Creating Space for Peace
Notes
Transcript
Handout
What is peace?
A pervasive concept in the Bible that most commonly relates to a relationship of love and loyalty with God and one another.
Peace or shalom is in the context of relationship… with God and with one another.
We don’t have peace by simply avoiding people who make us uncomfortable or who create tension and conflict. God wants to give us peace because HE is our peace.
We must create space for peace knowing who the author of peace truly is. In the OT, Isaiah writes about Jesus, 700 years before HE was actually born.
Many people through that Isaiah was referring to Israel’s liberation from the Assyrians who have taken over the northern tribes of Israel but God’s plans were so much bigger then just one country’s freedom. Isaiah was referring to the freedom and liberation of all people, everywhere.
Isaiah 9:1–7 (ESV)
1 But there will be no gloom for her who was in anguish. In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he has made glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations.
2 The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone.
3 You have multiplied the nation; you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as they are glad when they divide the spoil.
4 For the yoke of his burden, and the staff for his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian.
5 For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult and every garment rolled in blood will be burned as fuel for the fire.
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.
PRAY
The Promise of Peace Amid Darkness
The Promise of Peace Amid Darkness
Imagine being on the open sea at night in a storm where everything seems lost. Now imagine looking out and suddenly a lighthouse beams through the darkness that guiding ships to safety. Isaiah’s prophecy is like that lighthouse, bringing hope to Israel amidst their oppression.
Isaiah 9:2 (ESV)
2 The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone.
The hope is so certain that Isaiah wrote this as if it has already happened. This is actually written in past tense as thought it’d already happened.
This confidence in the great light is not based on an immediate change in our circumstances but it’s a change in our perspective because we are seeing life through our faith in Christ. As believers who are walking in darkness, we can already see the great light, HIS name is Jesus.
We can have real peace knowing that no matter how dark the darkness is, when Jesus is at the center of our faith HIS light will never go out.
Christmas is all about Jesus, the light of the world coming into our darkness.
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
We can have real peace in the midst of any darkness because our hope is no longer in whether our circumstances will change when we want them to change but our hope is knowing the Jesus is the light and NO darkness can ever overcome HIS light.
In our personal storms, whether financial, health crises, or relational conflicts—God's Word shines like a light, reminding us that He has a plan of peace.
God says that you are enough. The enemy can create darkness in your life so you cannot see the way God sees you. HE loves you and HE has great plans for you. There is nothing you can ever do that will separate you from God’s love.
Fill your mind with the things of God.
4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
When we set our minds on the things of darkness we will be in darkness but when we set our minds on the Lord we will have peace because the God of peace will be with you.
Think about those things but also put them into practice and the God of peace will be with you. No matter what you face God will give you HIS peace in the midst of any storm.
Get in God’s Word. God’s Word is a lamp unto our feet and an light unto our path (Ps 119:105.)
Ask yourself, where is your darkness? Invite the Holy Spirit to illuminate those areas with His peace and trust in God's promise.
The Person of Peace: Jesus, the Prince of Peace
The Person of Peace: Jesus, the Prince of Peace
Isaiah 9:6 (ESV)
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.
The King and his rule. Each preceding explanation leads into this third and fundamental explanation.
How does the victorious, covenant-fulfilling work of God come about?
By what way do the Lord’s people receive this gift of salvation?
By the mere fact of the King’s birth. The emphasis rests not on to us but on a child who is born.
Child: his human descent. Son: his maleness and dignity in the royal line. Born of human parentage but also given by the Lord. His people’s shoulders are delivered when HIS shoulders accept the burden of rule.
His name will be called… this ‘name’ sums up HIS character; it declares the person and the perfection of this King as a King who is.
Qualified for ruling (Wonderful Counsellor),
HE is able (Mighty God),
HE has a relationship to HIS subjects (Everlasting Father)
Effecting the society that HIS rule creates (Prince of Peace).
In the ancient world, kings brought peace through military conquest, but Jesus brings peace through His sacrifice. He is both the lion and the lamb, offering reconciliation to God and man.
Jesus is our Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of peace. We must surrender to HIS Lordship if we are going to create space for peace in our life.
33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
What a comforting verse, you will have tribulations in this life… but our peace doesn’t come because of the absence of conflict, our peace comes in the reality that Jesus already overcame the world. Yes, we are going to have trials and difficulties and tribulations but we now have peace because Jesus already overcame the world.
Don’t be so caught up and so in love with this world that we have no real peace. Peace isn’t the absence of conflict but real peace can only happen in the context of relationship…
Our relationship with God and our relationship with one another.
We can’t have real and everlasting peace without a relationship with Jesus. Peace can only happen after we surrender our life to the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of peace.
Peace isn't found in circumstances but in a person—Jesus Christ. If we are going to experience God’s peace, then we need to draw near to God through prayer, enter into HIS presence through worship, live out our faith in community, and be empowered as believers through the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
These are the defining characteristics throughout the book of Acts. As the early church was baptized in the Holy Spirit it allowed them to take risks but yet have peace at the same time.
Challenge: Are you allowing Jesus to reign as the Prince of Peace in your life? Yield to the Lordship of Jesus and seek the Prince of Peace through daily communion with Jesus, the Person of Peace.
The Expansion of Peace Through the Kingdom of God
The Expansion of Peace Through the Kingdom of God
Isaiah 9:7 (ESV)
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.
This wasn’t a political or an earthly kingdom but this was God’s Kingdom coming to earth through Christ and as the Body of Christ we must be agents of peace in a world that is in darkness.
We can offer healing and reconciliation so our relationships can be led by the God of peace. Whether it’s received or not isn’t important but we must be willing and able offer that peace in every relationship.
15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. 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.
Jesus choose to be born in a stable, sleeping in an manger… Jesus choose Mary and Joseph to be his earthly parents… Jesus choose to dwell among us, do life with us, encounter temptations, trials, and rejections for us.
Jesus, who has unlimited power over every authority still choose reconciliation with us so we can choose reconciliation with one another.
Because HE wanted to make peace with us even though he didn’t do anything to merit an ask, HE still invites us to come as HIS Church, HIS Body to live in peace.
Peace with God and Peace with one another.
Think of a ripple effect in a pond: one small stone creates waves that extend far and wide. God's peace starts in us and spreads to our families, churches, and communities.
We are empowered by the Holy Spirit to be agents of peace in a chaotic world. Our lives should reflect the Kingdom's values—justice, mercy, and reconciliation.
How are you extending God's peace to others? Step out in faith to share the gospel, mend broken relationships; serve those in need.
The expansion of peace happens through the Kingdom of God so begin to fill that blank space with the God of Peace, the Prince of Peace, the peace of God so that we can be agents of peace everywhere we go.
Take Away:
Jesus is the ultimate fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy. Through Him, peace is not just a concept but a living reality.
I know that even though it’s Christmas, we are still dealing with life. We still have pressure, conflicts at home, issues to deal with at work, loss that we are grieving over, and the pressures and expectations of the season.
Creating space for peace means surrendering those burdens to the Prince of Peace. Creating space for peace can only happen as we abide and remain in Jesus and seek power of the Holy Spirit so we can spread HIS peace in our world.
What am I holding on to that causes me to be anxious?
What prevents me from creating space for God’s peace to rule and reign in my life?
Is the peace of God overflowing into every relationship, even the ones that are the most challenging?