Christmas Day

Christmas Day

December 25, 2004

Isaiah 9:6

What’s in a name?

INTRODUCTION: What’s in a name? A name identifies the character of a person. For example, my name, “Daniel” is of Hebrew origin and means, “God is my judge.” Tamara is also Hebrew which means, “palm tree.” Henry mans “Ruler of the Home” while Lydia is Greek for “cultured”. Lindsey, the first girl and the first child baptized this year {as well as the first recorded baptism in our church’s 2nd century} means “trees near water” while Remington [1st boy] is taken from the word “Raven” meaning “Blackbird” while Coy means “quiet” or “still”.

http://www.thenewparentsguide.com/baby-names-c.htm

In Biblical thought you are a name. The son born on Christmas is no ordinary person as shown by the name He is given. What’s in a name especially His name? Consider Jesus’ title.

I.                    Counselor-

A.         He guides us into the ways of truth, divine and eternal truth.

B.         He is a helper – who came to rescue us from our greatest peril. The powers of sin, death and the Devil.

C.         Advocate – Paul put it this way, “God was in Christ rec0onciling us to the Father, not counting our sins against us. And He has given us this ministry of reconciliation.”

II.                 Mighty God-

A.         The transcendent One – who created this universe in six days and rested on the seventh. He created a vast universe for us to explore, to profit from ($1 spent in exploration translates into $17 in return) Yet He is the one who governs our days and orders our universe.

B.         Totally other – One whose will was to be born in human likeness who for us men and our salvation came down from heaven and was incarnate by the Holy Ghost and was made man. Conceived by the Spirit and born of the Virgin He is our Savior from sin, death, and the devil.

III.               Everlasting Father –

A.         Warm – who has loved us with an everlasting love.

B.         Tender – who speaks to us favorably through His inspired Word.

C.         Caring – Who in love has reached down to us to save us from our sins.

D.         The Compassionate God- Who broke into time and space to be our Savior – who took on flesh to dwell among us, to take the burden of our guilt and sin.

IV.              Prince of Peace –

A.         The creator of our peace with God. He is the source of every blessing. Our peace comes only from Him.

B.         The one who will bestow His abiding peace on those who are called by His saving Gospel. This is why we share His story with the world so that souls might be won for Him.

CONCLUSION: What’s in a name? There’s plenty. The child whose birth we celebrate this day has been given the name “Jesus” for “He will save His people from their sins.” And save us is what He has done. No wonder the angels who announced His birth would exclaim, “there is now peace on earth and good will toward men”! A Blessed Christmas in Jesus’ Name. Amen