Our Prince of Peace

The New International Version Chapter 9

For to us a child is born,

to us a son is given,

and the government will be on his shoulders.

And he will be called

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Of the greatness of his government and peace

there will be no end.

He will reign on David’s throne

and over his kingdom,

establishing and upholding it

with justice and righteousness

from that time on and forever.

The zeal of the LORD Almighty

will accomplish this.

Isaiah 9:6-7

Advent 2024

Main idea: This sermon explores the promise of peace in Isaiah's prophecy, its fulfillment in Jesus Christ, and how we can experience this peace in our lives.

Quote: There's a difference between knowing God and knowing about God. When you truly know God, you have energy to serve Him, boldness to share Him, and contentment in Him. —J.I. Packer

Introduction

Good morning, Church, we thank God for His mercy and grace. To our officers and support staff, to our fellow worshippers, visitors, and online community. Great is the Lord and He is greatly to be praised. Discouragement and confusion dominate the air ways of todays society. Peace is the aching longing of every soul because it’s absent in a sinful world creates a void in our lives. Isaiah’s aim today is to point us to the Prince of Peace. Problems and pressures are mounting each second of the day. How can you and I find peace when most of what I hear and see is chaotic and depressing? Is there an answer to the current mad rush of society to obtain peace and tranquility? The answer is yes! Jesus is the answer. Jesus is the answer for the world today, above Him there is no other, Jesus is the way! The Christmas season is upon us. Plans are being made, gift list are being prepared, and events are being scheduled. These activities can bring about feelings of exhaustion instead of experiencing joy and peace we may feel overwhelmed because of so much to do and get accomplished. Also, it is a time where we remember love ones whom we shared previous Christmas with who have gone to be with the Lord. How can we proceed through this season and maintain a peace that surpasses all our understanding? 

Today Isaiah helps us to focus our hearts and minds on a passage, a prophecy that continues to resonate with us, thousands of years after it was first written.

This passage, my dear brothers and sisters, is a promise of peace. A promise that was fulfilled in the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Today, we will look closely at this promise, understanding, the peace promised in prophecy, what it means to proclaim the Prince of Peace, and how we can perceive this peace in our own lives.

Prophetic promise of Peace

As we look at the prophecy of Isaiah, we find a promise of peace that is as profound as it is powerful. This promise is not just a fleeting moment of tranquility, but a deep, abiding peace that transcends our understanding. It's a peace that was prophesied centuries before the birth of Christ and was fulfilled in Him.

The prophecy begins with the words, "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given." These words are not just a prediction of a future event, but a declaration of a divine promise. The child spoken of here is no ordinary child, but the Son of God Himself. His birth is not just a historical event, but the fulfillment of a divine promise. This promise is not just for the people of Israel, but for all of humanity. It's a promise that brings hope, joy, and peace.

The prophecy continues, "and the government will be on his shoulders." This phrase is not just a political statement, but a declaration of divine authority. The government spoken of here is not just a human institution, but the kingdom of God. The shoulders mentioned here are not just a physical body part, but a symbol of strength and responsibility. This phrase is not just a description of a future event, but a promise of a divine rule. It's a promise that brings security, stability, and peace.

The prophecy concludes with the words, "And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." These titles are not just honorifics, but descriptions of the character and nature of the promised child. The title "Prince of Peace" is not just a royal title, but a declaration of the child's mission. This mission is not just to bring temporary peace, but everlasting peace. It's a mission that brings reconciliation, restoration, and peace.

In the original Hebrew, the word for peace used here is "shalom." This word is not just a greeting or a wish for tranquility, but a comprehensive term for wholeness, completeness, and well-being. It's a word that encapsulates the fullness of God's blessing. In other passages of the Old Testament, "shalom" is used to describe the peace that comes from being in a right relationship with God (Psalm 29:11), the peace that comes from trusting in God (Isaiah 26:3), and the peace that comes from obeying God (Leviticus 26:6). In each of these instances, "shalom" is not just a state of absence of conflict, but a state of positive well-being and harmony.

As we reflect on this prophecy, we see that the peace promised is not just a personal peace, but a communal peace. It's a peace that is not just for individuals, but for families, communities, nations, and the entire world. It's a peace that is not just for the present, but for the future. It's a peace that is not just a possibility, but a certainty.

Furthermore, the peace promised in this prophecy is not just a passive peace, but an active peace. It's a peace that is not just about avoiding conflict, but about promoting justice, righteousness, and love. It's a peace that is not just about being at peace, but about making peace. It's a peace that is not just a gift, but a responsibility.

It's a peace that is not just a concept, but a reality. It's a peace that is not just a promise, but a fulfillment. It's a peace that is not just for us, but for the world. It's a peace that is not just for now, but for eternity. It's a peace that is not just a blessing, but a mission. It's a peace that is not just a word, but a person - the Prince of Peace.

Proclamation of the Prince of Peace

The prophecy of Isaiah, a promise of peace, was fulfilled in the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. This child, born to us, was given the mantle of government on His shoulders. He was named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. This is a profound declaration. It is a proclamation of peace that resonates through the ages, touching our lives today.

The Prince of Peace, as we know, is none other than Jesus Christ. His birth was the fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy. His life, death, and resurrection brought about the peace that was promised. This peace is not just the absence of conflict or the cessation of hostilities. It is a deep, abiding peace that surpasses all understanding. It is a peace that permeates every aspect of our lives, bringing calm in the midst of storm, comfort in the face of sorrow, and hope in the face of despair.

The first aspect of this peace is its divine origin. This peace comes from God. It is not a product of human effort or negotiation. It is not a peace that can be achieved through diplomacy or compromise. It is a peace that comes from the heart of God, a peace that reflects His nature and His love for us. This peace is a gift, given to us through the birth of His Son, Jesus Christ.

This divine peace is also transformative. It changes us from the inside out. It transforms our hearts, our minds, and our lives. It brings about a change in our attitudes, our behaviors, and our relationships. It leads us to love instead of hate, to forgive instead of holding grudges, to give instead of taking, to serve instead of being served. This transformative power of peace is evident in the lives of those who have experienced it. It is a testament to the power of God's love and grace.

The peace of God also brings reconciliation. It reconciles us with God, with ourselves, and with others. It bridges the gap that sin has created between us and God. It heals the wounds of guilt and shame that sin has inflicted on our souls. It mends the broken relationships that sin has caused. This reconciliation is possible because of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross. His death paid the penalty for our sins, His resurrection conquered death, and His ascension opened the way for us to be reconciled with God.

The peace of God provides assurance. It assures us of God's love, His presence, and His promises.

Perceiving Peace in our Lives

As we turn our attention to the third point of our sermon, let's focus on how we can perceive peace in our lives. This peace, my dear friends, is not just an abstract idea, but a tangible reality, embodied in the person of Jesus Christ, our Prince of Peace.

The first thing we need to understand is that perceiving peace starts with acknowledging Jesus as the Prince of Peace. This is not merely a title, but a declaration of His divine nature and His role in our lives. When we acknowledge Jesus as the Prince of Peace, we are recognizing His authority over all aspects of our lives, including our struggles, our fears, and our anxieties. We are saying, "Jesus, you are in control. You are my peace." This acknowledgement is not a passive act, but an active surrender of our will to His. It's a daily decision to trust in His sovereignty and His goodness.

But acknowledging Jesus as the Prince of Peace is not enough. We must also allow His peace to permeate every area of our lives. This means letting go of our worries and fears, and letting God's peace fill those spaces. It means trusting in His promises, even when circumstances seem bleak. It means choosing to live in peace, even when the world around us is in turmoil.

The third aspect of perceiving peace in our lives is to actively seek peace in our relationships. This means being peacemakers in our homes, our workplaces, and our communities. It means choosing to forgive, even when it's hard. It means choosing to love, even when it's inconvenient. It means choosing to extend grace, even when it's undeserved.

Perceiving peace in our lives involves sharing the peace of Jesus with others. This is not just about evangelism, but about living out the peace of Jesus in our daily lives. It's about being a beacon of peace in a world that desperately needs it. It's about showing others, through our words and actions, the transformative power of the peace of Jesus.

Conclusion

Good afternoon children of the Most High, as you go about your week, remember that you carry this peace with you. It's not something you have to strive for or earn. It's a gift, freely given to you by God. And just as freely as it has been given to you, you are called to share it with others. So, my dear brothers and sisters, I encourage you today to perceive the peace of Jesus in your lives. Acknowledge Him as your Prince of Peace. Allow His peace to permeate every area of your life. Be a peacemaker in your relationships. And share the peace of Jesus with others. Go in peace, serve the Lord with gladness, and love one another as Christ has loved you.  Remember, Jesus is our peace, and nothing is impossible with Him. God bless you all.