We continue this advent our series called Hope has a Name. Names are important. Isaiah 9:6 is a passage that not only carries Messianic expectations, but also four royal titles of Messiah.
Wonderful Counselor. Mighty God. Everlasting Father. Prince of Peace.
Each week we are seeing how Jesus fulfilled these four royal titles and think about their application to our lives. Today we look at:
1) Is God a Mighty God?
2) How does Jesus fulfill this prophecy of mighty God?
3) What does this mean in our lives today?
Is God a Mighty God? How has God been mighty? Consider these examples
1) Creation - Gen 1:1. In the Beginning God Created the Heavens and the earth. How did God create? The power of his words.
2) Flood - He flooded the earth because of every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time. Restarted the world with Noah’s family.
3) Exodus Story - People cried out to God for a deliverer. Cried out to God for help. Deliver in the person of Moses. Mighty acts of power. 10 Plagues. God parted the waters of the Red Sea.
Go to the Wilderness. 1 to 2.5 Million people. God provided Manna in the morning, Quail at night. Water. On sabbath, God made the manna last only on that day.
4) Made Covenant - 10 Commandments - Thunder and lighting at Mt Sinai. Hear the voice of God.
5) Account of Gideon - Judges 6. Judges or Ruler. God selected him. He was least in his family. “The Lord is with you, mighty warrior”. God uses Gideon to lead an army of 300 to defeat an army of 12,000.
How Did Jesus Fulfill this Royal Title of Mighty God?
1) Jesus on a boat in Mark 4:35-41. Furious squall came up. Boat nearly swamped. Jesus asleep on a cushion. Don’t you care if we drown?
Mark 4:39-41 - He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”
2) Widow of Nain - Jesus goes with disciples called Nain. 6 Miles from Jesus hometown of Nazaerth. Encounters a funeral procsession. Her only son died. She is a widow. People in that day according to Jewish law had to bury that same day. She's in Shock. Large crowd there. His heart went out to her. Don’t cry. Raises her son back to life!
3) Jesus on Trial - Luke 23:1-3
3 So Pilate asked Jesus, “Are you the king of the Jews?” "You have said so,” Jesus replied
Jesus did not defend himself. He kept quiet. Could have called down 12 legions of angels. He restrained his power because he came to defeat death, hell and satan by his death on the cross.
The ultimate act of power proving he is a mighty God is Jesus resurrection from the dead!
How does this apply to us?
You may believe God is mighty God but sometimes your body betrays believe. You worry about God will respond when you or someone you love gets a negative heath report. Hear the C word. When you have anxiety or an addiction that you can never seem to overcome. Someone you love won’t ever seem to change, no matter how much you pray.
How has God been mighty to you in the past? Remember how God has been mighty in your past as you look to the future.
My Next Step
1. Believe that God is a Mighty God. God is powerful. When you can’t, I believe he can. Trust him.
2. Choose to Believe while you wait. You do believe but the results are not showing that.I choose to believe while I wait.
A Prayer for God’s Power
Lord, I need your supernatural power. When I’m tired and weak, you are strong Lord. You are my only source of reliable help. Through the power of your precious name and blood, I agree with your word that you are in me and that you are greater than my enemy who wants to rule my life.
Strengthen my faith Lord. Make me brave so I can stand and fight the spiritual battles in my life and in our world. I pray this in Jesus' powerful name before which every knee in heaven and earth will bow. Amen!