December 4, 2005
Sermon Outline
“Christ: The Great Light!”
Isaiah 9:1-7

I. Notice Christ as the Great Light shining in the darkness – 9:1-2
1. This is certainly a reference to Christ – Matthew 4:12-17
2. It is important to understand the darkness, gloom described here:
A. The Hebrew word for darkness in 9:2 means literally “deep shadow”
B. It is poetical and refers to an intense darkness, the kind of darkness we say we can “feel”
C. Here people are said to “walk” in this darkness, which implies this to be a characteristic of their lives – Ephesians 2:1-3; Colossians 1:13
3. This “darkness” describes the inward spiritual state of Israel / but no only them but all of us, it describes the plight brought about by sin!
4. Yet a Light shines:
A. In place of calamity God’s people will see a Light of Peace – Isaiah 45:7; Luke 1:79
B. In place of death, God’s people will see a Light of Life – Job 33:30; John 8:12
C. In place of ignorance, God’s people will see a Light of Knowledge – 2 Corinthians 4:6
D. In place of sin, God’s people will see a Light of Salvation – Psalm 27:1; Isaiah 49:6

II. Notice what this GREAT LIGHT CHRIST accomplishes:
1. The nation is enlarged, primarily because the Gentiles are brought in – Isaiah 9:3; Ephesians 2:11-22
2. Joy is increased – Isaiah 9:3b
A. Like the joy of harvest - :3
B. Like the dividing of spoil - :3
C. Because of the end of oppression - :4
D. Because of the end of war -:5

BECAUSE –

III. Notice the more specific description of Who this Great Light Christ is:
1. A Child is born – John 1:14
2. A Son is given – John 3:16
3. “His Name will be called” – names are meaningful, full of truth
4. Wonderful Counselor –
Main Entry: 1won•der•ful Function: adjective Inflected Form(s): sometimes wonderfuller sometimes wonderfullest Etymology: Middle English, from Old English wundorful, from wundor wonder + -ful 1 a : exciting wonder : MARVELOUS, SURPRISING, STRANGE, ASTONISHING b obsolete : MIRACULOUS His counsel will be STRANGLY Wonderful! – Isaiah 55:8-9
5. Mighty God – Hero / Savior God – 1 Timothy 2:5
6. Everlasting Father – Christ is eternal – John 1:1-5
7. Prince of Peace – Sovereign over our welfare / Able to bless – Psalm 1
8. His Government and Kingdom –
A. Eternal - :8; Daniel 2:44-45; Daniel 7:27; Psalm 2; Revelation 17:14
B. It is the throne of David – 2 Samuel 7:12-16; Psalm 89:1-37; Matthew 1:1
C. It is SURE – Isaiah 9:7b, Matthew 6:10

“These are fine, heart-warming words – that God wants to come down to us, God wants to come down to us and we do not need to clamber up to Him, He wants to be with us to the end of the world.” Martin Luther

“The mystery of the humanity of Christ, that He sunk Himself into our flesh, is beyond all human understanding.” Martin Luther

Pastor Arnold Brevick