Christ: The Prince of Peace

Introduction

Peace, from a worldview is there real peace today?

Interestingly, as we gather here this morning and anticipate Christmas, Jesus and the disciples were sitting around less than days before He would go to the cross.

In Matthew 24:3 “3 Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?””

Jesus answered that question with these verses we know well.

Matthew 24:6–8 “6 And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. 7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are the beginning of sorrows.”

Until Jesus returns, Jesus has been true to form as to the lack of peace we see evidenced in the world.

In an article written by Madea Walker in the Library of Congress blog entitled, Peace on Earth: Thoughts from the Past.

Mrs. Walker cited these words: During this time of year there are often hopes and wishes for “peace on earth.” However, aside from the sentiment on a holiday card, what does that mean?

As many of us hope for peace in our world, let’s take a look at how people of the past have considered peace and how to find it.

Mrs. Walker went on and cited historical responses by prior President’s thoughts, words and actions and their pursuit of world peace. She cited:

In almost every era, Presidents of the United States have had to address conflict, and therefore they often address peace. On Jan. 22, 1917, President Woodrow Wilson addressed the U.S. Senate, urging the U.S. to join in a “World League to Enforce Peace” in the hopes of brokering a peace in what was then the “European war”:

President Wilson said:

“Only a peace between equals can last; only a peace the very principle of which is equality and a common participation in a common benefit. The right state of mind, the right feeling between nations, is as necessary for a lasting peace as is the just settlement of questions of territory or of racial and national allegiance.”

After the U.S. entered World War I, President Wilson would continue to push the U.S. to join with other nations for peace. He would even go on to win the Nobel Peace Prize for his role as founder of the League of Nations. Despite the President’s involvement in its creation, however, the U.S. never joined the League.

The U.S. did go on to join the United Nations, but even with international cooperation the recovery from World War II was a long and grueling process. Both President Harry Truman and President Dwight Eisenhower would face the lasting effects as they negotiated for peace throughout Europe and Asia. On Sept. 5, 1951, President Truman gave the opening address at the Japanese Peace Treaty Conference:

“There is no other way to bring lasting peace than this slow and patient progress, step by step, of mending and strengthening the cables of communication, of understanding between nations.”

President Eisenhower faced a world in an arms race. In his speech on April 16, 1953 to the Society of Newspaper Editors, he called out the new Soviet government for trying to gain power through amassing weapons and called for actions toward disarmament rather than words. “We welcome every honest act of peace. We care nothing for mere rhetoric.” He went on to describe what peace should be:

“The peace we seek, founded upon decent trust and co-operative efforts among nations, can be fortified—not by weapons of war—but by wheat and by cotton; by milk and by wool; by meat and by timber and by rice. These are words that translate into every language on earth. These are needs that challenge this world in arms.”

Later, prior to the war in Vietnam, John F. Kennedy stated:

John F. Kennedy: "Peace is a daily, a weekly, a monthly process, gradually changing opinions, slowly eroding old barriers, quietly building new structures."

Yet, with all of these Presidents and notable world leaders that won the Nobel Peace Prize as Dr. Martin Luther King and Nelson Mandala, since their periods listen to the conflicts we have been engaged in:

Vietnam, Grenada, Panama, Gulf War (Operation Desert Storm), War in Afghanistan, response to 9/11 involving combating the Taliban and Al-Qaeda (Operation Iraqi Freedom)

Peacekeeping and humanitarian efforts in Somalia, Haiti, Bosnia, Kosovo.

Counter-terrorism and Drone campaigns in Pakistan, Yemen, Somalia, Libya, and Syria.

And as of today, we have a military presence in the South China Sea, the Korean Peninsula, and Africa.

Oh dearly beloved, this is only one aspect of struggle as we yearn for real peace, lasting peace.

There is turmoil over social inequalities, prejudice, discrimination, economic disparities between wealthy and impoverished, there is political polarization both by party divide and cultural values, traditions and societal norms, environmental and climate issues. And yes, there are differences even in interfaith conflict with misunderstandings or intolerance between different religious groups.

Let’s make it personal and bring it home.

-cyber-bullying, harassment, mental health such as anxiety, depression and emotional unrest. Family struggles-broken relationships within the family unit, estranged spouses, parent-child relationships, or sibling rivalry. Must I go on?

Mahatma Gandhi: "An eye for an eye will only make the whole world blind."

(Chinese Philosopher)Lao Tzu: "If there is to be peace in the world, there must be peace in the nations. If there is to be peace in the nations, there must be peace in the cities. If there is to be peace in the cities, there must be peace between neighbors. If there is to be peace between neighbors, there must be peace in the home. If there is to be peace in the home, there must be peace in the heart."

The Chinese philosopher was on to something.

Luke 6:45 “45 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.”

Proverbs 4:23 “23 Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life.”

We want to answer the question this morning that if this world and those of the world will continue to be at enmity between each other, what is the answer for us in finding real peace

God’s Word will address this morning where real peace is found. Amen?

Turn in your Bibles to Ephesians 2:14-18.

Galatians is before Ephesians and Philippians is after Ephesians.

Ephesians 2:14-18

Ephesians 2:14–18 NKJV

14 For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, 15 having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, 16 and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity. 17 And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near. 18 For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.

Prayer

Message

When we experience daily God’s words, “there will be wars and rumors of wars” we live in that reality everyday in this world. If the wars we face at this moment are not literal wars, we face metaphorical wars every day such as wars in relationships, wars at work, wars in the community, wars in the church, and wars within the confines of our own hearts.

Jesus’ words about wars and rumors of wars remind us that this is not new. Satan has been waging a battle against our peace since the time sin was birthed.

Paul wrote a letter to the churches in the region of Ephesus as a gospel tract or doctrinal letter. Paul was not writing a corrective letter, but he was encouraging Gentile Christians to understand they were equal with the Jews in their standing in Christ Jesus. They were a part of the body of Christ.

Paul wrote about the significance of the Holy Spirit and that He was that stamp of approval or seal of their inheritance in Christ Jesus. The letter uplifted the dignity of the Gentiles encouraging them to live lives worthy of their royal calling in Christ. The Gentile believers they were now heirs of God, they were sealed in the Holy Spirit and had a grand place in God’s eternal plan.

Paul, yet here again as we discussed last week in Romans, shared in Chapter 2 of this former life of the Gentiles.

Listen to the language:

Ephesians 2:1–10 NKJV

1 And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, 2 in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, 3 among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others. 4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

Paul wrote doctrinally, theologically and spiritually to the fact that you Gentiles once lived a life so bi-polar to the things of God. Your life did not represent anything that resembled godliness, or holiness or righteousness, let alone any semblance of any commonality they would have with the same Jews they sat with on the same pews other than their commonality in sin.

But, God in His great mercy overcame, can covered up, and transformed you in the likeness of Christ to allow two totally different people groups, cultural groups, racial groups to come together under the blood of Jesus and under the umbrella of watch care in the Holy Spirit.

I share that background to say that if Paul is writing to the people of the region of Ephesus to encourage them. Paul is writing to say that in spite of your past differences where Jews and Gentiles both despised each other. When you were a people ruled by sin, the world, and the flesh. And, I, Christ can intervene under my hand, my grace, and my mercy and bring these diverse people together; I want you to consider today the worst conflict, the worst turmoil, the worst chasm you face right now that has robbed your peace, and I say in the authority of the Word of God that God can overcome your sorrow and bring you lasting peace.

The first question one must ask this morning is if all the people, all the leaders cited in the beginning hunger for world peace, but yet it is not attainable in this world, then where do we pursue peace?

Christ’s Peace Proclaimed vv. 14-15

Ephesians 2:14–15 “14 For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, 15 having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace,”

“For He Himself is our Peace”

a state of national tranquillity

exemption from the rage and havoc of war

peace between individuals, i.e. harmony, concord

security, safety, prosperity, felicity, (because peace and harmony make and keep things safe and prosperous)

of the Messiah's peace

the way that leads to peace (salvation)

of Christianity, the tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and content with its earthly lot, of whatsoever sort that is

the blessed state of devout and upright men after death

“Our Peace”-Key Point

If Jesus prophesied the future and it has held true to form, we need to clearly understand what Paul is saying here to us. Until Jesus comes again, there will be wars and rumors of wars, but what Paul is saying is that Jesus is our tranquility, our assurance, our fearlessness, our security, our safety.

Let’s look specifically at this definition.

Peace (from the Christian Vantage point) -the tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and content with its earthly lot, of whatsoever sort that is.

Oh dear church, may we never lose hope that God will intervene in the externals for lasting peace, country against country, community against community, church member vs. church member, relationship vs. relationship and abolish conflict, but the peace Christ brings is within our own being regardless of what befalls us.

Listen to me, peace that Christ brings is peace with ourselves.

When I think of Jesus healing demon possessed people in the Bible, I believe there is no greater picture for us that the battle that is waging in our souls against the things of God.

In Mark 5:1-20, we read the story of the demon possessed man that Jesus healed in the Gadarenes. He lived a life as a recluse among the mountains and the tombs. He abused his body with stones. Chains and shackles could not contain him. All of these are signs of an inner war raging for his soul. When Jesus came, the demon recognized Jesus and bowed to worship Him. He said do not torment me. And Jesus called the unclean spirit out of the man and he sat up as normal and in his right mind.

The reason the man was in torment is that until we make right our relationship with Christ we live in this uncomfortable, never content, striving, pushing, bulking until we find what it is that brings real peace to our lives.

Mark 5:18–20 “18 And when He got into the boat, he who had been demon-possessed begged Him that he might be with Him. 19 However, Jesus did not permit him, but said to him, “Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion on you.” 20 And he departed and began to proclaim in Decapolis all that Jesus had done for him; and all marveled.”

When we think of the Christmas Story, I almost think of this demoniac in the region of Gadarenes.

Israel had walked through a four hundred year “quiet” period since the writings of the prophet Micah. It seemed as if God was no where to be found. At this time were there great wars and revolts against the Jews? No. Were they under Roman rule that created a constricted, tense, unnerving environment with over taxation? They were. Was there a hunger to have an independent nation? There was. I almost sense that Israel was like the Demoniac of the Gadarenes. They were restricted to the mountains and the tombs. They felt as if they were shackled and miserable, yet no outward deep hostilities faced them.

Luke 2:25–27 “25 And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. 27 So he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when the parents brought in the Child Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of the law,”

Luke 2:36–38 “36 Now there was one, Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, and had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity; 37 and this woman was a widow of about eighty-four years, who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. 38 And coming in that instant she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of Him to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem.”

As I think of these two elderly individuals by world standards were good people who lived a closely guarded life, why were they anticipating the Christ Child? What did the Christ offer them that they did not have?

Oh dear brother, oh dear sister, until we come to grips with our internal souls and the hunger we have to be at peace with God, we will not know real peace until we come into a relationship with the person of Jesus to save us from our sins.

John 14:27 “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 heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”

. He breaks down the walls of hostility. He breaks the chasm of a severed relationship with God due to sin, by cleansing us of all unrighteousness, but erasing the enmity we have with God. Thus, He changes our soul and our interpretation of those things and those relationships that jockey for our peace.

Jesus can change our hearts, not necessarily the happenings at the moment, but our interpretation of the conflicts.

Christ brings wholeness and completeness by being in right relationship with Him that affects every relationship thereafter.

Christ’s Peace Provided vv. 15-16

Ephesians 2:15–16 “15 having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, 16 and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity.”

Paul shared that Christ provided peace by reconciling humanity to God. Thus, God broke down a granite twelve foot thick wall of separation that had been between Jews and Gentiles for years and years. In fact, you remember the hatred that Jews had for Samaritans because they were guilty of intermarrying other mixed groups (from the Northern Kingdom).

John 4:9 “9 Then the woman of Samaria said to Him, “How is it that You, being a Jew, ask a drink from me, a Samaritan woman?” For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.”

Luke 9:51–53 “51 Now it came to pass, when the time had come for Him to be received up, that He steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem, 52 and sent messengers before His face. And as they went, they entered a village of the Samaritans, to prepare for Him. 53 But they did not receive Him, because His face was set for the journey to Jerusalem.”

Paul was saying in no uncertain terms that God through the gift of His Son Jesus Christ can remove that hostility, that prejudice, that hatred that you have in the flesh by the new man created in you.

John 3:1–3 “1 There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.” 3 Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.””

Look at verse 16:

Ephesians 2:16 “16 and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity.”

Oh listen to me this morning. As we see all the beauty and splendor of Christmas in this sanctuary and we have sang Christmas hymns and everyone is dressed in Christmas finest, we may be shocked to find that everyone sitting here under my voice is not in perfect peace.

Isaiah 26:3 “3 You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.”

Are you waging a war inside this morning? Are you at enmity with someone today?

Isaiah 26:3 “3 You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.”

Isaiah 26:3 is the beginning of Christ’ transformation of your heart. He will change your hostility, he will change your hatred, He will cause you to drop your defenses, to lessen your tongue, to calm your spirit, to place compassion in your heart....and so doing, God can use you to bring about change in whoever is coming to your mind at this moment. Amen?

Jesus changes you. He brings you into perfect peace with Him vertically, but then from that action He begins to work in your heart to bring change in those relationships horizontally.

Remember: Love the Lord Your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind and love your neighbor as yourself?

Agent of Peace

Matthew 5:9 “9 Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God.”

Show Actions for Peace

Romans 12:18 “18 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.”

Anthem for Peace

Colossians 3:13–15 “13 bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. 14 But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. 15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.”

Christ’s Peace Perfected VV. 17-18

Ephesians 2:17–18 “17 And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near. 18 For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.”

Many of us who went to the Eclectic Christmas were able to “live out” and experience the Christmas story firsthand. We experienced firsthand Mary & Joseph journeying to Bethlehem under the decree of Caesar to go and register to pay taxes. We experienced the shepherds in the fields watching their flocks by night and the angel coming upon them and saying, “Born to you this day in the City of David is a Savior who is Christ the Lord.” We experienced the Wise Men (The Magi) traveling to Bethlehem, “where is He who has been born King of the Jews.” “We saw His star in the East and we have come to worship Him.”

Verses 17 & Verse 18 are a reflection of the reality of the Christmas Story. Under the sound of my voice are many in this room that if you shared your testimony, some might be like I never veered far from God, I was raised in a godly home, I was taken to church, at a young age I realized the need for Jesus and I stepped out the door to meet Jesus at the manger of my heart. Others might say, my life was a life similar to the prodigal, I went off to a far country, I had to travel a long way to find my way to Jesus of Bethlehem to save me from my soul. Others might say, like the Wise Men, your life was never really off course by world’s standards, but at some point with all you possessed, you realized something was still missing. You realized the wise thing to do was heed the call of the Holy Spirit to draw me to the manger of Christ in my heart. Have you ever surrendered to the call of Jesus and journeyed to Bethlehem in your heart for Him to save you.

The angels told the shepherds:

Luke 2:13–14 “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, goodwill toward men!””

The manger scene is a vivid reminder of Christ bringing peace into a world of strife. He was born in humble chaotic circumstances -a stable, not a palace. Oh dearly beloved, if you are without peace, God invade us regardless of the turbulent conditions you face. He loves you.

What is interesting is that regardless of how far your journey is to get to Him, Jesus allowed everyone to approach the manger. He is the prince of peace. Let’s pray.