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Three Christmas Cheers for Jesus Christ!
Part 1 Continued
by Pastor Alex Lindsay
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Reference: Isaiah 7:14; 9:6-7; 40:5

The expression, "Three cheers" is a way to applaud, to show appreciation and thankfulness for someone. "Worship," "bless," "praise," and "testify" are better words to describe the expression of our love and adoration for Christ. But since this study has three distinct glorious truths, coming from Isaiah's pen, please indulge the use of this old phrase. Many in the world are mocking, defaming, and defying Christ and what He stands for. Some twist the Scriptures and try to create another Jesus. To be quiet and passive in these days of apostacy is to condone and encourage them. It is time to push back and declare our radical approval of Christ and show our unity with His people (Mark 8:38; Romans 1:16; 15:5-7; II Timothy 1:7-8,12). There are also those who are just ignoring Christ. We must graciously keep reminding people that Jesus is real. Jesus is the only way, the only truth, the only life! See John 14:1,6,19-21; 8:23-24; 11:25-26.

"I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall be continually in my mouth. My soul shall make her boast in the Lord: the humble shall hear thereof and be glad. O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together." (Psalm 34:1-3 cp. Psalm 145:1-7; 107:1-2; 117:1-2; 31:19-20)

The entire book of Isaiah could be called "The Gospel According to Isaiah." God's Spirit caused Isaiah to document many wonderful things about the Messiah, around seven hundred years before Jesus Christ was born! Here are three particularly spectacular statements that are meant to help us know and identify the one-and-only Messiah - the Lord Jesus Christ. Let us bathe our souls in these precious words and find ways to express the greatness of Jesus Christ to others.

From Isaiah 7:14; 9:6-7; 40:5 we are going to ask three questions:

  • What did the Lord give us?

  • What is God, through His Son, going to do for us / do with us?

  • What forces are at work in the world: revealing Christ to us / releasing Christ through us?

 

Question # 1 - What did the Lord give us?
Isaiah 7:14

The Lord gave a sign!

This was no ordinary baby that would be born. He would be born of a virgin. He would be the Son of God: "Immanuel / Emmanuel" - "God with us." This sign verifies the truth that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God (Matthew 1:20-23; 16:13-17). He is the seed of the woman, as described in Genesis 3:15 (normally,the seed is identified with the man).

 

Isaiah 9:6

The Lord gave a son!

"A child is born" reveals Christ's humanity. "A son is given" reveals His deity (Philippians 2:6-8). Jesus Christ is the only begotten Son of God (John 3:16-17; 1:18 cp. Hebrews 10:5). See Galatians 4:4-6. At the appointed time, "God sent forth His Son." This shows His deity. He was "made of a woman" (i.e., God used a human vessel). See also I John 4:10,14; 3:16; Romans 8:32.

 

Isaiah 40:5

The Lord gave a sample of His glory!

The coming of the Messiah would reveal "the glory of the LORD." All flesh would see it, but all people would not receive it. Jesus Christ is the God-Man. He is the Word, that was made flesh and showed the glory of the Father (John 1:1-3, 14,16-18; 10:30; 14:9 cp. I Timothy 3:16; I John 1:1-4).

Hebrews 1:3 especially shows the unity of the Father and the Son. Jesus is the "brightness / radiance" of God's glory. Jesus is the "express image of His person / the exact representation of His nature." See Colossians 1:15; 2:9; II Corinthians 4:4; Isaiah 40:5 cp. 42:8. Isaiah 45:21-23 ("unto me" - Jehovah) cp. Philippians 2:9-11 ("at the name of Jesus").

Consider Zechariah 13:7. Jehovah describes the Messiah as a smitten shepherd (Matthew 26:31). He also calls Him "my fellow / my companion / my associate / the one who stands next to me." This Hebrew word is only used once in the Bible. It describes one who is an equal. Truly the Glory of the Father and the glory of the Son are both equally "the glory of LORD" (Titus 2:13; I John 5:20).

Originally delivered December 26, 2021
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