Prince of Peace

THE PRINCE OF PEACE: THE GIFT YOU DIDN'T KNOW YOU NEEDED

INTRODUCTION: What You Didn't Get

The GI Joe aircraft carrier you wanted as a kid

The Lexus with a bow you dreamed about

The best gifts are often the ones you didn't know you needed so much

I. WHAT GOD BROUGHT TO EARTH (Isaiah 9:6)

A. The Identity of the Gift

– fully man"Unto us a child IS born"

– fully God"A son is given"

"The government will be upon His shoulders"

= Ruler, Commander, Warrior (not a playbaby prince)SAR

B. The Purpose of the Gift

When God gave Jesus, He brought heaven to earth so He could bring us to heaven

We often focus only on heaven later

We miss what He brought to earth NOW

II. WHAT YOUR HEART LONGS FOR: PEACE (Isaiah 9:6)

A. The Context of the Gift

If you had to pick ONE WORD to describe what you need this year, what would it be?

Israel's condition: gloom, great darkness, bondage

Your condition may be similar

God's word for you: PEACE

B. The Definition of Peace

Complete fulfillment of need

Satisfaction of want

Realization of blessing

Peace fills so that anxiety, disappointment, and restlessness get pushed out

III. THE PRINCE (COMMANDER) OF PEACE

A. He Flies Over Us (Luke 2:14)

Illustration: Fighter jets in Jacksonville

Momentary anxiety: "What if they weren't our planes?"

Immediate relief: "They're OUR guys—they're FOR us"

The angels' proclamation: "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!"

He's not against you—He's FOR you

B. He Commands Peace

= Commander, Warrior, ChiefSAR

Not a weak pacifist who got lucky

Not nepotism or privilege

A Mighty God actively working toward what He promises

He is the Commander of Peace

C. He Gives Peace (John 14-16)

1. Peace Through His Presence (John 14:1-3)

"Let not your heart be troubled"

"Believe in God, believe also in me"

Your inability to trust God will always destroy your experience of His peace

"In my Father's house are many rooms"—you get to stay with the King

2. Peace Through His Promise (John 14:25-31)

"My peace I give to you"

"Not as the world gives"

"Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid"

THE PROBLEM: We have wrong expectations

Every disappointment is based upon a misplaced expectation

We expect peace from our lifestyle

We expect peace from our circumstances

THE TRUTH: Peace is NOT dependent on or adjusted by circumstances

Peace is relative to FAITH

Faith is personal—between you and God

3. Peace Through His Victory (John 16:31-33)

"I have said these things so that IN ME you may have peace"

"In this world you will have tribulation"

"But take heart; I have overcome the world"

IV. PEACE IS FOUND "IN ME" (IN JESUS)

A. The Formula for Peace

WONDERFUL COUNSELOR + MIGHTY GOD + EVERLASTING FATHER + RULER OF PEACE = PEACE

→ Wonderful CounselorI'm in a hard place

→ Mighty GodI'm in way over my head with no hope

→ Everlasting FatherI'm overwhelmed and struggling

→ Prince of PeaceI'm empty and distraught

B. The Relationship Between Faith and Peace

Peace is relative to FAITH

Faith is NOT relative to circumstances

The more faith, the more peace

Less faith, less peace

V. THREE DIMENSIONS OF PEACE

A. Peace WITH God (Romans 5:1)

"Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, through our Lord Jesus Christ"we have peace with God

He made us right with God through the cross

This is the foundation—without peace WITH God, you cannot experience the other dimensions

B. Peace IN God (John 14:27, 16:33)

Jesus HIMSELF Is Our Peace (Ephesians 2:14-17)

"For "he himself is our peace

He broke down the dividing wall of hostility

"He came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near"

Peace is found IN Jesus, IN His presence, IN relationship with Him

C. Peace FROM God (Colossians 1:19-20)

"Through him to reconcile to himself all things"

""Making peace by the blood of his cross

The peace that flows from being WITH God and living IN God

D. The Order Matters

YOU CANNOT HAVE PEACE FROM GOD IF YOU DO NOT HAVE PEACE WITH GOD AND FIND PEACE IN GOD

Peace WITH God = Reconciliation (justification)

Peace IN God = Relationship (abiding)

Peace FROM God = Experience (sanctification)

CONCLUSION: CALL HIM BY NAME

The Reality:

Many people live in fear, turmoil, and despair

No authentic faith in Jesus

No peace WITH God = no peace IN God = no peace FROM God

The Invitation:

Like seeing a loved one after a long separation

Call Him by name

Trust the Prince of Peace

Experience the gift you didn't know you needed so much

The best gift you'll ever receive is not what you asked for—it's what your heart has always longed for: PEACE through the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ.