Born to Bring Peace

Introduction:

Luke 2:1–21 ESV

1 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. 6 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. 8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” 15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. 17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. 21 And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

Pray.

This morning we are going to finish up our Christmas series of messages where we’ve looked at all that Jesus was born to do.

Jesus was born to save

Jesus was born to give light

This morning we will look at the Christmas story again and see that Jesus was born to bring peace.

We all need peace. Christmas is a time where we say peace on earth, goodwill towards men.

Most people say that meaning that they just want us to get along with each other and not fight. As a parent, I know you have struggled with this before. Your kids are tussling with each other, fighting over a toy, maybe even this morning, and you just want there to be peace in the house.

We want for everyone to be nice with each other and not be fighting, but the problem is that our natural nature is to war against each other. We fight because we are sinners. We are separated from God and each other because of our sin.

What the angel announced to the shepherds who were out in the field that night that we would call the first Christmas was not a feel-good, get along message. The angel was not saying now that Jesus was born everybody is going to live all hunky dory together and the spirit of Christmas will feel our hearts and minds and make us like each other.

Have you ever seen a mall at Christmas, or a Walmart! There is even a Christmas movie that illustrates the selfish spirit of man at Christmas called Jingle All the Way where two men are fighting over the last toy that their kid really wants.

The angels message was of a different nature. Jesus was born to bring peace. He was born to bring peace between a certain group of people.

Let’s zoom in on two verses this morning. This message may end up being one of the shortest, simplest messages I have ever shared.

First look with me at Luke 2:11

Luke 2:11 ESV

11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

1. Peace is Available for All People (v.11)

This means that anyone who will call upon the Lord will be saved. Jesus was not born just to be the Jewish Savior. He was born to be the Savior of every man.

Paul made great pains to point out in the first half of Romans that it was faith in Christ that saved the Jew and the Gentile.

All have sinned. All have fallen short. All should be looking for a Savior. But all will not. We are all like sheep who have gone astray. Isn’t it interesting that this message of a hope for people comes to shepherds. They were watching over their flocks, and yet we are like a flock of sheep that have wandered astray.

The message of the angels is for you today if you will hear it.

2. Peace is Available for those who Trust in the Savior (v.11-14)

Luke 2:11–14 ESV

11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

The angel is very specific as to why this is a message of great joy and why fear has been banished - because today, in the City of David, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord, has been born.

The chorus of angels appeared ringing out “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased.”

I want to paint this picture for you so that you can really get the message. The words used are that there appeared a heavenly host. Look at verse 13.

Luke 2:13 ESV

13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

That word host means armies. This isn’t a large earthly army, but instead is an innumerable heavenly army that appears in heaven. The shear sight of all of these angels arrayed in battle that appear to the shepherds would cause them to be, as the King James Version puts it, “sore afraid.” They would have been shaking in their boots!

If even one angel appeared before us with the glorious radiance of God that accompanies them, we would fall as dead men! Instead, a whole army appears and the message they give is one of peace.

There is peace on earth. It isn’t a peace for every man. There are some who need to fear. There are some who need to be afraid. God is not happy with everyone.

Fear is a good thing. It protects us and causes us to heighten our senses. We are to become alert and take warning. Something isn’t right!

The only ones that could have peace are those who have come to the Savior. He saves us from the punishment of sin. He delivers us through the second birth to give us everlasting life and peace with God.

Conclusion:

Christmas carol that speaks of peace

I heard the bells?

This morning, you can have peace in your heart. You can have peace with God.