Canvey Methodist Church Bible Studies-Peace-14th December 2021

Theme: Peace that transforms 

 

Advent Themes: First Hope, Then love, Then Joy and today Peace.

 

Micah 5:2-5a; Hebrews 10:5-10; Luke 1: 46b-55; Psalm 80: 1-7; 

 

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Reading: Isaiah 9:2-7.   New International Version

2 The people walking in darkness

    have seen a great light;

on those living in the land of deep darkness

    a light has dawned.

3 You have enlarged the nation

    and increased their joy;

they rejoice before you

    as people rejoice at the harvest,

as warriors rejoice

    when dividing the plunder.

4 For as in the day of Midian’s defeat,

    you have shattered

the yoke that burdens them,

    the bar across their shoulders,

    the rod of their oppressor.

5 Every warrior’s boot used in battle

    and every garment rolled in blood

will be destined for burning,

    will be fuel for the fire.

6 For to us a child is born,

    to us a son is given,

    and the government will be on his shoulders.

And he will be called

    Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

7 Of the greatness of his government and peace

    there will be no end.

He will reign on David’s throne

    and over his kingdom,

establishing and upholding it

    with justice and righteousness

    from that time on and forever.

The zeal of the Lord Almighty

    will accomplish this.

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The Prince of Peace

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulders, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6)

 

Luke 2:1-20.     New International Version

 

The Birth of Jesus

 

2 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while[a] Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register.

 

4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

 

8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

 

13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

 

14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,

    and on earth peace to those on whom his favour rests.”

15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

 

16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told

 

Comment:  

Christ’s birth on earth fulfilled many prophecies. Jesus came to bring Hope, He came to demonstrate and to bring love, He came to bring a deep and lasting joy and finally he came to bring a peace that passes all understanding. All of these are supernaturally given and are bubbling away irrespective of external turmoil and difficulty.

 

So often, there is very little stillness in our world. Everyone seems to have a great rush of worry to do more, to get more, to achieve more, to be more…we have a great need of stillness, of quiet, of peace.

 

In the face of worries and anxieties, St Paul encourages us,

 

 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, 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.” (Philippians 4:6, 7)

 

 In Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, we are invited into moments of stillness, when we can joyfully be at rest in God’s presence.

 

When we slow down, catch our breath, still our worried, busy hearts, and rest, we can know true peace—incredible, unknowable peace.

 

Life within the love and forgiveness of Jesus allows us to experience a peace that surpasses all understanding. The Prince of Peace lives in every believer by way of the incarnate Holy Spirit. We are empowered by the very Spirit of God! Our strength, hope, and peace comes from He who is the way, the truth and the life.



 

What are the ways that Jesus brings us peace in the following areas of our lives?

 

1).JESUS BRINGS US PEACE WITH GOD 

(John 14:27, Romans 15:13, 2 Corinthians13:11)

 

John 14:27.    New International Version

 

27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

 

Qu? What is the World's Peace and what is God’s peace? 

 

Romans 15:13.   New International Version

13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

 

Qu? What does “trusting in Jesus” mean to you?

 

2 Corinthians 13:11.   New International Version

Final Greetings.    11 Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.

 

Qu? How can we choose to “live in peace”?

 

2) JESUS BRINGS US PEACE WITH OURSELVES

Philippians 4:5-7.    New International Version

 

5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

 

Qu? How can we deal with anxiety?


 

3) JESUS BRINGS US PEACE WITH OTHERS 

(Ephesians 4:31-32)

 

31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

 

Qu? How can we get rid of bitterness, rage and anger? 


 

PRAYER

 

Jesus, We intentionally take this moment, and the days of this week, to sing praise and glory and honour to You for coming down from heaven to walk the earth that we also tread daily. Thank You for Your sacrifice, and for the opportunity of the new life that it ushers into our souls as we turn to You for salvation. Thank You for the gift of the Holy Spirit who enables us to live as your children, granting us discernment and abilities to do the work that the Father has purposed for us in for Your Kingdom. Father God, we are filled with Joy at being accepted into your family! Praise and glory be to You, Jesus! 

As we anticipate Advent, and the celebration of Christmas, we dream of Your coming to set the world at peace once and for all. May we play our part in the meantime in serving you in hope, love, joy and peace, that others will see Jesus as their Lord and Saviour also.

Jesus, we long to live with You eternally, and we love You with our whole hearts. We thank you for your peace that flows so abundantly from You, like Living Water, like a raging river that washes over us, calming our fears and our hearts… especially in this year that has been so full of Covid uncertainty, intensity and isolation. 

Thankyou that you are our prince of peace. May we trust you in the days ahead, for your wonderful peace that passes all understanding. Lord, in faith and gratitude, we turn to you.

 

In Jesus’ Name,

 

Amen.

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Hymns of Peace.

 

King of glory, King of Peace.  (George Herbert).

https://youtu.be/ikj7CiC7v0U

 

1) King of glory, King of peace,

I will love Thee;

and that love may never cease,

I will move Thee.

Thou hast granted my request,

Thou hast heard me;

Thou didst note my working breast,

Thou hast spared me.

 

2 Wherefore with my utmost art

I will sing Thee,

and the cream of all my heart

I will bring Thee.

Though my sins against me cried,

Thou didst clear me;

and alone, when they replied,

Thou didst hear me.

 

3 Sev'n whole days, not one in sev'n,

I will praise Thee;

in my heart, though not in heav'n,

I can raise Thee.

Small it is, in this poor sort

to enroll Thee:

e'en eternity's too short

to extol Thee.


 

My peace I give unto you.  (Keith Routledge)

https://youtu.be/ls01XGV7oA0

 

My Peace I Give Unto You;

It´s A Peace That The World

Cannot Give;

Its A Peace That The World

Cannot Understand,

Peace to Know, Peace To Live,

My Peace I Give Unto You.

 

My Love I Give Unto You,

It´s Love That The World

cannot Give;

It´s A Love That The World

Cannot Understand.

Love To Know, Love To Live,

My Love I Give Unto You.

It´s A Love That The World

Cannot Understand.

My Love I Give Unto You.

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When peace like a river attendeth my soul. (Horatio Gates Spifford).

https://youtu.be/AHe_qmo3gX4

 

1 When peace like a river attendeth my way,

when sorrows like sea billows roll;

whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say,

"It is well, it is well with my soul."

 

Refrain

It is well with my soul;

it is well, it is well with my soul.

 

2 Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,

let this blest assurance control:

that Christ has regarded my helpless estate,

and has shed his own blood for my soul. 

 

Refrain

 

3 My sin oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!

my sin, not in part, but the whole,

is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more;

praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul! 

 

Refrain

 

4 O Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,

the clouds be rolled back as a scroll;

the trump shall resound and the Lord shal

 

Give me Joy in My Heart.

https://youtu.be/QUd0VwMvCiU


 

Give me oil in my lamp, keep me burning

Give me oil in my lamp, I pray

Give me oil in my lamp, keep me burning

Keep me burning till the break of day

 

Sing hosanna, sing hosanna

Sing hosanna to the Servant King

Sing hosanna, sing hosanna

Sing hosanna, let us sing

 

Give me joy in my heart, keep me praising

Give me joy in my heart, I pray

Give me joy in my heart, keep me praising

Keep me praising till the break of day

 

Sing hosanna, sing hosanna

Sing hosanna to the Servant King

Sing hosanna, sing hosanna

Sing hosanna, let us sing

 

3. Give me peace in my heart, keep me loving

Give me peace in my heart, I pray

Give me peace in my heart, keep me loving

Keep me loving till the break of day

 

Sing hosanna, sing hosanna

Sing hosanna to the Servant King

Sing hosanna, sing hosanna

Sing hosanna, let us sing

 

Give me love in my heart, keep me serving

Give me love in my heart, I pray

Give me love in my heart, keep me serving

Keep me serving till the break of day

 

Sing hosanna, sing hosanna

Sing hosanna to the Servant King

Sing hosanna, sing hosanna

Sing hosanna, let us sing




 

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