Peace on Earth

Series: Best Christmas Ever; Part 2

Isaiah 11:6-9

Pastor Joel Sutton; December 6, 2009

 Listen to this sermon

"Shalom" - God's peace - wholeness and completeness.

    Isaiah 11:1-5: The kind of king Christ will be.

    Isaiah 11:6-9: The type of kingdom Christ will create.

Christ's Peaceable Kingdom 

• Under the rule of Christ, there will be peace among all creation. (Vv. 6-7)

• Under the rule of Christ, there will be peace from the ancient curse. (V. 8)

• Under the rule of Christ, there will be peace on the whole earth. (V. 9)

Take Home Idea: Under the ideal rule of the Ideal King, there will be paradise peace.

Sermon-Based Discussion Questions

(For Small Groups, Adult Bible Fellowships, or Personal Use)

1. Was there anything from the sermon that surprised you? Was there anything that you struggled with? Are there any thoughts or ideas or changes of heart that you would like to share?
2. What is your picture of a peaceful world? Who is in it; is anyone excluded? What is removed in order for peace to reign? What is added to make the world peaceful?
3. Think of a relationship in your life that has been marred by insecurity, strife, uneasiness, or simply nervousness. Has this relationship changed in any way? Has it become more civil and peaceful, or is it constantly becoming more bitter and uneasy?
4. Read Isaiah 11:6-8. As you read about the pictures of peace in Isaiah 11:6-8, does anything strike you as odd or out of place? Why is that? How has sin corrupted what we see as the "natural order" of creation?
5. Review Pastor Joel's point about the infant and the young child playing around the viper's hole (Point 2). How is that a picture of Christ's conquering death?
6. Do you think that "the knowledge of the Lord" is a cause or result of God's peace? Who do you think is the "they" in v. 9?
7. How do you think the angels' message to the shepherds ("Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests", Luke 2:13-14) relates to this passage in Isaiah 11?
8. How often does peace surround your relationship with God? Are you able to release the tension and uneasiness caused by life and allow God's Spirit to live out the fruit of His character (the love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control)?
9. How will you allow God's peace to fill not only your life, but the lives of those whom God has put around you (your family, your co-workers, your brothers and sisters in Christ)?