This Week’s Experience – 12/23/2018

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Order of Service

Music……………………..Worship Team
Real Love
Welcome……………………….Bill Butler
O Come All Ye Faithful
Here Comes Heaven
O Little Town of Bethlehem
Message………………Gilbert Thurston
Prince of Peace
Offering & Announcements
Music……………………..Worship Team
O Come All Ye Faithful
Dismissal………………………Bill Butler

Message notes

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

-Isaiah 9:6

Many have attempted to write about what had taken place among us. They received their information from those who had been eyewitnesses and servants of God’s word from the beginning, and they passed it on to us. However, it occurred to me that it would be well to recheck all these accounts from first to last and after thorough investigation to pass this summary on to you, most excellent Theophilus, to reassure you of the truth of all you were taught.

-Luke 1:1-4

That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them.  “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!   And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.” Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying, “Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.” 

-Luke 2:10-14

The two Hebrew words translated as Prince of Peace are Sar Shalom.

Sar- The , , chief, general, the one who is in charge.

Shalom- Wholeness, completeness, tranquility, the one who gives .

1. Jesus gives me peace between and the .

He was hated and rejected; his life was filled with sorrow and terrible suffering.  No one wanted to look at him. We despised him and said, “He is a nobody!” He suffered and endured great pain for us, but we thought his suffering was punishment from God. He was wounded and crushed because of our sins; by taking our punishment, he made us completely well. All of us were like sheep that had wandered off. We had each gone our own way, but the LORD gave him the punishment we deserved. He was painfully abused, but he did not complain.  He was silent like a lamb being led to the butcher, as quiet as a sheep having its wool cut off. He was condemned to death without a fair trial. Who could have imagined what would happen to him? His life was taken away because of the sinful things my people had done. He wasn’t dishonest or violent, but he was buried in a tomb of cruel and rich people. The LORD decided his servant would suffer as a sacrifice to take away the sin and guilt of others. Now the servant will live to see his own descendants. He did everything the LORD had planned.  By suffering, the servant will learn the true meaning of obeying the LORD.  Although he is innocent, he will take the punishment for the sins of others, so that many of them will no longer be guilty. The LORD will reward him with honor and power for sacrificing his life. Others thought he was a sinner, but he suffered for our sins and asked God to forgive us.

-Isaiah 53:3-12

You once lived in this world without God and without hope. But now you have been united with Christ Jesus. Once you were far away from God the Father, but now you have been brought near to him through the blood of Christ. For Christ himself has brought peace to us.

-Ephesians 2:12-14

2. Jesus makes peace in this for me.

I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.

-John 16:33

Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! Let everyone see that you are unselfish and considerate in all you do. Remember that the Lord is coming soon. Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything; tell God your needs, and don’t forget to thank him for his answers. Then, because you belong to Christ Jesus, God will bless you with peace that no one can completely understand. And this peace will control the way you think and feel.

-Philippians 4:4-7

LIFE APPLICATION
To discuss during the week with your family or Life Group

1. What area of life has been causing you a lack of peace recently?
2. How has Jesus been the Sar Shalom to you in the past? How can He be that to you now?
3. Of the 2 main points in this message which one do you need most right now?
4. What is your next step as a result of this message?