“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6“Everlasting Father” is an idiom used to describe the Messiah’s relationship to time, not His relationship to the other Members of the Trinity.What does this mean for us? “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16“Now when he heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew into Galilee.And leaving Nazareth he went and lived in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, so that what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: “The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentilesthe people dwelling in darkness have seen a great light, and for those dwelling in the region and shadow of death, on them a light has dawned.” From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Matthew 12:17“Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you, since you have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him.And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.” John 17:1a-3

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”Isaiah 9:6“The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.”Isaiah 9:7“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”Isaiah 9:6‘Mighty’: gibbor (150a); from 1396; strong, mighty: champion(2), great(1), helpers(1), heroes(3), men(3), men of outstanding(1), Mighty(1), mighty(27), mighty man(15), mighty men(57), Mighty One(1), mighty one(2), mighty ones(3), mighty warrior(1), mighty warriors(2), strong(1), strong man(1), valiant warriors(1), valiant*(1), warrior(14), warrior has over another(1), warrior’s(1), warriors(17), who is mighty(1).“God is a warrior”“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you”Isaiah 26:3"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."Philippians 4:6-7“But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.”Isaiah 53:5“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.”Hebrews 10:23

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”Isaiah 9:6“The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.”Isaiah 9:7“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”Isaiah 9:6‘Mighty’: gibbor (150a); from 1396; strong, mighty: champion(2), great(1), helpers(1), heroes(3), men(3), men of outstanding(1), Mighty(1), mighty(27), mighty man(15), mighty men(57), Mighty One(1), mighty one(2), mighty ones(3), mighty warrior(1), mighty warriors(2), strong(1), strong man(1), valiant warriors(1), valiant*(1), warrior(14), warrior has over another(1), warrior’s(1), warriors(17), who is mighty(1).“God is a warrior”“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you”Isaiah 26:3"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."Philippians 4:6-7“But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.”Isaiah 53:5“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.”Hebrews 10:23

Isaiah 9:6For to us a child is born,to us a son is given;and the government shall be upon his shoulder,and his name shall be calledWonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.It was a very dark time in Israel:Civil war created the North (Israel) and the South (Judah)Assyria had defeated IsraelBut now Isaiah speaks of hope A “child is born, a son is given”He would lead the nation (government upon his shoulders)A reference to Messiah, the deliverer of IsraelWonderful:IncomprehensibleCounselor:A wise king, like SolomonThis also comes from the Lord of hosts;he is wonderful in counseland excellent in wisdom.Isaiah 28:29This is the child that came into the world in Bethlehem.He continues to be incomprehensible and full of wisdom.

Isaiah 9:6For to us a child is born,to us a son is given;and the government shall be upon his shoulder,and his name shall be calledWonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.It was a very dark time in Israel:Civil war created the North (Israel) and the South (Judah)Assyria had defeated IsraelBut now Isaiah speaks of hope A “child is born, a son is given”He would lead the nation (government upon his shoulders)A reference to Messiah, the deliverer of IsraelWonderful:IncomprehensibleCounselor:A wise king, like SolomonThis also comes from the Lord of hosts;he is wonderful in counseland excellent in wisdom.Isaiah 28:29This is the child that came into the world in Bethlehem.He continues to be incomprehensible and full of wisdom.

Acts 8:1-31. There are going to be bad days.2. What is intended for evil, God can use for good3. What is our response?“But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.” Luke 6:27-28"Early Christians did not regard evangelism as occasional…their witness was as continuous as their worship.” John Stott (teacher and evangelist)1. There are going to be bad days.2. What is intended for evil, God can use for good.3. What is our response?

Acts 8:1-31. There are going to be bad days.2. What is intended for evil, God can use for good3. What is our response?“But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.” Luke 6:27-28"Early Christians did not regard evangelism as occasional…their witness was as continuous as their worship.” John Stott (teacher and evangelist)1. There are going to be bad days.2. What is intended for evil, God can use for good.3. What is our response?

Acts 7:17-60vss. 17-43 Moses and his journeyvss. 44-50 The Tabernacle (“Tent of Witness”)vss. 51-60 Exposing the Sanhedrin and Stephen’s death1. How long will you resist the Holy Spirit?2. The only “box” God fits in is His word.3. A changed life.“…you will be brought before kings and governors for my name’s sake. This will be your opportunity to bear witness.Settle it therefore in your minds not to meditate beforehand how to answer,for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict.” Luke 21:12-15“What secret spirit helped him thus to speak? Had he prepared that speech with long elaboration and forethought? Had that oration been carefully composed, revised, and learned by heart? Far from it. He was not so unmindful of our Saviour’s words……The Holy Ghost exerts such a power over the human mind, that when it is his will, he can enable his servants to collect their scattered thoughts, to concentrate all their powers upon one topic, and to speak the words of truth and soberness with unwonted power.”CHSpurgeon; Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit Sermons, Stephen’s Martyrdom (No.740)1. How long will you resist the Holy Spirit?2. The only “box” God fits in is His word.3. A changed life.

Acts 7:17-60vss. 17-43 Moses and his journeyvss. 44-50 The Tabernacle (“Tent of Witness”)vss. 51-60 Exposing the Sanhedrin and Stephen’s death1. How long will you resist the Holy Spirit?2. The only “box” God fits in is His word.3. A changed life.“…you will be brought before kings and governors for my name’s sake. This will be your opportunity to bear witness.Settle it therefore in your minds not to meditate beforehand how to answer,for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict.” Luke 21:12-15“What secret spirit helped him thus to speak? Had he prepared that speech with long elaboration and forethought? Had that oration been carefully composed, revised, and learned by heart? Far from it. He was not so unmindful of our Saviour’s words……The Holy Ghost exerts such a power over the human mind, that when it is his will, he can enable his servants to collect their scattered thoughts, to concentrate all their powers upon one topic, and to speak the words of truth and soberness with unwonted power.”CHSpurgeon; Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit Sermons, Stephen’s Martyrdom (No.740)1. How long will you resist the Holy Spirit?2. The only “box” God fits in is His word.3. A changed life.

Abraham, Jacob, & the PatriarchsActs 7:1-16