". . . He will be called . . . Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6(NLT)
THREE QUESTIONS:
WHY DID JESUS COME TO EARTH?
"For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost." Luke 19:10 (NIV)
WHO ARE THE LOST?
- THE OUTCASTS
"The Spirit of the Lord is on me because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." Luke 4:18-19 (NIV) - THE ELITES
"You say, "I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked." Revelation 3:17 (NIV) - the average people
"For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God's glorious standard." Romans 3:23 (NLT)
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE "SAVED?"
- i have peace with god for my past
"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: while we were still sinners Christ died for us." Romans 5:8 (NIV)
"But he was wounded and crushed for our sins. He was beaten that we might have peace. He was whipped, and we were healed!" Isaiah 53:5 (NLT)
"By faith we have been made acceptable to God. And now, because of our lord Jesus Christ, we live at peace with God." Romans 5:1 (CEV)
Action Plan: Think about some sins in your life that are still affecting you, and for each one read one of the three verses above.
- i have peace of god for today
"He will keep in perfect peace all those who trust in him, whose thoughts turn often to the Lord!" Isaiah 26:3 (TLB)
Action Plan: Have a set time of thankfulness this week and thank God for peace he brings you. Talk with him about some areas in your life in which you feel his peace.
- one day there will be peace on earth
"The Lord will settle international disputes; all the nations will convert their weapons of war into implements of peace. Then at the last all wars will stop and all military training will end." Isaiah 2:4 (TLB)
"In that glorious day of peace there will no longer be the issuing of battle gear; no more the bloodstained uniforms of war; all such will be burned. For unto us a child is born; unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder. These will be his royal titles: "Wonderful," "Counselor," "The Mighty God," "The Everlasting Father," "The Prince of Peace." His ever-expanding, peaceful government will never end. He will rule with perfect fairness and justice from the throne of his father David. He will bring true justice and peace to all the nations of the world. This is going to happen because the lord of heaven's armies has dedicated himself to do it!" Isaiah 9:5-7 (TLB)
"Lord, grant us peace; for all we have and are has come from you." Isaiah 26:12 (TLB)
Action Plan: Who are you inviting to a Christmas service this year? Think about it this week and make a plan to ask at least one person.
Doable Discipleship: This week's SPECIAL EPISODE of Doable Discipleship features Pastor Buddy Owens narrating the Christmas story in a unique audio experience. New episodes release every Tuesday. To watch or listen, click here
Talk It Over: Have you ever discussed the weekend message in your small group? Talk It Over provides weekly small group discussion questions as a way to bring the weekend message into your small group. To view this week's Talk It Over, click here.
