12.20.2020 | PRINCE OF PEACE
PRINCE OF PEACE
Isaiah 9:6 – “For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
Isaiah 9:7 – “Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.”
Luke 2:13-14 – “And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying: ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!’”
Luke 24:36 – “Now as they said these things, Jesus Himself stood in the midst of them, and said to them, ‘Peace to you.’”
1. Discover peace
Isaiah 53:5-6 (NIV) – “But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on Him, and by His wounds we are healed. All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own. Yet the Lord laid on Him the sins of us all.”
2. Return to peace
Luke 24:47b – “‘There is forgiveness of sins for all who repent.’”
John 16:33 – “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
Hebrews 12:14 – “Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.”
Ephesians 2:14 – “For He himself is our peace.”
Philippians 4:6-7 (NLT) – “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank Him for all He has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard you hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:8 (NLT) – “And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.”
3. Give peace
Galatians 5:22-23 – “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.”
James 3:15 (NLT) – “For jealousy and selfishness are not God’s kind of wisdom. Such things are earthly, unspiritual, and demonic.”
James 3:18 (NLT) – “And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness.”
Discussion Questions:
1. Do you tend to define peace as something based on your environment, or something internal that is unchanged by circumstances?
2. Describe the first time you remember experiencing the peace of God.
3. What are some aspects of life that typically distance you from God’s peace?
4. What are the most helpful tools for you to stay in God’s peace?
5. Where might God be calling you to sow seeds of peace during this Christmas season?