The Prince of Peace: Embracing God's Advent of Peace

Bible Passage: Isaiah 9:6-7, Matthew 8:23-27, Matthew 13:31-32

Big Idea: Jesus, the Prince of Peace, gives us a peace that changes everything.

ME: Today is the the fourth Sunday in Advent - The Advent of Peace

Kids come up and light the First, Second, Thrid, fourth candle of advent:

On the first Sunday we lit the candle of hope - to symbolize our hope for Christ’s return (Light the first candle)

On the second Sunday we lit the candle of love - to remind us that Jesus came to earth to show and tell us of God’s love. (Light the second candle)

On the third Sunday we lit the candle of joy - to remind us of the birth of Jesus brings deep and lasting Joy.

Today the last purple candle will be lit that calls us to remember peace.

Scripture Reading: John 14:27

Please light the purple Candle.

1. Peace found in Prophecy

Isaiah 9:6-7

(Mini WE) Isaiah starts this prophecy with this statement

“The people who walk in darkness WILL see a great light.”

for around 950 years the nation of Israel was a divided nation and had gone through a dark time but there was a promise of a coming light to the dark days that they would soon face.

Just as we experience darkness today, God provides His Light

That light is Jesus as we see in Isaiah 9:6-7 (READ)

Here we see the prophecy of the birth of Jesus Christ as a little baby boy.

God Himself showing us how much He loves us that He comes to earth to be that great light in dark times.

BUT We also see that the government will rest on His shoulders.

This is a seen in Matthew 28:18 Where Jesus says that “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth”

That means that Jesus has the authority over all powers and princes to bring about peace from the place where He now rules.

Not only will Jesus have the government resting on His shoulders He is also called:

Wonderful Counselor - He walks with us today offering Godly counsel.

Mighty God - He has power over our circumstances

Eternal Father - He cares for us now and forever.

Prince of Peace - He brings peace to the storms in our lives

‌(Trans) BUT The Prince of Peace doesn't just rule from a distant throne - He steps right into our storms...

2. Peace found in the Storm

Mark 4:36-41

(mini point) Finding peace in the stroms of life.

Often times life will bring a storm your way.

Our bodies might not work the way we want them too.

Our jobs might not work out the way we expected or want them.

Our finances don't work out the way we want them too.

Our relationships don't pan out just the way we had imagined them.

Even the weather does not pan out and roads might get icy and we find our peace threatened.

All of these things can rob us of our peace.

It reminds of a story that happened with Jesus and His followers.

Jesus was on a mission to an area called Gadarenes its an area that is outside of the nations of Israel. A man was tormented by demons and God wanted to free this man.

So Jesus gets into a boat with His apprentices and they sail over the sea.

During the way over a massive storm comes up. Now you need to know that some of these followers of Christ were seasoned fishermen and had spent their lives on the sea.

But this storm comes up and its a nasty one. They are scared and think that they are going to die.

Yet in the face of this massive storm, here is Jesus sleeping… The prince of Peace sleeping during a storm that scared even the most seasoned sailor.

The followers of Jesus say to Him “Save us, Lord; we are perishing!” - Mark 4:36-41

Jesus wakes up and “PEACE, be still.” And the wind died down and it became perfectly calm.”

But then He says to them “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?”

Afraid the disciples say to each other “Who, then, is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?”

That folks is the PRINCE of PEACE.

(Trans) You know, these same disciples who panicked in the boat didn't stay that way. The Prince of Peace was planting something in their lives that would grow into something remarkable...

3. Planting Seeds of Peace

Matthew 13:31-32

But before the followers of Jesus were examples of peace makers they needed to understand how to become a peace maker.

When Jesus out teaching He taught His followers this simple parable Matthew 13:31-32 (READ)

Jesus was telling His followers that IF you take the good news of Jesus Christ within your heart, your garden, and take care of it.

That tiny little message of Hope will grow into a huge tree of PEACE.

And that little seed of Hope that becomes a huge tree of PEACE will bring shade for the ones who are hurting.

It will bring rest during the storms of life

It gives peace to others who have little or no faith.

It gives peace and comfort to the hurting soul

They were not saken by the storms of life. They were like trees planted near fresh waters.

That tiny seed of peace grows deep roots in our lives.

But when storms come, we don't just survive - we thrive.

We become living testimonies of God's peace in action.

Remember Peter?

The same person who panicked in the storm later stood boldly before authorities with complete peace.

Paul and Silas sang hymns in prison.

Stephen showed supernatural peace even as stones were being thrown at him.

Thats true Peace from the Prince of Peace.

So what does this mean for us today?

How can we cultivate this seed of peace in our own lives?

True peace is gift from God.

Its a gift from the Holy Spirit.

So you need to ASK for the gift of Peace.

Pray for strength during the storms of life

When a storm comes get into a time of prayer asking God for His strength

Be a peace maker (not a peace keeper)

Be the first to extend an olive branch in a difficult relationship

Choose to respond with grace when someone tests your patience

Look for opportunities to bring God's peace into tense situations

Lets Pray