Why Christmas? Peace with God

Sermon & Small Group ResourcesThis is the second of our Advent sermon series for 2021. This sermon is ‘Peace with God’. Preacher: The Rev’d Michael Calder. Bible Reading: Romans 5:1-11DOWNLOAD the Small Group Questions, Going Deeper, and Sermon Transcript (PDF). Next Steps this Week BIBLE READING: Romans 5:1-11 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! Not only is this so, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation. SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS Download in PDF format.CONNECT: What one thing will help you to better celebrate Christmas this year? WARM-UP Why do you think the secular world puts so much time and energy into Christmas? What’s the difference between the peace that the world gives and peace that God gives? Read Romans 5:1-5 What does it mean to be justified by faith? Why do we need justification? What is sin? How does sin impact our relationship with God and others? Are we ever at risk of not taking sin seriously? How is it that we can have peace with God right now? How does God’s peace change the way we face troubles and afflictions? Why won’t the hope that we have put us to shame? How should God’s peace change the way that we live on our frontlines? Read Romans 5:6-11 What is so radical about the death of Jesus? Why did he have to die and for what sort of people did he die? What does his death mean for us? In what ways is God’s love different to any love that we find in the world? How can we see God’s love at its greatest? What does it mean for two people to be personally reconciled? What is the difference between being pronounced innocent by God and being reconciled to God? How is the salvation that God offers complete and total? What should this salvation lead to in us? In your week, what are some rhythms that can help you remember the seriousness of sin and also the peace that we have with God? In the lead up to Christmas, how will you share about the peace that God offers? Apply How can you keep the peace that Jesus gives us at the centre of Christmas this year? PRAYER Heavenly Father, thank you that you are a gracious and compassionate God who is abounding in love. Please help us to take sin seriously in order to see your mercy more clearly. Thank you for the justification and reconciliation that we have in Jesus. Help us this Christmas to rest in the peace that you give us. Amen.
 GOING DEEPER On Your Frontline This Week: It is not too late for a last minute invite to Carols. Who would want to miss a night of glowsticks & joy?! Listen, Watch, and Read: AUDIO: “Romans 5 - Amazing Love” by Christopher AshAUDIO: “Grace and Glory” by Simon ManchesterAUDIO: “Romans 5” by Gary MillarAUDIO: “Romans 5” a lecture by Dick LucasSeries Resources:Some helpful resources for our Series:Series overview both in PDF and AudiobookAdvent Devotional by Tim and Kathy KellerInvite a friend to carols!Grow as Families Each week St Bart’s Kids and CHARGE Youth provides resources for you to use at home. Join the livestream and then spend 30 minutes to work through these together.Families: Read, Chat, Do, and PrayHigh School: CHARGE Discussion QuestionsKids’ Talk: Watch the Kids’ TalkeBook: Watch the eBook