I love cathedral style ceilings. It’s an architectural design that seems to be missing from many modern day churches. In my opinion, cathedral style ceilings testify to the strength of a church that points Heavenward, and remind us of the strength of our Lord. This week, as we study Isaiah 9.6 again, we’ll be looking at Mighty God.[1]
For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (NIV)
I wonder how often we consider ourselves servants of a Mighty God, one with strength and power, able to support and strengthen us.
I’m here in West Bay Covenant Church.[2] I’ll be ministering here on December 30th if you’d like to drop by.
Mighty God
Jesus is our Mighty God. Mighty has the same meaning for us as in the Hebrew language. We think of words that are close to mighty, like strong or brave.
i. Mighty men of valor
Perhaps we can remember powerful and mighty men in the Bible. Joshua was known to have “mighty men of valor” (Joshua 8.3, KJV). The angel shows up, surprises Gideon, and calls him a “mighty man of valor” (Judges 6.11-12).
David is called “a mighty valiant man” (1 Samuel 16.18-19). We know David is protected by “Mighty Men” (2 Samuel 23.8f). When we read the feats of the Mighty Men, they’re really kind of like our Special Forces or Black Ops. They’re just amazing men in the military, that are surrounding David.
ii. Do we see Jesus as Mighty God?
It’s easy to look at heroes in the Bible and see them as mighty, but do we look at the Child in the manger and see Him as Mighty?
We look at the One who, when He became an adult, described Himself as “meek and lowly” (Matthew 11.29). Can we still think of Jesus as Mighty God?
I believe this is one aspect of Him that our actors in Hollywood have failed to capture over the years. He was a mighty man.
iii. Do we realize the power and authority Jesus holds?
Can you imagine Him just politely saying to demons, “Would you mind just excusing yourself?”
He was Mighty!
Our Lord walked in authority. He silenced the ignorance of the Pharisees, time and time again. Jesus turned over their tables in the Temple with a whip.
He is Mighty God!
Do we realize for us, in our situations that we’re going through today, that He has already paid the price with a mighty, mighty feat upon the Cross. He suffered and died the most tortuous death known to man for you. He paid for what you’re going through. What you’re going through has already been taken care of by His might!
He is a Mighty God!
iv. He is our Mighty God
I wonder when any of us wrestle with sin, if we think sin might be our master. Let’s consider what Paul says about this in Romans 6.11-14:
In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as an instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as an instruments of righteousness. For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace. (NIV, 1999)
Can we remember at Christmastime that this babe wrapped in swaddling clothes in a manger would someday rise from the grave victorious?
He would have a power, not only over His own life, but over yours. He rose so that sin would no longer reign in your mortal bodies, but that you would be free today to walk into new life. The sin that has clutched onto you for years can fall today, because you serve a Mighty Master!
He is Mighty!
Do we need to be reminded that we serve Jesus Christ?
Do we need to be reminded that Jesus Christ is our warrior God?
Do we need to be reminded that Jesus Christ is the One who takes up our cause?
Do we need to be reminded that He is our Mighty God?
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