Wonderful Counselor

ATTRIBUTES OF GOD REVEALED THROUGH PROPHECY
Isaiah 9:6 (NIV) For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor…

God reveals himself in the Son.
“The government is to be on his shoulders.” – Let’s not stress over all the drama in our world today.

Wonderful means a wonder, extraordinary and incomprehensible
• Jesus’ ways are incomprehensible because He is God. His ways go beyond simple logic and are wonderful and amazing.

WHAT EVOKES A SENSE OF WONDER IN YOU?
Is it holding a new born baby? Is it seeing a soft new snow fall? Is it seeing your child peacefully sleeping? Is it being on top of a mountain, seeing a panoramic view of God’s creation?
• Whatever it is, Jesus himself far surpasses anything this world has to offer!

WHEN DO YOU NEED A COUNSELOR?
This prophecy says JESUS is the “wonderful counselor.” Why?
John 1:1-4 (NIV) In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.

JESUS IS THE WORD. THE WORD IS TRUTH.
• This passage points to the foundation of the Trinity.
• From the beginning, the Word was already there from eternity past. Jesus is the Word.
• Jesus is the creative agent of all things.
• Jesus is the light for all, drawing us out of darkness.
• Jesus demonstrated divine wisdom His entire ministry.

Luke 2:47 (NIV) Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers.
• We believe God is self-existent and by nature, He is eternal, all-knowing, all-powerful, and everywhere.

Jesus is God and showed His incomprehensible, wonderful ways through His miracles.
John 11:38-44 (NIV) Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. 39 “Take away the stone,” he said. “But, Lord,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man, “by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.” 40 Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?” 41 So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. 42 I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.” 43 When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” 44 The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.”

WE SEE HIM TEACHING AND COUNSELING
John 3:1-9 (NIV) –Chosen Video

Mark 10:17-22 (ESV) And as he was setting out on his journey, a man ran up and knelt before him and asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 18 And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. 19 You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.’” 20 And he said to him, “Teacher, all these I have kept from my youth.” 21 And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” 22 Disheartened by the saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.
• Jesus’ sheer presence and words provoke us to think.
• His counsel is delivered in statements and questions that draw us to respond to truth.

WE SEE WONDERMENT IN HIS RESURRECTION

John 20:24-29 (NIV) Now Thomas, one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” 26 A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” 28 Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

WE SEE WONDERMENT IN HIS HOLY SPIRIT

Acts 2:38 (NIV) Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

John 14:16-17 (NIV) “If you love me, keep my commands. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.
• Parakletos – a legal advocate who makes the right judgment.

HOW DO WE SEE AND HEAR FROM THE HOLY SPIRIT?
• He is relational. We need to spend time with Him.
• The Word, prayer, the church, other mature Christians.
• The Holy Spirit resides in us all the time.

QUESTIONS TO THINK ABOUT:
• As we head into the holidays, how do you maintain a healthy perspective?
• Do you need to remember the wonder we have in Christ?
• Do you need wise counsel to navigate family challenges?
• Do you need God’s divine wisdom, His love and grace to guide you?