INTRODUCTION: “No matter what, I’ll always be there for you.” That is a commitment every believer can make to brothers and sisters in Christ. James provides some clear guidelines on how we can pray effectively. James outlines the purpose, process and the power of prayer in James 5:13-18. But it is not just enough to pray. We need to put feet to our prayers. When someone is in trouble and we can help, we need to rescue that person. Like the parable Jesus told of the lost sheep, we need to leave the 99 in the pasture and go after the sheep that has wandered away from the flock (Luke 15:1-7). Every Christian is responsible for the spiritual welfare of fellow believers. We are our brother’s keeper. James tells us how to save straying souls and rescue the perishing in James 5:19-20.
CHRISTIANS CAN GET ON THE WRONGPATH.
*Christians can stray from the truth and get lost. “My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth…” (19).
*The wanderer has a wrong view of sin or a wrong view of Jesus. Jesus is truth. Whenever we leave Jesus we enter errors that lead to sin. “Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins” (20).
“If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is .in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin” (1 John 1:6-7).
*The outcome of wandering is an epidemic of sin, destruction and death. “Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins” (20).
CHRISTIANS CAN RESCUE A WANDERINGSOUL.
*Like the shepherd seeking the lost sheep, we need to rescue fellow
believers who have walkedaway from Jesus. “My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring that person back…” (19).
*We must be proactive and take the initiative to go help the lost soul. “Remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins” (20).
*We must be careful to go with the right attitude and in the spirit of love. “Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death…”
Be spiritually ready, gentle, and humble when you help a straying saint. “Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:1-2).
Let everything you do be done in love. Love refuses to see faults. Love no longer sees the sins of the saved sinner. “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins” (1 Peter 4:8).
Let’s make a commitment to one another: No matter what, I will always be there for you.
INTRODUCTION: It is easy to murmur and complain when we suffer (James 5:9) A better response is to pray and bring God into the situation. “The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective” (James 5:16). James provides some clear guidelines on how we can pray effectively. James outlines the purpose, process and the power of prayer in James 5:13-18.
THE PURPOSE OF PRAYER (5:13).
*Pray when you are in trouble, suffering or in distress of some kind. “Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray” (13).
*Praise and sing when you are joyful and filled with gratitude to God. “Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise” (13).
THE PROCESS OF PRAYER (5:14-16).
*What should you do and how should you pray when you are sick, afflicted, or incapacitated?
“Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord” (14).
Ask for help and prayer from the church and its leaders.
Use all appropriate medicines as well as prayers of faith.
“And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven” (15).
Trust God to heal you physically and spiritually.
“Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed” (16).
Confess all known sin, restore broken relationships, and ask for forgiveness.
THE POWER OF PRAYER (5:16-18).
*Forgiven people pray powerfully and effectively. The principle of prayer: “The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective” (James 5:16).
*An example of effective and powerful prayer: “Elijah was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops” (James 5:16-18).
INTRODUCTION: Does your life match your lips? James returns to the subject of speech and the use of the tongue (James 1:19, 26 and 3:1-12). It is easy to murmur and complain when suffering (James 5:9) but it is also easy to make promises you cannot keep and justify those promises with empty guarantees. “Cross my heart and hope to die.” “I swear on my mother’s grave.” “I swear to tell the truth…so help me God.” Oaths are commonly used to support the truthfulness of the person making the promise and often invoke name of God. James says a person who lives a life of integrity does not need to make oaths. Their word is their bond. Their character is their guarantee.
OATHS AIM TO GUARANTEE THE TRUTH BUT DON’T.
*Oaths are a form of profanity or swearing. Literally, “do not swear” means “to grasp something sacred firmly, for the purpose of supporting what you are saying or doing.” It violates the Third Commandment because it misuses the name of the Lord (Exodus 20). “Above all, my brothers and sisters, do not swear—not by heaven or by earth or by anything else” (James 5:12).
*Oaths indicate a rash statement or a lack of control in the heat of the moment. They are often flippant in nature and are designed to by-pass the Third Commandment. “You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name” (Exodus 20:7).
*Oaths cast doubt on a person’s honesty. Oaths are necessary in court and legal agreements because people tend to lie. Oaths will be judged severely. Above all, my brothers and sisters, do not swear…Otherwise you will be condemned (James 5:12).
*Jesus condemns the misuse of oaths and James quotes him. Jesus refuted the common practice of binding and non-binding oaths. “Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have made.’ But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all: either by heaven, for it is God’sthrone; or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one (Matthew 5:33-37).
A PERSON OF TRUTH DOES NOT NEED PLEDGES.
*Truthful people’s words are verified by their character and life. “All you need to say is a simple “Yes” or “No” (James 5:12).
*An honest person respects God, uses simple speech and controls his or her tongue. Above all, my brothers and sisters, do not swear—not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. All you need to say is a simple “Yes” or “No.” Otherwise you will be condemned (James 5:12).
*Prayer and praise are better ways to express emotions during difficult times. Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise (James 5:13).
INTRODUCTION: The discussion of greed and the chase after profits (James 4) leads James to comment on the injustices that come with the misuse of riches. James rails against the rich and powerful and their oppression of the poor and laborers (James 5:1-6). Many Christians were among the poor and abused workers that the rich had exploited. How are they to respond? The temptation is to murmur and complain, but James speaks out against the injustices. He also encourages fellow believers to be patient and lean on God during the times of suffering. Jesus is coming soon, and we are to be patient and strong until he comes.
PATIENT PEOPLE SEE THE BIGPICTURE AND WAIT ON GOD.
“Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains” (7)
They are long-suffering instead of short-tempered.
They wait on the Lord as the farmer waits on rain.
PATIENT PEOPLE HAVE HOPE, STANDSTRONG AND ENDURE.
“You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near” (8).
They have an active endurance without self-pity despite the difficulty.
The Lord is nearer today than yesterday.
PATIENT PEOPLE ENCOURAGE AND SUPPORT OTHERS INSTEAD OF COMPLAIN AND BLAME.
“Don’t grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!” (9).
They refuse to be resentful and play the “blame game.”
“Love is patient…” (1 Corinthians 13:4).
The leave the circumstances to God.
PATIENT PEOPLE LEAN ON GOD’S GOODNESS WHEN LIFE IS ROUGH.
Brothers and sisters, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. As you know,we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy” (10-11).
They have a steadfast submission to God despite their doubts.
The prophets of old are examples of patient endurance (Hebrews 11).
Job persisted in unbending faith and was blessed.
God is a compassionate and merciful Judge.
Jesus is coming soon, and we are to be patient and strong until he comes.
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart” (Hebrews 12:1-3).
INTRODUCTION: James writes that ‘anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God’ (James 4:4). He warns Christians against greed and leaving God out of their plans. They need to lean on God and say, “if it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that” (James 4:15). The discussion of greed and the chase after profits leads James to comment on the injustices that come with the misuse of riches. James rails against the rich and powerful and their oppression of the poor and laborers. “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil” (1 Timothy 6:10).
WARNINGS ON THE MISUSE OF WEALTH.
*Based on self-centeredness. “You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter” (James 5:5).
Luxurious excess
Wanton pleasure
Oblivious to spiritual things and hurting people
*Leads to injustice. “Look! The wages you failed to pay the workers who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty…You have condemned and murdered the innocent one, who was not opposing you” (James 5:4-6).
Withhold wages due to workers
Lack compassion for the poor and working man
Practice legal and social oppression
*Focuses on short-sighted and transitory goals. “Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes. Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days” (James 5:2-3).
Investment is in material not eternal goals
Temporary things will waste away
*Ignores the coming judgment.
The rich will be punished severely. “Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming on you” (James 5:1).
The rich are ignorant of the last days and coming judgment. “Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days” (James 5:3).
God knows the private and social injustices of the workers. “Look! The wages you failed to pay the workers who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty” (James 5:4).
The oppressive rich will reap what they sow. “You have condemned and murdered the innocent one, who was not opposing you” (James 5:6).
TACTICS FOR THE COMPASSIONATE USE OF WEALTH.
*Seek first the kingdom of God, not wealth (5:1-3). “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matthew 6:33).
*The laborer is worthy of his hire (5:4). “For Scripture says, “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain,” and “The worker deserves his wages” (1 Timothy 5:18).
*Manage wealth wisely(5:5). “Though your riches increase, do not set your heart on them” (Psalm 62:10).
*Practice the goldenrule in your use of money (5:6). “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets” (Matthew 7:12).
*Remember the poor and needy (5:5-6). “All they asked was that we should continue to remember the poor, the very thing I had been eager to do all along” (Galatians 2:10).
INTRODUCTION John wrote, “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” (1 John 2:15 ESV). John seems to indicate that “worldliness” is an attitude of mind and a focus on things. A focus on the world damages our love relationship with God. What gets our attention gets us. James reminds us that we are either self-dependent or God-dependent. Our lives are ultimately in the hands of God. The mystic Thomas a Kempis coined the expression “Man proposes, God disposes.” Solomon said it this way, “The mind of man plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps” (Proverbs 16:9 NASB).
MAN PROPOSES: WE CAN MAKE OUR PLANS.
*Self-dependence and over-confidence are foolish because they ignore God and leave him out of the planning. Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money” (James 4:13).
Travel
Business
Time
Profit
*Over-confidence is presumptuous. Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes (James 4:14).
The future is unknown.
Life is uncertain.
*Self-dependence is marked by arrogance. As it is, you boast in your arrogant schemes. All such boasting is evil (James 4:16).
Pretentious boasting (refusal to do God’s known will).
Boasting is evil because it leavesout God.
Self-dependent over-confidence ignores God, presumes on tomorrow, and boasts about personal plans and achievements.
GOD DISPOSES: THE LORD DETERMINES OUR STEPS.
*God-dependence is wise because it puts God first in our preparations. Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that” (James 4:15).
*Wise people are aware of life’s uncertainty. Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes (James 4:14).
*Our relationship with God reveals God’s purposes and plans. We can plan according to God’s will and way as we listen to his Holy Spirit. The human mind may devise many plans, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will be established (Proverbs 19:21 NRSV).
God wants us to follow him daily and not just a master plan.
PRINCIPLE: To know right and not to do it is sin.
*Our sins of omission are just as wrong as our sins of commission. If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them (James 4:17).
*Jesus told the Parable of the Sheep and the Goats to illustrate this principle:
“Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me’ (Matthew 25:41-43).
Our lives are ultimately in the hands of God, so we should line up our heart and our plans with God’s purposes and plans.
INTRODUCTION: The traditional enemies of the Christian life are the world, the flesh, and the devil. Each foe tries to disrupt our spiritual lives and keep us from following Jesus. John wrote, “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” (1 John 2:15 ESV). John seems to indicate that “worldliness” is an attitude of mind and a focus on things.
A focus on the world damages our love relationship with God. The remedy for worldliness is God’s grace.
GOD HAS A REMEDY FOR WORLDLINESS.
*Principle: God desires a relationship with us. “Or do you think Scripture says without reason that he jealously longs for the spirit he has caused to dwell in us?” (James 4:5).
*God gives us the grace to follow him and reject worldliness. “But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: ‘God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble’” (James 4:6).
God’s grace is greater than our sin.
We must humbly receive God’s grace and turn from our love of the world.
*The opposite of worldliness is godliness. Godliness is taking on the likeness of Christ, reflecting the image of God. God gives us the power to obey his Word and to change our desires. His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires (2 Peter 1:3-4).
GOD’S GRACE LEADS US TO SUBMIT TO HIS AUTHORITY.
*We must yield to God’s leadership in our lives. Godliness recognizes that there is no other authority except God’s authority. Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you (James 4:7).
Yield to God’s control.
Resist the devil so he will flee.
GOD’S GRACE INSPIRESDEVOTION.
*Develop a spiritual walk with God. Take time to be with him like you would your family or friend. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom (James 4:8-9).
Come close to God, and God will come near to you.
Confess your sins.
Purify your heart with undividedloyalty.
Repent (change your ways).
*GOD’S GRACE ENCOURAGESHUMILITY.
*Get down on your knees before the Master; it’s the only way you’ll get on your feet (Message). Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up (James 4:10).
Cooperate with the Lord.
He will lift you up, encourage and help you.
GOD’S GRACE PROMOTES BROTHERLYLOVE.
*When you criticize and judge, you proclaim yourself as Judge. You set yourself up as the eternal Lawgiver. God gives us the grace to bite our tongue, forgive others, and truly respect our neighbor. Brothers and sisters, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against a brother or sister or judges them speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it. There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you—who are you to judge your neighbor? (James 4:11-12).
Brotherly love is revealed in your speech.
Brotherly love is reflected in your attitude.
Brotherly love is represented in your actions.
Brotherly love is realized by your treatment of your neighbor.
God’s grace truly gives us everything we need for a godly life.
INTRODUCTION: The traditional enemies of the Christian life are the world, the flesh, and the devil. Each foe tries to disrupt our spiritual lives and keep us from following Jesus. John wrote, “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” (1 John 2:15 ESV). John seems to indicate that “worldliness” is an attitude of mind and a focus on things. A focus on the world damages our love relationship with God. James writes, “anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God” (James 4:4). James says that this worldly frame of mind creates conflict and division. John divides worldliness into three categories and James provides examples of each. What are the characteristics of worldliness that we can avoid and what is the remedy for restoring our relationship with God?
John writes: “For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world” (1 John 2:16).
WORLDLINESS CRAVES PHYSICAL PLEASURES.
*Worldliness is marked by quarrels and conflicts. “What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you?” (James 4:1).
Its source is a desire for pleasures in the flesh.
It results in internal war and strife.
WORLDLINESS DESIRES EVERYTHING IT SEES.
*Worldliness is consumed by lust (covetousness) and envy. “You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight” (James 4:2).
It is a desire for what you do not have.
It results in murder.
It is a desire for what you cannot obtain.
It results in fights and quarrels.
WORLDLINESS BOASTS IN PERSONAL ACHIEVEMENTS.
*Worldliness is self-dependent and self-centered. “You do not have because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures” (James 4:2-3).
Worldly people do not pray and ask God for help.
When they do pray, it is for wrong sinful motives.
God does not answer their requests.
*Worldliness indulges in spiritual and physical adultery. “You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God” (James 4:4).
Worldly people make friends with the world system.
Friendship with the world creates hostility toward God.
Principle: Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.
GOD HAS A REMEDY FOR WORLDLINESS.
*Principle: God desires a relationship with us. “Or do you think Scripture says without reason that he jealously longs for the spirit he has caused to dwell in us?” (James 4:5).
*God gives us the grace to follow him and reject worldliness. “But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: ‘God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble’” (James 4:6).
God’s grace is greater than our sin.
We must humbly receive God’s grace and turn from our love of the world.
VERSE: This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins…And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world (1 John 4:10-14).
MOTTO: Share His Love
OBJECTIVE: We will tell others by word and action that God loves us all and sent his Son Jesus to forgive our sins and to be our Savior.
Goals: We will Share His Love in our…
Community
*Open our church for Morning Prayer to the community to pray for the Ravi Zacharias Open Forum
*Provide evangelism training in everyday apologetics through RZIM trainers
*Pray the 5 BLESSings prayer for 5 people, 5 minutes a day, 5 days a week, for 5 weeks.
*Invite our friends and neighbors to attend the Ravi Zacharias Open Forum with us at the O’Connell Center on January 25, 2018.
*To build fellowship in our church family, we will have monthly or quarterly potluck Sunday meals
*To promote in-depth Bible Study and fellowship, we will encourage the development of home groups City
*Participate in the new Habitat Interfaith Build
*Recommit to GROW outreach and local evangelism
*Expand our Wednesday night Food Ministry to include Christ-based life skill classes
*Expand our Children and Youth programs
* Hold evangelistic events and revivals and share the gospel with those who do not know Jesus
*We will teach English and provide a nursery to our neighbors, immigrants and internationals who live in our city and county through the International Learning Center World
* We will provide short-term mission opportunities for mission service locally and globally
*Assist our sister church in Puerto Rico with supplies and equipment to help with their recovery efforts
*We will train and prepare for disaster relief response teams Additional outreach goals as the Spirit leads:
INTRODUCTION: The prophet Isaiah is quoted or referred to over 190 times in the New Testament. The New Testament writers saw Isaiah’s prophecies fulfilled in the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. Isaiah foresaw a coming King who would carry the government on his shoulders and rule with justice and equity. Messiah’s titles reveal his status and his nature. He would reign on David’s throne forever and rule with peace. Messiah governs the world and rules our hearts with peace. Isaiah gives four titles that describe the coming King in Isaiah 9:6: “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.”
MESSIAH LEADS AS A WONDERFULCOUNSELOR.
*Wonderful-Counselor means he will speak with divinewisdom. His teaching would be anointed by the Spirit. He will fulfill God’s plans.
*Jesus was filled with the Spirit at his baptism and affirmed as Gods Son. Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.” (Luke 3:21-22).
*Jesus preached in the power of the Spirit like no one else before him.
Jesus said, “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor” (Luke 4:18).
People were amazed at his teaching: The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law (Mark 1:22).
*After his ascension Jesus sent his Holy Spirit, the Comforter or Counselor, to help us. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—the Spirit of truth. (John 14:16-17).
MESSIAH COMES AS ALMIGHTYGOD IN THE FLESH.
*Messiah, the Mighty God, would be God in the human form and would be born like any child. He alone can carry out God’s plan of salvation for humanity. For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders (Isaiah 9:6)
*Isaiah and Matthew call Jesus “Immanuel”: All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”) (Matthew 1:22-23).
*John saw Jesus as the Logos or Word of God that became a human being. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God…The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory (John 1:1, 14).
MESSIAH IS BY NATURE THE EVERLASTINGFATHER.
*Everlasting Father literally means “Father-forever.” Messiah, like a father, has lovingconcern for those in his care. As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him (Psalm 103:13).
*Jesus fulfilled the will of his Father in heaven. His character and compassion were one with the Father. Jesus said, “I and the Father are one” (John 10:30).
*Jesus humbled himself and fulfilled God’s purposes. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross! (Philippians 2:5-8).
MESSIAH RULES AS THE PRINCE OF PEACE.
*Messiah would rule in the royal line of David and establish an eternalkingdom of peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, (Isaiah 9:7).
*The witnesses to Jesus’ birth were told of his royalty and lasting kingdom:
Mary was told Jesus would reign on David’s throne forever
The Wise Men asked, “Where is the one born King of the Jews?”
The angels announced to the shepherds a Savior who would bring peace (Luke 2:1-20).
*Jesus wants to be born again in our hearts so we can have his forever peace. Therefore being justified by faith we have peace with God through our Lord (ruler) Jesus (Savior) Christ (Messiah) (Romans 5:1).