Micah 5:1-5 Advent wk 1

Peace is a Promise

MPS Jesus is the Promised of Peace for all People

Problems then:

Why would God make me (us) a promise? I’ve never done anything for him.

Intro: Advent, Peace

Hello

Guests /Members

Advent

Peace

define it. What its is/isn’t

Problems: Micah and Isaiah are contemporaries. Sack of the northern empire by the assyrians. Not words spoken at the height of the empire. Spoken at a low point (v1)

And yet, God speaks a promise of peace

Likewise, as a nation, we do not find ourselves in times of prosperity, national unity or lack of worry. We are anxious, scared, tired, confused and angry.

maybe you feel your emotional life, spiritual life, relationships or work is falling apart. Has God given up on me?

Hope is found in promises

[Illustration] maybe christmas promises, expectation

Hope for peace this christmas

Jesus is the Promised Peace for Everyone

P 1: Jesus is Peace

[READ 4b-5(4b cont) for now he shall be great

to the ends of the earth.

5  And he shall be their peace.]

does not say:

He will protect their peace.

comfort,

why God?! etc

He will return them their peace

nostalgia

Like if you hadn’t made certain mistakes in your life you would have peace this season

no! you need jesus this season

he will give them peace.

Earned it and now give it to me

no merit, no boasting

what you have done/haven’t

He will lead them to peace.

not a personal trainer leading you to accomplish your goals

Says: He shall BE their peace

he is the gift, he is the goal, he is peace in every circumstance

not the peace of the world, the peace of God

When Jesus is great, there is peace

P 2: Jesus is the Promise

[READ vv3-4]

4  And he shall stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the LORD,

in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God.

And they shall dwell secure, for now he shall be great

to the ends of the earth.

Promises:

He shall stand

stand up for

Stand against Satan

Stand before God

Stand for us

in our place

He shall Shepherd

Psalm 23

lead, guide, care for

He shall have the strength of the Lord

way better than you! way better than anything else

he shall have the name of the Lord

name brand

they shall dwell

eternal life

life to the fullest

they shall be secure

salvation, security, serenity

Sometimes you have to wait for a promise to be fullfilled

Waiting, hoping

3  Therefore he shall give them up until the time

when she who is in labor has given birth;

then the rest of his brothers shall return

to the people of Israel.

give them up until the time… (no peace until Jesus)

brothers return- Peace among the family/ nation

Importance of believing a promise (Faith)

P 3: Jesus is for Everyone

[READ v1-2] But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah,

who are too little to be among the clans of Judah,

from you shall come forth for me

one who is to be ruler in Israel,

whose coming forth is from of old,

from ancient days.

Bethlehem

Ephrathah

King David (2 Samuel)

Judah (Gen 49:10)

Ruler of Israel (messiah, Christ)

Who’s coming forth is from Old, ancient days (Gen 3:15)

Old is capitalized- the ancient one.

John 1 in the beginning with God

too little to be counted

think Parump, Tonapah, Chilcoot

No matter what the season, who you are, where you come from, or what you’ve done, God promises peace

No matter what the season,

War, etc

who you are, where you come from,

or what you’ve done,

Jesus is for you

Christmas is a reminder of God’s extreme desire to be in our lives

Transition: No matter what the season, who you are, where you come from, or what you’ve done, God makes you a promise

Conclusion:

No matter who you are, where you come from, what you have or have not done to your shame or to your boasting- God is not impressed nor is he ashamed of you. But he is for you. The king of the heavens and earth came to a shabby little city, to a people praying for peace.