Sermon Slides
Sermon Notes
I. A great ruler will ____________________ (v. 2)
A. From ____________________ beginnings (v. 2a)
B. From ____________________ (v. 2b)
II. His rule will bring ____________________ (v. 3-5a)
A. He will bring people ____________________(v. 3)
B. He will ____________________ his people (v. 4)
C. He will ____________________their____________________ (v. 5a)
III. How to share ____________________ in my life
A. ____________________ myself (James 4:1-10)
B. Become a ____________________ (Phil. 2:3-7)
C. Do ____________________ ___________________ to live at peace (Rom. 12:18)
D. ____________________ others (Eph. 4:32)
E. Make every effort to ____________________ ____________________ (Eph. 4:1-3)
Going Deeper
- Read Matthew 2:1-6. Micah 5 is quoted by the Chief Priests and Scribes. Why Bethlehem? This is how God works! Read 1 Cor. 1:26-31.
- How is the coming of the Messiah like the days of old? What will he do? Read Psalm 89:35-36. What did God promise?
- The rule of the Messiah will bring peace by bringing people together. Read Ephesians 2:11-22. How did the coming of Jesus bring all people together?
- Jesus is our Good Shepherd (Micah 5:4). How does Jesus shepherd his people? What is the result of His care? How does this apply to your life?
- Read the first line of Micah 5:5. How is Jesus our peace? Eph. 2:13-14. Thank Jesus for being your peace today!
- Ken Dill: “Christ comes to fill us with peace. Christ does this, not with military might and political prowess, but with his very presence in our lives.”
- Stephen Dempster: “Coming amid incredible suffering and evil, Jesus’ birth demonstrates that Israel’s long exilic existence is finally coming to an end. Jesus reconstitutes Israel by his choice of twelve disciples, who represent the twelve tribes. This is a remnant and the nucleus of a new nation (see Matt. 10:1–4). Moreover, this new King of Israel reigns from a cross, and through his death and resurrection he is the peacemaker par excellence, bringing peace between God and humanity (see Rom. 5:1–2) and between races and enemies (see Eph. 2:14–22).”
- We share shalom when we humble ourselves. C. S. Lewis: “Do not imagine that if you meet a really humble man he will be what most people call ‘humble’ nowadays: he will not be a sort of greasy, smarmy person, who is always telling you that, of course, he is nobody. Probably all you will think about him is that he seemed a cheerful, intelligent chap who took a real interest in what you said to him. If you do dislike him it will be because you feel a little envious of anyone who seems to enjoy life so easily. He will not be thinking about humility: he will not be thinking about himself at all. If anyone would like to acquire humility, I can, I think, tell him the first step. The first step is to realize that one is proud. And a biggish step, too. At least, nothing whatever can be done before it. If you think you are not conceited, it means you are very conceited indeed.” -C. S. Lewis, Mere Christianity
- What is the biggest challenge for you to humble yourself?
- How is God calling you to be a servant? Read Phil. 2:3-7. What will you do this week to serve others?
- Read Romans 12:18. In what ways do you need to do your part to live at peace with everyone? Be specific.
- Read Ephesians 4:32. How are we to forgive others? Why is this difficult? Who do you need to forgive this week? Pray and ask for God’s help to forgive someone (release them!).
- Read Ephesians 4:1-3. How can we keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace? How is this challenging for you?
