Mighty God
[Editor's Note: The "Name Above All Names" is a four-part Christmas sermon series from Isaiah 9:6. All four messages can be found in PastorLife.]
Introduction
We come now to the second in our series of messages for this Christmas season. We are looking at Isaiah 9:6 and considering "The Name Above All Names." Today we give attention to the second name Isaiah ascribed to our Lord -"Mighty God."
A number of years ago, on the Merv Griffin Show, a guest appeared that was a body builder. As he entered with his huge muscular frame, the crowd went crazy with applause. He flexed his muscles walking over to take his seat to be interviewed. Merv's first question seemed to catch the body builder off guard. He asked him, "What do you use all those muscles for?" A bit puzzled, the body builder simply stood up and flexed his muscles again while the crowd again applauded wildly. As he sat down, Merv again asked him, "What do you use all those muscles for?" Again with a puzzled and somewhat frustrated appearance the body builder stood up and flexed his muscles once again to a cheering audience. Merv however was undaunted and insisted a third time, "What do you use those muscles for?" The body builder was stumped and had no answer, all he could do is sit there and look bewildered at Merv's constant question. The man had a lot of power, but with no purpose!
We need a power that is beyond ourselves, and we need that power to do something useful and helpful for ourselves and others. Some people do not have any idea how often we are dependent in this life for a power source outside ourselves. For example, a 747 jet was halfway across the Atlantic when the captain got on the loudspeaker: "Attention, passengers. We have lost one of our engines, but we can certainly reach London with the three we have left. Unfortunately, we will arrive an hour late as a result." An hour later the captain made another announcement: "Sorry, but we lost another engine. Still, we can travel on two. I'm afraid we will now arrive two hours late." Shortly thereafter, the passengers heard the captain's voice again: "Guess what, folks, we just lost our third engine, but please be assured we can fly with only one. We will now arrive in London three hours late." At this point, one passenger became furious. "For Pete's sake, he shouted, if we lose another engine, we'll be up here all night!"
In this humorous illustration, it is apparent the poor fellow did not understand how dependent he was on a power beyond himself. From the electricity, which silently pulses into this building today, for the sun which spreads its light on us everyday, for the oxygen which we take into our lungs constantly, it is easy for us to take power for granted.
But the most important power needed today is the power of the Mighty God. He has the power to save, to lead, to keep and to finally take us home to live with Him. Christ is the Mighty God, but His power is not simply for the purpose of flexing His muscles to show the universe how strong He is. He has purpose in His power. It is His power that can meet our deepest needs. Lets begin by looking at ...
I. The Definition of the Title - Mighty God
The Hebrew term for "mighty" means "champion" or "hero". A champion is one who is left standing after a conflict is over. A champion is one who still stands when all others have fallen and failed. A hero is one who gains the respect of people because of his exploits. This is a beautiful picture of Jesus, our Lord. He is the Champion. He fits the definition to a tee! With this understanding of the title, we need to consider...
II. The Exhibition of the Mighty God
A. Mighty Over Events
In Isaiah's day things looked bleak. Judah was in collapse morally, politically and nationally. Yet, God revealed to Isaiah that He, God, was still on the throne. He was at work in history, bringing about His perfect will. He would rescue a remnant and bring them back from captivity. From the brink of defeat, God would snatch victory.
This is a theme of the Bible.
From the fiery furnace, God brought forth the Hebrew children.
From the Lion's Den, God uplifted His servant Daniel.
From Haman's gallows, God redeemed Mordecai
God is the God of history. He is working in events even when we cannot see it or understand it. He is the champion of history and He has proven that again and again through the ages. He is not A Mighty God; He is THE Mighty God!
After the resurrection of Jesus, the authorities tried to stop the preaching of the Gospel, but it was hopeless. The disciples increased rapidly and the Gospel was proclaimed everywhere. With their armies, prisons, torture chambers and gallows, they still failed to stop the spread of the gospel. Throwing Christian to the lions in Rome only increased the interest of people in the power of Christ. God was the God of history. God is the God is history. God will be the God in history to come!
B. Mighty Over Enemies
Look at the birth of Jesus - they sought to kill Him - but He escaped.
Look at temptation of Jesus - He overcame the devil.
Look at the life of Jesus - His dealings with the Pharisees, the sick, His teaching, etc. - all of these reveal the mighty power of God.
Look at the death and resurrection of Jesus - the grave could not hold Him. His Mighty Power overcame every enemy that faced Him!
C. Mighty Over Evil
He created all things and said, "It is good." The devil tempted Eve, and she succumbed and sinned. Sin threatened to change what God made as good into that which is evil through and through. But God is greater than Satan. Joseph is a good example. You remember how his brothers sold him into slavery. Yet, some years later Joseph rose to the second hightest position in all of Egypt. When he brothers had to face him, they were fearful, because they knew that Joseph had the power to execute them on the spot. But, Joseph said to his brothers, "You meant it for evil, but God meant it for good." In that incident we see that which is taught in Romans 8:28 in action. God can make the evil into good.
Jesus came into this evil world, but evil could not corrupt Him. He was pure and He remained pure. In Him was no deceit, no wicked thoughts, no evil intentions, no sinful deeds. He overcame evil with His righteous life, with His mighty power. It is that purity that He offers to all who will come to Him by faith, trusting Him as Savior and Lord.
III. The Realization of the Mighty God
A. Salvation is Found in the Realization of His Mighty Power
Colossians 2:12-14 reads: "...buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. 13 And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, 14 having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross."
A person experiences the might power of God when he or she comes to Christ in repentance. When one believes upon Christ and commits one's life to Him, the Law we have transgressed is wiped clean. Jesus took the Law and nailed it to the cross! So, those how believe upon Him, though they were dead, yet they now live and shall live forever.
The greatest miracle which God every performed was that of saving a soul. Think of it, God takes a soul corrupted by sin and full of evil, and He turns that soul into a thing of beauty. He cleanses the individual and places His Spirit inside. He prepares a home in heaven for that person to occupy one day. He gives that believer a work to do for Him on this earth.
The songwriter said it like this:
"He saves me from every sin and harm,
Secures my soul each day;
I’m leaning strong on His mighty arm;
I know He’ll guide me all the way.
Saved by His power divine,
Saved to new life sublime.
Life now is sweet,
And my joy is complete,
For I'm saved, saved, saved!" (Jack Scholfield, 1911)
Did you notice that the hymn writer used the words, "I'm leaning strong on his MIGHTY arm (emphasis mine)." Yes, when we trust Him, we exprience His might power for ourselves.
B. Strength in the Realization of His Mighty Power.
Look at 2 Corinthians 4:7-9: "But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. 8 We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed..."
Paul wrote in Philippians 4:13, "I can do all things through Him (Jesus) who strengthens me."
Paul once saying that he labored with all his energy through the mighty power of God working in Him. Indeed, we put forth our feeble effort in faith that He will work through it - and, wow, does He ever!
Shamgar found that out when God used the stick in his hand.
David learned this when God used the little sling shot David had in his hand.
A little boy experienced this when he gave his lunch of 5 loaves and 2 fish to Jesus - that little lunch was nothing till Jesus got hold it - and, then it fed 5,000 people!
We listen once again to a songwriter who penned:
"Little is much when God is in it,
Labor not for wealth or fame,
There's a crown and you can win it,
If you'll go in Jesus' name." (Kittie L. Suffield, 1924)
C. Stewardship And Service in the Realization of His Mighty Power.
Power can be used in at least two ways: It can be unleashed or it can be harnessed and used for good purposes. You can take a gallon of gasoline, drop a match into it and watch it unleash its power in one big boom, or you can run it through a device into an auto engine in a controlled burn and go about 35 miles on that same gasoline. The former creates an explosion, but the latter provides much needed transportation.
On the day of Pentecost the burst of power was evident immediately, but the controlling, continuing, counseling power of the Holy Spirit over the lives of His people is what took them to great heights in their generation. As they continued being filled with the Holy Spirit, God continued to reveal His mighty power in them and through them.
We are able to serve Him because of His power.
We are able to live because of His power.
We have overcome death through His power.
We who have believed will live with Him and serve Him eternally because of His power.
Conclusion
Yes, He is a Mighty God, and He has power available to help us deal with the issues of life. The songwriter penned,
"There is strength in the name of the Lord
There is power in the name of the Lord
There is hope in the name of the Lord
Blessed is He, who comes in the name of the Lord." (Lyrics by Gloria Gaither, Phill Mchugh, and Sandi Patty)
Jesus came to earth as a tiny baby, but He was, He is and He always will be, The Mighty God! Turn to Him today and find forgiveness, peace, purpose, and the promise of a future in the presence of The Mighty God!