“And He shall be called…”

Scripture: Isaiah 9:1-7

C.I.: “Wonderful Counselor”

Today we begin a new series of lessons. (Tell how series are determined – “Messianic Prophecies from Isaiah”).
We are going to be looking at just one prophecy, Isaiah 9:7. – What we will focus on today will be Jesus as a Wonderful Counselor.

I. Jesus and Counseling

A. Counseling: Good or Bad?

1. “Christians are allowed to get sick physically (then they can go to a physician). But they're not allowed to suffer
from any sort of mental or emotional illness (because that would be a sin).”
a. We may not have heard these exact words, but most people know exactly what I'm talking about.
1) Christians who suffer from depression, anxiety, despondency/despair, etc. – That's Bad!
2) If we ever let anyone know that we are “seeking help” – we fear what we may be “labeled”!

2. When getting “help,” however, we need to be sure we are getting the right kind of counseling.
a. God warns us about the wrong sort of counseling…
1) ( Col. 2:8 ), “See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, -
according to the tradition of men, - according to the elementary principles of this world….”
2) Humanly devised counsel only deals with the externals – ( Col. 2:20-23 ), “If we have died to
the elementary principles of this world, why, as if you were living in the world, do you submit..

b. But there is also a difference between Christian counseling & a counselor who is a Christian.
1) Some counselors advertize as “Christian” – yet they use the methodologies/teachings of men.
2) A Christian counselor is one who follows the biblical pattern Jesus has left us.
3) ILLUST.: Automobile Handbook – follow the directions of the car's designer & maker!

B. Qualities that make Jesus a “Wonderful Counselor” (4 Areas)

1. His Character :
a. Loving, I Jn. 4:8 , - merciful & gracious, Heb. 4:15-16 , - honest, Eph. 4:15 .

2. His knowledge of Man :
a. Jesus understood the inner workings of man (i.e., what makes us tick) – both the good & the bad.
1) ( Jn. 2:25 ), “… He did not need anyone to bear witness concerning man- for He Himself knew
what was in man.”

3. His knowledge of the Scriptures :
a. Remember the above illustration. – We need to know the “owner's manual.”
1) ( Lk. 2:46-47 ), “…they found Him sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them
and asking them questions. – And all who heard Him were amazed at His understanding.”
2) ( Matt. 4:4, 7, 10 ), “But He answered and said, ‘It is written….”

4. His skill to apply these things to each person's spiritual needs
a. Jesus with the Samaritan woman ( Jn. 4:18, 29, 39 ), “You have had 5 husbands … Come see a man who
has told me … Many of the Samaritans believed…” – Restored to useful service.
b. Restoring Peter to fellowship ( Jn. 21:15-17 ) – Denied 3x – given the opportunity to confess 3x!

C. Jesus Counsels Us in Four Areas:

1. NEEDS
a. God promises to meet our physical needs ( Matt. 6:33 ) – but the spiritual needs are far greater!
1) Relationship (God created us so that we could have a relationship w/Him): ( Jn. 3:16; 13:1 ),
“…having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end.” 2) Security: ( Jn. 10:28 ), “I give eternal life to them … and no one shall snatch them out of My
hand.” – This is true security! (But He won't stop those who choose to walk away.)
3) Significance (we are important to God): ( Matt. 5:14-15 ), “You are the light of the world….”

b. But when “SIN” & Satan enter the picture – look what happens to us as a person…
1) Our relationship is damaged - Our security is breeched – Our significance is tarnished.
2) It is the purpose of the Wonderful Counselor – to restore s to our “pre-sinful” state.
3) This is why Jesus said, ( Lk. 19:10 ), “I have come to seek and to save that which is lost.”

2. THOUGHTS
a. Jesus wants us to focus our thoughts that provide sound mental health, ( quote Phil. 4:8 ).
1) The reason why is found in ( Pro. 23:7 ), “For as a man thinks within himself, so is he.”

b. Once again, when “SIN” & Satan enter the picture – look at what happens to our thinking…
1) Opposites Phil. 4:8 ; false, shameful, wrong, polluted, ugly, disgraceful, worthy of condemn.
2) Jesus wants to change our thinking ( Rom. 12:2 ), “Do not conformed…” – to change our lives!

3. ACTIONS
a. Loving service is what Jesus modeled for us - and what He desires of us – ( Matt. 20:28 ).
1) The apostles continued teaching this point – Phil. 2:3-4; I Pt. 4:11 .
2) What do you think? – Would this change: marriages? Families? Job sites? The world?!

b. When SIN & Satan enter the picture – only person we consider serving is self & manipulating others!
1) Friends: Mk. 10:35 , “James & John, the 2 sons of Zebedee, came up to Him, saying,
‘Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you .'”
2) Enemies: Mk. 15:10-11 , “Pilate was aware the chief priests had delivered Him up because of
envy. – But the C.P. stirred up the multitude to ask him to release Barabbas for them instead.”

4. FEELINGS
a. Feelings are a by-product of our thoughts & our actions (want to change the way you “feel” – then…!).
1) When our thoughts & actions are in-line with Jesus – then we feel peace, belonging, value!
2) But when they are not in-line with Jesus – then we feel guilt, fear, and bitterness!

b. Satan always wants us to begin with our feelings (Do this [sin] & feel good – then we feel guilt! ).

c. Yet as we have seen today, Jesus always begins with our thoughts & actions.



CONCLUSIONS: 1. Our “Wonderful Counselor” has provided us with all that we need…
a. An “owner's manual,” ( II Pt. 1:3