1. The Christmas Promise 2011 Oakland International Fellowship Advent Series #1

2. The Christmas Promise Isaiah 9:1-7 1 But there will be no gloom for her who was in anguish. In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he has made glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations. 2 The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shined. 3 You have multiplied the nation; you have increased

3. The Christmas Promise Isaiah 9:1-7 its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as they are glad when they divide the spoil. 4 For the yoke of his burden, and the staff for his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian. 5 For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult and every garment rolled in blood will be burned as fuel for the fire. 6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his

4. The Christmas Promise Isaiah 9:1-7 name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.

5. The Christmas Promise 1. Receiving the Promise Isaiah 9:1 But there will be no gloom for her who was in anguish. In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he has made glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations. The promise is set in a negative context.

6. The Christmas Promise 1. Receiving the Promise Isaiah 9:2 2 The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shined. The promise is like a light shining into darkness!

7. The Christmas Promise 1. Receiving the Promise “For several decades we psychologists looked upon the whole matter of sin and moral accountability as a great incubus and acclaimed our liberation from it as epoch making. But at length we have discovered that to be free in this sense, that is, to have the excuse of being sick rather than sinful, is to court the danger of also becoming lost… In becoming amoral, ethically neutral and free, we have cut the very roots of our being, lost our deepest sense of selfhood and

8. The Christmas Promise 1. Receiving the Promise identity, and with neurotics, themselves, we find ourselves asking, ‘Who am I, what is my deepest destiny, what does living mean?’ ” - Dr. Orval Hobart Mowrer, former president of the American Psychological Association

9. The Christmas Promise 1. Receiving the Promise Isaiah 9:2-5 2 The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shined. 3 You have multiplied the nation; you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as they are glad when they divide the spoil. 4 For the yoke of his burden, and the staff for his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, you have broken

10. The Christmas Promise 1. Receiving the Promise Isaiah 9:2-5 as on the day of Midian. 5 For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult and every garment rolled in blood will be burned as fuel for the fire. The Christmas promise is about God's light, joy, gladness, hope, freedom, and peace!

11. The Christmas Promise 2. Receiving the Promise One Isaiah 9:6-7 6 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. 7 Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore...

12. The Christmas Promise 2. Receiving the Promise One Isaiah 9:6 6 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. Jesus the Promised One is a wonder of a Counselor who gives us wondrous counsels that can truly guide the decisions and directions of our lives.

13. The Christmas Promise 2. Receiving the Promise One Isaiah 9:6 6 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. Jesus the Promised One does not just give us wise counsels, but have the mighty power of God to help us in our weakness and accomplish all that He promises!

14. The Christmas Promise 2. Receiving the Promise One Isaiah 9:6 6 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. In Jesus the Promised One, we have an everlasting Father who will love us with an everlasting love!

15. The Christmas Promise 2. Receiving the Promise One Isaiah 9:6 6 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. With Jesus the Promised One, we will receive true reconciliation with God, which make possible for true peace with one another, and within ourselves.

16. The Christmas Promise 2. Receiving the Promise One Isaiah 9:7b...The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this. God Himself is passionately zealous about making this happen! In Jesus Christ, 2000 years ago at the first Christmas, and on the Cross at the first Good Friday, and from the empty tomb at the first Easter, God has accomplished His promise!

17. The Christmas Promise Will you receive the Promised One of Christmas, surrender your confusion, doubts, fears, weakness, pain, conflict, and anger to Him so He can be your Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace? Will you walk with Him daily and be His messenger to deliver the Christmas promise to others around you with your words and your deeds?