Message Notes

INTRODUCTION

1. The celebration of Christmas does not stop at the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ

2. The ministry of the Lord Jesus was also prophesied

THE GLOOM OF A NATION AT WAR

1 Nevertheless the gloom will not be upon her who is distressed,
As when at first He lightly esteemed
The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali,
And afterward more heavily oppressed her,
By the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan,
In Galilee of the Gentiles.

2 The people who walked in darkness
Have seen a great light;
Those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death,
Upon them a light has shined.

3 You have multiplied the nation
And increased its joy;
They rejoice before You
According to the joy of harvest,
As men rejoice when they divide the spoil.

4 For You have broken the yoke of his burden
And the staff of his shoulder,
The rod of his oppressor,
As in the day of Midian.

5 For every warrior’s sandal from the noisy battle,
And garments rolled in blood,
Will be used for burning and fuel of fire.

Isaiah 9:1-5

1. Deep distress

2. Heavy oppression

3. Great darkness

4. Weary Burden

LIGHT AMIDST DARKNESS

1. A great light

2. Increase of Joy

3. This prophecy was fulfilled

12 Now when Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, He departed to Galilee. 13 And leaving Nazareth, He came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is by the sea, in the regions of Zebulun and Naphtali, 14 that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying:

15 “The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali,
By the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan,
Galilee of the Gentiles:

16 The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light,
And upon those who sat in the region and shadow of death
Light has dawned.”

17 From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

Matthew 4:12-17

SO MUCH TO APPRECIATE

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.

7 Of the increase of His government and peace
There will be no end,
Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom,
To order it and establish it with judgment and justice
From that time forward, even forever.
The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.

Isaiah 9:6-7

1. Born to be King

2. The name (titles) of the royal King

And His name will be called
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.   Isaiah 9:6

MORE TO COME

Of the increase of His government and peace
There will be no end,
Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom,
To order it and establish it with judgment and justice
From that time forward, even forever.
The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.

Isaiah 9:7

1. The increase of His government

No end in sight

2. The throne of David and His kingdom

a) To order it

b) To establish it

i) With judgment

ii) With justice

c) An eternal kingdom

i) On earth

ii) In heaven

3. The zeal of the LORD of hosts

a) His authority

b) His power

c) His majesty

d) His personal presence

CONCLUSION

1. Invitation to enter into His Kingdom at hand

2. Involvement in the increase of His kingdom

3. Inspiration to find renewed joy in the Lord Jesus Christ