Comforting The Hurt- Peace

INTRODUCTION

Here we are, in the middle of the Christmas season.

This is a season for joy and peace.

When you look at the world around you, isn’t it great to see all of the joy and peace in the world today?

I am so glad to look around me and see no wars, hatred, sorrow, pain, or anger.

Well, maybe the world is not quite like that, even during Christmas.

When we looked back at Isaiah 40:1-5 last week, we learned that the nation of Israel was far from experiencing peace; they were moving in and out of captivity because of the sins of the nation.

Through the prophet Isaiah, the Lord offered a message of hope.

Isaiah 40:1–5 (NET 2nd ed.)

1 “Comfort, comfort my people,” says your God.

2 “Speak kindly to Jerusalem, and tell her that her time of warfare is over, that her punishment is completed. For the Lord has made her pay double for all her sins.”

3 A voice cries out, “In the wilderness clear a way for the Lord; build a level road through the rift valley for our God.

4 Every valley must be elevated, and every mountain and hill leveled. The rough terrain will become a level plain, the rugged landscape a wide valley.

5 The splendor of the Lord will be revealed, and all people will see it at the same time. For the Lord has decreed it.”

When do you need to be comforted?

When you’re sad, depressed, let down, or physically in pain.

When you were a child and hurt yourself, you would cry, hold where it hurt, and run into the arms of a parent.

That parent probably comforted you.

You were in pain, but love comforted you in your pain.

We look at the issue of comfort and how being comforted can lead to peace.

When you look at the world around you, it becomes evident that we do not see the peace we would like to see because the world is full of broken and hurt people who, because of where they are in life, cannot experience true peace.

Isaiah 40 is located after the judgment described for God’s people in chapter 39.

God’s people will be judged and conquered by the Babylonians.

They will be hurt physically, emotionally, generationally, and spiritually.

But one of the most important aspects of Isaiah 40 is the call for comfort.

“Comfort, comfort my people” is what God says.

However, the context of Isaiah goes beyond the comfort of the Israelites and reveals the comfort God wants to bring to the world through his chosen Messiah.

Now, over 700 years after Isaiah wrote the passage, something was about to change for the world.

Around 6 B.C., a game-changing event was about to take place.

Luke 2:14 is a well-known Bible verse that is part of the account of Jesus’ birth in the Gospel of Luke.

To understand the historical context of this verse, it is crucial to consider the broader historical and religious background of the time.

(Roman Rule)

At the time of Jesus’ birth, the region of Judea, where Bethlehem was located, was under Roman rule.

The Roman Empire had conquered and occupied various territories, including Judea, and imposed its authority over the Jewish people.

(Jewish Expectations)

The Jewish people had a long history of waiting for the Messiah, a promised deliverer who would liberate them from foreign oppression and establish God’s kingdom on earth.

This expectation was rooted in their religious scriptures, particularly the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament).

(Messianic Hopes)

Many Jews believed the Messiah would come as a political and military leader, overthrowing Roman rule and restoring the Jewish kingdom.

This expectation of a powerful Messiah was prevalent during the time of Jesus’ birth.

In this historical context, Luke 2:14 takes on significant meaning.

The verse is part of the angelic announcement to the shepherds in Bethlehem, proclaiming the birth of Jesus.

The angels declare “Glory to God in the highest heaven,” acknowledging the divine significance of Jesus’ birth.

The second part of the verse, “and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests,” carries a message of hope and peace.

It is important to note that the peace mentioned here is not primarily political or social peace but rather spiritual peace.

The birth of Jesus is seen as the fulfillment of God’s promise to send a Savior who would bring peace between God and humanity.

Luke’s Gospel emphasizes that Jesus came to bring salvation and reconciliation between God and people rather than leading a political revolution.

The verse reflects the broader message of Jesus’ ministry, which focused on spiritual transformation and the establishment of God’s kingdom in the hearts of individuals.

We will dive into Luke 2:14 together today.

Big Idea of the Message: God wants to comfort and bring peace to his hurting people and a hurting world through the work of the Messiah, Jesus.

Luke 2:14 (NET 2nd ed.)

14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among people with whom he is pleased!”

SERMON

I. Peace with who God is.

In Luke 2:14, the angels declare, “Glory to God in the highest.”

This phrase reminds us that our ultimate purpose is to glorify God.

Why is there so much hurt, pain, and ugliness in the world?

We can come up with many reasons, but the root cause of our problems in this world is that we are not at peace with who God is.

In your life, who do you seek to glorify in and with your life?

When we sin, we wage war against God and shift the glory that rightfully belongs to Him toward ourselves or our creation.

Romans 1:25 warns against exchanging the truth of God for a lie and worshiping creation instead of the Creator.

Romans 1:25 (NET 2nd ed.)

25 They exchanged the truth of God for a lie and worshiped and served the creation rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.

The word GLORY refers to the honor, praise, and splendor that belongs to God.

Glory is an attribute of God’s divine nature.

Glorifying God means recognizing His honor, praise, and splendor, acknowledging Him as the source of all things.

Losing sight of who God is leads to a misalignment of our priorities and a distorted perspective on life.

So long as we reject God or think we can figure out a way to save ourselves, we will never be at peace with who God is.

But God had a solution to restore our broken relationship with Him.

It began with the birth of Jesus, who came to reconcile us to God.

We will never find peace with who He is unless we humbly accept God’s grace and acknowledge our need for Him.

Attempting to save ourselves or rejecting God’s redemption is futile, resulting in frustration and dissatisfaction.

True peace and fulfillment come when we surrender our lives to God, glorify Him, and align our priorities with His will.

Who do we seek to glorify?

Are we at peace with who God is?

Being at peace with who God is allows us to humbly submit to His plan, accept His grace, and find true peace through glorifying Him in all aspects of our lives.

When the angels sing GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST, this denotes that God’s glory exists in the highest realm of the heavens; it is to exist everywhere!

Until I was willing to submit my life to Jesus, I did not experience comfort and peace in my life.

Anytime I cannot experience those gifts, it is when I fail to give glory to God.

I cease giving glory to God when I decide to make my own plans and follow my own ways.

I cease giving glory to God when I seek to take on the role of God in my life instead of trusting and letting God be God.

The shepherds were about to see the greatest thing ever: they were going to see the birth of the Messiah!

It is interesting to note that not all were going to be joyous over the birth of Jesus.

Eventually, Herod would seek to kill Jesus because Herod was not at peace with who God is.

In our society, people are doing all they can to kill Jesus.

If you want to make people uncomfortable and mad, start talking about Jesus.

People today (and in all times) are not at peace with a God in heaven who loves them.

People want to be their own god, accountable to nothing or no one.

Comfort and peace in your life begin with being at peace with who God is!

Let’s look at verse 14 again.

Luke 2:14 (NET 2nd ed.)

14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among people with whom he is pleased!”

II. Peace with why we are here.

In Luke 2:14, the angels proclaim, “And on earth peace among people.”

This declaration reminds us that God sent Jesus to bring peace, and this peace is realized when people give their lives to Him.

The message of God’s glory is not confined to the highest places in heaven.

It extends to the earth, where we find our purpose and meaning.

The word “peace” signifies a state of tranquility, harmony, and well-being that comes from God and surpasses human understanding.

Through the birth of Jesus, who is the Prince of Peace, this divine peace becomes accessible to us.

Regardless of the divisions we create—be it racial, socio-economic, or cultural—Jesus can restore harmony and reconciliation.

So, what does this mean for us?

As Christians, we find peace knowing that our time on earth is temporary and we have a purpose.

Our task is to bring the peace of God through

Jesus to as many people as we can during our time here.

We must embrace our responsibility to share the good news of God’s peace and actively contribute to its spread.

We have a unique role in making a difference in the lives of others, offering them the opportunity to experience the transformative peace that comes from a relationship with Jesus.

Let us be at peace with our purpose, knowing that we are here for a purposeful reason.

With the time we have on this earth, let us dedicate ourselves to bringing God’s peace to others and sharing the message of hope, love, and reconciliation found in Jesus Christ.

When I am not at peace with why I am here, my life will not have a fulfilling purpose, and because of that, I will struggle to experience comfort and peace.

Let’s look at verse 14 one more time.

Luke 2:14 (NET 2nd ed.)

14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among people with whom he is pleased!”

III. Peace with who you are.

In Luke 2:14, the angels declare that peace is found with those “whom He is pleased.”

This statement emphasizes that true peace can only be experienced by those who give their lives to Jesus.

Why do people often react negatively when the topic of Jesus is brought up?

Part of the reason lies in the discomfort it stirs within us.

Deep down, we recognize that something is not right within us, and discussions about Jesus confront us with the reality that we are not at peace with Him.

When we lack peace with Jesus, we cannot find peace within ourselves.

Many individuals struggle with being at peace with who they are.

They allow their past mistakes or the opinions of others to define their sense of self.

However, true peace with who we are can only be attained through a relationship with Jesus.

He offers forgiveness, restoration, and transformation.

When we surrender our lives to Him, we discover our true identity as beloved children of God, accepted and valued just as we are.

Jesus offers us the opportunity to find peace by embracing our true selves, free from the burdens of guilt, shame, and societal expectations.

We are invited to find peace in the knowledge that we are loved, forgiven, and called to live a purposeful life.

I think most people want peace in their lives, but they want it without Jesus.

It does not work that way.

The proclamation the angels made makes it clear that peace comes to those whom God is pleased with.

God is pleased with those who have given their life to Jesus!

Let us encourage one another to let go of the false identities imposed upon us and find peace in embracing who we are in Christ

CONCLUSION

In Luke 15:10, Jesus teaches that there is great joy among the angels of God when a sinner repents.

This profound truth reveals the immense significance of salvation and the ultimate purpose behind the good news—the glory of God.

The angels, who exist in the presence of God, understand the surpassing value of His glory.

Their joy over one sinner’s repentance reflects the highest expression of joy because it aligns with the divine purpose and plan.

The angelic chorus of praise serves as a reminder of the transcendent nature of God’s glory.

It is the pinnacle of all thought and action, the ultimate truth that underlies everything that exists.

The salvation of sinners is intricately connected to the glorification of God.

The good news of salvation is not merely about individual deliverance, but it encompasses a grander purpose.

Through repentance and faith in Jesus, sinners are reconciled to God and invited to join the angels in glorifying Him.

Salvation brings us into a harmonious relationship with God, where our lives become a testament to His grace, love, and transformative power.

As recipients of God’s mercy, we are called to share this good news with others.

The joy of salvation compels us to become agents of reconciliation, bringing the message of hope and redemption to those who are lost.

By participating in God’s work of saving sinners, we contribute to the chorus of praise that resounds in heaven.

Let us embrace the joy of salvation and recognize that our purpose extends beyond personal transformation.

May we actively seek opportunities to share the good news, invite others to experience the transformative power of God’s love, and join us in glorifying Him.

Together with the angels, let us celebrate the profound joy of salvation and the magnificence of God’s glory.