Intro: This is the Christmas season and every child of God along with many lost people, are thinking about the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ. This is a time when we sing the songs of Christmas and retell the Christmas story and read the passages from the Bible that speak of that glorious day when God became flesh and walked among men. Today, I want to look at one of my favorite passages having to do with the birth of Jesus. It is a favorite because it presents Jesus in a way that few verses in the Bible can. This verse presents Him coming, dying, and coming again. It also portrays His activity in the lives of His people. This verse is the life of Christ in miniature. This verse contains only 39 words, but the world itself could not contain the volumes that would need to be written to exhaust its content. This morning, I want to present Jesus to you from this verse and I want to show you why the Bible says here that His Name Shall Be Called Wonderful.

I. HIS FAME (Ill. "Child is born" calls to mind his humanity!)

A. This was no ordinary baby! He was flesh, but at the same time, He was God, John 1:1; 14.

B. His birth was anything but ordinary in:

1. Its announcement – Luke 1:26-33

2. Its accomplishment – Isa. 7:14; Luke 1:32

3. Its accompaniment – Luke 2:1-20

C. Ill. Though Jesus was (is) God, He was also a helpless baby! (Ill. The wonder Creator placing his welfare in the hand of the creature.) (Ill. Mary nursed her Maker!  The Creator became dependent upon the creature!)

II. HIS SHAME (Ill. "Son is given" calls to mind His deity and His death)

A. Even though Jesus, was the son of man, He was also the Son of God!

B. This reminds us that He came to this earth for the singular purpose of dying on Calvary for the sin of the world – John 18:37. (Ill. The price He paid for the redemption of the sinner!)

C. Ill. "Given" – Literally = "Delivered up" Jesus was deliver up to death that those who receive Him might be delivered from death into life!

III. HIS CLAIM (Ill. "Government" reminds us that He rose from the dead, ascended back to Heaven and is coming again for His people and then in glory to reign upon the earth!)

A. The second advent of Jesus is in view here. He is returning to this world, not as a Lamb, but as the Lion of the tribe of Judah. He is returning, not to die, but to reign, not to suffer, but to put down evil.

B. He came the first time as a Lamb to die, this time He comes as a King to conquer. Rev. 19:11-16.

C. He has a claim in your heart today! Is He the absolute king and ruler of all that your are and have? If not, give Jesus yourself and allow Him to be what He is Lord! (Ill. You can’t make Him Lord! Either He is, or you are in rebellion.)

IV. HIS NAME (Ill. Not "Names!" He is all of this at the same time! No wonder He will be called Wonderful!)

A. Wonderful – Supernatural – "Secret" Only those who truly know Him can appreciate Him and understand His attraction. Ill. He is truly the Miracle Man!

B. Counselor – A leader and guiding force in the lives of men. Ill. He is wonderfully qualified for the job:

1. Age and experience – Dan. 7:9; Heb. 4:15

2. Knowledge – Acts 1:24; 1 John 3:20

3. Education – Isa. 40:13-14

4. Price – Isa. 55:1

5. Always available – Matt. 28:20; Heb. 13:5

6. Always gives perfect advise – Hos. 14:9; Psa. 19:7-8; John 16:13

7. Motives are always pure – 1 Pet. 5:7

C. Mighty God – Hero! (Strong, mighty, invincible!) Ill. He has conquered all our enemies:

1. Death – 1 Cor. 15:55

2. Sin – Rom. 6:14; Brought salvation to all men – Heb. 7:25

3. Grave – Matt. 28:1-6

4. Eternity – Gave us everlasting life – John 10:28

5. He alone is qualified to be our Hero!

D. Everlasting – Ill. He is the "I AM" – Never was there a time when He was not – Gen. 1:1. There will never be a time when He will not be – Psa. 90:1-2; Deut. 33:27. (Ill. My life is tied to His, I will only live as long as He does!)

E. Father – He fulfills His role as our Father by:

1. Loving – Jer. 31:3

2. Supporting – Psa. 18:35 – Hand; Deut. 33:27 – Arm

3. Sustaining – 2 Tim. 1:12

4. Comforting – John 14:16-18

F. Prince Of Peace – John 14:27; 16:33; Phil. 4:7 He gives peace with:

1. God

2. Self

3. Others

4. Ultimately, He will bring peace to the world for eternity!

Conc: We can sum all of this up and say that it is Wonderful! It is more wonderful to know it than it is just to hear it. If you do not know it, or if there are things that have crept into your life that are hindering you from walking with Jesus, I invite you to come to Him this morning. Find out why His Name is called Wonderful! Find out what the true Spirit of Christmas is all about.