Sermon Tone Analysis

Introduction

Today is the second Sunday of Advent, last week we would have lit the candle of hope, and when Sherri sent out the picture of the Advent candles as she does, I thought well next year I’m going to do a better job planning my sermons because I really want to do the Advent series, then I thought “I’m the pastor, there are no rules against starting on week 2” so here we go.

Last week we would have talked about a hope is the cutting edge that we have that gets us through life.

And we have a sure hope, an assurance of what God has done for us.

He is ultimately faithful beyond compare.

Hope carries us through like nothing else can.

The question is, will we trust Him?

Christmas is not just the story of the baby in the manger, it is the story of God Himself, restoring our hope.

This week we take a look at the next candle of advent, that is the one that represents peace.

Just the word conveys wonderful concepts...

This is how it is described in Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary:

peace \ˈpēs\ noun

a : a state or period of mutual concord between governments

b : a pact or agreement to end hostilities between those who have been at war or in a state of enmity

c: freedom from disquieting or oppressive thoughts or emotions

d: harmony in personal relations,

e: a state of concord or tranquility.

In the Bible, the word peace is used to translate the Hebrew word Shalom (completeness, soundness, welfare, peace) and the Greek word Eirene (inner tranquility and poise of the Christian whose trust is in God through Christ)

Peace is a quality and virtue that is sorely needed in the world and church today.

Wouldn’t you agree?

I mean with the state of the economy, the state of relationships between men, riots, government corruption, hostility toward God and the Church, etc.

In fact, if you don’t think the world needs peace, then you haven’t seen the news, have you?

Even though the constant theme of the Christmas Season is Peace on Earth, we know that very few enjoy true peace.

Why?

Well the Bible makes it clear that not all are entitled to peace.

God straight up tells us that there is no peace for the wicked.

I know what you’re thinking, “Pastor, that’s good news!” and yes it is good news.

In fact, Isaiah tells us why this is.

Look at the last six words there: so that HE WILL NOT hear.

It doesn’t say that He can’t hear- it says that he WON’T hear!

Did you know that God will actually play deaf and give people the silent treatment?

Well that’s what Isaiah is telling us!

It is sin that has hidden the face of God from us.

“But Pastor, I thought you said that He only hides his faith from the wicked?”.

Yes I did, but I’m not preaching a sermon to the wicked, I’m preaching a sermon to the saint of God, but I ask you this, do you sin?

Is it not a good idea to hear what the consequence to that sin is so that we can avoid it?

Well then, let’s take a look at what the Word of God says about how sin affects our relationship with God.

We’ve talked about some of these severe character flaws before, let’s look closely at a few of them and tell me if they sound very peaceful.

Verse 20: hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, and dissensions.

Sounds really peaceful huh?

It says that those who practice these things will not inherit the kingdom of God!

That is pretty harsh, but why is it so specific?

Well, look back verse 19.

What kinds of works are these?

Right, works of the flesh.

Now let’s be completely honest, how many of us are completely free from any of these works?

We are not interested in flesh works.

We are interested in works of the spirit.

The closer we get to God, the less the works of the flesh are allowed to flourish and the more spiritually minded we become.

The thing is, sin prevents true peace of mind:

Sure, that’s the sinner, but what about us?

What about Bible believing Christians, can we become troubled?

Anyone remember Martha?

What did Jesus say to her when she was so busy being “busy”?

So we can and often do worry.

Let’s stay with Martha, and look at why she lost her peace:

Just like Martha, we can lose our peace when we fail to simplify our priorities.

The truth is the Christian life is very simple yet we make it into much more than it needs to be.

We add so many layers of works.

We then turn those around and add them to others.

Really, Jesus wants people to come to them just as they are.

What was Martha doing that Jesus told us that she had not chosen the good part?

Martha was busy trying to earn the approval of Jesus the way she knew how- with works.

Mary on the other hand, just wanted to hang out with Jesus.

Jesus is relational, which do you think He values most?

Sure, Martha could get an attaboy for all her hard work, but it was Mary who was willing to sit and learn from Jesus that got what Jesus said, “could not be taken away from her”

Simplified priorities can also take the form of seeking the things the world has to offer.

Luke 8:14 (NKJV)

When we focus on the cares of this world, we are deceived into forfeiting our peace because the world’s rewards are fleeting.

Our God owns the cattle on a thousand hills.

The Earth is the Lord’s and everything in it.

So then if God owns everything, why do we break our necks trying to get it all?

Have we not figured out that God takes care of us?

He really does, we see it week in and week out amongst our brothers and sisters here in this little church!

We might be small, but our God is not!

In the end it’s about misplaced faith, we put our faith in our finances and not in God.

How many times have you heard it said, “if only I had more money, a better job, a nicer car, a more handsome husband…” whatever it is, somehow we think that we are better versions of ourselves when we have the “stuff”.

There is no doubt about it, God will supply all of our needs according to His riches in glory, but His provision is just stuff.

We don’t put our faith in stuff; we only put our faith in Him.

What causes us to lose our faith?

Well, Paul identifies two of these impediments in the book of 2 Corinthians, conflicts and fears:

2 Corinthians 7:5 (NKJV)

Sometimes we lose our peace out of genuine concern over someone else.

But as well-meaning as his distress was, Epaphroditus was still exhibiting a lack of faith of sorts.

His distress was because the brethren had heard a bad report about him, it wasn’t the only time the early church distressed at the curves life threw at them.

Remember when Paul left Ephesus?

Look at the book of Acts.

The people were weeping and kissing Paul, they knew they weren’t going to see him anymore.

In fact, just prior, they attempted to keep him from leaving at all.

Paul knew about these things that were about to happen to him yet He had peace.

Even the most dedicated servants find themselves in need of God’s peace.

But that is what the Christmas season is all about.

It is about the good news that God came to bring peace.

Looking at the various prophecies about Messiah we see that Jesus’ peace was foretold to Isaiah.

Zacharias, Mary’s uncle was also told.

Finally, the host of heaven declared the Peace of God on earth.

There is a catch and it is found in the last line in verse 14.

And on earth, peace goodwill toward men can also be translated as “And on earth peace, toward men of goodwill” I think this is a more correct translation, and in fact a couple of other translations do as well.

Isn’t that interesting?

It’s not good will toward men, it’s shalom, or peace, to men of good will.