Audio Worship, 3/1/2026, "Thy Kingdom Come", Isaiah 9.1-7

Princeton Presbyterian Church (EPC) Sermon # 1720

March 1, 2026

Isaiah 9.1-7                           Click here for Audio Worship

Dr. Ed Pettus

(This is an extended outline, not a verbatim transcript.)

 

“Thy Kingdom Come”

 

But there will be no gloom for her who was in anguish. In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he has made glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations. The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone. You have multiplied the nation; you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as they are glad when they divide the spoil. For the yoke of his burden, and the staff for his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian. For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult and every garment rolled in blood will be burned as fuel for the fire. For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.

 

 

  • Darkness to Light

 

Isaiah 9 is a message of promise and hope. It begins with a reference to a time of invasion from the Assyrians in the regions in Galilee, Zebulun and Naphtali. The pivot to something different in that same first verse, “But in the latter time…” As always, we should pay attention to the pivot words of Scripture, words like “but, therefore, yet”, because those pivots are taking us to something new, usually something better. There was a time when God’s judgment brought an invasion from another nation, but now...He has made glorious the way. That way is in verse 2, The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone. These terms, darkness and light, are heavy weighted terms throughout Scripture. We see all over the canon the contrast between darkness and light. Isaiah spoke a “woe” to those who put darkness for light and light for darkness (5.20). Darkness is most often associated with evil and unrighteousness while light is connected to goodness and righteousness.

 

It is all through the New Testament as well:

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. John 1.1-5

 

Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life. John 8.12

 

Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not become partners with them; for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light. Ephesians 5.6-8

 

He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. Colossians 1.13-14

 

Those who put darkness for light and light for darkness are against the light of God that exposes those in the dark.

 

 

  • His Government

 

The promise of light rests upon a child born, a son given, upon whom a new government rests. It is not like any government on earth. It is not like any system of rule or any process of man, but it is God’s government. It is the promise of God’s faithful rule. It is a rule we have seen and yet not come to complete fruition. His government is in His Son, Jesus Christ. It is a government of true justice, genuine peace, and righteousness. We have received a glimpse into this government, certainly in a spiritual sense, that God governs over the affairs of the heart to those who believe. We see portions of it within the church when we are living together in the peace, unity, and purity that God intends for us.

But we also know that sin is still a part of our existence. Sin taints our personal lives and the life of the church. The government of God is among us in Christ, and yet we cannot see fully. We are partially blinded in our darkness. But the promise remains and is sure, that we are in the light of Jesus Christ and strive to walk in that light. We do not see everything yet, but we know the presence of something more.

We have those kinds of experiences from time to time when we did not see something coming. Some people talk about car accidents like that. “I never saw that car.” Or someone does something we would not normally expect of them and we say, “Sure didn’t see that coming.” God’s rule is like that for us. We sometimes do not see what is coming, or even what has already come. But the good news is that God is faithful to rule and reign as King and Lord and Sovereign.

 

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder...

 

  • His Name

 

The light that shines in the darkness, the government that rests on His shoulders is know in the name, or names, the powerful name. But what we discover is the Son goes by many names. “...and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” It is not unusual for the Old Testament to call titles as names. These names really operate more like titles that give us a glimpse into the character of God and Jesus and the Holy Spirit. So, for instance, we do not name Jesus as the Everlasting Father, and yet He has attributes that reflect fatherhood. Some translation of this verse leave out the word “name” simply saying, “He will be called…” This lends more to the use of title than name.

This verse is widely considered a prophetic Word announcing the coming of Jesus Christ. We hear it often around Christmas and we marvel at the titles given. And these are just a few of the titles that the Bible has for the Christ.

Wonderful Counselor – Jesus is the great guide to our lives. He gives us wisdom and knowledge. His counsel comes through His Word, the Bible. He promised the Holy Spirit who is called Helper and Counselor, depending on the translation of John 14.26.

Mighty God – This title reflects Jesus’ divinity and His eternal nature. His might is displayed fully in that all things were created through Him, John 1.2-3. His might is revealed in His miracles, character, obedience, teaching, suffering, death, and resurrection.

Everlasting Father – Once again, not to be confused with God the Father in the Trinity, but Jesus displayed the attributes of care, compassion, and protection like that of a father. Some also suggest that Jesus is father in the sense that Adam is our father. While Adam sinned and brought separation from God, Jesus did not sin and has reconciled us to God, “For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive” (1 Corinthians 15.21-22).

Prince of Peace – This title demonstrates Jesus’ ministry of reconciliation. Through His death and resurrection, He brings us peace, peace in forgiveness, peace in reconciliation with God, peace in the knowledge that Christ has come and will come again. When the world is filled with chaos and confusion, it is Jesus who calms the storms and brings peace. Jesus gives us peace like no other, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid” (John 14.27) .

 

 

  • Thy Kingdom Come

 

The light, the government, the titles, are all wrapped up in the kingdom. Every Sunday we join together to pray the Lord’s Prayer. Every Sunday we say those words, “Thy kingdom come”. What are we praying? As I mentioned before, we have the kingdom in our midst for the kingdom is at hand in the person of Jesus Christ, and yet, there is more to come. There is a promise of fulfillment of the coming kingdom. Isaiah gives that promise in 9.7, “Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.” Jesus gave His first sermon on this when He said, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 4.17). Jesus embodies the kingdom. His Words reveal the kingdom. His actions display kingdom living. This is the promise of Isaiah 9 and of all the prophets, that to us would be born a Savior. That Savior would bring light in darkness, God’s rule in hand, the titles revealing the Messiah, and the kingdom proclaimed.

This whole section of our reading today is backed by the final line that the zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this. Zeal is a word we seldom use. Zeal is a commitment, a fervor, enthusiasm, and passion. Zeal can be a good thing if placed in the right place. But zeal can be dangerous and misleading if set on error. The Zealots mentioned in the New Testament were called Zealots because of their zeal for the cause. But they misread and misunderstood the Bible expecting the Messiah to come as a warrior to overthrow Roman rule and oppression in their time. There are plenty of “Zealots” in the world today, not like those in the Bible, but people who have a huge passion wrapped in a vague belief. Many of the protesters we see interviewed have great zeal for the cause, they just do not have a clue what that cause is. I think the most dangerous people in the world are those who have a vague belief firmly held.

 

But zeal is wonderful when one is zealous for what is right. Zeal is great when anchored in faithfulness and righteousness. God is zealous for the kingdom come. God is zealous in grace and love and mercy. If He were not, we probably would not have a Savior. But God is zealous for our salvation. He is passionate for His people. Isaiah 26.11, “O Lord, your hand is lifted up, but they do not see it. Let them see your zeal for your people, and be ashamed.” The zeal of the Lord is the source of the promises of God and the fulfillment of all those promises, fulfilled now and yet to come.

This is good news. This is the promise of the Gospel. Jesus Christ has come, born unto us. This is the good news of light shining in the darkness, of salvation from sin, self, and death. This is the good news of Sovereign reign with the government on His shoulders. This is the good news of all the titles in the Bible bestowed on the Christ. This is the good news of the Kingdom of God, the Kingdom of Heaven. We do not see the totality of the Kingdom yet, but we have seen enough to know it true. We have seen enough to trust and believe and give our lives to the Prince of Peace.

Anyone who hears these Words from Isaiah, and hears the Words of Christ, and hears the preaching of those words, is invited to “thy kingdom come”. Repent and believe. Repent and trust. Repent and come unto Jesus.

Come to the Wonderful Counselor and find spiritual wisdom.

Come to the Mighty God and find the power to save.

Come to the Everlasting Father and find hope and safety.

Come to the Prince of Peace and find the peace that surpasses our capacity to comprehend.

 

And know this, if you come, you come because of the zeal of the Lord of hosts who regenerates hearts and minds with His might, in His love, and by His grace. Come and behold the zeal of the Lord of hosts to bring His people into His kingdom. Amen.