Our Mission: To Make More and Better Disciples
Aren’t we forgetting the true meaning of Christmas? You know the birth of Santa. —Bart Simpson
And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 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 among those with whom he is pleased!” When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” —Luke 2:8-15 (ESV)
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 (NIV)
The Peace we Need
1. Relationship Without
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. —Matthew 5:9 (ESV)
2. Rescue from
And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” —Revelation 21:3-4 (ESV)
And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. —Mark 4:37-39 (ESV)
3. Relief from
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 (ESV)
The Peace of God
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. —Matthew 11:28 (ESV)
Peace With God
Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them. —John 3:36 (NIV)
4.
Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned… —Romans 5:12 (ESV)
For the sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never did obey God’s laws, and it never will. —Romans 8:7 (NLT)
For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! —Romans 5:10 (NIV)
Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, —Romans 5:1 (NIV)
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. —John 3:16 (ESV)