KNOWING THAT CERTAIN GIFTS AND GRACES WERE BESTOWED ON THE MAN CHRIST JESUS
A Sermon By Wayne Camp
TEXT: Isaiah 11:1-2 And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots: 2 And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD.
Luke 2:52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.
INTRO: When I brought the message on Knowing Christ as Man I proved his humanity by showing that there were certain gifts and graces which were essentially his as God, but which were given him as man. Hebrews 2:17 Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. The only exception ever found in the scripture to his being made like unto us is that he was without sin.
That being true, we can say that faith is a spiritual gift that must be given to men, then the Man Jesus Christ must be given faith. Since hope is a gift that must be given to man, then hope must be given to the man Christ Jesus. Since wisdom is something which must be given by God to men then wisdom must be given to the man Christ Jesus. Since the fear of the Lord is something that must be bestowed upon man, then the man Christ Jesus must have the fear of the Lord given him.
Don't ask me to explain all of this nor should you ask me when each of these were bestowed. Some seem to have been given from birth; others were attained as he grew. As he grew in stature he also grew in wisdom and in favor with God and man.
That he must have these things bestowed rather than just having them naturally gives us another measure of his condescension. When we think that he is God manifest in the flesh, yet he so condescended in being made man that he must have these gifts and graces bestowed by God tells us some idea of the measure of his condescension.
My subject this morning is GIFTS AND GRACES BESTOWED ON THE MAN CHRIST JESUS. I pray that God may give me the strength and grace to set this before you in the power and demonstration of the Holy Spirit.
I. ISAIAH DECLARED THESE GIFTS AND GRACES WOULD BE BESTOWED UPON CHRIST
A. Isaiah declared they would be bestowed upon him. Isaiah 11:1-5 And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots: 2 And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD; 3 And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the LORD: and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears: 4 But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked. 5 And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins.
1. Please note in verse one the identity of the person under consideration. Isaiah 11:1 And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots.
a. He is a rod out of the stem of Jesse.
b. He is called the root of Jesse. Isaiah 11:10 And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious.
c. He is a the Branch that shall grow out of the root of Jesse.
2. In prophecy, Jesus is often referred to as the Branch.
a. He is the righteous branch. Jeremiah 23:5 Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth.
b. He is the branch of righteousness. Jeremiah 33:15 In those days, and at that time, will I cause the Branch of righteousness to grow up unto David; and he shall execute judgment and righteousness in the land.
c. He is God's servant, the branch. Zechariah 3:8 Hear now, O Joshua the high priest, thou, and thy fellows that sit before thee: for they are men wondered at: for, behold, I will bring forth my servant the BRANCH.
d. He is the man who is the branch. Zechariah 6:12 And speak unto him, saying, Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Behold the man whose name is The BRANCH; and he shall grow up out of his place, and he shall build the temple of the LORD.
B. In the New Testament he is shown to be descended from Jesse and David as the prophecies we read have said he would be.
1. In Mat. 1:6-16 his lineage is shown to be from Jesse and David. Matthew 1:6-16 And Jesse begat David the king; and David the king begat Solomon of her that had been the wife of Urias; 7 And Solomon begat Roboam; and Roboam begat Abia; and Abia begat Asa; 8 And Asa begat Josaphat; and Josaphat begat Joram; and Joram begat Ozias; 9 And Ozias begat Joatham; and Joatham begat Achaz; and Achaz begat Ezekias; 10 And Ezekias begat Manasses; and Manasses begat Amon; and Amon begat Josias; 11 And Josias begat Jechonias and his brethren, about the time they were carried away to Babylon: 12 And after they were brought to Babylon, Jechonias begat Salathiel; and Salathiel begat Zorobabel; 13 And Zorobabel begat Abiud; and Abiud begat Eliakim; and Eliakim begat Azor; 14 And Azor begat Sadoc; and Sadoc begat Achim; and Achim begat Eliud; 15 And Eliud begat Eleazar; and Eleazar begat Matthan; and Matthan begat Jacob; 16 And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.
2. Christ was raised up of David's seed according to Paul as recorded in Acts 13:22-23 And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will. 23 Of this man's seed hath God according to his promise raised unto Israel a Saviour, Jesus.
3. He was made of the seed of David according to the flesh. Romans 1:3 Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh.
II. THE GIFTS AND GRACES WHICH WERE BESTOWED UPON THE MAN CHRIST JESUS
A. The Holy Spirit was given to him. Isaiah 11:2 And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him.
1. He was anointed with the Holy Spirit. Acts 10:38 How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost.
2. The Holy Ghost was given to him without measure. John 3:34 For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him.
B. Power was given to him. Acts 10:38 How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him. Isaiah 11:2 And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might.
1. This power enabled him to preach the gospel with power and authority such as men of that day had never known.
2. This gave him power and authority to commission his church to do her work. Mat. 28:18-20
3. This gave him power to work the miracles he worked with such demonstration that men such as Nicodemus confessed he must be empowered by God himself. John 3:2 we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.
4. This power enabled him to bear the sins of his people, lay down his life for his sheep and to endure the punishment due them for their sins. John 10:17-18 Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. 18 No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.
5. This God-given power enabled him to obtain eternal redemption for his people in his one sacrifice for sin. Hebrews 9:12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.
6. This God-given power enabled him to perfect his elect forever. Hebrews 10:14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.
C. Wisdom and understanding were given to him. Isaiah 11:2 And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding.
1. He grew in the grace of wisdom. Luke 2:52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.
2. There is no doubt in my mind that he grew in his understanding as a man.
3. This spirit of understanding that was given to him made him to be quick in understanding. Isaiah 11:3 And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the LORD: and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears.
4. This spirit of understanding enabled him to judge in perfect righteousness or in absolute justice. Isaiah 11:3-5 And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the LORD: and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears: 4 But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked. 5 And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins.
5. The man Jesus Christ understood God's law as no other man ever has. Matthew 5:17-48 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. 18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. 19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven. 21 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: 22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire. 23 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; 24 Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift. 25 Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison. 26 Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing. Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: 28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. 29 And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. 30 And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. 31 It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement: 32 But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery. Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths: 34 But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne: 35 Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King. 36 Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black. 37 But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil. Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: 39 But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40 And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also. 41 And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. 42 Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away. 43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. 44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; 45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? 47 And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? 48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
6. The Father delivered all judgment into his hand and anointed him with the spirit of understanding enabling him to judge in perfect justice and righteousness.
7. This reminds me of a passage near the end of the book of Revelation. Revelation 19:11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.
D. Knowledge was given to Christ. Isaiah 11:2 And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge.
1. As God he knew all things.
2. As man he must be given the spirit of knowledge; he must grow in knowledge, and yet there were some things he did not know. Mark 13:32 But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.
3. It was through the spirit of knowledge that was given him that he was able to astound the doctors in the temple when he was only 12 years of age.
E. He was given the spirit of counsel enabling and qualifying him to be the wonderful counselor as prophesied in Isa. 9:6. Isaiah 11:2 And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel.
1. While on earth he gave counsel to men.
a. He warned men to repent or they would perish.
b. He advised men to come to him if they were to have everlasting life. Jn. 3:14-18
c. He counseled the weary and burdened to come to him for rest. Matthew 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
d. He counseled the hungry and thirsty to come to him and find the true bread from heaven and the water of life.
e. He counseled his disciples as to how they ought to live and to love one another.
f. He counseled those who were troubled in heart to not be afraid assuring them he would come again and receive them unto himself. Jn. 14:1-3
g. The spirit of counsel that was given to him enabled him to be wonderful in counsel. Isaiah 28:29 This also cometh forth from the LORD of hosts, which is wonderful in counsel, and excellent in working.
F. The man Christ Jesus was given the spiritual gift of faith.
1. One who is called faithful must have faith. Hebrews 2:17 Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. Hebrews 3:1-2 Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus; 2 Who was faithful to him that appointed him, as also Moses was faithful in all his house.
2. His cry, "My God, My God", just before his death on the cross is evidence of the faith of the man Christ Jesus. Matthew 27:46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?
a. This is not the cry of God, the Eternal Word.
b. It is the cry of the suffering man, Christ Jesus.
c. It is a cry that shows his faith in God even when forsaken in his suffering. "My God."
G. The man Christ Jesus was given the spiritual gift of hope. Acts 2:26-27 Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope: 27 Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. Acts 2:31 He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption.
CONC: Why study such things as I have set before you this morning? From my experience with preachers and others, I know that there are some who say something to this effect, "Emphasize the deity of Jesus Christ. Don't bring him down in the eyes of the people by discussing his humanity." I discuss these things with you for several reasons.
First, if we are to know Christ as we ought we need to know all the Bible says about his humanity as well as his deity.
Second, it will help us to understand more fully the extent of his humbling himself to be made man. He who is God so humbled himself in becoming man that he was dependent on the Father for all these spiritual gifts and graces to fulfill his work as Saviour of his people.
Third, it will deliver us from many errors concerning the person and work of Jesus Christ. For instance, I was taught in seminary that Jesus worked miracle to prove he was God, while the Bible declares him to be "a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him. (Acts 2:22). Rather than working miracles by his own inherent power as God he worked them by the power with which God had anointed him. Acts 10:38 How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.
Let us not draw back from the clear cut teachings of Scripture for it is knowing the truth that we are set free from many errors. If we would truly know Christ we must know him as he is revealed in Scripture. It is in the written word that God has chosen to reveal all that we need to know of Christ.
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