Isaiah 9:6 NASB, “For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.”

Prophets are like trees – both are planted for the future.

• Isaiah’s Profile: The greatest O.T. Prophet – quoted over 50 x’s; served during the reign of 5 kings. His call was faithfulness not success. Tradition suggests that he died a martyr under wicked King Manasseh by being placed on a tree trunk and sawn in two.

• Isaiah’s Commission & Context: He was a Navy SEAL prophet:

The name Isaiah means “the salvation of the Lord”: He was a patriot. He loved his country and his people.

• Assyria was coming to judge JUDAH [Southern], the fear of God had vanished, and the people were “calling good evil, and evil good.”

Key: The first 39 books contain strong messages of judgment and a call to repentance, yet he comforted them with this hope: God promised a Redeemer – Isaiah 9:6.

1. Hope comes from seeing a way out – the light at the end of the tunnel

• If we always say that nothing is wrong (all is well)…just stay positive, then we avoid the truth…the HOPE.

• Isaiah offered real HOPE – he painted a real condition: the people were lost without God.

IRONICALLY – The #1 sign of a false prophet is false hope

Topics many pastors won’t preach on; it could negatively affect their hearers’ willingness to attend church in the future. Among them are:

Politics – Homosexuality / Same-sex marriage – Abortion – War -Women’s role in church and home (what about mens) – Hell …

“TELL ME WHAT I WANT TO HEAR” is nothing new

          1] teens love parents who are friends, and then grow to hate them.

               *COOL eventually becomes a nightmare

“We Love The Gospel of Hope and Forgiveness, but Not the Gospel of Repentance and Change!”

Do you see a way out?

1. Abortion

2. I’m pregnant

The husband of a victim of rape encourages his wife to keep the child: “Sweetheart, this is a gift. This is something wonderful from something terrible.” – Lila Rose: http://liveactionnews.org/raped-while-on-a-business-trip-my-husband-and-i-chose-life/

3. My life is falling apart

4. My marriage is crumbling

5. This addiction has me trapped

6. I’m an emotional wreck – depression is taking its toll

7. My children have walked away from God

8. I owe so much money that I don’t see a way out

9. God, where are you…I’m scared to die – i desperately need hope

ALL OF THESE SPEAK OF HOPE: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace

2. We must experience God. (Again, or for the first time).

• All 40 authors experienced Him without sound systems, hymnals, Bibles, plush buildings, sermon apps, commentaries…

• Experience changes you: The Birth of a Child, The Holy Land.

6 In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of His robe filled the temple. 2 Above it stood seraphim; each one had six wings: with two he covered his face, with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. 3 And one cried to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; The whole earth is full of His glory!” 4 And the posts of the door were shaken by the voice of him who cried out, and the house was filled with smoke. 5 So I said: “Woe is me, for I am undone! Because I am a man of unclean lips, And I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; For my eyes have seen the King,The Lord of hosts.”

• Experiencing the King doesn’t make you prideful. I’m tired of arrogant people telling me how spiritual they are.

• Psalm 34:18, “The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”

We have to create a thirst…a motivation!

THOSE WHO ARE SATISFIED WILL NOT EXPERIENCE MORE OF HIM

• If I’m not hungry, I won’t eat

3. Prepare your heart.

5 So I said: “Woe is me, for I am undone! Because I am a man of unclean lips, And I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; For my eyes have seen the King,The Lord of hosts.”

• Isaiah 1:18, “Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the Lord, “Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool. 19 If you are willing and obedient, You shall eat the good of the land;

If Cain had only repented…

If Achan had not grabbed the accursed things, he and his family…

If the Children of Israel had only thanked God instead of complained.,

If Samson had only sought purity…

If David had only called for his chariot…

If king Rehoboam had only prepared his heart to seek the Lord…

When the Ark was captured “The glory of the Lord departed”

• Representing the Power and Presence of the Lord

4. Remember who He is: Isaiah reminded the people – “And His Name Will Be Called…”

And the government will rest on His shoulders

• Miś·rā(h) = Domination

And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor

• Remarkable – other counselors aren’t perfect.

• OTHER COUNSEL should simply confirm with the wonderful counselor is saying or point you to His truth.

Mighty God

• All powerful – debt (he doesn’t need money); disease (He created the body); impossible obstacles (He created the course).

Eternal Father

• Never leave nor forsake – my dad passed 20 yrs ago.

– I had so many questions.

CLOSING:  Prince of Peace

Many never experience peace because they are at war with the Prince of Peace.