service notes
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 2 Tim 2:15
Download printable PDF of notes
The Prince Of Peace
Sunday, Dec 27, 2009: By Pastor Peter F. Paine
Isaiah 9:6 6. For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
Pastor Paine started the message by asking each of the people in the congregation to take a 3x5 card and write down something that they didn’t have peace about. At the front of the altar, there was a shredder so whenever they were ready, people could take that card and shred it symbolizing that they had completely surrendered it to Jesus and that they didn’t have to worry about it anymore.
Matthew 1:21 21. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
Jesus came to save and brought peace with him. Peace on Earth is not here now. Between nations and people, there is still conflict. So where is this peace that was promised? It’s in the relationship that every person can have with Jesus Christ. He is the Prince of Peace. Through Him, we can live with peace in the midst of craziness (even though there is trouble on every side of us as we live our daily lives) Jesus was a pro at keeping calm in the middle of everything crashing in around him. After all, he was the one that the Bible tells us was sleeping in the middle of a raging storm while he and the disciples were out at sea.
A large part of peace comes from our focus. We have to focus on victory, not on the battle. Peace is largely a matter of relationship and perspective. If we have the right relationship with God, it brings peace. And, if we have the right perspective on our life through God, we will have peace.
Relationship: How is our relationship with God? Is it formal or can we open up and be completely honest with Him? Just like it is in our relationships with the people we love the most on this earth, there will be times when it is easier than others.
Psalms 1:1-6 1. Blessed [is] the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. 2. But his delight [is] in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. 3. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. 4. The ungodly [are] not so: but [are] like the chaff which the wind driveth away. 5. Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. 6. For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.
How should we live our lives? Do we get God’s advice on our situation? How can we delight in the law? The only way is to know it and do it. Do we find ourselves walking where we should and spending time where we should? The only way to find joy and peace is to simply live by God’s principles. It is our choice whether we do or not.
Sometimes we have to give up control and put our situation in God’s hands to get peace.
Colossians 3:1-15 1. If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 3. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. 4. When Christ, [who is] our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. 5. Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: 6. For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: 7. In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them. 8. But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. 9. Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; 10. And have put on the new [man], which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: 11. Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond [nor] free: but Christ [is] all, and in all. 12. Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; 13. Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also [do] ye. 14. And above all these things [put on] charity, which is the bond of perfectness. 15. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.
There is a throne on our hearts. We can either sit there and take the power into our own hands, or we can surrender it to God.
Ephesians 6:12 12. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high [places].
There is a battle for our hearts, our minds, and our spiritual life. Since we know that is true from scripture, we are lead to believe that there is a battle for our peace.
What are the influences that we subject ourselves to every day? Pastor Paine told the story of how he was at home watching a TV show one night that depicted a teenage girl being kidnapped who was unable to contact her family. That night, while his two teenage daughters were out, he paced the driveway. He could not escape the fear that something had happened to them because he found himself so wrapped up in the emotion of the show he had just seen. Everything was fine. No one was hurt or kidnapped, but he allowed himself to be subjected to a drama’s portrayal of what could happen.
What is it that we listen to in the grocery store check out? Do we allow negativity to become what we fear? Or what about the news? Do we as Christians give into the fear that anything unexpected could come our way at any moment?
Luke 2:1-14 1. And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. 2. ([And] this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) 3. And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. 4. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) 5. To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. 6. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. 7. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. 8. And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. 10. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. 12. And this [shall be] a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. 13. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14. Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
Something that looks like it is the end of the world can actually bring peace if we get God’s perspective on it. Verse 14 shows us that the crux of the Christmas story is the peace that came in the moment when fear could have overcome. The angels brought the great news of peace at the same time they bought word of Jesus’ birth.
Romans 5:1-11 1. Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 2. By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3. And not only [so], but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; 4. And patience, experience; and experience, hope: 5. And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. 6. For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. 8. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. 10. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. 11. And not only [so], but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.
We have peace with God thought Jesus Christ. If we have found it, we can ask God anything. He wants this for us.
Philippians 4:8-9 8. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things [are] honest, whatsoever things [are] just, whatsoever things [are] pure, whatsoever things [are] lovely, whatsoever things [are] of good report; if [there be] any virtue, and if [there be] any praise, think on these things. 9. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.
