GateWay Church of Visalia
Christmas Peace
Isaiah 40:1-9 Pastor Ed Kemp December 6, 2020
Locations & Times
GateWay Church
1100 S Sowell St, Visalia, CA 93277, USA
Sunday 10:30 AM
Introduction
Sin is Atoned
Space is Increased
Scripture is Authenticated
Messiah Arrives
So What?!
Christmas Peace means EVERYBODY:
#1. Can be forgiven!
“…iniquity has been removed.” vs. 2
#2. Can be included!
“…all flesh will see it together;” vs. 5
“…all flesh will see it together;” vs. 5
#3. Can experience God’s power!
“…the word of our God stands forever!” vs. 8
“…the word of our God stands forever!” vs. 8
#4. Can be a part of the good news!
“…bearer of good news;” vs. 9
“…bearer of good news;” vs. 9
The Lord bless you, and keep you;
25 The Lord make His face shine on you,
And be gracious to you;
26 The Lord lift up His countenance on you,
And give you peace.’ Numbers 6:24-26
25 The Lord make His face shine on you,
And be gracious to you;
26 The Lord lift up His countenance on you,
And give you peace.’ Numbers 6:24-26
Christmas Hope
Prayer Requests:
Group Discussion: When was the first time you attended at Christmas Eve service and what did you think of it?
Read: Isaiah 40:1-9, Christmas Peace means EVERYBODY:
#1. Can be forgiven! “…iniquity has been removed.” Vs. 2. Rate your ability to forgive, are you a person who: 1) forgives immediately, 2) forgives through a gradual process, 3) never forgives. What do you think of the statement, “I forgive, but I never forget.” Do you think that’s a Biblical statement and what verse of Scripture would you use to substantiate it? Do you think that’s a truth statement that needs to be moderated? Do you wish you could stop doing that? How many people in your world do you hold in that category?
#2. Can be included! “…all flesh will see it together;” Vs. 5. Rate your ability to welcome new people into your world and include them in relationship: 1) I immediately adjust my relationships and include new people, 2) I include new people very carefully and gradually, 3) I never include new people because my world is full. What do you think of the statement, “Respect must be earned.” Is it Biblical? How do you build trust with people?
#3. Can experience God’s power! “…the word of our God stands forever!” vs. 8. Rate your ability to give God credit for how you live life: 1) I give God all the credit for everything I do, 2) I give God credit when I’m with Christian friends who understand what I mean, 3) I never give God credit because I don’t do anything worthwhile. What do you think of the statement, “God helps those who help themselves?” Is it Biblical?
#4. Can be a part of the good news! “…bearer of good news;” vs. 9. Rate yourself on how you share Christ with others: 1) I never talk about Christ, church or the Bible with others, 2) I’m always talking about these with others, 3) Every once in a while I’ll discuss these with others. What do you think of the statement, “I let the way I live my life speak for me.” Is it Biblical? Could someone get connected to Christ and get to heaven watching your life?
Family Time: Use Isaiah 40:2, “her iniquity (sin) has been removed.” All of us can be forgiven. Ask your children about a person they’ve had to forgive in the past. A friend that treated them badly and yet they still play with them because they forgave them. Ask them who else they need to forgive. Ask them if they ever had to forgive you! Talk about how God forgives us for our bad behavior through His grace.
Prayer Requests:
Group Discussion: When was the first time you attended at Christmas Eve service and what did you think of it?
Read: Isaiah 40:1-9, Christmas Peace means EVERYBODY:
#1. Can be forgiven! “…iniquity has been removed.” Vs. 2. Rate your ability to forgive, are you a person who: 1) forgives immediately, 2) forgives through a gradual process, 3) never forgives. What do you think of the statement, “I forgive, but I never forget.” Do you think that’s a Biblical statement and what verse of Scripture would you use to substantiate it? Do you think that’s a truth statement that needs to be moderated? Do you wish you could stop doing that? How many people in your world do you hold in that category?
#2. Can be included! “…all flesh will see it together;” Vs. 5. Rate your ability to welcome new people into your world and include them in relationship: 1) I immediately adjust my relationships and include new people, 2) I include new people very carefully and gradually, 3) I never include new people because my world is full. What do you think of the statement, “Respect must be earned.” Is it Biblical? How do you build trust with people?
#3. Can experience God’s power! “…the word of our God stands forever!” vs. 8. Rate your ability to give God credit for how you live life: 1) I give God all the credit for everything I do, 2) I give God credit when I’m with Christian friends who understand what I mean, 3) I never give God credit because I don’t do anything worthwhile. What do you think of the statement, “God helps those who help themselves?” Is it Biblical?
#4. Can be a part of the good news! “…bearer of good news;” vs. 9. Rate yourself on how you share Christ with others: 1) I never talk about Christ, church or the Bible with others, 2) I’m always talking about these with others, 3) Every once in a while I’ll discuss these with others. What do you think of the statement, “I let the way I live my life speak for me.” Is it Biblical? Could someone get connected to Christ and get to heaven watching your life?
Family Time: Use Isaiah 40:2, “her iniquity (sin) has been removed.” All of us can be forgiven. Ask your children about a person they’ve had to forgive in the past. A friend that treated them badly and yet they still play with them because they forgave them. Ask them who else they need to forgive. Ask them if they ever had to forgive you! Talk about how God forgives us for our bad behavior through His grace.