This week’s devotionals are based on Adrian Holloway's message from our recent carol service.
‘For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.’ (John 3:16-17)
i) THE FATHER IS OUR PEACEMAKER
God the Father, has given us His Son - sent Him to die - so that our peace with Him can be restored. We are commanded to simply forgive, so why doesn’t God simply forgive us? It's clear that the problem of reconciliation must be very great if it took such an action! God’s forgiveness is made possible to Him and for us by the death of Christ.
ii) THE SON IS OUR PEACEMAKER
Jesus has come and has enabled us to have peace. For God to forgive requires the removal of our sin. God’s perfect holiness and justice require that sin is judged. Our justification has been made possible by His death as our substitute. We read,
“For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all people. This has now been witnessed to at the proper time.” (1 Timothy 2:5-6)
Jesus is our ‘mediator’. He bridges the gap between man and God. In Jesus, Job’s prayer has been answered.
‘If only there were someone to mediate between us, someone to bring us together’ (Job 9:33)
So may our minds and hearts be filled with a fresh vision of our peacemaker. May we live in the certainty and joy of his victory. May we we say, with Isaiah,
‘Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.’ (Isaiah 53:4-5)
May we all, by the Spirit, sing of our peacemaker,
“Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace! Hail the Sun of Righteousness! Light and life to all he brings, risen with healing in his wings. Mild he lays his glory by, born that we no more may die, born to raise us from the earth, born to give us second birth. Hark! the herald angels sing, "Glory to the newborn King”
OVER TO YOU - PRAY AND WORSHIP OUT OF THE BIBLE
I’ve made a few comments. However, it’s more important that you engage with the text yourself. Take a moment to pray and listen to God’s voice out of today’s text.
‘For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.’ (John 3:16-17)
I find it helpful to use the following questions which are based upon The Lord’s Prayer (Matt. 6:9-13).
1. Praise - What does this text teach me about God? What can I praise Him for?
2. Petitions - What does this teach me about His will for me and others? What could I pray for from this text? This is a good time to pray for our non-believing. friends. It’s good to ask, Is the Holy Spirit leading me in any specific response?
3. Peace-making - Is the Holy Spirit convicting me of sin for which I need forgiveness? Do I need to forgive others?
4. Protection - Ask for God’s protection generally and for any specific areas of vulnerability. Am I believing lies regarding the truths in this text?
COMMUNITY GROUP NOTES AND STUDY
1. Notices
It might be good to begin with notices. Please share from this week’s Church News.
2. Icebreaker
How has God spoken to you from the Bible this week?
3. Recap of Sunday's message - please share in your group
Many people believe that if they have the right relationship, meaningful career, family, finances, travel experiences… that they would have peace and fulfilment in life. The truth is that those with all of these things, still have a deeper need that only a relationship with God can fill.
i) THERE IS NO PEACE
There is no true peace without a relationship with God. Without knowing God we are missing the deepest meaning of our existence. Without Christ, we are condemned and our sin separates us from God. Left to our own devices, we cannot have true peace. Paul tells us,
‘For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.’ (Romans 3:23-24)
ii) THE PEACEMAKER
Thankfully, the Father has done something about our sin. We read,
‘For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.’ (John 3:16-17)
ii) PEACE RECEIVED
Peace in life and peace with God is received through faith in Christ. The promise is for 'whoever believes...' The gift of Christmas is life through God's Son. The fullness of life and eternal life are gifted to those who asked Jesus to enter into their lives.
'O holy Child of Bethlehem! Descend to us, we pray; Cast out our sin, and enter in; Be born in us today.'