The Grinch Who Stole Christmas-pt. 3

DAY 1

This month at PCI we have been looking at how God enlarges our hearts. Who wants to end up like the Grinch with a heart two sizes too small? The Grinch assumed that Christmas was all about the presents. He set out to steal the presents from the people of Whoville. He discovered that for the people of Whoville, presents didn’t give them joy and peace. Something else did.

What can give real human beings peace? Peace is not the absence of conflict or struggle.

Peace comes from the “Prince of Peace.”

This week we’ll look at one of the great Messianic prophecies of scripture.

Isaiah 9:6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, & the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:7  Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.

1. One of the great mysteries of Jesus Christ is how He could be both fully human and fully divine. How does Isa. 9:6 solve this mystery?

 

“A child is born” –

 

“A son is given” –

 

2. Isaiah says that “the government will be on his shoulders.”

What kind of government do you think he is talking about? Civil government? The government over a nation? A political government? Or a personal government? A government of the heart? A government without borders?

 

 

3. Why do human beings need to be “governed?” Why is any government needed?

 

 

4. Why do you need to be governed?

 

 

5. Who is your governor?

 

 

6. One way we experience peace is when the things inside us that destroy peace are “governed!” Are you in submission to Him?

DAY 2

When the Grinch had stolen every present in Whoville he became dumbfounded at what he saw. They were still a happy people! They sang!!! His hatred for Whoville disappeared. Why? The message of Christmas had penetrated his small little heart. He saw with his own eyes that despite all that he had done to ruin Christmas, they still had peace and joy.

Isaiah 9:6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, & the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

1. In the Hebrew language, the name of someone indicates far more than just what you call them. It indicates their character, who they are. The prophet describes the different “names” or character or attributes of the coming Messiah.

 

2. Today, we’ll begin looking at the names of Messiah that will bring peace.

• “Wonderful Counselor“

 

 

3. What thoughts strike you about this name?

 

 

4. This passage in Isaiah 9 begins back in verse 2 with…

Isaiah 9:2  The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.

a. What problem did Isaiah identify?

 

 

b. Have you ever walked in an unfamiliar place that was too dark? What was that like?

 

 

c. Walking in darkness is a metaphor for any of the following. Put a checkmark by the ones with which you identify:

___ Calamity-“Why do I keep getting myself in trouble?”

___ Confusion-“I can’t tell why I keep messing up.”

___ Ignorance-“I don’t know what to do.’

___ Idolatry-“I’m pursuing the lesser things.”

___ Worldliness-“I’m determined to feel good now, no matter what God says.”

 

 

d. How does the promise of a “light” who is also our “Wonderful Counselor” provide our needed remedy?

 

e. Pray over an area of darkness in which you find yourself. Call out to our “Wonderful Counselor.”

DAY 3

The Grinch’s “puzzler” had no category for how the citizens of Whoville could still have peace when he had stolen all their Christmas present. How can there be peace when the circumstances don’t support it? The answer is found in the message of Christmas that we celebrate.

1. It is the Prince of Peace who can give you peace! We’re looking at why He can do that. It’s all about who He is, His character and attributes.

Isaiah 9:6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, & the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

 

2. Today we look at “Mighty God.” What words, things, or events come to mind when you read that phrase?

In the Hebrew, “Mighty” means “conquering” or “prevailing.”

 

3. In the following verses, a man of God came to the King of Judah to tell him it was a BIG mistake to allow the army of Israel to join with them.

2 Chronicles 25:7  But a man of God came to him and said, “O king, these troops from Israel must not march with you, for the LORD is not with Israel–not with any of the people of Ephraim. ⁸ Even if you go and fight courageously in battle, God will overthrow you before the enemy, for God has the power to help or to overthrow.”

a. What was the man of God’s concern?

 

 

b. How did he think the king of Judah would likely handle the problem?

 

 

c. How did the man of God think he should handle the problem?

 

 

d. If you were to go into battle with a much smaller force, would you have listened to this man of God?

 

 

e. What was the compelling point of the man of God? Write it out in your own words.

 

 

 

f. The Messiah is not just a man, or a good man or great man. He is God Almighty. How should this bring peace to you?

 

 

DAY 4

The message of Christmas, that God became Man should send peace through your being! We have peace, not because life is rosy or circumstances are smooth. Peace is not that the sun is shining on a fine summer day. “Peace” occurs in the midst of a howling storm, down at the rocky cliffs overlooking the pounding surf. Up, just hidden in the cleft of the rock is a nest of birds, just out of harm’s way.

Until we get to heaven, storms are a natural and expected part of life. We must look to the Prince of Peace for our peace.

Isaiah 9:6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, & the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Today we look at another trait of Messiah: “Everlasting Father.”

1. There is something “surprising” about this title. Can you spot it? (If nothing hits you, peek below…

 

 

2. Look back at the beginning of Isaiah 9:6. Isaiah says, “…a child is born….a son is given.” How would you explain how Messiah can be both “son” and “father?”

 

 

 

3. One of the great mysteries of scripture is what theologians call the “Trinity,” that God is ONE Being, THREE persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

John 14:9  Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?”

4. What strikes you about how Jesus saw Himself? How does this verse point to Jesus being both fully human and fully God?

 

 

John 10:30 “I and the Father are one.”

4. Again, what strikes you about how Jesus saw Himself? How does this verse point to Jesus being both fully human and fully God?

 

 

 

5. “Everlasting” in the Hebrew is used as everlasting in both a future sense and a past sense. Sometimes the phrase is “from everlasting to everlasting.”

How would the knowledge that Messiah is “Everlasting Father” strike you? How would it give someone peace?

 

 

 

6. Jesus is also your Everlasting Father. Talk to Him this morning as if this is true!

 

DAY 5

Isaiah 9:6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, & the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

We come to the climax of this verse: Prince of Peace.

1. “Peace” in Hebrew is the word “shalom.” It means “All is well.” This doesn’t mean that all of life is well. It means that God can “make it well” inside you! How would you describe this kind of peace?

 

 

Philippians 4:6-7 Have no anxiety about anything but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests to God. And the peace of God will surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

2. If you tried to answer Question #1 and got frustrated that should come as no surprise, as this verse clearly states: the peace that surpasses all understanding.

 

3. In Phil. 4:6-7, Paul makes some promises for this kind of peace. What are they?

 

 

 

4. He says peace will guard your hearts and minds…. From what?

 

 

 

5. Where does Paul say peace is rooted?

 

 

6. This is precisely what the angels proclaimed to the shepherds on the night we call Christmas!!!

Luke 2:13-14 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.”

To whom is peace promised? Everyone? Some? What is the gateway to this peace?

 

 

 

7. Our world can never have this kind of peace. It would never think to look there, in a stable. What did it take for you to look there?

 

 

8. The secret to peace is not “peace.” It is that peace has a Prince!!! If you don’t follow the Prince there is no peace. It is as simple as that…. and as wondrous!