The Gift of Peace: Reconciliation Through Christ

Primary Text: Luke 2:13–14; Ephesians 2:14–18

BIG IDEA:

Jesus didn’t come to offer a peaceful feeling — He came to make peace between God and man.

INTRO / HOOK:

We live in a world fascinated with “inner peace,” meditation apps, and self-help calmness — but Christmas announces a peace we cannot produce.

POINT 1 — The Barrier We Couldn’t Cross (Our Separation)

Ephesians 2:12 “12 that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.”

Sin ruptured fellowship with God.

Every person is born outside God’s peace treaty.

We don’t need a little comfort — we need reconciliation.

Illustration: Two nations at war — peace isn’t a feeling; it’s the ending of hostility.

Application: We need a Savior more than a soothing word.

POINT 2 — The Bridge We Couldn’t Build (Christ Our Mediator)

Ephesians 2:14–16 “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.”

“He Himself is our peace.”

Through His blood, He tore down the dividing wall.

He didn’t negotiate peace — He purchased it.

Subpoints: A. Peace required a payment → the cross B. Peace required a person → Christ C. Peace results in presence → we have access to the Father

Application: Christians should walk in peace because the war with God is over.

POINT 3 — The Blessing We Couldn’t Earn (His Presence)

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.”

Peace isn’t the absence of trouble… it’s the presence of Christ.

Peace is not fragile — because Christ is not fragile.

Illustration: A lighthouse in a storm doesn’t stop the waves — but it keeps you safe.

Application: Where Christ rules, peace reigns.

INVITATION:

“You can have peace with God today — not by trying harder, but by trusting Christ.”