Prince of Peace

Greeting: Today, we celebrate!

My hope today is that we can leave here with a renewed sense of awe of what Jesus' coming really means for us.

Hook: Peace Child

In 1962, Don Richardson, South Papau, New Guinea, Sawi’s (cannibalistic headhunters)

Book: Look at our main text for the series we have been in...

Isaiah 9:6–7 (NLT)

For a child (God’s Peace Child!) is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His government and its peace will never end. He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David for all eternity. The passionate commitment of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies will make this happen!

Written nearly 700 years before Christ came!

Recap series “His Name Shall be Called”: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father...

Now the Grand Finale…and “oh, it’s good!”

Title: Prince of Peace

King of Kings, Lords of Lords….Prince of all Peace

He came to bring peace between God and man:

Masterpiece, Tragedy, Hopeless, Hostility

Look: How did Jesus bring us peace?

One thing to know about peace…there’s always a price to be paid!

Price of Peace

Why is it you think that peace has a price?

Gives assurances of keeping peace (can’t be cheap)

Price builds trust.

Sawi’s knew, "if a man would actually give his own son to his enemies, that man could be trusted!"

Trusted the missionaries…because they brought their baby.

Trusted the God of the Bible…because He sent Jesus, His only Son…to His enemies!!

Price also cancels out the wrongs.

Brings the scales into balance...

Bible says in Hebrews 9:22, Without the shedding of blood, there can be no forgiveness…

That’s the price for a sinner to have peace with God!!

Peace offering (Temporary price in law of Moses)

To give it freely. (For God so loved the world…)

To bring it himself. (Holy Spirit conceived in Mary)

To lay his hand upon its head. (Holy Spirit descended on Christ like a dove…This is My Son in whom I am well pleased)

To kill it at tabernacle door. (Calvary’s hill)

Required to be perfect and free from blemish. (Christ was sinless)

God offered His own peace offering, His “Peace Child” for our sin to be paid for!

John the Baptist: “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world!”

Romans 5:8–11 (NLT)

But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners (His enemies). And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God’s condemnation. For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son. So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God (Peace!).

God sent His Son to pay the price of peace for us!!

That’s why the angels sang to the shepherds in the field...

Luke 2:14 (NKJV) “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”

***Sometimes it gets drowned out***

“I Heard the Bells!”

I saw a movie recently, “I heard the bells”… Civil War (mid-1800’s)

Baby & First wife: He lost his wife of 28 after she miscarried giving birth to a still-born baby.

Second wife had a tragic fire accident and died.

He quit writing, and he struggled in his faith in God.

His son signed up to fight with the Union Army in the Civil War was wounded and moved back home.

Then one Christmas morning, he heard the bells ringing…singing…Peace on Earth!

He wrote this very famous poem, “Christmas Bells”. Listen closely:

And in despair I bowed my head;

"There is no peace on earth," I said;

"For hate is strong,

And mocks the song

Of peace on earth, good-will to men!"

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:

"God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;

The Wrong shall fail,

The Right prevail,

With peace on earth, good-will to men."

Casting Crowns - I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day (Lyrics)

Took: RING THE BELL!!!

Just as those bells are ringing, singing, reminding us of Peace on Earth...

Let US be those bells ringing, singing, BOOMING!!

“Peace on Earth, Goodwill to Men!”

For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Closing Scripture:

Romans 5:1 (NLT)

Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us.

Closing: “Please bow your heads”

“In a moment, I’m going to give you an opportunity to receive peace with God”

“You might be in here, you’re not sure...good person...”

There’s no other way....

Invitation: Drawing the net (BELIEVE they’re getting saved!!)

“If you want to receive God’s offering of peace through His Son, Jesus Christ”

“I want you to raise your hand high right where you are!”

Response: “Please stand”

“If you raised your hand, I want to invite you to solidify the decision in your hearts…would you come?”

“Tell the person next to you, you’ll come up with them if they want to go.”

Final Statements

Let’s be the bells that are ringing, “Peace on Earth!” Let’s remind everyone that Jesus is their Prince of Peace!

Announcements

Offering

Surprise service for my parents Dec 28