Rejoicing in God’s Gift of Peace

Openning Prayer

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

Main Point: God is compelling us to enjoy peace as we trust His work for us.

Isaiah 9:1–7 LSB

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 the land of the shadow of death, The light will shine on them. 3 You shall multiply the nation, You shall make great 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 shatter the yoke of their burden and the staff on their shoulders, The rod of their taskmaster, as at the battle of Midian. 5 For every boot of the booted warrior in the rumbling of battle, 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 Yahweh of hosts will accomplish this.

We must come to a place where we see:

I. God Displays the Light of Peace Through the Darkness All Around. (v. 1-2)

As God speaks through the Prophet Isaiah, the people of Israel (The Northern Kingdom) are lost and some of the first regions to fall and suffer great pain are the land allotments to Naphtali and Zebulun.

The Word of God comes to give hope to those who are lost in what circumstances calls hopelessness, BUT God, in His mercy and grace does not leave His people in limbo, destitute and without hope for the future.

Looking at the whole counsel of God, we see that where evil would have the final word, God delivers a new creation, overtaking the enemy at the root of his intent.

Matthew 4:12–17 LSB

12 Now when Jesus heard that John had been taken into custody, He departed into Galilee; 13 and leaving Nazareth, He came and lived in Capernaum, which is by the sea, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali, 14 in order that what was spoken through Isaiah the prophet would be fulfilled, saying, 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.” 17 From that time Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

Peace is more than a light to be observed.

II. God’s Peace is The Fullest Extent of Reality. (v. 3-5)

In peace the people will not be focused on surviving, but will thrive under the freedom and grace of God’s Messiah. The Lord will cause the people to increase in number.

The reality of peace recalls the victory of Gideon against the Midianites, who in confusion devastated themselves in their own camp.

The peace provided by God is the consumate transformation of life from all sorts of strife to the abounding peace and tranquility that stems not from political dealings, interpersonal machinations, or the overpowering of personalities. It is the the very presence of God among His people.

Our Lord has been regarded only as the Prince of Peace: we have forgotten that he is also the King of Righteousness. And he insists upon both.

Spiritual Blessing, 120

David Martyn Lloyd-Jones (Welsh Preacher and Writer)

While Peace is more than a concept, and a real transformation in the world its is far more personal than the observation of abstract concepts

III. God Makes His Peace Personally Known Through His Son. (v. 6-7)

We have an advocate with the Father. We have a mediator who keeps the peace. He rules over the peace because He is both the Prince of Peace and He is our peace.

R. C. Sproul

The immediate hope of the people who do not have a royal house is to have the continuation of the Royal line through a new born Prince. Yet for God the focus is not what the human element can accomplish, but what the Divine Creator and Master of the Universe can accomplish through His Holy Spirit.

The One born to fulfill this promise will have with him all the characteristics that will mark His reign as the kind of peace that only God can deliver once and for all to those who believe and trust Him.

The scope of peace God has accomplished through the Son is everlasting and impactful beyond the imagination of humanity. All enemies will be captured and their work undone; the peoples of the world

2 Samuel 7:12–16 LSB

12 “When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up one of your seed after you, who will come forth from your own body, and I will establish his kingdom. 13 “He shall build a house for My name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. 14 “I will be a father to him and he will be a son to Me; when he commits iniquity, I will reprove him with the rod of men and the strikes from the sons of men, 15 but My lovingkindness shall not be removed from him, as I removed it from Saul, whom I removed from before you. 16 “And your house and your kingdom shall endure before Me forever; your throne shall be established forever.” ’ ”

Perfect Peace is summarized in the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ.

IV. What is Peace and How Can I Experience It?

God, who is the source of peace; they serve Christ, who is the Prince of Peace; and they are indwelt by the Holy Spirit, who is the agent of peace.

John F. MacArthur

Think of Christ—Consider His life, Suffering, Death, Resurrection, Ascension, and Impending Return.

Follow Christ Daily—Purpose it in your heart to follow His Example, Leadership, and Ultimate Purpose.

Live It Out Joyfully— Be the lighthouse you were created to be in the middle of turmoil and chaos for the glory of God.

Where do I Begin?

As the LORD leads you, there are people in the foyer waiting to pray with anyone whom the LORD is leading.

Repent and Believe—Turn from your sin and seek God’s forgiveness and be made new by the Son, through the Holy Spirit.

Repent and Return to the Father—Are you a Prodigal? Come, find and see the Father willing and ready to receive you back into the Family of Faith.

Become a Member of the LORD’s Body—His Local Church.