“Peace Through the Birth of Christ”
Notes
Transcript
INTRODUCTION.
Peace = a state of tranquility or wholeness.
We are not at peace with others because we are not at peace with ourselves, and we are not at peace with ourselves because we are not at peace with God.
Thomas Merton (Trappist Monk and Writer)
1 But there will be no more gloom for her who was in anguish; in earlier times He treated the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali with contempt, but later on He shall make it glorious, by the way of the sea, on the other side of Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles.
2 The people who walk in darkness Will see a great light; Those who live in a dark land, The light will shine on them.
3 You shall multiply the nation, You shall increase their gladness; They will be glad in Your presence As with the gladness of harvest, As men rejoice when they divide the spoil.
4 For You shall break the yoke of their burden and the staff on their shoulders, The rod of their oppressor, as at the battle of Midian.
5 For every boot of the booted warrior in the battle tumult, And cloak rolled in blood, will be for burning, fuel for the fire.
6 For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.
7 There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace, On the throne of David and over his kingdom, To establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness From then on and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will accomplish this.
MESSAGE.
I. The birth of Christ offers Peace .(1-3)
I. The birth of Christ offers Peace .(1-3)
Zebulun
Assyria
Nazareth
1. Jesus is the source of PEACE.
1. Jesus is the source of PEACE.
We understand today that these verses are pointing to Jesus because of their use in Matthew 4:13-16.
13 and leaving Nazareth, He came and settled in Capernaum, which is by the sea, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali.
14 This was to fulfill what was spoken through Isaiah the prophet:
15 “The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, By the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles—
16 “The people who were sitting in darkness saw a great Light, And those who were sitting in the land and shadow of death, Upon them a Light dawned.”
2. Jesus is the source LIGHT in darkness.
2. Jesus is the source LIGHT in darkness.
Jesus stated in the Gospel According to John 8:12 that He was the Light.
12 Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, “I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.”
3. Jesus is the source of Gladness.
3. Jesus is the source of Gladness.
The land felt they were defeated.
The people of the land felt that God had forgotten them.
II. The birth of Christ offers Justice. (4-5)
II. The birth of Christ offers Justice. (4-5)
1. Burden Lifted.
1. Burden Lifted.
burden of sin and death
2. Oppression Lifted.
2. Oppression Lifted.
3. War lifted.
3. War lifted.
III. The birth of Christ offers Righteousness .(6-7)
III. The birth of Christ offers Righteousness .(6-7)
In Isaiah 9:6 we see the humanity and Deity of Christ
6 For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.
Humanity of Christ - “A child”
Deity of Christ - “A Son”
CONCLUSION.
If God be our God, He will give us peace in trouble. When there is a storm without, He will make peace within. The world can create trouble in peace, but God can create peace in trouble.
Thomas Watson
Peace = a state of tranquility or wholeness.
Today we have the seen the importance of the birth of Christ. The hope of peace that He offers.
We need to cling clinging to this promise of peace in challenging times and let it inspire us to live out our faith by reflecting on the light of Christ in the darkness of the world around us.