Advent (2)

Peace

Scripture: Isaiah 11:6-9, Philippians 4:6-7

Introduction

Welcome Church! This morning we are going to continue our annual journey back to Bethlehem.

Back to where that miraculous birth of Jesus changed the world forever…

Like I explained last week We are celebrating this journey through the season called Advent, which is comes from the Latin word "adventus," meaning; "coming" or "arrival." Arrival, that’s the specific event the season of Advent leads us to…

The moment when Jesus arrived, all the prophetic hope and promise of a Messiah arrived to redeem the people of God.

Last week we looked into the prophetic hope of the Messiah through the eyes of the Israelites in the Old Testament book of Isaiah.

Isaiah 9:6 KJV 1900

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: And the government shall be upon his shoulder: And his name shall be called Wonderful, Counseller, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

and we looked at all of those names and how those names themselves brought hope to God’s people.

Last Sunday evening we had our 2nd annual Hanging of the Green Service and it was a great time.

During our service last week we lit the first purple candle which represents hope and this morning we light a second purple candle which represents peace.

As we continue today, we’ll be turning to Isaiah again looking at the prophetic promise of peace that can only be found through Jesus.

People try to find peace every day in everything but Jesus. Whether it be drugs, alcohol, relationships, jobs, and we have said it over and over you will never find peace in anything but Jesus.

The only place to find true peace in the good times and the bad is through Jesus.

I know it seems like its pretty impossible to find peace in the world today , as we live in a world filled with war, crime, and division between so many.

But we can always turn to God’s word for confirmation, the Apostle Paul told the Philippians;

Philippians 4:6-7

6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

If you’re feeling anxious, overwhelmed, discouraged, fearful, or frustrated this holiday season, then I want you to know you’re in the right place today, I hope you are encouraged by the message of peace God has for us.

It’s only through Jesus that we can find the peace we desperately long for…

And the good news is, we don’t have to wait another thousand years to experience it; the peace of God is available to us because Jesus has arrived and because of the finished work on the cross U can have peace now. A peace that surpasses all understanding

Isaiah 11:6-9 is a beautiful picture of the type of peace and harmony that will come with the reign of the Messiah.

It’s a description of the future, yes, but also a picture of how the peace of God can be present in our life right now.

Isaiah 11:6-9

6 The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them.

7 And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.

8 And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice' den.

9 They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.

These verses gives us a detailed description of natural enemies living in harmony with one another.

Think about these images, a wolf dwelling in peace with a lamb, a leopard laying down with a calf, or a child putting their hand into a snake's den… How could that ever happen? What kind of earth could this be?

Are there people in your life who you can’t even imagine eating a meal with or spending an evening next to?

Is there a specific relative coming over for Christmas you just know is going to cause trouble for everyone else? What are you going to do?

Here at CHBC we have preached on this a lot here lately, so one picture that comes to mind is the moment when Jesus is hanging up on the cross, and He looks out over all the people.

The Jews were there, alongside the Romans… and everyone was looking up at Him as He was hanging on the cross and in .

Luke 23:34.

34 Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.

Forgiveness.

Forgiveness is the doorway through which peace enters into our lives.

Isaiah 11:6-9 gives us an amazing picture of enemies dwelling together in harmony…

This reality isn’t just something that will happen in Christ’s everlasting kingdom… It can be a reality that we experience here and now, with one another.

Forgiveness is a gift offered to all of us through Christ.

John 3:17…

17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

And forgiveness is one of the most powerful gifts we can extend to others.

Think back for a moment to those relatives coming over that you’re not too excited about… Is there something there that needs to be dealt with?

Is there some past event, frustration, or friction that you need to address and get right?

If there is, then I know that Jesus can give you the strength and courage to step into that process of forgiving with the ultimate goal of finding peace…

Part of Christ’s ultimate plan and purpose is to restore creation to a place of peace.

Read Isaiah 11:9

9 They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.

“They”... The natural predators will not harm nor destroy on the “holy mountain of God.” And this holy mountain ​​”does not refer to Jerusalem or Sinai, but to the entire earth.[1]”

We all look forward to the day when the earth will be filled with the knowledge of God and the world will be at peace because of Christ, the Messiah.

We can see this again in the book of Colossians when Paul writes these words;

Colossians 1:19-20

19 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;

20 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.

There’s that word again, peace. Christ made peace through His blood, shed on the cross and it’s through Christ that we can experience redemption, restoration, forgiveness, and peace.

That’s some good news worth sharing with others… Even if that person is your weird uncle or awkward aunt or just someone you really don’t like… Jesus died for them too.

Remember Him This Holiday Season

We mentioned earlier and said last week that The holidays can be a difficult time… And as a pastor, I’m reminded of this reality every year as I meet with individuals and families.

Families that are just struggling financially, depressed from the loss of a loved one that wont be there with them, families fighting and just want forgive and come together.

So As we think of this Advent season about the arrival of Jesus, we are reminded that part of the hope and promise was a world to be restored in peace.

I think we can all agree that the world needs peace now, just as much as it did in the time of Isaiah, and just as much as it’s going to every day until Christ returns.

Understand this this morning Forgiveness is a powerful path to peace.

Maybe there are people around you that just need someone to listen to them? Maybe they just need someone to say, “I can’t imagine how you feel, and I’m sorry.”

I know it’s a busy time of year, but what would it look like to share some time with others to encourage them this holiday season?

As we remember Christ, let’s also remember that we live in a world weary of sin and destruction. It’s a world longing for peace, and we know where eternal peace can be found.

Conclusion

The arrival of Christ two-thousand years ago changed everything.

His arrival brought anything but peace to many of the people in and around Jerusalem…

In fact, king Herod had all the first born boys murdered just to try and stop the specific prophecy from coming true…

But on the other hand, Jesus did live and accomplish His purpose here on earth.

Through Him we can have peace in the midst of life’s storms.

Through Him we can experience eternal forgiveness and salvation.

In Christ we can have a peace that surpasses our understanding;

Philippians 4:6-7

6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

So Once again If you’re feeling anxious, overwhelmed, discouraged, fearful, or frustrated this holiday season, then I want you to know you’re in the right place today.

It’s only through Jesus that we can find the peace we so desperately long for…

And the good news is, we don’t have to wait another thousand years to experience it; the peace of God is available to us because Jesus has arrived.

Let go of your anxiety, unforgiveness and fear and Pick up the gift of Christ.

And share Him with others - share the good news of great joy, which we’ll be talking more about next week.