Sermon Tone Analysis
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Introduction
As we see this picture of the heralding of the birth of Christ, we see a picture of a scary and unusual time.
Could you imagine being out on the farm at night, minding your own business, counting the sheep, when all the sudden an angel appeared and the Glory of God was around them.
After they were told of the birth, a “multitude” (a great crowd) of heavenly host proclaimed Jesus birth.
There was with the angel a multitude of angels of heaven - rows upon rows of angels all praising the Lord, as the KJV translates “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace and goodwill to men.”
All was going well for the shepherds, they did not think anything out of the ordinary was going to happen that night they led the sheep out into the fields.
I’m sure they expected a peaceful night.
Then everything changed.
I heard an interesting twist to these verses this week.
If we think of the Wise Men - people who had significant education and insight when it came to stars and the constellations - had to stop and seek out what this star was and where it was pointing.
However, the Shepherds, simple men who tended sheep were able to go straight to the Lamb of God when He was born.
On top of that, the Shepherds were the first to hear of Jesus birth.
Look again at this selection of verses from our main reading.
I love how, when the shepherds were afraid at the appearance of the angel and the Glory of the Lord, their fear was turned to PEACE when the angel said to them “Fear not”.
How many of us have faced issues that have immediately brought fear into our lives?
Maybe it was a diagnosis.
Maybe it was a close call on the road.
Maybe it was something that caught us off guard.
Maybe it was a letter, or an email, or a phone call.
Maybe it was a quick glance at the bank account balance.
Many things in life can bring us FEAR.
But, God desires for us not to be faced with fear, but with Peace.
The important thing is for us to find “Peace on Earth”, even when there is turmoil around us, is by finding “Peace with the Lord”.
We can take comfort in knowing … it isn’t something new.
In the blink of an eye, our lives can change dramatically.
But, we know we can face each issue with confidence, with strength, and WITHOUT fear (but WITH peace) when we look to the one that has orchestrated ever step of our lives.
Notice the last words - when he delights in his way.
God prepares the steps to safely guide us IF we will follow His ways and it will lead us to peace.
Even when we find ourselves in issues that seem to overwhelm us and we don’t know how we will get through, God is still there to provide PEACE.
I think we all seek peace.
I don’t know of too many people who thrive in chaos, the unknown, disappointment, uncertainty, and doubt.
Even the grumpiest, most aggravating, and controversial people deep down desire peace.
And we continue to long for peace, the same as we have or all these years.
Yet we hear some wonderful news in this proclamation made by the angel, that there will be a true time of peace that will come.
Desire for Peace
While we think of times as being bad now, we still have things pretty well.
We may not be extremely wealthy, we may not have designer clothing, we may not drive the newest of vehicles or eat at the fanciest of restaurants, but we are mostly well cared for even during uncertain times.
However there will be a change of events that will one day occur.
During the end times, there will be those who are actively searching for peace, but will not be able to find peace.
When judgement comes, there will be no peace.
All that anyone has will be lost and earthly possessions will be lost.
Why will this happen?
Because people will forget where they find true peace.
Isaiah speaks of a time when people will turn away from God.
They look for their own ways to find temporary “things” that will fill in for what they are truly missing - peace.
Yet, as we look at the list of sins before verse 8, we can only conclude that sin is universal and we are all guilty of sinning.
What, then, changes the hearts of a believer so they can see true peace?
True Peace
There will be a day where a righteous kingdom will be established on earth.
How would we define righteous?
Whatever seems to be good and right in our eyes.
We can justify anything and everything if we think hard enough about it.
All we have to do is convince our sinful mind that it isn’t sinful and we find a temporary peace in it.
But the biblical definition of righteousness is what is good in the eyes of God.
Can we look at the same justification and place it beside God’s view of righteousness and still make it stick?
No! When we are out of the will of God, we can have no true peace.
Those who rely on themselves for peace will eventually watch it all crumble.
However, there is a way to know a true and never ending peace.
Everlasting Peace
Of peace, there will be no end.
We know that the peace was partially filled when the Messiah was born.
A child is born - showing the humanity of Jesus.
A son is given - indicating His deity, not only as God, but as His Son given freely.
God with us - He came to earth, dwelling in this life with us.
But there is something yet to come - the government will be on His shoulders - while the prophecy of Christ’s birth was made about 700 years before His arrival, it did occur.
Even when Christ knew His earthly ministry was coming to a close and was preparing His disciples, He spoke of the peace He would leave them.
But there is a time where He will return to rule over the whole world.
Bringing true, everlasting peace with him forever, and offering an opportunity for us to experience eternal peace through his death.
Closing
Remember that despite our deepest troubles there is always PEACE to be found, and most importantly we must remember it comes from God.
Peace can be had at all times, because of who orchestrates every second, every minute, every hour, every day, every year, and all of eternity.
He had overcome!
We can find true, lasting, permanent peace with the knowledge that this world is not the best we, as Christians, will ever experience.
It is only temporary, and we have a promise HE has overcome this sinful world.
To rephrase what the angels said: “Fear not, for behold I bring you good news of great joy that IS for all people”.
God does not want us to fear, but to have PEACE.
Do you truly have Peace today?
Do you know the source of Peace?
Do you DESIRE Peace?
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