Elements City Church
Christmas wk4: Prince of Peace
There is a declaration that rings out in Isaiah 9 around the the wonder we celebrate at Christmas. The magnitude and majesty of what's GIVEN to us in our Messiah. Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father and Prince of Peace. Jesus is all this and MORE…that’s what we celebrate at Christmas, he’s the complete Savior and Lord GIVEN to save us and lead us forward in this life.
Locations & Times
Elements City Church
1825 N Alvernon Way, Tucson, AZ 85712, USA
Sunday 5:00 PM
Thanks for joining us...
We pray that tonight would be encouraging for you. If you're a guest here with us, we want to INVITE you to our 10 Minute Party immediately following service. We'd love to meet you and we have a free gift just for you. Click the link below to see THE WEEKLY - our digital announcements/info for all things happening in and around Elements...or find everything ya need in our app.
http://elem.cc/weeklyThis season is NOT only about what you GIVE (go ahead and enjoy that part of it) – but this season is MORE FULLY about what has already been GIVEN!
4 names were used to describe the coming Immanuel (Isa. 9:6).
Each reflects the office of deity and humanity.
“Wonderful Counselor” means an extraordinary (Divine) advisor;
“Mighty God” means a heroic God;
“Everlasting Father” means an everlasting overseer;
“Prince of Peace” means a captain who secures spiritual peace and tranquility.
Each reflects the office of deity and humanity.
“Wonderful Counselor” means an extraordinary (Divine) advisor;
“Mighty God” means a heroic God;
“Everlasting Father” means an everlasting overseer;
“Prince of Peace” means a captain who secures spiritual peace and tranquility.
Prince of Peace
...today we see this promise of Jesus being our Prince of Peace. He is THE provider of a peace securing us a NEW standing before a Holy God; we’re then enfolded into being peacemakers, bringers of peace to a broken and volatile world AND we’re given a permanent possession of God’s peace that travels every day life with us, forevermore.
...today we see this promise of Jesus being our Prince of Peace. He is THE provider of a peace securing us a NEW standing before a Holy God; we’re then enfolded into being peacemakers, bringers of peace to a broken and volatile world AND we’re given a permanent possession of God’s peace that travels every day life with us, forevermore.
Peace is more...
What a wonderful word "shalom" is; it has all the connotations of peace in English language; but includes a whole lot more. It means not simply psychological ease but a holistic sense of fulfillment, well-being, and flourishing.
What a wonderful word "shalom" is; it has all the connotations of peace in English language; but includes a whole lot more. It means not simply psychological ease but a holistic sense of fulfillment, well-being, and flourishing.
Being an enemy of God is our natural condition apart from the saving grace of God. That is why the cross of Christ isn’t optional, it’s absolutely necessary. If we are going to enjoy real peace with God, it is only going to come one way.
It will not come by God ignoring our sin or making light of it, letting bygones be bygones, overlooking things and playing nice, or by moving on and not holding grudges.
The only way peace with God will come is by God dealing head-on with our sin. That is precisely what he’s done through the birth of this child and the gift of the Son; the one whom we rightly call the Prince of Peace.
It will not come by God ignoring our sin or making light of it, letting bygones be bygones, overlooking things and playing nice, or by moving on and not holding grudges.
The only way peace with God will come is by God dealing head-on with our sin. That is precisely what he’s done through the birth of this child and the gift of the Son; the one whom we rightly call the Prince of Peace.
Those of us who have been reconciled to God now enjoy peace with God. And because of this peace with God, we can enjoy peace with one another.
The vertical peace we have with God should transform into a horizontal peace we can enjoy with one another. The Apostle Paul celebrates this horizontal peace in Ephesians 2:14
"For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility..."
His peace is to permeate our horizontal relationships – affecting us to live in harmony with one another as much as it’s possible this side of heaven. We’ve been reconciled into one forever family with our Everlasting Father overseeing us, leading us in peace.
As we embody peace in our relationships, we proclaim peace to the world.
The vertical peace we have with God should transform into a horizontal peace we can enjoy with one another. The Apostle Paul celebrates this horizontal peace in Ephesians 2:14
"For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility..."
His peace is to permeate our horizontal relationships – affecting us to live in harmony with one another as much as it’s possible this side of heaven. We’ve been reconciled into one forever family with our Everlasting Father overseeing us, leading us in peace.
As we embody peace in our relationships, we proclaim peace to the world.
His PEACE MAY or may NOT change your circumstances, but it will always CHANGE YOU, no matter what changes around you. That’s what the Prince of Peace brings.
The peace we enjoy through Christ is not circumstantially dependent; it’s not the case that the Prince of Peace will fix everything in your life or mine and there will be no more turbulence in life.
There almost certainly will be continued difficulties and hardships we have to face, conflict we have to endure, and broken relationships we have to navigate. The Prince of Peace doesn’t promise perfection in this life.
What he does promise is deep, personal & spiritual peace even in the midst of the troubles in this life.
The peace we enjoy through Christ is not circumstantially dependent; it’s not the case that the Prince of Peace will fix everything in your life or mine and there will be no more turbulence in life.
There almost certainly will be continued difficulties and hardships we have to face, conflict we have to endure, and broken relationships we have to navigate. The Prince of Peace doesn’t promise perfection in this life.
What he does promise is deep, personal & spiritual peace even in the midst of the troubles in this life.
Quote:
"Peace is not the absence of conflict — it’s “shalom” or fullness of life (right where you’re at). Peace is a rest of will that comes from divine assurance about how things will turn out." –Dallas Willard
In essence: No matter what we’re going through: God’s got YOU!
Philippians 4:6-7
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
God has us in the palm of His hands. He’s big enough, patient enough, wise enough and has more than enough love for you.
He’s got you.
He’s got you tomorrow.
He’s got you next week.
He’s got you next year,
He’s got you in the next season of life, the next stage of life
He’s got you now and will one day usher you into life eternal with Him.
He’s got you.
Be at peace.
"Peace is not the absence of conflict — it’s “shalom” or fullness of life (right where you’re at). Peace is a rest of will that comes from divine assurance about how things will turn out." –Dallas Willard
In essence: No matter what we’re going through: God’s got YOU!
Philippians 4:6-7
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
God has us in the palm of His hands. He’s big enough, patient enough, wise enough and has more than enough love for you.
He’s got you.
He’s got you tomorrow.
He’s got you next week.
He’s got you next year,
He’s got you in the next season of life, the next stage of life
He’s got you now and will one day usher you into life eternal with Him.
He’s got you.
Be at peace.
NEED PRAYER? ....we've got some of our prayer team and pastors available following service to pray with you. You can also submit your prayer request via our app. We look forward to partnering with you in prayer.
Thanks for partnering with us...
Every gift you give enables us to move the mission of Elements and the Hope and Light of Jesus forward in our city and beyond. Thank you for financially & faithfully partnering with us! You can give here, online or easily within our free app on your phone or tablet. As you consider your Year-End giving, we'd be grateful to have you partner with your church and God's mission for us today and on into 2019.
http://elem.cc/giveCHRISTMAS EVE - Tomorrow!
DECEMBER 24TH @ 4pm or 6pm.
We'd love to have your family join us!
DECEMBER 24TH @ 4pm or 6pm.
We'd love to have your family join us!
If YOU'RE NEW, please join us in the back of the room for our 10 MINUTE PARTY. If you're NEW it's just for YOU! and it starts as soon as service is over.