Prince of Peace

The Promises of God (as fulfilled in Christ)

2 Corinthians 1:20
For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God.

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Promise

Fulfilment in Christ

Prince of Peace   Isaiah 9:6 New International Version (NIV) 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.

Ephesians 2:13-16 New International Version (NIV) 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14 For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, 15 by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, 16 and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility.

The Promises of God (as fulfilled in Christ)

2 Corinthians 1:20
For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God.

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Promise

Fulfilment in Christ

Promise to Abraham Genesis 22:18 English Standard Version (ESV) 18 and in your offspring shall all the nations of the earth be blessed, because you have obeyed my voice.”

Galatians 3 1-14 New International Version (NIV) 3 You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified. 2 I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by believing what you heard? 3 Are you so foolish? After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh?[a] 4 Have you experienced[b] so much in vain—if it really was in vain? 5 So again I ask, does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you by the works of the law, or by your believing what you heard? 6 So also Abraham “believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”[c] 7 Understand, then, that those who have faith are children of Abraham. 8 Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.”[d] 9 So those who rely on faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith. 10 For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse, as it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.”[e] 11 Clearly no one who relies on the law is justified before God, because “the righteous will live by faith.”[f] 12 The law is not based on faith; on the contrary, it says, “The person who does these things will live by them.”[g] 13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole.”[h] 14 He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.

Parable of the Talents

Topic:  Parable of the Talents

Text:  Luke 19:11-27

Question 1:
What is the meaning of a talent?
Literally (talent, Minas, Pound) = A weight
A Weight = A quantity of heaviness; a mental and moral burden.
In context = something you have that can be traded for something.
Question 2:
What was the Master expecting to receive in return for the Minas?  Profit.
Question 3:
What does “occupy” mean in Verse 13?
In context = to busy oneself with or trade with.
Literally = to take possession and control of a place as by military invasion.
·         God has given us as much talent as non-Christians in this Council.  They are the weight on us.
·         God expects us to engage them and take possession of the Council for Him.
Question 4:  How?
1.       Pray:                  
      Pray for labourers in this vineyard.
       Pray that the remnant be awaken – 2nd Kings 19:4, 30
      Pray continuously for the souls of staff.
2.       Let us demonstrate our faith with works.  James 2:18.  Jesus demonstrated His by works.  Acts 10:38
3.       Never miss an opportunity to manifest the works of Christ. Mark 16:17-18.  Cast out devils, lay hands on the sick.
4.       Let the love of God find expression.  Romans 13:8
5.       2nd Corinthians 13:11 – be united.

The Parables of Jesus The Parable of the Unworthy Servant

The Parable of the Unworthy Servant

Suppose one of you had a servant plowing or looking after the sheep. Would he say to the servant when he comes in from the field, "Come along now and sit down to eat?" Would he not rather say, "Prepare my supper, get yourself ready and wait on me while I eat and drink; after that you may eat and drink?" Would he thank the servant because he did what he was told to do? So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, "We are unworthy servants; we have done only our duty." -- Luke 17:7-10

We need to have a correct view of God's claims upon us, as well as the spirit in which we should meet these claims. Through an overabundance of pride, we can err in our duty, either out of ignorance or due to our manner in which we performed it. God doesn't require meritorious service from us in order for us to be accepted by him, but he does require the obedient homage of all who are accepted of him. The sacrifice of Christ alone is the basis for our acceptance, the evidence of it, and the fruits of practical godliness.

The nature of the service that God requires of us

• Doing the master's work
• God requires that we do his bidding
• As revealed in his word
• According to our abilities
• Obedience of love
• Love, not fear
• Affection, not servile
• Spiritual
• Whole
• Respect for all his commandments
• Obeying all of his will
• Consistent
• Habitual
• Perseverance
• Unto death

The support expected of God

• God gives us the ability to perform the service he requires of us
• God provides daily food for the souls of those in his service
• Bread of life
• Waters of salvation
• Service to God brings satisfaction and peace
• Joy arising from the hope of reward
• Future and eternal glory

God grants us independence in our service to him

• No man can go beyond God's claims to his obedience
• Body
• Soul
• Spirit
• God rewards may extend beyond that earned
• Forever in debt to God
• God is never in debt to man
• God expects us to serve him
• No special thanks are appropriate

Application of the parable

• Humility is required of everyone
• Whatever we do, do for the glory of God

It is good to wait on the Lord

Lamentations 3:22-26




22 Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
    for his compassions never fail.
23 They are new every morning;
    great is your faithfulness.
24 I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion;
    therefore I will wait for him.”
25 The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him,
    to the one who seeks him;
26 it is good to wait quietly
    for the salvation of the Lord


Your Father loves you. He created you to have fellowship with Him. And, even though we had turned our back on Him he chose and redeemed you through Jesus for you to have fellowship with Him.


Many a time we will come to God with our requests (and rightly so) but sometimes it is good to just "wait on the Lord". To have fellowship with Him and for Him to speak to you.

A right view of the Cross

On Thursday, just before Easter break, at group we went through Isiah 53. This is a prophecy about the suffering servant foretelling Jesus' death. It is a very deep passage with lots of content. We ended the study with the reading of the song Thank you for the Cross.

Even when we turned our backs on You  
In wickedness and lies suppressed Your truth
Even then You showed Your love for us
Giving up Your life upon the Cross

Jesus thank You for the Cross
For the blood that sets us free
The crimson stain of all our sin
Washed away in Your mercy

Enemies of God with no excuse
Knowing what was right we turned from You
Given up to sin condemned to die
Even then You chose to give us life

Everyone of us deserves to die
But You save all who hope
In Your great love.

Brenton Brown Mercy publishing ccli 3447356

Life can be so busy that unintentionally we can get a little complacent about the cross and what it truly mean for Christians.

It was the cross that showed how much God loved us.

I really recommend we have another look at Isaiah 53. As you read, allow the Holy Spirit to talk to you.

When we have we have a correct view of the Cross we no longer fear God has stopped loving us.

Work Place Evangelism

The Public Side of Our Faith

Much of the Christianity that has come down to us today dwells on private spirituality- prayers, private devotions and Bible reading, self-examination and confession, personal holiness, individual acts of charity, and so on. This is all to the good, in as much as Christ is a Person who seeks a relationship with individuals.

But what about the public side of our faith?

· How do we as believers live as Christians in the public arenas- work, community, relationships, civic responsibilities, and so on?

· What about our communities of faith, such as our churches? How vibrant and strategic is our collective witness as God’s people to a watching world?
· In what ways do we as believers influence our society as a whole - its institutions, its needs, and its values? Matt. 14:13-14 TWILSB pp1661

v Daniel 6:5
5 Then these men said, “We shall not find any charge against this Daniel unless we find it against him concerning the law of his God.” NKJV – 060312


v Matthew 14:13-14
13 When Jesus heard what had happened to John, he left in a boat and went to a lonely place by himself. But the crowds heard about it and followed him on foot from the towns.14 When he arrived, he saw a great crowd waiting. He felt sorry for them and healed those who were sick. NCV

v 2 Timothy 2:1515Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. NKJV

v Ephesians 3:20Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,

How does our flesh affect the harvest into the Kingdom?

Anthony U. Eradiri
08032012