SERMON NOTES:  

Simplify Christmas – Celebrate Christ!
         Advent 4 – “Peace – Is it Possible?”

We simplify Christmas by clarifying our focus - on Christ!

Colossians 3 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

Advent 1 – Coming!
Advent 2 – Prepare!

Mark 1  “The time has come, the kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”

Advent 3 – Rejoice!
       Philippians 4 4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 

Advent 4 – Peace!       (Well-being and Reconciliation!)                 

Micah 52 “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah,
out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.”  3 Therefore Israel will be abandoned until the time when she who is in labor bears a son,
and the rest of his brothers return to join the Israelites. 4 He will stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God.  And they will live securely, for then his greatness will reach to the ends of the earth.5 And he will be our peace…

Isaiah 9 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.

Luke 2 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

Peace isn’t brought by changes in our circumstances but is brought by the One from God! 

He comes as shepherd, with strength, in the majesty of Yahweh His God!   This changes everything!

Peace is possible because He brings it and He Comes!   

 This week’s Remember Verse:

“Let the PEACE of Christ rule in your hearts!” Colossians 3:15 

Simplify Christmas

Celebrate Christ!

How?  Raise your Gaze! Focus on Christ as you simplify Christmas by using the Advent Devotion booklet and the following Scriptures that coincide with today’s Advent sermon, “Peace”.  Enjoy!

Monday – Luke 1:26-38

Tuesday – Luke 2:1-20

Wednesday – Isaiah 9:2-7

Thursday– Micah 5:2-5a

Friday – John 14:23-27

Saturday – Psalm 23

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