Great Expectations (Pt.2) - …of Peace

Children’s Church

Introduction

Luke 2:1–20 ESV

1 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. 6 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. 8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 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 among those with whom he is pleased!” 15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. 17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

1) Peace Provided for You (v.8-10a)

Luke 2:8–10 ESV

8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.

Jesus is the Prince of Peace

Peace accompanies His presence.

His arrival into our world means that Peace with God is now possible…

Not by rituals and merit, but by His own grace and mercy.

The arrival of the angels to the shepherds is a beautiful picture of peace.

The shepherds were going about their business, doing their jobs.

The darkness is disrupted and the “glory of the Lord SHONE around them”

They were filled with great fear!

In the middle of their fears a voice of comfort says, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news…”

Christ is born…He is physically present amongst His creation.

The glory of the Lord appears to the outcasts…they are gripped with fear.

Because of the Good News of the presence of Christ…their fears are laid to rest.

Peace is provided for you this morning through the presence of Jesus in your life.

He is able to overcome even the greatest of fears.

It is appropriate for us to experience fear because of our rebellion and sin towards God.

Our sinfulness and brokenness exposes us to a reality separated from God and His goodness. This should make us afraid.

This is why the news of Jesus’ arrival into our world is such good news!

“For unto to YOU is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”

Peace is Provided for You!

2) Peace Proclaimed for All (v. 10b-14)

Luke 2:10–14 ESV

10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 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 among those with whom he is pleased!”

This is peace is provided for all!

This good news is for all people!

Glory to God in the Highest…

God’s peace proclaimed through Christ is the utmost expression of His glory.

His peace is not hidden, but majestically proclaimed!

Not just one angel, but a multitude of heavenly hosts!

From that night in Bethlehem to today in Talihina, Peace continues to be proclaimed for all to embrace it!

Right here, right now you need to know that there is peace for you in Christ Jesus!

There is peace for your fears.

There is peace for your restlessness.

There is peace for your anxieties.

There is peace for your confusion.

There is peace for your worries and doubts.

There is peace for your mind.

There is peace for your heart.

There is peace for your soul.

There is peace that has been provided for you and you can have peace when you embrace Jesus!

Jesus is available to you! Peace is available to you if you will place your faith and trust in Jesus, the Prince of Peace!

3) Peace Empowers Those Who Embrace It (v. 15-20)

Luke 2:15–20 ESV

15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. 17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

Peace empowers you to live beyond your fears!

The Shepherds livelihood depended on the health and number of their sheep.

When they were called to seek out the Messiah, their livelihood shifted from sheep to the Savior.

The Shepherds were not generally welcomed in society…yet they went because they were welcomed by God.

Peace Proclaimed and Embraced by the Shepherds reshaped their lives to be more than how their world defined them.

They were now changed forever.

They were now the messengers of peace for others to embrace.

They were the first to seek out the King of Heaven but they made sure they wouldn’t be the last!

As they returned to their flocks, their lives were forever changed.

Peace Provided and Peace Proclaimed became People Empowered by Peace!

Closing

Through Jesus, God forever brings peace to us who are broken, restless, and rebellious in our sins.

The very God whom we reject in our sinfulness, loves us enough to give us peace by satisfying His righteous and holy judgment through Himself.

Isaiah 53:1–5 ESV

1 Who has believed what he has heard from us? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? 2 For he grew up before him like a young plant, and like a root out of dry ground; he had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him. 3 He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. 4 Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. 5 But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.

Have you embraced the Peace of God through Christ and had your life reshaped by Him?

The Provider of Peace has given for you a Proclamation of Peace that you may experience the Power of Peace through Jesus!

If you haven’t begun to experience Peace with Him, why not let today be the day you begin your journey of Peace with Jesus?