Prince of Peace: Forgiveness Restores Our Relationship

Today we lit the Peace candle with our kids and talked about why Jesus is called the Prince of Peace. I shared how, when my kids were little, I sometimes wanted “peace and quiet” in the minivan—but the peace Jesus brings is deeper than quiet. It’s not about forcing silence; it’s about healing what’s broken between us and God. I told a childhood story of blaming a neighbor for a “stolen” G.I. Joe (which I had actually buried), and how throwing rotten lemons at his white house left me with a knot in my stomach. That knot had a name: sin. We know when we’ve done wrong, and that awareness creates a distance from God we can’t fix on our own.

That’s why Jesus came. He takes the hand of God and our hand and brings us together through His cross. In Jesus, we receive forgiveness and His perfection in place of our imperfection. That is peace: a reconciled relationship with God that steadies our hearts, even when life is noisy or complicated.

We practiced that truth by taking communion in small groups. It felt “cozy” on purpose—close enough to remember together that His body was broken and His blood was shed so we could have peace with God. Peace received becomes peace shared, so we highlighted how our Christmas Gift for Jesus offering supports partners like Compassion Network and how we’re launching a new outreach team to meet tangible needs in our city. We also welcomed new church partners, giving thanks that God keeps building our family with the people we need—and who need us.

I celebrated your faithfulness: 135 Operation Christmas Child boxes and our upcoming month hosting the Safe Parking Program. These are not side projects; they are expressions of the peace Jesus brings—moving us toward neighbors with hospitality, generosity, and presence. Next week is our family-style “birthday party for Jesus.” Bring the kids, expect balloons, and remember: no blowers! As we go, may God’s peace—won by Jesus, given by grace—guard your hearts and shape your steps this week.

---

Key Takeaways

• 1. Peace is more than quiet. True peace isn’t enforced silence or conflict avoidance; it’s the restoration of a broken relationship with God. When Jesus brings peace, He gives us a settled heart that isn’t dependent on perfect circumstances. Peace is the fruit of being put right with God, not the product of everyone behaving. That’s why it can endure in noise, grief, or uncertainty. [10:00]
• 2. Guilt is a truthful signal. That knot in the stomach after the “rotten lemon” moment wasn’t random; it named a moral fracture. Guilt, properly received, is an invitation to confession and restoration, not a life sentence of shame. Jesus meets us at that signal and leads us into forgiveness that clears the conscience and restores joy. [11:43]
• 3. Communion rehearses our reconciliation. Coming to the Table in small groups embodied the nearness of grace: His body for us, His blood for us, our peace secured. We don’t just remember facts; we rehearse belonging—again and again—until peace becomes our reflex. Communion trains our hearts to live from grace, not guilt, and to see one another as people Christ has made family. [48:06]
• 4. Peace propels us toward neighbors. Reconciled people become reconciling people. Our Compassion Network partnership, new outreach team, and Safe Parking hosting are practical ways peace takes on flesh—meeting needs, restoring dignity, and making room. The peace we receive from Jesus naturally moves outward in mercy, generosity, and presence. [65:47]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:40] - Kids come forward for Advent
• [02:10] - Lighting Hope and Peace candles
• [03:50] - Joy, Love, and Christ candle preview
• [05:30] - What peace is—and isn’t
• [11:43] - Rotten lemons and the weight of sin
• [13:20] - Jesus the Prince of Peace
• [14:32] - Prayer with children
• [16:00] - Communion instructions and flow
• [48:06] - Group communion reminder and movement
• [65:47] - Compassion Network and outreach team
• [67:58] - Welcoming new church partners and prayer
• [69:20] - OCC celebration and Safe Parking
• [70:50] - Family events and youth party
• [72:30] - Benediction and closing song

Bible reading (ESV)

- Isaiah 9:6
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.

- Romans 5:1
Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

- 1 Corinthians 11:23–26
For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.

Observation questions

1. Read Isaiah 9:6. What does the title “Prince of Peace” suggest about Jesus’ role toward sinners and toward the world? How does that title shape the way people celebrate Advent?
2. Read Romans 5:1. What does “peace with God” mean in this verse, and how is that different from ordinary “peace and quiet” (for example, the minivan rule described)? [10:00]
3. Read 1 Corinthians 11:23–26. According to this passage, what is the purpose of coming to the Lord’s table and remembering Jesus’ body and blood? How does that purpose connect with small‑group communion rather than a purely private or merely informational act? [48:06]
4. In the rotten‑lemon story a child felt a “knot in the stomach.” What did that feeling point to theologically, and how does Scripture name that experience? [11:43]

Interpretation questions (third‑person, objective)

1. How does the claim that Jesus gives his perfection in place of human imperfection affect a believer’s sense of moral responsibility and assurance when confronting guilt?
2. If peace is primarily the restoration of relationship with God (not the absence of noise or conflict), how should a church body organize its life and ministries so that people encounter that reconciling peace in practical ways? [01:05:47]
3. What does the practice of taking communion in small groups train in the life of a church community (for example, honesty, mutual confession, belonging, or hospitality)? [48:06]
4. When guilt functions as a truthful signal of moral fracture, what processes should a believer or a small group have in place to move from conviction to confession to restoration?

Application questions (personal and specific)

1. Name a recent situation where you felt that “knot in the stomach” signaling guilt or a broken relationship. What is one concrete step you will take this week to bring that to God in confession and seek restoration? [11:43]
2. Identify one place in your family or workplace where you long for peace that is more than quiet. What practical action can you take this week to invite Jesus’ reconciling peace into that situation (a conversation, a prayer, a request for forgiveness, or a pause to listen)? [10:00]
3. Communion is meant to rehearse belonging and forgiveness. How could you make a regular practice (monthly, weekly, or with a small group) of remembering Christ’s sacrifice so your heart is shaped by grace rather than guilt? What would you commit to starting or changing? [48:06]
4. The peace received from Jesus naturally moves outward into mercy and presence. Which local ministry or neighbor could use your time, a gift, or a visit this month (for example, Compassion Network, the new outreach team, or Safe Parking)? What exact step will you take to get involved or to support them? [01:05:47]
5. Who in your life needs reconciliation with you? Name one specific, loving next step you can take toward them this week (a call, an apology, an offer of help, or inviting them to meet). [01:05:47]
6. How will you remind yourself in the coming days that peace with God does not depend on perfect circumstances (grief, noise, or uncertainty)? Name one physical reminder or spiritual habit you will use (scripture on your phone, a short prayer each morning, a bookmarked passage, etc.). [10:00]