THIS CHRISTMAS PT 2

This Christmas – part 2

This Christmas -- I Choose Peace

Live In A World Continually Searching For Peace !

Peace Conferences … Peace Treaties – International Obsession …

Diplomats That Constantly Strategize For Peace In Nations

Married Couples Struggle Trying To Find Peace In Their Relationship And Homes

We Live In Homes Behind Locked Doors And Security Alarms

Our Streets Are Full Of Tension, Flash Mobs, And Conflict

100’S Of Books Are Written On ‘Peace Of Mind’ And Sell As Top Sellers

Churches Are In Chaos And Dividing Due To Atmospheres That Are Ripe With Frustration And Conflict

In America we represent 6% of the world’s population, possess 42% of the world’s wealth (presently $153 trillion dollars) and yet we consume almost 75% of the tranquilizers and 80% of the pain medicine in the world!

We are a painfully uptight people!

EVERYONE WANTS PEACE … but what is it?

We desire … Love … Joy … Prosperity … Fame … Beauty

But without PEACE – it’s nothing!

A palace of gold -- a summer retreat home -- the CEO / Owner of a successful company – without peace they all become a penitentiary!

So what is it?

Jesus’ birth was announced by angels to shepherds declaring

“Peace on earth … goodwill toward men”

The Psalmist declared that there was

‘great peace for those that love your law [word]’ – Ps 119:165

BUT WHAT IS IT? FIRST -- LET ME TELL YOU WHAT IT IS “NOT”

Peace is NOT the absence of strife or conflict!

In Matt 5:9

“Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called the sons of God”

When Jesus made that statement there was no war raging in the land

The Roman’s had broken the back of all their adversaries and those held were too afraid to fight

There are those here today …

Your marriage is not healed – your just too tired to fight

Your relationships are not reconciled – your just ‘reloading’ for the next round of battle

Peace is NOT absolute tranquility

Peace is not the detachment from RISK and RESPONSIBILITY

Peace is NOT the guarantee of security or the absence of adversity and pressure

You will never find UTOPIA in this world –

‘In this world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I’ve overcome the world’

If you want to live in a place where there are no pressures -- no tensions -- no struggles –

visit a CEMETERY

We can not retreat from life – we have to ‘take up our cross’ and follow Jesus into LIFE!!

So you ask … what is peace?

Luke 2:13-14 (NKJV)

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”

Ephesians 2:14-17 (NKJV)

For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, 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, and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity. And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near.

The PEACE the Bible declares is both objective (having to do with our relationship to God) and subjective (having to do with our experiences in life).

1. PEACE is the PRODUCT of BEING RECONCILED TO GOD

We all come into this world fighting against God! -- enemies of God – OUR carnal nature at war with God

Matt 10:34 (ESV)

“Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword”.

A sword divides / separates -- Everything in the universe divides over Jesus Christ!

Accept Him or Reject Him

We’re in the Light or in the Kingdom of Darkness

Separates …

Wheat from tares

Sheep from Goats

Broadway from the Narrow Way

Truth from Lies

You are either a servant of Jesus Christ or a slave to sin!

BUT … the GOOD NEWS IS THIS -- He (JESUS) is our PEACE (Peacemaker)

He satisfied the conditions for the war to over!

Rom 5:1

Therefore, having been justified by faith, WE have PEACE with God”

Sin separated us from God – but Jesus stood in the gap and broke down the wall!!

Peace is the gift of God to those who give their life over to Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior!

For all of us – the PRICE of PEACE has to be understood – it is total submission to the Lordship of Jesus! Surrender!

Stop blaming everyone around you for your actions

MAKE PEACE WITH GOD!

2. PEACE is the FRUIT of a RELATIONSHIP with the HOLY SPIRIT

Gal 5:22

‘The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace …’

Could it be that we are spending more energy seeking ‘peace’ rather than developing a relationship with the Holy Spirit?

Peace is not far from the life that learns to keep IN STEP with the Holy Spirit

3. PEACE is the UMPIRE of our LIFE

Col 3:15

Let the peace of God rule in your hearts …’

‘rule’ – term that was used for ‘umpire’

Peace Determines What Is ‘In Bounds’ And ‘What Is Out Of Bounds’

Every Detrimental Emotion …

Every Area Of Relationship That Is Unfruitful

Every Business Deal That Can Harm You

Learn To ‘Follow The Peace Of God’

The apostle Paul told us the power of peace when he said …

Phil 4:6-7

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

“HIS Peace will GUARD” -- When fear, anxiety try to enter – PEACE protects you

How many here today would say –

I don’t have any peace in my life -- my home -- my week? I live in continual anxiety and frustration?

I have a raging anger inside of me? I’m living with the effects of events in my life that torment me every day I live?

I want to be honest -- I have an internal war going on inside of me with God? I hear Him calling to me, but I am fighting and warring against turning my life completely over to Him?

If you are ready to CRUSH the power of the enemy under your feet -- today is your day!