Christ, Our Peace

16 January 2013

Opening Prayer/Worship

Hymn: When Peace Like a River

Theme: The Mystery of Christ

Topic: Christ, Our Peace

Reading: Isaiah 43:1-7

But now thus says the Lord,
   he who created you, O Jacob,
   he who formed you, O Israel:
Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
   I have called you by name, you are mine.
² When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
   and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;
when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,
   and the flame shall not consume you.
³ For I am the Lord your God,
   the Holy One of Israel, your Saviour.
I give Egypt as your ransom,
   Ethiopia and Seba in exchange for you.
⁴ Because you are precious in my sight,
   and honoured, and I love you,
I give people in return for you,
   nations in exchange for your life.
⁵ Do not fear, for I am with you;
   I will bring your offspring from the east,
   and from the west I will gather you;
⁶ I will say to the north, ‘Give them up’,
   and to the south, ‘Do not withhold;
bring my sons from far away
   and my daughters from the end of the earth—
⁷ everyone who is called by my name,
   whom I created for my glory,
   whom I formed and made.’

Introduction

At times in life, God allows challenges and trials to come our way.  The encouragement we have at such moments is that He has made us a promise- neither to leave us nor forsake us.  No matter how strong the storm or painful the loss/trial, God knows, and has promised to bring us through it.  When we go through challenging times, it is very easy to give up, no wonder the Scripture reminds us in several passages, neither to fear nor be afraid; rather that we should trust the promise of God, that when we put our trust in Christ we are rest assured that He will deliver us.  Christ died not only to set us free from the bondage of sin, satanic attacks and fear of death, but that we may live a life of abundance-  abundance in our health, career, relationships, walk with God, finances and so much more.  Although it is a mystery how God did it, Christ died that we may have the Peace which passes human understanding.  No matter what may come our way, let our song be “it is well”. 

Questions/Discussion

1.   What is the essence of the encouragement in Scripture- ‘do not fear’?  

      How will you define fear? 

Isaiah 41:10, 13-14

¹⁰ do not fear, for I am with you,
   do not be afraid, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you,
   I will uphold you with my victorious right hand. 

¹³ For I, the Lord your God,
   hold your right hand;
it is I who say to you, ‘Do not fear,
   I will help you.’ 

¹⁴ Do not fear, you worm Jacob,
   you insect Israel!
I will help you, says the Lord;
   your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel.

2. Discuss some of the factors that cause us to fear when we go through challenging times. 

Deuteronomy 20:1-4

When you go out to war against your enemies, and see horses and chariots, an army larger than your own, you shall not be afraid of them; for the Lord your God is with you, who brought you up from the land of Egypt. ²Before you engage in battle, the priest shall come forward and speak to the troops, ³and shall say to them: ‘Hear, O Israel! Today you are drawing near to do battle against your enemies. Do not lose heart, or be afraid, or panic, or be in dread of them; ⁴for it is the Lord your God who goes with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to give you victory.’

3. How do we apply the promise of God’s deliverance in our lives? 

Psalm 107:10-22

¹⁰ Some sat in darkness and in gloom,
   prisoners in misery and in irons,
¹¹ for they had rebelled against the words of God,
   and spurned the counsel of the Most High.
¹² Their hearts were bowed down with hard labour;
   they fell down, with no one to help.
¹³ Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,
   and he saved them from their distress;
¹⁴ he brought them out of darkness and gloom,
   and broke their bonds asunder.
¹⁵ Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love,
   for his wonderful works to humankind.
¹⁶ For he shatters the doors of bronze,
   and cuts in two the bars of iron. 

¹⁷ Some were sick through their sinful ways,
   and because of their iniquities endured affliction;
¹⁸ they loathed any kind of food,
   and they drew near to the gates of death.
¹⁹ Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,
   and he saved them from their distress;
²⁰ he sent out his word and healed them,
   and delivered them from destruction.
²¹ Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love,
   for his wonderful works to humankind.
²² And let them offer thanksgiving sacrifices,
   and tell of his deeds with songs of joy. 

Isaiah 43:1-2, 54:14-17

But now thus says the Lord,
   he who created you, O Jacob,
   he who formed you, O Israel:
Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
   I have called you by name, you are mine.
² When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
   and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;
when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,
   and the flame shall not consume you. 

54:14-17

In righteousness you shall be established;
   you shall be far from oppression, for you shall not fear;
   and from terror, for it shall not come near you.
¹⁵ If anyone stirs up strife,
   it is not from me;
whoever stirs up strife with you
   shall fall because of you.
¹⁶ See, it is I who have created the smith
   who blows the fire of coals,
   and produces a weapon fit for its purpose;
I have also created the ravager to destroy.
¹⁷   No weapon that is fashioned against you shall prosper,
   and you shall confute every tongue that rises against you in judgement.
This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord
   and their vindication from me, says the Lord.

Luke 12:6-7

Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten in God’s sight. ⁷But even the hairs of your head are all counted. Do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows.

John 14:25-27

‘I have said these things to you while I am still with you. ²⁶But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you.²⁷Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.

Intercession/Worship

Conclusion

Christ is our perfect Peace.  When trials and challenges come our way, may our song be ‘it is well with my soul’, always.

Closing Prayer (Collect for the Baptism of the Lord)

Eternal Father, who at the baptism of Jesus revealed Him to be Your Son, anointing Him with the Holy Spirit, keep Your children, born of water and the Spirit, faithful to their calling; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  Amen.