Healing of Nations

Advent (arrival) & Peace

Isaiah 9:6–7 (ESV)

6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

7 Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.

Luke 1:32–34 (ESV)

32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David,

33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”

34 And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?”

Luke 2:14 (ESV)

14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

The Lexham Bible Dictionary (In the Old Testament)

In the Old Testament, “peace” carries the fundamental meaning of welfare, prosperity, or wholeness as well as the absence of hostility

Ephesians 2:14 (ESV)

14 For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility

Malachi 4:2 (ESV)

2 But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall.

Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace! Hail the Sun of righteousness! Light and life to all he brings Risen with healing in his wings

– Charles Wesley, “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing”

***Pray for Peace this Christmas***

Peace & Healing of Nations

Revelation 22:2 (ESV)

2 through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.

Ezekiel 47:12 (ESV)

12 And on the banks, on both sides of the river, there will grow all kinds of trees for food. Their leaves will not wither, nor their fruit fail, but they will bear fresh fruit every month, because the water for them flows from the sanctuary. Their fruit will be for food, and their leaves for healing.”

Psalm 2:7–8 (ESV)

7 I will tell of the decree: The Lord said to me, “You are my Son; today I have begotten you.

8 Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage, and the ends of the earth your possession.

Our Part:

Ephesians 6:15 “15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.”

receive the peace of God, through the blood of Jesus (Eph. 2:13)

maintain the peace of God, through following Jesus (Eph. 2:15; Col 3:15)

spread the peace of God, through proclaiming Jesus (Eph. 6:15)

***Pray for the Nations***

Coptic/Egyptian’s meeting at SVCC-Urbana

Portugues missional congregation at SVCC-Urbana

Congolese speakers coming to SVCC-Urbana

U of I Internationals: 126 Nations (as of 2022)

Asia - 10,040

Europe - 462

Middle East - 339

Latin America - 326

Africa - 231

Canada/Oceania - 150