As we continue our Advent series centered on peace, we are reminded that the deepest peace we long for cannot be produced by our own effort but is found in a person, Jesus Christ, our Prince of Peace. Drawing from Isaiah 9:6, we encounter the child born to us whose names reveal his nature: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, and Prince of Peace. The message unfolds in three transformative dimensions: we have peace through Christ, who bridged the impossible gap between our sinfulness and God’s perfection; we have the peace of Christ, which guards our hearts even when chaos surrounds us; and we have peace with Christ, enabling us to walk through life’s journey with purpose and confidence. Throughout Scripture, from the Garden of Eden to the cross, we see God’s consistent plan to restore peace, not through human strength or strategy, but through surrender and trust. The sermon challenges us to stop chasing peace through planning, preparation, and protection, and instead to receive it from the One who is peace itself. Whether we’re facing anxiety, uncertain futures, life’s big questions, or even the fear of death, our Prince of Peace has already fought the battle and won the victory, inviting us to rest in His completed work rather than our incomplete efforts.

Main Points:

- We have peace THROUGH Christ—Our Prince of Peace did what we could never do: He provided a way of peace between the perfection of God and the sinfulness of man.

- We have peace OF Christ—Our Prince of Peace did what we could never do: He provided a way of peace between the anxiety of life and the sovereignty of God.

- We have peace WITH Christ—Our Prince of Peace did what we could never do: He provided a way of peace with others and with our journey in life.

Scripture Referenced:

Isaiah 9:6; Exodus 15; Romans 5:1; Colossians 1:20; Philippians 4:6-7; John 14:27; John 16:33; Colossians 3:15; Matthew 5:9; Galatians 5:22; 1 Corinthians 15 – Reference to Jesus as “the last Adam”; John 1:29 – “Behold, the lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world”; Exodus 12 – The Passover lamb; Exodus 17 – Water from the rock; 1 Corinthians 10 – Jesus as the rock; John 4 – Jesus as living water; John 6 – Jesus as the bread of life (feeding of 5,000 and 4,000); John 1:14 – “The word became flesh and dwelt (tabernacled) among us”; Numbers 21 – Bronze serpent on the pole; John 3 – Jesus lifted up like the serpent; Ruth – Boaz as kinsman redeemer; Galatians 4 – Jesus as kinsman redeemer; Matthew 12 – Reference to Jonah and three days; 2 Samuel 5:1-10 – David becomes king and takes Jerusalem; “the blind and the lame”; John 10 – Jesus as the good shepherd; Hebrews 13:20 – Jesus as the great shepherd; 1 Peter 5:4 – Jesus as the chief shepherd; John 5 – Healing of the lame man at the pool of Bethesda; John 9 – Healing of the blind man at the pool of Siloam; Isaiah 53:5; 1 Peter 5:7; Isaiah 26:3; Philemon – The entire book (reconciliation between Philemon and Onesimus); Proverbs 2 – Searching for wisdom like silver and treasure; Nahum (entire book) – Referenced as “Divine Warrior Hymn”; Jonah – General reference to the prophet and Nineveh

Community Group Guide:

Begin with Prayer

Begin your time together asking God to open hearts and minds to truly understand what it means to have Jesus as our Prince of Peace in every area of life.

Sermon Discussion Questions

Read Isaiah 9:6, Romans 5:1, and Colossians 1:19-20

1) The sermon traced how Jesus fulfilled Old Testament prophecies (including the main passage of Isaiah 9:6) and Old Testament symbols (Passover lamb, bronze serpent, David’s kingship, etc.). Which of these connections was most meaningful to you? Why?

2) In what ways do we sometimes try to earn peace with God rather than receiving it as a gift through Christ?

Read Philippians 4:6-7 and Isaiah 26:3

3) The sermon described anxiety as going “all directions.” When have you experienced this? What typically triggers anxiety in your life?

4) How does the peace of Christ differ from the world’s version of peace (avoiding conflict, controlling circumstances, etc.)?

Read Matthew 5:9, Colossians 3:15, and John 16:33

5) The sermon said, “Because of our vertical peace with God, we can have horizontal peace with others.” How does your relationship with God affect your ability to pursue peace with others?

The sermon mentioned we can have peace with:

Others in relationships

Our purpose and calling

Life’s big questions

Even death itself

Which of these feels hardest to trust God with, and why?

Practical Application

1) Peace Audit – Identify one area where you’re chasing peace through control rather than trust. What would it look like to surrender that area to Christ this week?

2) Peacemaking – Is there a relationship where you need to pursue peace? Take one concrete step toward reconciliation, forgiveness, or honest conversation.

3) Scripture Treasure Hunt – Pick one of the Old Testament/New Testament connections mentioned in the sermon. Study both passages and journal what you discover about Jesus as your Redeemer and Prince of Peace.

4) Composure Practice – When anxiety hits this week, practice the three-step response:

Pause the panic

Pray honest prayers

Trust instead of trying to control

Personal Reflection

1) Where am I trying to create my own peace instead of receiving it from Christ?

2) What would change in my life if I truly believed Christ is my Prince of Peace?

3) What is one specific anxiety I need to cast on Him today?

Worship Setlist:

Sing We the Song of Emmanuel; O Come All Ye Faithful; Christ Be Magnified; Come Let Us Adore Him; Yet Not I But Through Christ in Me