Finding Peace with Family and Friends

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Grace Church holds a Meet & Greet for those who are newer to Grace Church on the 4th Sunday of each month following the service in CJ's coffee shop. It is a great opportunity to meet the staff and leadership of Grace Church and learn a little more about the church. It also gives us an opportunity to learn a little about you! Contact Leslie Booher if you have any questions ([email protected]).

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Pick up a Harmony Study booklet on Sunday after church!
Our Bible Reading Plan for 2026 is a study of the life and ministry of Christ using the harmony of the gospels. The printed booklet, ready for pick up on Sunday, lists all the passages to be studied for the week along with 4 questions you can answer in your personal study or with your H.O.M.E. Group.
Because this is a harmony of the gospels plan, you may want to use a harmony book (for example: The NIV Harmony of the Gospels by Robert L. Thomas and Stanley N. Gundry) but this is not essential to participate in the study.
We are very excited to dig deeply into the Word, to take our time to apply it to our lives and share the life-changing lessons and insights God has revealed to us during our time with Him. If you have any questions, contact Lisa Sterkenburg ([email protected]).

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If you have interest in sharing Christmas Card greetings with your Grace Church family, you can drop your cards at the Welcome Kiosk now through December 21st. The Welcome Team will be sorting the cards and distributing them to families on Sunday mornings. Contact Leslie Booher ([email protected]) if you have any questions.

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Sunday, December 14th - Trish Miller
Tuesday, December 16th - Matt Firman, Theodore Orton, Linkin Petrie
Wednesday, December 17th - Gary Neff, Clarissa Joppie, Aaron & Karen Smith
Friday, December 19th - Nevaeh Fisher

Cards

This month we are looking at the four main themes of the Advent season and relating them to different areas of our life. The word Advent is defined as "The arrival or coming of a notable person, thing, or event."
As Christians, we celebrate Advent during the month of December remembering the first coming of Jesus. We also look forward to His second coming when the Lord returns for His Church and brings about the end of this age.

Last week we focused on the first Advent theme: Finding HOPE in our Frustrations and Fatigue. So many people struggle during the holiday season because the values of our secular culture have seeped into our lives. Advent is a time of preparing our heart and mind to honor God and to reprioritize our lives and homes around spiritual, rather than secular values.

Our text today is Isaiah 9:6 and speaks about the theme of Peace.
Isaiah, an Old Testament prophet, spoke these words during his ministry in the 8th century BC as he foretold the Advent (Coming) of Jesus, the Messiah.

Isaiah 9:6

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6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be upon His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

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It's hard for us to think about the world being at peace when humanity has been at war for well over 90% of its documented existence. But that would be reading our usage of the word peace into the Scripture.
In the Bible, peace is not merely the absence of conflict, it is much more inclusive and deeper in meaning.

The Hebrew word for this, SHALOM, signifies a state of harmony, well-being, flourishing, and reconciliation with God.
- Shalom signifies a wholeness in our relationships with God, oneself, and others
- Shalom recognizes man's need for a right relationship with God, as He is the source of life and goodness.
- Shalom is often used for a greeting or a goodbye that recognizes God's authority and our responsibility to live in a way that reflects the nature of the Lord to others.

The title Prince of Peace, given to Jesus, signifies His role as the divine ruler who alone is the ultimate source of spiritual harmony, inner contentment, and reconciliation with God and mankind.

So if Jesus offers peace to the world, what's gone wrong?
Why are there so many wars, conflicts, squabbles, and damaged relationships?
Because humanity must submit to God, entrust their lives to Jesus, and then treat one another the way Jesus lived His life.
We can't experience the Shalom we talked about with others, until we can actually live it out with those closest to us on a regular basis.

Today's message deals with finding peace with our family and friends.
It's likely that all of us would like to live in a state of peace or Shalom with those we care about, but in reality, it's a bit of a struggle.
The book of James provides insight into why there is often conflict within our relationships. James 4:1 [The Message Version].

James 4:1

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1 What causes conflicts and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from the passions at war within you?

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This morning we'll look at some practical ways to cultivate Shalom in your life and relationships. If we do that, we will honor God and potentially make a huge difference in the lives of those closest to us.

1. SEEK a relationship with God.
Acts 20:21

Recognition of sin
Repent
Believe

Acts 20:21

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21 testifying to Jews and Greeks alike about repentance to God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.

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2. SUBMIT yourself to live more like Jesus.
Ephesians 4:1b; 1 John 2:6

Jesus is our role model. In Ephesians 4, the Apostle Paul describes how living like Jesus resolves virtually all of our relational conflict.

Ephesians 4:1

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1 As a prisoner in the Lord, then, I urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling you have received:

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1 John 2:6

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6 Whoever claims to abide in Him must walk as Jesus walked.

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3. SET aside time to pray for others.
1 Thessalonians 1:2

Pray for the well-being of others and that God gets ahold of their lives.

1 Thessalonians 1:2

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2 We always thank God for all of you, remembering you in our prayers

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4. SHARE life with those whom we wish to influence.
Hebrews 10:24-25a

The Bible calls the church a "body", "family" and a "called-out assembly" of people who are united by their faith in Christ and indwelt by His Spirit.
We can't begin to understand people if we only give casual effort to a relationship.
Three actions:
1. Work to reduce distractions and to increase awareness
2. Ask thought-provoking questions to discover and go deeper/reveal yourself
3. Look for opportunities to help others and share tasks

Hebrews 10:24-25

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24 And let us consider how to spur one another on to love and good deeds.
25 Let us not neglect meeting together, as some have made a habit, but let us encourage one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

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5. SPEAK with the intent to encourage.
1 Thessalonians 5:11

Actions we can take:
1. Dare to move from here to there
2. Acknowledge the good you see (character over conduct)
3. Listen actively
4. Instill hope
5. Affirm strengths
6. Express gratitude
7. Verbalize Shalom

1 Thessalonians 5:11

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11 Therefore encourage and build one another up, just as you are already doing.

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