Advent 2025: Peace

Introduction

Luke 2:14 “14 “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.””

Hope

Peace

Joy

Love

Message Title: The person of Peace

Bible Passage: Romans 5:1

Romans 5:1 “1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,”

Therefore

Romans 4:23–25 “23 Now not for his sake only was it written that it was credited to him, 24 but for our sake also, to whom it will be credited, as those who believe in Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead, 25 He who was delivered over because of our transgressions, and was raised because of our justification.”

We receive peace through justification

Justified (having or shown to have a just, right, or reasonable basis)

God is and will Judge

Psalm 50:6 “6 And the heavens declare His righteousness, For God Himself is judge. Selah.”

Psalm 96:13 “13 Before the Lord, for He is coming, For He is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness And the peoples in His faithfulness.”

Romans 3:23 “23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,”

Romans 6:23 “23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Justified by faith

Hebrews 11:1 “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”

Ephesians 2:8 “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;”

The Message of Romans e. Conclusion: Abraham’s Faith and Ours (23–25)

Faith is not burying our heads in the sand, or screwing ourselves up to believe what we know is not true, or even whistling in the dark to keep our spirits up. On the contrary, faith is a reasoning trust. There can be no believing without thinking.

Romans 3:21–28 “21 But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, 22 even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction; 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; 25 whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed; 26 for the demonstration, I say, of His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. 27 Where then is boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? Of works? No, but by a law of faith. 28 For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law.”

We receive peace through Christ

Philippians 4:6–7 “6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Romans 4:25 “25 He who was delivered over because of our transgressions, and was raised because of our justification.”

“The crucifixion is God’s Judgement and the resurrection is God’s verdict.”

John 20:19–21 “19 So when it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and when the doors were shut where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 20 And when He had said this, He showed them both His hands and His side. The disciples then rejoiced when they saw the Lord. 21 So Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you; as the Father has sent Me, I also send you.””

Conclusion

“All peace starts with having peace with God.”

End: The Lord’s Supper