Peace from our Saviour

Intro: The Savour our world needs has a tall order to fulfil. Last week Pastor Fil spoke on the love of God and how our Savour perfectly accomplished that role.

Today we turn to another qualification of one who would be Savour of the World - a man of Peace.

Peace prophecies

A. Jesus in the embodiment of how God’s Savour would rule in peace.

Isaiah 9:6 (NKJV)

For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Prince of Peace - the next verse talks about the Saviours government. Jesus was born during Pox Romana - Roman government mandated peace. The reality was that most found this top down peace very unsatisfying. It may have done away with war, but it did not end hostility.

Jesus alone offers an end to all hostility in nations, groups, families, and even internal peace in one’s own soul.

When his own rejected Him, and refused to follow after God, then He Himself prophesied how Peace would continue to be a struggle.

Matthew 10:34 NKJV

“Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword.

This verse comes in the heart of Jesus’ ministry. Opposition had risen to God’s program because people would be required to actually follow God and His ways. Some would have to give up power, some financial security, others would simply be required to give up the things they longed for. All people would have to humbly sacrifice personal desires to receive the better things that God had in store for them.

This remains a problem today!

Peace proclaimed

A. Peace was proclaimed to many around the birth of Christ.

It was proclaimed through Zechariah at the birth of JB. (Lk 1.19)

It was proclaimed to the shepherds, and in verse 20 through the shepherds. (Lk 2.14, 20)

It was proclaimed by Simeon, as he took the 8 day old Baby into his arms and worshiped the Lord for the opportunity to see the Saviour. (Lk 2.29)

The Complete Word Study Dictionary: New Testament 1515. εἰρήνη eirḗnē

Peace is the paramount blessing that Israel was looking for in the messianic kingdom (Num. 25:12; Lev. 26:6; Is. 54:10; Ezek. 34:25; 37:26; Mal. 2:5, 6).

B. Jesus wanted gave peace to those who followed Him.

John 14:27 NKJV

Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Jesus had just told them in the previous verse that He and the Father were sending the Holy Spirit. That alone is an unfathomable gift. Now Jesus proclaims that He is gifting to all who follow, His very PEACE. It is unlike the worlds peace. It can handle heartache, loneliness, temptation, trials, oppression, pain, and so much more.

The Prince of Peace gave us peace because He knew our hearts would be troubled, and we would face things that would naturally make us afraid.

Peace pursued

A. God expects His people to find peace in Him, (meaning the absence of confusion). (Rom. 14:17; 1 Cor. 7:15; Eph. 4:3; Heb. 12:14; Ps. 34:14; 35:20; Zech. 8:16).

1 Corinthians 14:33 NKJV

For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.

B. God rewards those who practice peace.

James 3:18 NKJV

Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

Matthew 5:9 NET

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the children of God.

Peace requires our relationships to be right. If we are offending or neglecting each other, we are not at peace. So, God tells us to confess to one another. That restoration through asking forgiveness brings peace. It works that way with God Himself and with the people around us.

C. Peace is a blessing of which God alone is the author (Job 25:2; Ps. 147:14)

Isaiah 45:7 NKJV

I form the light and create darkness, I make peace and create calamity; I, the Lord, do all these things.’

“He, being the author of peace, is the only one who can bestow it upon the righteous.” Zodhiates, S. (2000). In The complete word study dictionary: New Testament (electronic ed.). AMG Publishers.

D. Peace is a gift which God desires to impart to all His people.

Jeremiah 29:11 NKJV

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.

This is not a prosperity Gospel. It is the good news that God is for us.

Isaiah 26:12 NKJV

Lord, You will establish peace for us, For You have also done all our works in us.

Conclusion: The Prince of Peace, our Saviour, wants to fill us with God’s peace.

There is nothing greater that I as your pastor could wish for you than the peace of God filling your life in every way and in every day. Christmas makes that possible because Christ has left us with the peace that filled His life.

Romans 15:13 ESV

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

Q1. Do we cling to Jesus for our peace, or try to make our own depending on how life is going?

Q2. How good are we at being peacemakers? Can we see God’s blessings from past times we have acted in this role?

Q3. Since the Lord plans and establishes our peace, and He does our works for us, but is holding us back from walking through the doors He opens?