Advent of Peace
Notes
Transcript
1 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered.
2 This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria.
3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town.
4 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,
5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child.
6 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth.
7 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.
8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9 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.
10 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.
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.”
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”
Introduction
Introduction
The prophecy was being fulfilled:
10 The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until tribute comes to him; and to him shall be the obedience of the peoples.
As we see this picture of the heralding of the birth of Christ, we recognize an unusual event. Could you imagine being out on in a field, minding your own business, counting the sheep, when all the sudden an angel appeared and the Glory of God was shining around them? After they were told of the birth, a “multitude” (a great crowd - think thousands upon thousands) of heavenly host proclaimed Jesus birth.
There was with the angel a multitude of angels of heaven - rows upon rows of angels all praising the Lord, as the KJV translates “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace and goodwill to men.” All was going well for the shepherds, they did not think anything out of the ordinary was going to happen that night they led the sheep out into the fields. I’m sure they expected a peaceful night. Then everything changed. They were the first to hear of Jesus birth.
The Shepherds, simple men who tended sheep were able to go straight to the Lamb of God when He was born. Imagine the shepherds simply doing what they were called to do, and then receiving a personal invitation to meet the Greatest Shepherd ever seen!
Look again at this selection of verses from our main reading.
6 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth.
7 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.
8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9 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.
10 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.
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
I love how when the shepherds were afraid at the appearance of the angel and the Glory of the Lord, their fear was turned to PEACE when the angel said to them “Fear not”. Peace like this can only be given by and from God.
While there are many things in life that can bring us FEAR. But, God desires for us not to be faced with fear, but with Peace.
The important thing to remember is simply this: for us to find “Peace on Earth”, when there is turmoil around us and everything seems to be falling apart, is to simply find “Peace with the Lord”. We can take comfort in knowing … this isn’t something new.
In the blink of an eye, our lives can change. But, we know we can face each issue with confidence, with strength, and WITHOUT fear (but WITH peace) when we look to the one that has orchestrated ever step of our lives.
Psalm 37:23 (ESV)
23 The steps of a man are established by the Lord, when he delights in his way;
Notice the last words - when he delights in his way. God prepares the steps to safely guide us IF we will follow His ways, and it will lead us to peace. Even when we find ourselves in issues that seem to overwhelm us and we don’t know how we will get through, God is still there to provide PEACE.
Psalm 50:15 (ESV)
15 and call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me.”
I think we all seek peace. I don’t know of too many people who thrive in continual chaos, the unknown, disappointment, uncertainty, and doubt. Even the grumpiest, most aggravating, and controversial people deep down desire peace.
And we continue to long for peace, the same as we have for all these years. Yet we hear some wonderful news in this proclamation made by the angel, that there will be a true time of peace that will come.
Desire for Peace
Desire for Peace
25 When anguish comes, they will seek peace, but there shall be none.
While we think of times as being bad now, we still have things pretty good.
We may not be extremely wealthy, we may not have designer clothing, we may not drive the newest of vehicles or eat at the fanciest restaurants, but we are mostly well cared for even during uncertain times. However there will be a change of events that will one day occur. During the end times, there will be those who are actively searching for peace, but will not be able to find peace. When judgement comes, there will be no peace. All that anyone has will be lost, all earthly possessions will be lost. Why will this happen? Because people will forget where they find true peace. Morality, goodliness, Godliness, neighborliness, care for others - all forgotten. Lost. Gone.
8 The way of peace they do not know,
and there is no justice in their paths;
they have made their roads crooked;
no one who treads on them knows peace.
Isaiah speaks of a time when people will turn away from God. They look for their own ways to find temporary “things” that will fill in for what they are truly missing - peace. Yet, as we look at the list of sins before verse 8, we can only conclude that sin is universal and we are all guilty of sinning.
What, then, changes the hearts of a believer so they can see true peace?
True Peace
True Peace
17 And the effect of righteousness will be peace,
and the result of righteousness, quietness and trust forever.
There will be a day where a righteous kingdom will be established on earth. How would we define righteous? Whatever seems to be good and right in our eyes. We can justify anything and everything if we think hard enough about it.
All we have to do is convince our sinful mind that it isn’t sinful and we find a temporary peace in it.
10 Precisely because they have misled my people, saying, ‘Peace,’ when there is no peace, and because, when the people build a wall, these prophets smear it with whitewash,
But the biblical definition of righteousness is what is good in the eyes of God. Can we look at the same justification and place it beside God’s view of righteousness and still make it stick? No! When we are out of the will of God, we can have no true peace. Those who rely on themselves for peace will eventually watch it all crumble. However, there is a way to know a true and never ending peace.
Everlasting Peace
Everlasting Peace
6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.
Of peace, there will be no end. We know that the peace was partially filled when the Messiah was born. A child is born - showing the humanity of Jesus. A son is given - indicating His deity, not only as God, but as His Son given freely. God with us - He came to earth, dwelling in this life with us. But there is something yet to come - the government will be on His shoulders - while the prophecy of Christ’s birth was made about 700 years before His arrival, it did occur. Even when Christ knew His earthly ministry was coming to a close and was preparing His disciples, He spoke of the peace He would leave them.
27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.
But there is a time where He will return to rule over the whole world.
7 Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him. Even so. Amen.
Bringing true, everlasting peace with him forever, and offering an opportunity for us to experience eternal peace through his death.
19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell,
20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.
21 And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds,
22 he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him,
Closing
Closing
God prepares the steps to safely guide us. Peace denotes the wholeness, soundness, and well-being that characterizes God and that God created in the world. (True peace was broken due to human sin, such well-being constitutes the hope for ultimate restoration by God). So, while we will not have a full understanding of true peace this side of earth, we can have peace knowing that God has prepared the way for us and intended peace for our lives. But, for us to know true peace means we must have a relationship with God. Jesus even reminded us that He left peace with us and He left us HIS peace - meaning the true peace of God. Do you have this type of Peace? Do you desire this type of Peace?
