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Saturday, September 12, 2009

He Is Everything

Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

Until the 14th century most people had only one name. It has been estimated that in medieval England 3 of every 5 men carried the name of Henry, Robert, John, William, or Richard. As towns and cities grew, so did the necessity to further identify individuals and families, thus requiring a second name, or surname. There were basically 4 ways in which surnames names were adopted.
1. The fathers' name with "son" immediately after it ( i.e. Peterson or Woodson).
2. Words that identify where a person lived or came from (i.e. Hill, Lake, Wood)
3. Words that identify what a person did for a living, i. e. Miller, Butcher, Baker, Taylor, or Butler.
4. Nicknames: Usually based on a person's personality, features, or characteristics (i.e. short, long, savage).
Names can define a person’s authority. Some common examples would be the following: sergeant, general, or President.
Names can also define a person’s skills. By knowing these skills we know who to turn to with specific needs. A few examples would include: master electrician, plumber, or Surgeon.
Names can also set a person apart. Some of the following names show a distinction or specialization. For example: CPA or M.D.
Names define a personal attributes. If I ask you to describe your next door neighbor, you might use terms like these: strong, compassionate, or humble.
Names define our interpersonal roles and relationships. I’ve listed some of the names and roles that I maintain with different individuals in my sphere of influence. These include names such as dad, husband, pastor, friend, son, uncle and neighbor. Even though I am just one person. I am not the same person to each individual that I relate to.

It has been estimated that there are more than 3000 names of God revealed in scripture. Perhaps some of the greatest names of God are found in Isaiah 9: 6.
He is called "Wonderful , Counselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, and the Prince of Peace."
In other words, He is all of these things, both in name and in nature. These names of God suggests that He is everything.

I. He is REASON for my praise - "Wonderful"

Everything about God is wonderful! He is worthy of all my praise. His is WONDERFUL. He is beyond anything we have ever seen,. He is singularly unique. "Wonderful" denotes something indescribably great, so tremendous, and so amazing. That which it’s literally beyond all description. It speaks of that which goes beyond human comprehension.
A. Wonderful in His passion No greater love. We love Him because He first loved us.
B. Wonderful in His pardon Free, full, and forever
C. Wonderful in His provision

II. He is the REMEDY for my problems - "Counsellor"

He is my problem solver. He is the only one in the universe who requires no counsel. In Him are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. He looks to no one else, and He leans on no-one else.
Our lives are filled with problems. Our lives are filled with predicaments. Our lives are filled with perils. Many people will write Dear Abby, read self_help books, go to non Christian psychiatrists and talk to everyone they know except the only One who is able to help them and handle their problems.
God is wonderfully qualified for the job of counsellor. As counsellor He is always available. As counsellor He has unimaginable insight. He can see the end from the beginning. He knows all there is to know about anything.
See Romans 11:33,34.
He has the answer for my heart problems.
He has the answer for my home problems.
He has the answer for my hurting problems.

III. He is the RESOURCE for my power - "The mighty God"

He is the creator of all. There is nothing He cannot do.
However, I think of a little Sunday school class who was studying, for several weeks, the awesome power of God. After a few Sunday sessions, the teacher decided to quiz the class on what they had learned of God’s power. She asked, "Class, can anyone tell if there is something that God cannot do?" Silence filled the room, then suddenly little Johnny, in the back of the class, raised his hand. Needless to say, the faithful Sunday school teacher was shocked. She had spent countless hours studying, preparing, and teaching the class of the awesome power of God. She said, "Johnny, is there something God cannot do?" Johnny looked her square in the eye, and said, "Yes ma’am, He can’t please everybody!" That may be true
He is the God who created all things, the God who controls all things, and the God who conducts all things. He can do anything for this world, through this world, with this world, to this world, or in this world that He chooses to do. He is the MIGHTY GOD, and the Mighty god is the resource for my power.
See Philippians 4:13. I am glad I know the Mighty God.

IV. He is the REFUGE for my perils -"The everlasting Father"

One of the most precious, and blessed names of God is "The everlasting Father." If you are a Christian, you may be without an earthly father; but, friend, you have a Heavenly Father, and as a father He is a refuge when the storms of life come.
He is the unending Father, the unchanging Father, and the understanding Father.
He that rules the vastness of eternity, He whose being stretches from everlasting to everlasting takes the time to care for me as a Father. In fact, notice the text tells us that:
A. As a refuge He gives us Safety!
We have a refuge. In Him we find a Hiding place. In times of danger, distress, or darkness, we can run to Him, and as a father, He gives us safety.
B. As a refuge He gives us Security!
Is it any wonder Isaiah could speak with such joy in introducing him to us as "The everlasting Father,’" the father of eternity.
Oh, what security.

V. He is the RESERVOIR for my peace -"The prince of Peace"

Peace is one of the deepest needs of the human heart.
There was a widow who had "Rest In Peace" put on her husband’s tombstone. When she found out that He left her out of his will, she had added, "Till I come." We live in a world which is striving, seeking, and starving for peace. However, peace is not found in possessions, programs, politics, or parties. True peace is only found in a person, and He is "The Prince of Peace."
A. We can REST in Him!
We read in Isaiah 26: 3, "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee."
If we are to know His peace, then we must rest in the fact that He is God, He's still on the throne, He's still in control, and He's got the whole world in His hand.
B. We can RELY on Him!
Listen again to the words of the prophet in Isaiah 26: 3, "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee." The word "stayed" comes from a Hebrew word that gives us our English word "staff."
As you know, a staff was something closely related to the shepherds of that day. The staff was what the shepherd used to count and correct his sheep. It was something which played a vital role in the everyday life of a shepherd.
However, the staff had another important use to the shepherd. The shepherd's staff was often used for support. At the end of a long, hot, tiring day, the shepherd leaned on his staff for support. It was used to support him when he could not support himself. You could say that the shepherd relied on his staff to hold him up.
In the same way, you and I can rely on the Lord. He is our support. When we cannot support ourselves us, we can rely and lean on Him, and He supports us. We can rest in Him, and we can rely on Him for all things, in all things, and with all things.

Jesus is everything to me.

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