“The Greatest Peace come on Earth”
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Transcript
Intro:
- Well as we have been making our way through this Advent series, we looked at “joy” last week. We looked at WHAT joy was, WHERE JOY came from and HOW I can experience JOY in the midst of a dark world.
- We pointed out that our Joy is not based on external conditions or circumstances but on a relationship with Jesus.
- And we looked at How this relationship was made possible, through God stepping down to earth in the form of man, to live among us, ultimately to die on the cross for our sins.
- So, we addressed that the Gospel message was the source of biblical JOY and the source of our relationship with God, by believing in faith in what God had done from me on the cross.
- And we looked at the passage in LK 2, looking at these country shepherds in Bethlehem. In a dark hour, the angel would come to give them this great news, of God sending a savior into the world.
- The angel would tell them of Jesus who was born in Bethlehem, and was lying in a manger, wrapped in swaddling clothes.
- This would be the savior of the world. What He would do through His life, death, and resurrection, would produce the greatest Joy in the world.
- Now we want to continue looking at this passage as we continue with our Advent series. Today we will be looking at the “The Great Peace that has come on Earth”
Transition
Read Lk. 2:8-14
- We pick up our passage today after the initial appearance of the Angel. He shows up to these shepherds with this great message that will change the world.
- Now we know that the appearance of the Angel in the Glory of the Lord in the middle of the night must have freaked out the shepherds, because he tells them not to be afraid.
- Now after the Angel gives them the message, in v. 13 we see that all of a sudden there was a multitude of heavenly hosts or a multitude of angels that joined this angel.
- And the multitude of angels proclaim 2 things to us…talk about freaking out the shepherds even more. And the angels proclaim……
1. They proclaim praise to God
- They begin to say “glory to God in the highest”. These angels are praising God here for who He is, and for what He has done in providing a Savior to the world. His love, grace and kindness was on display through the plan of salvation, and these heavenly host couldn’t help but praise God as they observed.
2. They proclaim Peace and goodwill to the earth
- The chorus of praise from the Angels make way for the declaration of the outcome of this great plan of salvation. It was God’s good will towards men that lead to Him sending His Son, which would ultimately lead to the Peace to the earth.
- So, I’ve titled this message, “The Greatest Peace that has come to the Earth”.
Transition - Secular Peace
- Now we want to start by defining what this word peace is that the angels are declaring.
- Websters dictionary describes PEACE in this way
: a state of tranquility or quiet: such as
: freedom from civil disturbance
: a state of security
: freedom from disquieting or oppressive thoughts or emotions
: harmony in personal relations
: a state or period of mutual concord between governments
: a pact or agreement to end hostilities between those who have been at war or in a state of enmity
- This is a good definition of Peace from the secular standpoint. When the secular world speaks about Peace, they are talking about a sense of tranquility, a freedom from disturbances, or conflicts caused by their inner self, by others or external conditions.
- Much like when we spoke about happiness last week, a secular peace is driven by outward circumstances or external conditions which require the participation of the individual / group to accomplish peace.
- This is why you see the secular world pursue Peace , a tranquility and freedom from conflict based on their own works.
- Now when you look at biblical Peace, Jesus Himself tells us that the Peace we will experience is different from that of the world.
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 tells His disciples that He gives us Peace that is not like what the world gives. So within these words, we can see that there is a clear difference between the Peace of the world and biblical Peace.
Transition Biblical Peace
- HELPS WORD Studies – describes The word Peace in the Greek language used here by the Angels to speaks of , “ to join together, to make whole, wholeness, when essential parts are joined together”.
- when the essential parts are joined together it would include the following aspects of peace….
1. National tranquility
2. Peace between individuals
3. Security and safety
4. The Messiahs peace
- But here is what I want us to focus on. Secular peace looks to personally produce Peace in a situation and the evidence of this type of peace will produce a lack of conflict internally or externally. It is driven by self and looks for tangible results.
- Biblical peace that we will look at is not self-driven, rather it is driven by God Himself. He is the source of Peace and the initiator of that Peace.
- And the results of this Peace in our lives will produce a lack of conflict spiritually first, and because of the spiritual peace, it will translate into internal peace and at times, external peace.
Transition
- The best definition for Peace in Greek, is “when the essential parts are joined together” or “wholeness”. This gives us insight into the problem. There is a conflict that is caused by not being joined together.
- Think this through with me, when the essential parts of an individual are not in unison, or when they are not joined together, there is a conflict, a lack of Peace.
- So when we are talking about biblical peace and what God has done for us to bring true peace, we have to discuss the essential areas of our lives that are in conflict.
- There are 3 main essential areas that we want to look at tonight. When theses essential areas are not joined together to the Lord, there will be conflict and a lack of wholeness. But when we can unite these essential areas of my life to the Lord, there is true peace.
Essential areas of Conflicts
1. Our relationship with God
2. Our relationship with Ourselves
3. Our relationship with others
as we look at these conflicts within our lives because of a not being joined together or not being whole, we will see what God has done for us as HE has made a way for us to be whole and complete as we are joined to HIM. And in Him, we can experience true peace.
I. The Conflict in our Relationship with God
A. We were at Odds with God (Ish. 59:1-2)
1a. Our Sins Made us separated from God
Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened,
That it cannot save;
Nor His ear heavy,
That it cannot hear.
But your iniquities have separated you from your God;
And your sins have hidden His face from you,
So that He will not hear.
as we discuss the conflict with our relationship with God, we see that the conflict exists because of our sin.
in the book of Gen. 3, we learn how Adam and Eve walked with God in fellowship and harmony before they disobeyed God. Yet after they disobeyed God, sin entered the world. Not only their world, but their actions had consequences for all of humanity. The sins of Adam were brought to all men.
Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned—
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
Therefore, all men are now born into sin. Have you noticed that you don’t have to teach babies to do what is wrong. They naturally learn that, why..... because they are born sinners.. Just like you and I.
Transition
now as we look at Gen. 3, after Adam and Eve sinned, you see that their relationship with God changes. At one moment they are walking in harmony with God, there is completeness, wholeness. Perfect fellowship.
Then after they sinned, they went and hid from God and tried to cover themselves us. As a result of their sins, there would be consequences. The woman would be cursed and would have her sorrows multiplied in conception. She would bring forth children in pain. You women have Eve to thank for that.
The man would be cursed to toil the ground and labor for the rest of his life.
but the ultimate consequence is found in v.23.
therefore the Lord God sent him out of the garden of Eden to till the ground from which he was taken.
the greatest consequence was their separation from God. They no longer had this intimate personal relationship with God, they were now incomplete or now there was a conflict between man and God because of sin.
2a. We Had no way of Atoning for our Sins
It is interesting that in Gen. 3 we see the first mention of a sacrifice. We see God covered Adam and Eve with the skins of animals. Gen. 3:21.
There would have to be the spilling of blood from these animals to cover Adam and Eve’s bodies. This would be a picture of what would be required. Because of the sins in which we are born with, there would be a requirement that blood be shed to cover our sins. Throughout the old testament you would see the sacrifices of animals for the covering or atoning of the sins of the people.
this would be done in order to cover our sins and to establish a relationship with God. But those animals sacrifices would never take away our sins and would never completely reconcile us to a right relationship with God. And so even with all these sacrifices, we were still at odds with God, we were still in a conflict.
what was required was a perfect, blameless sacrifice to take away completely our sins. The only way to completely atone for those sins would be by paying the price required, death, the shedding of blood.
B. We Have been reconciled with God
But He was wounded for our transgressions,
He was bruised for our iniquities;
The chastisement for our peace was upon Him,
And by His stripes we are healed.
it was God’s love that lead Him to send His only begotten Son to be born a baby , to live among men, and ultimately to die for the sins of the world. He would be the ultimate sacrifice for us. His blood would pay the price for my sins and would now restore that broken relationship with God.
Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
i have been justified, or declared innocent of all the charges brought against me before God, because Jesus paid the price for me. And now by faith in Jesus, i can once again have fellowship with God, i am now once again complete or made whole in Him.
When we talk about peace, we are talking about now having PEACE WITH GOD. i was at odds because of my sins, but Jesus made a way to make peace between God and I. This is the peace that the Angels were talking about. This is why they praised God, because of this is the peace for all the earth.
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.
it is Jesus who has made a way for us to have PEACE WITH GOD.
II. The Conflict in our relationship with ourselves
when we talk about the conflict in our relationship with ourselves, what i am speaking about is the battle within.
i am mainly talking about (2) essential areas that we struggle with internally. And if these areas are not joined together to the Lord, there will be a sense of conflict spiritually, emotionally and mentally within my life. This is really the practical aspects of my life that i deal with daily.
We struggle......
A. Aligning ourselves to God’s word
B. Aligning ourselves to God’s will
lets break this out.
A. We struggle Aligning ourselves to God’s word
This is something that really plaques us as human, both believers and non believers. It can be difficult to align ourselves to God’s word. This is actually why many non believers refuse to come to faith in Jesus. They refute and argue the things found within the bible.
now even as Christians, there are things that are in the bible that can be hard for me. Why is that? Because i was born into sin , and while i have been forgiven , the reality is that my flesh is daily trying to take over my life.
For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.
And this is usually where our conflict begins. My spirit longs to do the things of the spirit and to walk in obedience to God’s word, yet the flesh wars against this daily.
and what often happens to us, is that rather than living in accordance to the spirit and in obedience to God’s word, i can live after the flesh in certain areas of my life. I fail to love people, i fail to be patient with people, i fail to have self control, i fail to put other people first, i fail to be a witness, i fail to forgive people.....
and wouldn’t you know it, that is will be the area that i will have a lack of Peace in, because i am having a conflict within. I have failed to bring God into my daily life , to join God to my daily life and daily decisions.
When you and i can bring God into our daily lives, and align my life to His word in obedience, i will be able to walk in the Peace of God. My spiritual life is complete and whole, when i walk in obedience to God’s word.
but the opposite is true, when i chose to walk outside of God’s word in disobedience, i begin the conflict within my heart, and there will be a lack of peace in my life.
think about your life. If you have ever lived outside of God’s word in a situation, maybe you said something shouldn’t have, you didn’t act with love to your wife, you snapped at someone, you did something you regret...... your heart more than likely was filled with a lack of peace after.
B. We struggle aligning ourselves to God’s will
honestly, this is probably where most of us will experience a lack of peace in our lives. When things don’t go the way i thought they would, when i deal with problems, hardships, when i have to wait , when things are unfair, when i deal with financial struggles....... it makes it difficult to experience peace.
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
That word “anxious” in the greek is “mer-im-na-o” which speaks about distributing concern, it comes from the word “mer-im-na” which speaks about being pulled in direct directions.
the thought here, is anxiety, or worry is to fall apart, because of being pulled apart in many different directions. To be divided or distracted.
this can describe many of our lives. i am constantly being pulled in different directions with problems, issues, things i have to do, and all the pulling at me can leave me anxious, leave me worrying and leave me experiencing no peace.
and many of the things that pull at us and divide us come from not believing in what God has promised in His word. Lets just take a quick look at some of those promise.
Promises of God
God promises to Guard minds
You will keep him in perfect peace,
Whose mind is stayed on You,
Because he trusts in You.
2. God promises He will give us strength
The Lord will give strength to His people;
The Lord will bless His people with peace.
3. God promises He cares about my situation
casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.
4. God promises to give you rest
Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
5. God promises that HE has overcome the world
These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
6. God promises to protect us
I will both lie down in peace, and sleep;
For You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.
7. God promises that HE is working all thing for my good
And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.
8. God promises to have a future planned for me
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.
9. God promises a future in eternity
And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.
Transition
listen we are often pulled in many different directions and are filled with worry because we fail to believe the promises of God and attempt to bring a solution to our problems our selves.
we begin to look for peace through our own doing which is much like the secular world does.
if you are anything like me, I am always looking for solutions to problems. Maybe because I’m a guy or because of the type of work I’ve done, but I look for the source of the problem and how to fix it. my brain is wired that way And that can often lead me to trying to fix my own problems apart from God or without bringing God into the equation
. Yet, when I am trying to fix a situation; I will often experience a lack of peace through all my efforts
We must remember that true peace is directed by God and is initiated by God.
my role is to trust and believe what God has promised, to bring Him into my daily life as Paul mentions in Philippians, by prayer, supplication and with thanksgiving.
as i do that, i join myself to the Lord, and the conflict in my heart is removed. i am able to experience the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding.
It is not that the problem will just go away, but that i will be able to go through my situation with the proper perspective and with the peace of God, being completely confident of God’s promises for my life.
Warren Wiersbe
“ real contentment must come from within. You and I cannot change or control the world around us, but we can change and control the world within us”
nothing more beautiful and faith building than to see someone go through extreme difficulties with such joy and peace in their lives. In the midst of the most difficult situation, is a calming peace. This is a person living in the peace of God which surpasses all understanding.
Transition
so Jesus has made a way for me to experience PEACE WITH GOD in a restored relationship & to experience the PEACE OF GOD as i align myself up to God’s word and God’s will for my life.
another essential aspect of our lives that can be in conflict is our relationship with other people.
III. The Conflict in our relationship with others
A. Gods heart is for us to live in peace with people
Blessed are the peacemakers,
For they shall be called sons of God.
If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.
This is God’s heart for us, to live in peace with others around us.
when Jesus was approached and asked what the greatest commandment was, HE responded with ......
And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment. And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”
it is obvious that God’s heart for us is to live in peace with people around us. To make every effort within our abilities to make our relationships right, to make peace.
B. We won’t always have peace
now the reality is that we won’t always have peace with everyone. We may not always see eye to eye with people on political beliefs, religious beliefs, moral stands, biblical convictions, football or baseball teams etc.....
our peace should never be solely based on the same alliance, but based on God’s command to me.
and this is where we struggle and where we have great conflict in our lives even within the church, and with this conflict comes a lack of peace.
But when you and i are able to bring God into our relationships, and to see people the way God does, i join in His perspective...... i am able to therefore, do all within my power to live in peace.
LIVE IN PEACE
to forgive people
to show grace towards people
to love people
4. no talk about people
to trust God in the relationship
to let go of previous hurt
when we can live this way, we will experience the peace of God in our relationships.
listen i’ve had to humble myself and apologize in my marriage,to my kids, at work, at church, with my friends ........ and i can tell you, when i refuse to forgive, when i refuse to show grace, when i refuse to let go, i have no peace. Matter of fact, the lack of peace turns into bitterness.
and I’ve been in situations where i have been completely right on a matter that caused division in a relationship, and i chose to live in peace and apologized without needed anything in return even though i was right. God asks me to live in peace simply because He has forgiven me. And when i can do that, i will experience the peace of God.
The relationship may not change, the problem may not be fixed, you may not ever agree...... but you can rest that you did all within your power to make things right.
FB Myers
“As we pour out our bitterness; God pours out His peace”
conclusion
so in closing, IT is the PRINCE OF PEACE , Jesus, who has made a way for us to have peace with God through His death and resurrection in a restored relationship. As i bring God into my daily life and align my life to HIS word and to HIS will, i will experience true PEACE even in the midst of the darkest situations. And this will enable me to do everything possible to make things right with people, that i may live in Peace among people
the more we spend time with God and join ourselves to Him, the more we will experience the peace of God in our daily lives
Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord,
