Welcome to Worship
December 24, 2023
8:30am
The Fourth Sunday of Advent
And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. —(Isaiah 9:6)
Welcome to Worship: Rev. Bill Archer
Lighting the Advent Wreath: The Bethlehem Candle: Peace
The Alicea Family
Worship Song: Joy to the World (Unspeakable Joy)
Prayer: Rev. Kevin Freeman
Redland Happenings and Welcome: Rev. Kevin Freeman
Congregational Greeting
Missionary Update: Graham Davis, Advance Panama
Worship Song: Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
Ministry and Mission Moment: Jim Arnie
Scripture: Isaiah 9:6-7; John 14:27
Sermon Series: Behold: A Savior is Born
Sermon Title: Prophetic Peace
Rev. Mark Adams
Sermon 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. Of the greatness of His government AND PEACE there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this. —Isaiah 9:6-7
“Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” —John 14:27
The peace we read about in our text can only be experienced when we are at peace:
1.) At Peace with
.
“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have PEACE WITH GOD through our Lord Jesus Christ, through Whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand.” —Romans 5:1
“We were alienated from God and were enemies because of our evil behavior.” —Colossians 1:21
“Through faith in Jesus we become holy in God’s sight, without blemish and free from accusation.” —Colossians 1:22
“For He Himself—Jesus—is our peace, Who has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, for through HIM we have access to the Father.” —Ephesians 2:14
“The punishment that brought us PEACE was on Him.” —Isaiah 53:5
“Thou hast made us for Thyself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it finds its rest in Thee.” —Augustine
“Without justification it is impossible to have real peace. Conscience forbids it. Sin is a mountain between a man and God and must be taken away. The sense of guilt lies heavy on the heart and must be removed. Unpardoned sin will murder peace. The true Christian knows all this well. His peace arises from a consciousness of his sins being forgiven, and his guilt being put away. He has peace with God, because he is justified.” —J. C. Ryle
IMMANUEL makes all other peace possible—including peace:
2.) Peace with
.
“As far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” —Romans 12:18
“Make every effort to live in peace with all men. —Hebrews 12:14
“Whoever would love life and see good days must seek peace and pursue it.” —1 Peter 3:10-11
“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts.” —Colossians 3
When we experience this promised peace with God we are also enabled to be at peace:
3.) At Peace with
.
“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
“God placed all things under His feet and appointed Him to be head over everything for the church.” —Ephesians 1:22
“Cast all our anxiety on Him [Who is over all]—knowing He cares for us!” —1 Peter 5:7
“Therefore—SINCE I AM OVER EVERYTHING—I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” —Matthew 6:25ff
“As a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so He opened not His mouth.” —Isaiah 53:7
“Father forgive them for they know not what they do.” —Luke 23:34
God wants us to share the good news of the Prince of Peace…
4.) … with
.
Time of Decision and Commitment: Hope is Dawning
Benediction: Rev. Kevin Freeman