Exploring God’s Word with Brad Thurston

Wonderful Counselor

Episode Summary

During this season of Advent 2022 we are exploring the names of Jesus that Isaiah prophesied in Isaiah 9:6. The first name is: Wonderful Counselor

Episode Notes

Introduction

I love the names of Jesus in the Bible.  This prophecy in Isaiah 9:6 is a direct exposition of who the Messiah will be. The focus is naturally an encouraging sign to those who are struggling, and it would lift up the spirits of those who are depressed. It raises our eyes, our vision of a great deliverer and inspires hope. Just saying the names of the coming One is uplifting!

Text again: Isaiah 9:1-2, 6-7

My personal question of this passage is: Why is counselor listed first? What is so special about counselors? It surely would not have been my first choice.  Perhaps: Mighty God! Overcomer, Deliverer, Savior, Comforter, but Counselor? 

We often associate counselors with “shrinks”, or strange people who make lots of money off of others misfortunes. It carries a stigma, as if I couldn’t manage my own affairs. There’s a fear that others will look down on me if I have to visit a therapist.

I see two different kinds of counselors:

The first one is for my personal life. Our daughter Hannah, who did very well in Psychology - a course if barely passed in college, is a certified counselor for people who have needs in their lives.

A counselor is not responsible for changing your life. But gives you the insight, education, and tools to enable you to manage or overcome anxiety, come off drugs, or change your attitudes with a goal of motivating you to change. A modern example, though not necessarily a good one is social media.

The second one has to do with direction and comprehension in work or endeavors. A modern example is the use of YouTube. 

What does a counselor do? Helps to see the big picture, helps to understand a situation, helps to lay out options with their consequences. Then helps work out the practical steps to achieve goals.  My need exposed when we started a missions agency in Germany.  I had ideas, but no way of knowing how to go about it. I need a lawyer, other leaders who had accomplished something in missions that I respected, pointers in the right direction.  

How do you start an agency, what do you need to focus on?

What do you need to get to and manage 100 missionaries?

How do you train and release those among the focus people group to multiply among themselves?

Helpful counselors bring clarity to work, purpose, values, vision, direction, methods, and goals.  

The amazing thing about Jesus is that he is the best counselor for both personal and work matters. He guides us through the questions, not just of religion, but of all aspects of life! Does God have a specific calling for you? A specific purpose? For the church? For the community?  He helps us answer such questions and then helps us both individually and as a church to move forward together – and supplies us with all those who can counsel us effectively.  We all gain a lot through an abundance of counselors.

Our resistance to getting help – can have personal and eternal consequences.

Denial of problem.  Pride

Don’t want to change

Afraid if change

Stigma attached to getting help

Work time and cost associated with change. 

Unwillingness to pay the cost leads to no change.

Our desperation leads to acceptance for help

The help Jesus offers

1. For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who became His counselor? Romans11:34 first there is not Counselor above God!
2. Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil, But counselors of peace have joy. Proverbs:  12:20 know who your counselors are!
3. Blessed is the person who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the path of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers! But his delight is in the Law of the Lord, And on His Law he meditates day and night. He will be like a tree planted by streams of water, Which yields its fruit in its season, And its leaf does not wither; And in whatever he does, he prospers.” Psalms1:1-3 first counsel comes from God’s Word.  It is the manufacturers handbook!  If you don’t understand something, ask the manufacturer.  He has a variety of helpers who can assist you as well!
4. John 14:16 HS is the Counselor! “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate (helper, comforter, counselor) to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.” John14:16-17our own personal counselor!
5. Without consultation, plans are frustrated, But with many counselors they succeed. Proverbs 15:22 work related 
6. Where there is no guidance the people fall, But in an abundance of counselors there is victory. Proverbs11:14 Guidance
7. Then I will restore your judges as at first, And your counselors as at the beginning; After that you will be called the city of righteousness, A faithful city.”” Isaiah1:26 restoration in times of uncertainty and confusion!
8. “A wise person will hear and increase in learning, And a person of understanding will acquire wise counsel,” Proverbs1:5 personal counsel
9. Through overconfidence comes nothing but strife, But wisdom is with those who receive counsel.” Proverbs13:10 personal counsel 
10. “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” 1 Corinthians10:13 personal counsel.  What is the wise counsel of Jesus?
11. “From that time Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”” Matthew4:17
12. Our role in that: but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block, and to Gentiles foolishness, but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.” 1 Corinthians1:23-24

Why wonderful? 

Counselors can be good, or helpful, but my daughter was stumped when asked if counselors were ever called wonderful. But Jesus is called the wonderful counselor. Why?

Because it is all encompassing.  His counsel is full of wonder! It is wise, just, righteous, fulfilling, amazing, full of understanding, logical, all encompassing, pure, clear, uplifting, and life changing! He doesn’t just motivate you towards change, he gives you the change by installing his counselor into your life! He gives you the power to change by giving you new life. He counsel is unique in being wonderful!

Our acceptance of the offer of new life leads to personal growth in every area of our being. Do you need to accept his counsel today?