Peace (Christmas Eve Service)

INTRO:

Luke 2:1–19 ESV

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 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, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 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. And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 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. 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. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” 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.” And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.

Peace (Verse 14)

Hebrew: Shalom

Greek: Eirene (pronounced - EREENE)

Both words carry the same meaning “PEACE”

Jews of the first century would use the phrase, “Shalom, Shalom” which meant “Perfect Peace.”

BODY:

We find the word “Peace” used in three different ways in scripture:

Peace in the sense of warfare.

2 Samuel 11:7 “When Uriah came to him, David asked how Joab was doing and how the people were doing and how the war was going.”

This was concerning the battle with the Ammonites.

How was the peace of Joab’s

How was the peace of the people

How was the peace of the war

In this case, “peace” doesn’t refer to the absence of hostility but the welfare of those involved in conflict.

But we do find the second way peace is used in scripture ....

Peace as the absence of Hostility.

Ecclesiastes 3:8 “a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace.”

This passage places peace in direct contrast with warfare.

In Joshua 9:15 “And Joshua made peace with them and made a covenant with them, to let them live, and the leaders of the congregation swore to them.”

There were people who were called “Messengers of peace” such as Joshua.

The third way Peace is used in scripture .....

In Relationships.

In the O.T. “Shalom” was often used to describe a relationship characterized by friendship, care, loyalty, and love.

These relationships can be with God or between people.

Such as a close friend (A man pf peace)

LOVE and LOYALTY

When it comes to God this relationship is marked by loyalty and love as well.

CONCLUSION:

We find in the story of the birth of Jesus (Luke 2:14 ““Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”)

What we see here is an Angel with a multitude of the heavenly host, Praising God saying ....

(Read 14 again)

To wrap up this understanding of Peace then ..... we find the idea of those who possess this peace .....

They have a FUTURE (Psalm 37:37 “Mark the blameless and behold the upright, for there is a future for the man of peace.”)

They have JOY (Proverbs 12:20 “Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil, but those who plan peace have joy.”)

They have LONG LIFE (Psalm 34:14 “Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.”)

RE-READ Luke 2:14 ““Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!””

Peace come to those who .....

Seek to live blameless and upright (Holy)

Chose peace over evil

Continue seeking this peace