My Prince of Peace

Introduction:

For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
~Isaiah 9:6

Luke 2:14 - "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!"

When Jesus is My Prince of Peace:

1. I am at peace with God .

   Romans 5:1, 10 - Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ… For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.

2. I am at peace in my Heart .

   John 14:27 - Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

   Philippians 4:6-7 - do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

3. I am at peace with Others .

   Romans 16:20 - The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.

   Romans 12:18 - If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
Hint: Highlight blanks above for answers!

Small Group Discussion
Read Isaiah 9:6

1. What was your big “take-away” from this passage / message?
   

2. Give a Biblical definition of peace. What does the Bible mean when God speaks of peace?
   

3. Explain how the peace Jesus gives is different from the peace the world gives (John 14:27).
   

4. Tell of a time you experienced the “peace that passes understanding” during a personal crisis (Philippians 4:6-7). How would you encourage another believer to experience this during their crisis?

Breakout
Pray for one another.

My Everlasting Father

Introduction:

For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
~Isaiah 9:6

You Will Call Him... (Isaiah 9:6)

How Can a Baby Be an Everlasting Father?

1. Everlasting: Born , but without Beginning .

   Luke 2:25-32 - ...waiting for the consolation of Israel...
   ...revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ.
   ...my eyes have seen your salvation
   that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,

   John 8:56-58 - "Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am."

2. Father: Unique , but Exactly Identical .

   Hebrews 1:2-3 - ...the exact imprint of his nature"

   Colossians 1:15-19 - in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell...
   ...you do know him and have seen him."

   John 14:6-10 - Whoever has seen me has seen the Father."

What Do We Need from a Father?

• Provider (Luke 11:9-13)
• Role Model (Eph 4:32-5:2)
• Selflessness

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
Hint: Highlight blanks above for answers!

Small Group Discussion
Read Isaiah 9:6

1. What was your big “take-away” from this passage / message?
   

2. Do you think of Jesus as eternal? How has your understanding of Jesus’ eternality increased as you have matured in Him?
   

3. If available, read different translations of Isaiah 9:6 (HBC uses the English Standard Version, or ESV). How do those translations differ, if at all? How does the present tense of the verb “to be” (used in the Hebrew text) affect your understanding of Jesus?
   

4. In what ways are we helped by knowing Jesus is “the exact imprint” of God? How does that affect your understanding of God?
   

5. What are ways Jesus models God the Father for us?
   

6. If you do not or did not have a positive relationship with your earthly father, how can Jesus as your everlasting father transform and satisfy your need for that essential relationship?

Breakout
Pray that Jesus will reveal Himself to you as your everlasting father.

My Mighty God.

Introduction:

For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
~Isaiah 9:6

You Will Call Him... (Isaiah 9:6)

1. My God .
   • Romans 10:9 - Jesus is Lord
   • John 20:31 - Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God
   • John 8:24 - unless you believe that I am (he)
   • Matthew 12:32
2. My Mighty God.
   • 2 Chronicles 14:9-12a
   • 2 Chronicles 16:7-9 - For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him.

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
Hint: Highlight blanks above for answers!

Small Group Discussion
Read Isaiah 9:6

1. What was your big “take-away” from this passage / message?
   

2. Why is believing “Jesus is God” necessary for salvation? Why can't someone be saved by believing “Jesus was just a great prophet and example for mankind”?
   

3. What is “blasphemy of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 12:32)? Why is that an unforgivable sin? How do you know when someone has committed that sin?
   

4. Name some ways people look to other avenues for help instead of seeking the Mighty God’s help. Why are we so prone to do this?

Breakout
Pray for one another, specifically to seek the Lord to fight your battles, instead of enlisting other help.

My Wonderful Counselor.

Introduction:

For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
~Isaiah 9:6

Three Reasons Why Jesus is The Wonderful Counselor (Isaiah 9:6):

1. His counsel is Timeless . (Isaiah 46:9-10)
2. His counsel is Personal . (Hebrews 2:17-18 | Hebrews 4:15)
3. His counsel is Life . (John 12:46 | John 8:12 | Matthew 11:27-30)

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
Hint: Highlight blanks above for answers!

Small Group Discussion
Read Isaiah 9:6

1. What was your big “take-away” from this passage / message?
   

2. Why are we prone to take counsel from “experts” whose perspective is limited?
   

3. Does the timelessness of Jesus’ counsel affect the value you place on it? Why or why not?
   

4. Can you recall a time when Jesus gave you counsel, e.g., through the Scripture, through a sermon, during prayer, etc.? What was that counsel, and what did you do in response?
   

5. Light and darkness are recurring themes in Scripture. What does light make possible? What does the light of Christ do to or for us? (John 12:46)
   

6. What is the relationship between light and counsel? (see John 8:12)

Breakout
Pray that God will illuminate the Scripture and your mind more and more to better understand and apply Jesus’ wonderful counsel.