Bible Passage: Matthew 1:18–23, John 14:23–27 (Isaiah 2:3–5, Isaiah 11:6, Isaiah 9:2–6)

Jesus: Immanuel - Prince of Peace

Matthew 1:18–23 NLT

This is how Jesus the Messiah was born. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. But before the marriage took place, while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit. Joseph, to whom she was engaged, was a righteous man and did not want to disgrace her publicly, so he decided to break the engagement quietly. As he considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. “Joseph, son of David,” the angel said, “do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit. And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” All of this occurred to fulfill the Lord’s message through his prophet: “Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means ‘God is with us.’ ”

Jesus: Immanuel - Prince of Peace

“You will call him Jesus, for he will save his people form their sins.”

Jesus was born a child, conceived by the Holy Spirit. Called “Yeshua” - God Saves - born to be the Savior.

This baby was more than just a “savior.”

His birth was the fulfillment of the Lord’s message through his prophet. For this he was called, “Emmanuel. - God is with us.” He is the presence of God among human-kind.

1. God’s Presence in Jesus

Matthew 1:18–23

God dwells among his people - not just a concept, but a living, physical reality.

What does it mean for God to be with his people?

Creator, source of life - fulfillment of all his promises - living with us in a relationship of love & peace - restoring shalom (wholeness & well-being) to the brokenness and alienation of this world.

In the chaos of Roman-occupied Judea - a new king was born. More than a symbolic gesture, it was the practical, physical evidence of God's intimate involvement in our struggles. His presence, signals new creation, the coming of order to chaos - peace, well-being, and harmony in a time of turmoil.

God has come in person to set things right - but he came as a baby - not as a conqueror. He came as a dependent baby - not a ruler of an empire.

What does it mean that God came as a baby?

Think about babies: they don’t cause wars, destroy lives, enslave or manipulate people. They don’t lie, nor deceive. They don’t wield power, nor authority.

But they do bring joy and make people smile. Their presences invites people to pause, connect, and welcome new life. They expand our capacity for love. At first, though, they mostly sleep. A sleeping baby seems to embody peace.

God’s Presence brings Enduring Peace

John 14:23–27 NLT

Jesus replied, “All who love me will do what I say. My Father will love them, and we will come and make our home with each of them. Anyone who doesn’t love me will not obey me. And remember, my words are not my own. What I am telling you is from the Father who sent me. I am telling you these things now while I am still with you. But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you. “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.

God’s Presence brings Enduring Peace

John 14:23 NRSV

... “Those who love me will keep my word, and my Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.

Jesus describes the peace He gives as distinct from what the world offers. It is rooted in His abiding presence through the Holy Spirit.

It’s not a temporary peace - a peaceful moment that can be shattered by tragedy, interrupted by business, nor overcome by conflict.

It is well-being, wholeness, the assurance that the One who created this world is still living and present, regardless of the apparent state of affairs.

It’s a bit mind-boggling to think of peace as something that transcends its circumstances - that belies what our eyes and ears tell us.

John 14:27 NJB

Peace I bequeath to you, my own peace I give you, a peace which the world cannot give, this is my gift to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.

Nowhere in the NT is Jesus described as being in a panic.

In the middle of the storm - calm.

In the middle of uncertainty and questions - He assured that God’s love was proven truth.

In the face of his hunger, he was sustained by God’s word. And seeing the hunger of a multitude, he trusted God to multiply their resources.

In the face of death-threats, he trusted God to care for him.

He wasn’t anxious - no matter what. He became sad, tired, hungry, and angry. But he never became anxious. He lived out his trust in God - the embodiment of the peace of God.

Jesus has left us an inheritance of his peace, an enduring, transcending peace that remains and sustains. It comes from the assurance of God’s presence in our lives - the gift of the Holy Spirit, which cannot be taken from us.

More than something we receive, it is a peace - a state of wholeness and well-being - that we are called to embody. We are called to live out our trust in God by the power of the Holy Spirit WITHOUT FEAR AND ANXIETY.

IT’S OUR INHERITANCE. IT’S A GIFT FROM JESUS. It’s a gift of presence - his presence always with us, because he has given us the gift of his Holy Spirit - his enduring presence.

The prophets who foretold the coming of the Messiah, the Savior of the World, the Presence of God, give us a picture of this peace.

Picture the Peace

Isaiah 7:14 Quoted in Matthew 1:18-23

Isaiah 7:14 NLT

All right then, the Lord himself will give you the sign. Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel (which means ‘God is with us’).

Isaiah 2:3–5 NLT

People from many nations will come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of Jacob’s God. There he will teach us his ways, and we will walk in his paths.” For the Lord’s teaching will go out from Zion; his word will go out from Jerusalem. The Lord will mediate between nations and will settle international disputes. They will hammer their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will no longer fight against nation, nor train for war anymore. Come, descendants of Jacob, let us walk in the light of the Lord!

Picture the Peace

The prophet’ s vision is of a future peace never before experienced, where nations turn to God’s instruction, resulting in harmony and justice, peace and righteousness springing from God's dwelling among humanity. People walk together in God’s way. They transform implements of war into tools for cultivation trading destruction for growth and the promise of an abundant future.

This prophetic imagery calls us to walk in God’s light, aspiring for a world where divine teaching informs just and peaceful living. Suggest that Jesus, as Immanuel, embodies this ideal, enabling us to live peacefully in anticipation of God's ultimate restoration. Encourage believers to live out and extend this peace, becoming lights in a world seeking hope.

Isaiah 9:2–6 NLT

The people who walk in darkness will see a great light. For those who live in a land of deep darkness, a light will shine. You will enlarge the nation of Israel, and its people will rejoice. They will rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest and like warriors dividing the plunder. For you will break the yoke of their slavery and lift the heavy burden from their shoulders. You will break the oppressor’s rod, just as you did when you destroyed the army of Midian. The boots of the warrior and the uniforms bloodstained by war will all be burned. They will be fuel for the fire. For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Picture the Peace

This prophecy exalts the nature of the coming Messiah as the bringer of peace, highlighting His divine titles that assure deliverance and hope.

"Wonderful Counselor," - Confused? Uncertain what to do, which way to go? He is the wisdom of God - the creator who understands how this world was made and functions.

"Mighty God," Feeling powerless? Overwhelmed? Ill-equipped? Those lead to fear, not peace. Almighty God is with us. What can impede the Creator?

"Everlasting Father," Feeling alone? Abandoned? The Everlasting Father is WIth US - Immanuel, always present, always available. You are never alone.

"Prince of Peace." As Prince of Peace, Jesus gives us more than an example of how to live in peace, he IS our present peace - assurance within us.

Isaiah 11:6 NLT

In that day the wolf and the lamb will live together; the leopard will lie down with the baby goat. The calf and the yearling will be safe with the lion, and a little child will lead them all.

Picture the Peace

This peace is not merely the absence of conflict but signals the inauguration of God's kingdom where justice and righteousness reign with comprehensive peace - where natural enemies coexist harmoniously, - having been transformed by new creation, resurrection life.

Jesus: Immanuel - Prince of Peace

CONCLUSION:

Perhaps highlight how these verses paint a vision of peace and righteousness springing from God's dwelling with his people. true peace is found in a personal relationship with Jesus, (abiding in him and allowing him to abide in us) not in external circumstances. which empowers them to navigate life's storms with confidence and grace.

This sermon emphasizes that true peace comes from a personal relationship with Christ, who embodies God's presence in the midst of turmoil. It teaches that peace is not merely an absence of conflict but a state of wholeness that believers can carry into their lives and influence others with.

Gen Z is called “the anxious generation.” Many of us, are experiencing more anxiety and less peace.

So we try to find or create peace.  We may clear our calendars or take a vacation.  We may try to chill – to check out, to numb, to escape:  all kinds of addictions promise pseudo-peace (substances, mindless activities, shopping, endless scrolling, or gaming.)  We may try to arrange, manage or control – schedules, activities or people – to create a bubble of well-being and peace.  We may respond to conflict, violence and war with efforts to end injustice and disorder, creating social peace.

None of that captures the full picture of what Jesus meant by “my peace I leave with you.” Jesus’ peace is deeper. It’s not dependent on circumstances. It never leaves. And the peace of Jesus serves a deeper purpose than simply to make us feel good in the moment, calming our inner lives.  He intends for his peace to move outward into a world that hungers for peace. Which calls for us to be people of peace.

So how do we become people of peace?  How do we live like Jesus taught us?  How can we be a non-anxious or peaceful presence in this time and place?

The answer is simple, but not easy. 

We must learn to let the peace of Christ rule in our hearts.

Colossians 3:15 NLT

And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. ...

John Mark Comer:   “We can learn, in the words of Paul, to let the peace of Christ rule in our hearts. Meaning, let his peace call the shots — let it be the umpire — in our thoughts, desires, and interactions, instead of our fears.

“Even as anxiety takes hold, we seek the Spirit’s wisdom and strength to think and act consistently with the peace of Christ. In the Way of Jesus, this matters not only because he cares about our inner world, but also because peace is the environment of Christlike love; we cannot love others with courage and clarity when fear is directing us.

“Letting Christ’s peace rule becomes more natural over time as we create space for the Spirit in our daily habits. Acquiring peace is a slow surrender that grows as we create margin in our lives to be with the Spirit of peace. We need to regularly sit quietly with God long enough to experience his soul-settling presence, even if for a fleeting moment. …Fear and anxiety will come; there are difficult days ahead. But be encouraged: Jesus came to bring peace in the midst of it, and hope for the end of it.”

Jesus: Immanuel - Prince of Peace