For Unto Us a Child is Born
A Sermon on Isaiah 9:6-7
Originally preached Dec. 27, 1964
Scripture
6For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. 7Of the increase of his government and peace there …
Sermon Description
The hymn writer Charles Wesley famously wrote a Christmas hymn about Jesus Christ, saying, “born a child and yet a king.” In this sermon “For Unto Us a Child is Born,” from Isaiah 9:6-7, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones finds this as the great summation of the prophet Isaiah’s announcement 800 years before the coming of the Messiah in Isaiah 9:6–7. In this Christmas sermon, Dr. Lloyd-Jones reminds of the kingly aspect of the good news. He warns that while the personal aspect of salvation must never be forgotten, it must not stop there. Isaiah preaches the cosmic aspect of the coming Messiah. Christians are indeed saved individually, but there is a day coming when the entire cosmos will be restored. Jesus is the universal king of the cosmos for He was David’s greater son. There was great anticipation of the son of David. Dr. Lloyd-Jones demonstrates how many in the first century missed the characteristics of the Messiah’s coming. Jesus Christ’s first advent was not one of military might and power politics. Instead, He was born a child and yet a king. Nevertheless, Christ introduces justice, righteousness, truth, order, and peace. Listen as Dr. Lloyd-Jones explores the cosmic truth of the child born in Bethlehem. Hear proclaimed the coming of King Jesus and His rule for which there will be no end.
Sermon Breakdown
- The prophet Isaiah prophesied the coming of the Messiah 800 years before his birth.
- Prophecy strengthens our faith by demonstrating God's sovereignty and foreknowledge.
- We must not limit our view of Christ's coming to personal salvation. We must consider its cosmic, universal implications.
- "The government shall be upon his shoulder" means Christ will be given authority and power over the universe.
- The fall brought disorder and lack of peace to the whole universe. Christ came to restore all things.
- Christ's kingdom is unlike any earthly kingdom. It is characterized by truth, righteousness, justice, and peace.
- Wherever Christ reigns, there is order, discipline, and peace. Sin produces chaos and war.
- Christ established his kingdom through his teaching, life, death, and will complete it at his return.
- Christ's kingdom will never end. It is stable and increasing in number and extent.
- We can be sure Christ's kingdom will triumph because God's glory, purpose, power, and zeal are behind it.
Sermon Q&A
Questions and Answers from Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones' Sermon on Isaiah 9:6-7
What is the main prophecy that Dr. Lloyd-Jones discusses in this sermon?
The main prophecy Dr. Lloyd-Jones discusses is from Isaiah 9:6-7: "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace, of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end." He particularly focuses on the phrase "the government shall be upon his shoulder" and what this means about Christ's kingship and kingdom.
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones explain the problem with focusing only on personal salvation?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that while it's right to start with personal salvation, it's wrong to stop there. He states: "Our danger, most of us as Christian people, is to think of the coming of our Lord into the world and all he did solely and only in terms of our own personal salvation." He warns that this limited view ignores the larger cosmic purpose of Christ's coming, which includes restoring the entire universe to God's original purpose and establishing His kingdom of righteousness.
What does the phrase "the government shall be upon his shoulder" mean according to the sermon?
According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, this phrase means that Christ has been invested with authority and power over the entire cosmos. He explains: "The Father has handed over to the Son the whole cosmos marred and ruined by sin. He's handed it over to him in order that he may deal with the problem and the situation and ultimately hand it back to him in all its glorious perfection." It signifies that there is a divine government behind all earthly governments, working out God's ultimate purpose.
How does Christ's kingdom differ from earthly kingdoms according to Dr. Lloyd-Jones?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones emphasizes that Christ's kingdom is completely different from earthly kingdoms. While earthly kingdoms are characterized by military might, force, and outward pomp, Christ's kingdom is characterized by truth, righteousness, justice, equity, and holiness. He cites Jesus' words to Pilate: "My kingdom is not of this world." The preacher also references how Daniel's prophecy contrasts worldly kingdoms (represented by animals and metals) with Christ's kingdom (represented by a stone cut without hands).
What are the two main characteristics of Christ's kingdom mentioned in the sermon?
The two main characteristics of Christ's kingdom mentioned are: 1. Justice and righteousness - "To order it and to establish it with judgment and with justice" 2. Peace - "Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end"
Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that wherever Christ reigns, these characteristics are evident, bringing order out of the chaos caused by sin.
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones describe the stability of Christ's kingdom?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones describes Christ's kingdom as completely stable, unlike human kingdoms and empires that rise and fall. He states: "Here is a kingdom that is established, laid down once and forever. The principles, the program was laid down by the King himself." He emphasizes that this kingdom "shall be no end" and "never shall be moved." Unlike earthly kingdoms that come and go, Christ's kingdom is permanent and unchanging in its principles and purpose.
What does the Bible mean by "the increase of his government"?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that "the increase of his government" has two meanings: 1. Numerical increase - "This means numbers... in every age and generation men and women are being won from the world to the kingdom of God." 2. Extent of territory - "There is a day coming when no part of the universe will be outside his reign and jurisdiction."
He states that the kingdom is constantly growing as more people are brought into it, and it will eventually encompass the entire cosmos.
What guarantee does Dr. Lloyd-Jones give that Christ's kingdom will ultimately triumph?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones points to the final phrase of Isaiah 9:7 as the guarantee: "The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this." He explains that God's own purpose, power, and glory are all invested in the success of Christ's kingdom. He states: "Is it conceivable that the everlasting, eternal, glorious God is going to allow the devil finally to triumph and to prevail? The thing is unthinkable. It's impossible. The glory of God demands it." The ultimate triumph of Christ's kingdom is guaranteed by God Himself.
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones connect this prophecy to the Christmas story?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones connects the prophecy to Christmas by reminding his listeners that the baby in the manger was also a king. He quotes Charles Wesley's hymn: "Born a child and yet a king." He also references how the angel Gabriel announced to Mary that her son would sit on the throne of David and reign forever. The sermon emphasizes that we must not forget the kingly aspect of Christ - that the seemingly vulnerable baby in Bethlehem was actually the King of Kings who would establish an eternal kingdom.
What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones say about the effect of sin on the cosmos?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that sin has affected the entire cosmos, not just humanity. He states: "There is nothing in the whole universe which is as it originally was." He references Romans 8 where Paul says that "the creation was made subject to vanity" and explains how nature tries to reproduce its original perfection each spring but ultimately fails as things die in autumn and winter. Sin has produced disorder, chaos, and a lack of peace throughout creation, and Christ came to restore not just individual souls but the entire cosmic order.
Old Testament
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981) was a Welsh evangelical minister who preached and taught in the Reformed tradition. His principal ministry was at Westminster Chapel, in central London, from 1939-1968, where he delivered multi-year expositions on books of the bible such as Romans, Ephesians and the Gospel of John. In addition to the MLJ Trust’s collection of 1,600 of these sermons in audio format, most of these great sermon series are available in book form (including a 14 volume collection of the Romans sermons), as are other series such as "Spiritual Depression", "Studies in the Sermon on the Mount" and "Great Biblical Doctrines". He is considered by many evangelical leaders today to be an authority on biblical truth and the sufficiency of Scripture.