A Weary World Rejoices

A Weary World Rejoices
Isaiah 9:1-7
December 18-19, 2021

Amen. We are truly living in a weary world. How long has this pandemic been going on now? Almost two years. Just in time for a new variant to arise. People are weary and tired of it, but not only that, the condition of things in the world are wearying and troublesome to understand. The nation is more divided now, I think, than for many, many years as anger and animosity loom under the surface. Russia has a mass troops on the border with Ukraine bringing Europe to the precipice of a great conflict.

China's heavy hand is growing around the world. Iran is one step away from developing a nuclear weapon. You're probably wondering, "Where are you going with this pastor? I brought friends and now you're depressing all of us." No, here's the point. That is that we are living in times of heavy spiritual darkness, a weary world, but the times in which God sent forth His prophecy was also sent to a weary world. When Jesus came to be born that day, He was sent by God into a weary and troubled world.

Rome was oppressing the world and the poverty and hardship were everywhere, and that's why God sends a word, a word of prophecy, a word of hope, promises are sent. That's why the theme of Christmas is rejoicing because when God sends a promise, when hope is found, when weary are strengthened, there's a rejoicing that's an aspect to it. You look at all of the Christmas traditions, many of them are surrounded with the theme of rejoicing. Lights, candles, beautifully wrapped gifts, songs of carols, bells on bobtails that ring, which makes spirits bright.

Eggnog, and hot chocolate and candy canes, rejoicing, they're all traditions surrounded by joy, and by the way, I love looking into other countries, other cultures, and their traditions that they built around Christmas. For example, did you know in Japan that the traditional Christmas dinner is actually KFC? This is a big thing in Japan. It's actually a thing, and if you want your KFC, if you want your Kentucky Fried Chicken Christmas dinner, it's such a big deal, you have to make reservations for KFC well in advance to make sure you got yours, this is Japan.

In Finland, the tradition is to visit a cemetery on Christmas Eve. Now what's interesting is that they light up the cemeteries with Christmas lights. You know how we like to go through different communities where there's all these Christmas lights or PIR or whatever it is. "Oh, we love seeing the Christmas lights." Well, they would do that in the cemetery, and they wouldn't have to have traffic control, because there's so many cars driving through the cemeteries seeing all of these Christmas lights in the cemeteries.

Now, if you think about it, that's really interesting, and I suggest it's actually a pretty powerful message behind it. Christmas lights in cemeteries? Yes. Actually, He did come to be the resurrection and the life to defeat death. Yes, put up lights in cemeteries. Actually it's a beautiful message. Not that we're going to do it here in America, but I think it's a beautiful message. There's a tradition in Hawaii to eat Spam on Christmas day. Which I'm sure it brings joy to them, but as for me I have a Spam filter.

[laughter]

A little tech humor there. In Venezuela, the tradition is to go to your Christmas Eve or Christmas day celebration on roller-skates. This is so big, this is such a thing that they shut the streets down, no traffic, so that people can roller-skate to church. Which gives a whole new expression to the idea of holy-rollers.

[laughter]

Roll with me on this. Then, of course, we have our tradition of fruitcake, which is interesting, because it's not fruit nor cake, but it has a long and rich history. These are actual factoids. Did you know that fruitcake originally was used by Roman soldiers as MREs, meals ready to eat. This is the truth. You can look this up. I'm not making this up. Meals ready to eat because a fruitcake is so filled with nutrition and it lasts for so long. It makes great MREs, but it eventually became something really for royalty.

Actually, it was like a royal thing to give at weddings. Even today in our modern times, if there is a Royal wedding in England, fruitcake is one of the great aspects of the meal of celebration in a dinner for a wedding. Tradition, has it, that fruit cake was brought over by the pilgrims, and I think they're still passing around the same fruitcakes that they brought over on their Mayflower. Here's another interesting factoid. True.

Did you know that Figgy pudding so-called Figgy pudding or plum pudding also it's known as, is in fact actually fruit cake? This is a fact, you can look this up. Figgy pudding when properly made is actually fruit cake. That Christmas carol, so bring us the Figgy pudding, which is rather demanding actually. Bring us some Figgy pudding and bring it right now is actually people are demanding fruit cake. I don't know, maybe they shouldn't be quite so demanding.

[laughter]

Anyway, all of these are traditions that we have incorporated into Christmas, but my point is, may we not have so much tradition that we forget the whole point, which is that this is a wearied world and that God is sending hope to a wearied world that is in the midst of spiritual darkness. For the world is even now becoming more dangerous. Those with spiritual discernment has sensed it. There is a rising spiritual darkness in this world. Anyone agree with me? There is a rising spiritual darkness in the nations of the world.

Storm clouds have been rising, a deep evil is arising, and in a broken evil world when there is rising spiritual darkness, interestingly there is also a revival that happens. In a time of spiritual darkness, there is also a revival that happens. You can look throughout scriptures and time and church history. You will see it. In fact, interestingly in the latter days when there will be a great tribulation that will come upon the world, even in the midst of a great tribulation, there will be a revival, for God will send 144,000 witnesses of Jesus Christ to the world in the midst of a great tribulation.

When Isaiah wrote the prophecy of Isaiah 9, it was a dark spiritual time for Israel. A terrible king had been leading Israel away from the God of Israel, Jehovah, and followed after the gods of the world, the results of which are predictable. When a people turn away from God, and go after the world, the results are predictable. The soul of the people will become sick, and then the nation will become weaker, and then turmoil arises as a result of it. I suggest to you that we are seeing this right now before our very eyes in our own nation.

Would you agree with me that we are becoming weaker as a nation and that the soul of the nation is getting sicker? Anybody agree with me on this? This is the condition of things today. This is the condition of things in which God sent this prophecy. At the darkest hour, God gave the greatest promise. There's no question that these verses contain some of the greatest promises known to man, that God would give an answer. God's answer is in His son. Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given.

These promises, this hope that He sends forth is found in His name. He describes the power of His name in this prophecy. Which is to say that God is on the move. God does something. In a dark time when people are oppressed, there's a heavy spiritual time. God moves. God does something. God answers. God sends His son to seek and to save that which was lost. He's knocking on the door at people's hearts. Even today He's calling out. God is moving even today, drawing many sinners to Himself.

That's the heart of God. Isaiah, this prophecy speaks of the name that is given of the one who will be that great hope to the world. You gain great insight into the meaning and purpose of Christmas when you understand the significance of this name. Let's read it. Read in Isaiah chapter nine. We'll begin in verse one. There will be no more gloom for her who was in anguish. You can see the spiritual heaviness of a dark time when he describes it as anguish.

In earlier times, He treated the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali with contempt. Now, please remember Zebulun, Naphtali, these tribes of Israel were located in the far north, around the sea of Galilee area, to the north and the west of the sea of Galilee area. Later on, He shall make it glorious. This place in the north, which will be the place of heaviest spiritual darkness and great oppression will be the very place that He will send his hope, His son, by a way of sea. On the other side of the Jordan Galilee of the Gentiles.

The people who walk in darkness will see a great light, He will send the light of the world into a time of great darkness. Those who live in a dark land light will shine upon them, and you will multiply the nation. You will increase their gladness as with the gladness of harvest. Notice the rejoicing, when God sends hope into the darkness, the response is gladness. The time of harvest, when men rejoins, when they divide the spoil.

He says, "You will break the yolk of their burden. You'll break the staff on their shoulders. You'll break the rod of their oppressor as at the battle Median," which we studied when we were there in the scriptures. For every boot of the booted warrior in the battled tumult and every cloak rolled in blood will be for burning, fuel for the fire. Now here He's looking at both the incarnation, the Lord and Savior being born that day in Bethlehem. He's looking at that, but He's also looking at the latter days.

He's combining the prophetic view of it to even see that in the latter days, when he returns that He will be that great answer to the world in that latter day. Notice what it says in verse 6, for a child will be born to us, a Son will be given to us and the government will rest on his shoulders. You see how He's combining both views, the birth of our Lord and Savior and the return of our Lord. At the end of the age, for then He will set foot on the man of olives. He will enter Jerusalem, He will rule and reign that nations of the world centered there in Jerusalem.

Government will rest on His shoulders. His name name shall be called. Here's this prophetic word. His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father and Prince of Peace. There will be no end to the increase of his government or a peace. On the throne of David and over His kingdom to establish it, to uphold it with justice and with righteousness, from then on and forever more. I love this expression. The zeal of the Lord of a host will accomplish this.

I.  Keep Watching and Waiting

Don't you just love the picture of the zeal of the Lord? The zeal of the Lord on the move to accomplish His purpose. Now these are the verses I want us to look at. This is the prophecy that I want to look at, understanding how to take hold, and to apply it to our lives. Here's my point, when God sends a promise, He wants you to keep watching and waiting. There's an expectation. He's sending this prophecy to a people, oppressed, heavy Laden, dark.

He sent a promise, take hold now, keep watching, keep waiting. He sends the same to us. Jesus said a very similar thing. He gave forth the signs of the times, the condition of things in the latter days and then He says, "Be on the alert, always watch." Be watching for these things for we are living in such times when we need to be watching. Now, the same is true today, it's a troubled world. God wants you to keep watching. Keep waiting for hope is on the way.

A.  A promise brings hope to a soul in anguish

See, my point is when God sends a word, a prophetic word, a promise, it's hope. A promise brings hope when the soul is in anguish, when the soul is troubled, when the soul sees what's happening. You look at what's happening in the world today. History is changing before our eyes, troubles are increasing in the world. Two years of a pandemic and much more. Then you read Biblical prophecy, you understand that He's describing that these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs.

He's using the illustration of a woman in childbirth who would understand that as the time draws near for the birth of that child, that the birth pangs draw closer together, and grow greater in intensity. Jesus is describing that there will be troubles that will come upon the world in the latter days, like a woman in childbirth, that the troubles will grow greater in intensity closer together. We are seeing the beginning of those birth pangs now, as we are drawing near to the latter days. When you see troubles arising on the earth, it's very easy for the soul to be troubled, for the soul to have anguish.

"Oh no. What's happening in the world? Look what's happening in the world, evil is arising. Oh no. What now?" No. When troubles arise, don't groan under the anguish of it, but rather take hold of the hope of the promise. For we know how this story ends. We know that in the end, our Lord and Savior will rule as King of Kings, and Lord of Lords and He is gonna set this broken world, right. To which we say, "Oh Lord Jesus, come quickly." Amen?

See, this is the thing you see, He gives a prophetic word and you take hold of that with a great yearning, a great longing, be watching, be waiting. Let me give you an example. In the oldest book of the Bible, which you might know is the book of Job. In the oldest of the Bible, you see this prophetic word that looks even to the end of the age. Here's Job, all that he is suffered all that. He went through all the anguish of His life and then he writes this in job 19:25-27. For I know that my Redeemer lives.

Great songs have been written on this verse, by the way, some great powerful ones. For I know that my Redeemer lives, and He shall stand at last on the earth. After my skin is destroyed, after He's died and decay, this I know that in my flesh, I shall see God. Here in the oldest book of the Bible, picture of the resurrection, my flesh. In my flesh, I shall see God whom I shall see for myself, and my eyes shall behold and not another. Oh, how my heart yearns within me.

When He sees and God has given him this prophetic word, "Oh my heart yearns within me." Isn't there something in your soul that has that same yearning? "Oh Lord Jesus come quickly. This is a broken, messed up world. Oh Lord Jesus come quickly. Oh, how my heart yearns within me? Oh Lord Jesus come." Anyone have the same yearning in the soul? Oh God, come. This is a messed up world. When God gives a prophetic word of hope, a promise, the response is to take hold of it with joy.

Not with anguish, not with troubled heart, with a joy, a peace, see rejoice in the soul. This is the right response, rejoice in the soul when God gives help, when God gives a promise. When God gives hope rejoice in the soul, it says the land of Zebulun and Naphtali received the worst of the oppression. The worst of the troubles. The armies of the north would come from Syria and the troubles would be centered there in the north.

Interestingly, in the latter days, as we have spoken of a battle of Armageddon, this great battle that will come when the Lord himself comes to save and intervene in behalf of his people Israel, the armies will come from the North. In that worst place of oppression, this is where God makes glorious His hope. The light will dawn there. This is actually where Jesus centered his ministry, right there in the land of Zebulun and Naphtali. Notice Matthew 4:13-14. Leaving Nazareth, He came and He settled in Capernaum.

This is a town, a place, a city, the north end of the sea of Galilee. We always like to visit there when we go to Israel. He says, which is by the sea in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali. This was to fulfill what was spoken through Isaiah, the prophet, which we just read. When God sends such a promise. When God says such hope, God answers the hurt and anguish take hold of it with a rejoicing. That's the thing. When God breaks the yolk and burden, when God breaks the rod of the oppressor, joy.

The responses joy, it reminds me of when Israel went into perhaps the most difficult of times when they were destroyed, brought into exile into Babylon, and then 70 years after this, they were set free. The captives were set free to go and rebuild Israel, to rebuild Jerusalem and the temple. It tells us response was that of joy. Psalm 126:1-3, "When the Lord brought back the captive ones of Zion, we were like those who dream." It's like, "This is so amazing to behold."

"Our mouth was filled with laughter. Our tongue was filled with joyful singing." Then it says, "They said among the nation and they said, look at Israel, look, the Lord has done great things for them. Look at what great things God has done for his people." Then he adds. "The Lord has done great things for us," the Psalmist writes, "and we are glad. We are very glad." What a beautiful picture of that. You look at your life and I think that many could say the same.

B.  Rejoice in the soul when God sends help

I look at my life. I've endured many, many troubles, many difficulties, but I know this. I know that God has blessed my life. Even though there have been many troubles, some of them tremendous. I know in whom I have believed, and I will tell you that God has walked with me through every one of those troubles. God has blessed my life. I stand here today to tell you I am very blessed, and I'm very, very thankful for God's hand on my life.

II. God’s Hope is Found in His Name

How many people would add their own testimony? God has blessed my life. Amen? Amen. That's why I tell you that's that theme of joy and rejoicing that should be part of the Christmas. It's based on the hope. It's based on a promise to take hold of that promise. That promise is found when He sent his Son and gave him a name, which is above every other name. In other words, God's hope is found in his name. He adds prophecy of hope in his name. In another place He's called Emmanuel, God is with us.

Now, there's a hope found in a name. It says here, and his name shall be called God's hope, God's promise. God's answer is found in Jesus' name. We know his name, Yeshua, Ha Mechiach, Jesus the Messiah. How great is his name? This is the greatest name of all names, for He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords. There is no other name. This is the highest name of all names. Interestingly, there are many people today who use His name almost as a curse word.

Do you know what I'm saying? People will say it like this. They'll say, "Jesus Christ." When you want to disparage it, when you want to cast it like that. "Jesus Christ." They'll say. Why do they do that? I suggest to you that they do this because that's the only way that they can handle saying the name. For these same people, these same people who cast it so down into the dirt, these same people who cast it aside, "Oh Jesus Christ," are the same ones who would find it very uncomfortable to say his name with respect, to say his name with honor.

Oh, they would be very troubled. It would be very difficult to say that. Just to recognize that He is Jesus the Messiah, the Son of the living God. Say it that way. "Oh, I'm a little trouble. I'm a little uncomfortable saying that. I'll say it like a curse word instead." It's interesting. When I was in the work-a-day world and particularly I was in the restaurant business, and somebody would say it like that, use his name, "Oh, Jesus Christ," I would like to respond to it.

In other words, if they get to bring up His name, I get to bring up His name and so they say, "Oh Jesus Christ." I'll say, "You know, that's a very powerful name you're using there. Did you know that at that name-- Did you know that name you just used-- Did you know that the scripture says that at that name, every knee will bow, and every tongue will confess Jesus Christ as Lord to the glory of God, the Father?"

Oftentimes they'll say, "Oh, why do you have to be so serious?" "Hey, you brought it up." Amen? It's a powerful name. It is the most powerful name. The promises are contained in his name. All the promises of a God are found in his name. Philippians 2:9-11, "God has bestowed on him that name, which is above every other name, that at the name of Jesus, every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven, on earth, and under the earth. And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ Lord, to the glory of God, the father."

A. He is Wonderful Counselor

His name. Then he says, "And his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor." See, I love he's giving the hope of this promise contained in His name. He shall be called wonderful counselor. See, I love that beautiful aspect of his name, wonderful counselor. Wonderful. See, in other words, that which God will do will be marvelous, wonderful. God wants to do wonderful things in your life. The heart of God is found in it. I want to do that which is wonderful. I want to bless your life.

I want to take sinners. I want to bring them into a relationship to live in God. I'm going to build a foundation in their lives. I'm going to give them a relationship through the living. God, I want to forgive their sin by paying for it all in the cross, through the blood of that very son, whom he sent. I'm going to do something wonderful. When God moves in your life. It's wonderful.

It's like 1 Corinthians 2:9, "Things which no eye has seen, ear has not heard, which have not even entered the heart of man. All that God has prepared for those who love him." Which is to say, you have no idea. What God wants to do in your life, it's so amazing, so marvelous that no eye has seen it. No ear has heard it. No mind has even conceived it. All that God has prepared for those who love him.

He wants you to do something marvelous. Why would people resist this? I want to be master of my own soul. Well, that won't end very well. God wants to do something marvelous. Ephesians 3:20, this is like a declaration of worship. "Now unto him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly beyond all that you ask or even think." Which is to say you have no idea what God wants to do, it's marvelous, wonderful.

Then it says, "And wonderful counselor." See, counsel is wisdom. Wisdom. In him is contained the very treasures of wisdom, all contained in him. Wisdom. When you have a counselor, a wonderful counselor, you have hope. There are so many people, even today that they put a stiff arm up, "Oh, I'll run my own life. Oh, I'll command things. I am the master of my own life. I'm the commander of my destiny." Yes, until they get into trouble, until the life gets broken, and then they want help.

I'll tell you what, you'll find no better help than He who is a wonderful counselor. He will show you the way. He will show you how to rebuild this thing. He won't cast you off. He won't reject you. He wants to bless by giving you counsel that is wise. Notice in Hebrew, the word counselor in Hebrew has a specific meaning. It means to stand alongside. It's a beautiful picture. To walk alongside. I'll never leave you. I'll never forsake you. I'll be with you even to the end of the age, Jesus promised.

It's a picture, isn't it? Of that relationship that you have with God, through his Son, Jesus Christ, by which he walks with you through the course of this life. This journey of this life, is walk walked well when you walk knowing that He walks with you in it. Here's the thing. He doesn't just walk with you. He gives you wise counsel, as He walks with you. He'll help direct the steps. He'll help direct the course.

Notice Isaiah 30:21. It's a beautiful expression of it. "Your ears will hear a word behind you. "This is the way. Walk in it." Whenever you turn to the right or to the left, it's a picture of that. The presence of God in your life, walking with you, speaking life to you, "No, don't turn that way. Don't go down that way. That road there is a road of destruction. Don't go down there because that road is a road that will lead to trouble and death. No walk this way. This is the way of life. Walk here. Walk in this."

That's the wonderful counselor who walks with you in the course of his life. Luke 11:21, "Behold," Jesus said, "One greater than Solomon is here." The context of that is where he said the queen of Sheba or the queen of the south came from a great distance to hear the wisdom of Solomon and behold one greater than Solomon is here, which is to suggest all that people come from a great distance to hear such wisdom, but his counsel, while it is wonderful and wise, it's only helpful if you walk in it, if you take hold of it and apply it to your life.

I love to quote this, let me quote again from Luke 6:47-48. Jesus said, "Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and acts on them, I will show you who he is like." Now notice I divided it up, because it's important to see that they're different things. See all those who come to me and hear my words, and then act upon them, I will show you whom he is like, because there are many people who come and they hear, but they don't act upon. They don't live by.

Faith is not just something to have, it's something to live. It must be lived in the course of the life. It must make an impact. It must make a difference. Faith that is alive is faith that will impact the living. Everyone who comes to me here's my words and then acts upon them, I will show you whom He is like. He's like a man building a house who dug deep, laid a foundation on the rock, and then when the flood occurred, which is to say troubles arise, difficulties of life. When that flood occurred, when the torrent bursts against that house, it could not shake it because it was well built.

Want to build your life? Well, He's showing you how. This is how you build a life well lived, by taking hold and then living it. Then it says His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor. His name shall be called also mighty God. He is a mighty God. Is there anything clearer to declare that Jesus is God? Power over all things. He demonstrated that power in every way when He walked with the disciples and the people of Israel declaring it.

They could see it, the fulfillment of that great promise is found in Him. He's a mighty God. He turned the water in the wine. He healed leapers. He raised the dead, the blind could see. He had authority over demons, casting out demons by the word of authority in power, calmed the storm. The wind and the waves, He spoke a command and they stilled had His word. This is out of Luke 8:25 and He said to them, the disciples who were in the boat with Him when the storm are and they feared for their lives, "Teacher don't you care as we perish?" And He arose from the boat and commanded the wind and the sea, "Peace be still."

B.  He is Mighty God

He said as He turned to the disciples in the boat. "Where is your faith men?" They were fearful and amazed saying to one another. What manner man is this? Who is this? That He even commands the wind and the sea, and they obey Him. Mighty God, that's who. See when you recognize Him as Mighty God, not only is He wise and counsel. Not only will He give you counsel to direct your stance. He is a Mighty God. When you see that, then you have that hope.

You turn to Him to be Mighty God in your life because He will say the same thing to you and to me, that He said to the disciples that day in that boat, "Where is your faith men?" Then notice His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor. His name shall be called Mighty God, Eternal Father and He shall be called Prince of Peace. He is the Prince who brings peace. Prince suggests authority. That's the idea. He has the authority and power to bring peace.

The government will be on His shoulders. There'll be no end to the increase of His government or of peace. Peace on earth, not just amongst the nations, but also between man and God. When you have a relationship to God through His Son, you have peace with God. This is important because we are sinners. We are people with sin in our lives, and many people, they think of God as being very angry with sinners.

They're convinced that God cast them away because God is angry with sinners, but what did Jesus say? No, God loved the world so much that he gave his Son, that whoever would believe in Him would not perish, but have everlasting life. God doesn't want you to perish, God wants you to have life. When He forgives your sin, gives you a relationship to the Lord as your Father. That speaks of relationship. That speaks of nearness. That speaks of intimacy with the Lord.

C.  He is the prince who brings peace

That speaks of love. That speaks of peace. A peace that passes understanding. He has authority. He has authority in your life and when you live under that authority, you have peace. When you cease the striving. When you cease the conflict and abide in the shadow of the Almighty is peaceful. Beautiful, and then to recognize is that He has authority over the nations. There's that glorious hope that at the end of this age, He will come and He'll set things right in a broken world, because He got the authority to do it.

The same book of Isaiah, chapter 40. This is one of the great chapters that just powerfully demonstrates His authority. Let me just read some of it to you. Out of Isaiah 40, you should mark well, Isaiah 40 in your Bibles, it's such an encouraging chapter. Read it over and over. As it speaks of the power of His name, Isaiah 40:23-31. It is He who reduces rulers to nothing. It is He who makes the judges of the earth meaningless. Scarcely, have they been planted. Scarcely have they been sewn.

Scarcely has their stalk taken root in the earth, but He merely blows on them, and they wither, and the storm carries them away like stubble. To whom then, will you liken me that I should be his equal, says the Holy one, lift up your eyes on high, and see who has created these stars and the One who leads forth their host by number. He calls them each by name and because of the greatness of his Might and the strength of His power, not one of them is missing. Why do you say, "Oh Jacob, why do you assert Israel? Oh, my way is hidden from the Lord and the justice due to me escapes the notice of My God.

Why do you say this? Do you not know? Have you not heard the everlasting God, the Lord, Creator of the ends of the earth, Does not become weary or tired. He gives strength to the weary and to Him who lacks might He increases power. Though youths grow weary and tired, vigorous young men stumble badly. Yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength. They will mount up with wings like Eagles. They will run and not get tired. They will walk and not faint. The power, the authority, that's the one whom God sent.

We love our nativity scenes at Christmas. We have several of them, and we love them because it's a picture of people coming to Jesus. To honor Him at His birth, the shepherds, the wise men coming to a great distance to honor Him, and no doubt you heard the expression wise men still seek Him. You've heard this. I suggest to you while that is a very true statement. I suggest to you that it's very important to recognize that He is the one who's actually seeking you.

It's quite in reverse. God sent His son to seek and to save that which was lost. He sent His son, go find sinners and bring them home. Reconcile sinners to me, to the living God, the father says. Their sins will be paid in full by the blood that was shed by Jesus the son. that day at Calvary at Golgotha. That blood that was shed pays the penalty of every sin. You go and you find sinners and bring them, I'll forgive their sin. I'll give them a relationship to the living God.

I will give them the hope of eternal life. Go find sinners. God is seeking you through His son Jesus Christ. He is knocking on the door of your heart. He's calling your name. He is calling you home, come be reconciled, sinners, come home and He'll rebuild your life. He'll do that which is wonderful. He'll do that which is marvelous. He'll give you a peace that passes understanding, let's pray. Father, thank you for revealing to us, such hope of promise in a dark spiritually troubled world. You give a promise.

You speak of life. You sent your son to seek and to save you. You sent your son to be wonderful counselor. Church, how many would say to the Lord today, "You are my wonderful counselor. I will take hold of this. I will build my life on this. You're my mighty God. I will build my life on this. You're my Prince of Peace that gives me a peace that passes understanding. I'll build my life on this."? Church, how would say to the Lord, "You're my wonderful counselor. I'll build my life on this."?

Will you just declare it by raising your hand to the Lord? Make a bold statement by raising your hand. I just want to declare it. You are my wonderful counselor and I'll build my life on it. I will build my life on this. Father, thank you so much for sending such a promise. We take hold of it. We'll build our life on it. That which You do is wonderful, it's marvelous, it's beautiful. Do that in us, God. Thank you for sending your son to seek sinners like us. We honor you now for it, in Jesus' powerful name. Everyone said Amen.

Can we give the Lord praise and glory and honor? Can we do that? Amen.