was fully God.
Being fully human reminds you that He understands what you are facing.
Some say, “It’s very hard to be a Christian.”
It’s impossible to be a Christian without the power of Jesus Christ.
That’s like trying to run your electric car with no charge.
We work out what God has already worked in.
We don’t manufacture the power, we access it.
You say, “I can’t break free from drugs or drinking or immorality.”
The bible says, “You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you.”
#4 His name is Everlasting Father: this takes care of the future of life.
We know life is not merely what we experience here and now on earth.
As Christians, we will live forever.
God is the Everlasting Father. He will always be there for you.
With so many broken homes today and absentee fathers, this is a great comfort.
You have an Everlasting Father who chose you.
After His resurrection, Jesus said to Mary, “I go to my Father and your Father.”
#5 His name is Prince of Peace: this takes care of the disturbances of life.
In the storms of life, we all long for peace within.
Isaiah 9:6
And the government shall be upon His shoulder.
For over 2000 years we are awaiting the fulfillment of this verse when Jesus returns
and establishes His kingdom (at the end of the 7-year Tribulation).
When Christ returns there will be no more corruption, war, or terrorism.
He will reign righteously as King of kings and Lord of lords.
The five names represent five dimensions of what every believer needs:
“Wonderful” answers our disillusionment.
“Counselor” answers our confusion.
“Mighty God” answers our weakness.
“Everlasting Father” answers our loneliness.
“Prince of Peace” answers our turmoil.
Every knee will bow.
Will you bow before Him today?
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