Peace of Christmas.

The Peace of Christmas

Isaiah 9:6 NIV

6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Is

Micah 5:1–5 NIV

1 Marshal your troops now, city of troops, for a siege is laid against us. They will strike Israel’s ruler on the cheek with a rod. 2 “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.” 3 Therefore Israel will be abandoned until the time when she who is in labor bears a son, and the rest of his brothers return to join the Israelites. 4 He will stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God. And they will live securely, for then his greatness will reach to the ends of the earth. 5 And he will be our peace when the Assyrians invade our land and march through our fortresses. We will raise against them seven shepherds, even eight commanders,

Can there really be peace on earth?

(NIV)

1 Marshal your troops, O city of troops,£ for a siege is laid against us. They will strike Israel’s ruler on the cheek with a rod.

2 “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans£ of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins£ are from of old, from ancient times.£”

So often at Christmas time we hear it said Peace on earth Good will to all men.

3 Therefore Israel will be abandoned until the time when she who is in labor gives birth and the rest of his brothers return to join the Israelites. 4 He will stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God. And they will live securely, for then his greatness will reach to the ends of the earth.

5 And he will be their peace...

Can there really be peace on earth? So often at Christmas time we hear it said Peace on earth Good will to all men.

Since the beginning of recorded history the world has been entirely at peace only 8% of the time. In other words, in over 3,100 years of recorded history, only 286 have been warless.

During that same period of time, 8,000 treatises have been broken as well.

And what about personal peace? Peace at home? Peace at work? Financial peace?

The prophet Micah lived between 725–710 B.C. He came from the poorer class of Israel and was acutely aware of the injustices of the rich. Micah explained that because of the sins of Israel, God had sent the Assyrians as His arm of punishment. However, the people were not to lose hope. Following God’s discipline would come a time of tremendous blessings, blessings connected with the coming of the Messiah.

At some time in the future, he predicted, a woman will give birth to a child in Bethlehem.

This child, “will be their peace” (v. 5).

Isaiah likewise called Him the “Prince of Peace” ().

Some 700 years later, a virgin by the name of Mary gave birth to this promised Messiah who brought peace.

1. Peace Through Forgiveness.

What type of peace does Jesus bring?

Jerome, an early church father, had a dream one night in which Jesus visited him. In the dream, Jerome collected all his money and offered it to Jesus as a gift. Jesus said, “I don’t want your money.” So Jerome rounded up all his possessions and tried to give them to Jesus. Jesus responded, “I don’t want your possessions.” Jerome then turned to Christ and asked, “What can I give you? What do you want?” Jesus simply replied, “Give me your sins. That’s what I came for; I came to take away your sins.”

Forgiveness of sins! That is the essence of the peace Christ gives. Without that forgiveness you and I cannot experience true peace.

Once we accept Christ’s forgiveness, then we can experience His peace.

2. The Peace Christ Gives Is Above Circumstances.

Happiness is dependent on circumstances.

Peace is the result of Christ living in my heart.

Peace is the assurance I am safe in His hands, no matter what may be going on around me.

Peace is trust in the midst of turmoil.

As a Christian we are not promised a problem free life yet we have peace because God is in control.

John 16:33 NIV

33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

(NIV)

The peace of Christ gives you the confidence to say,

Roman 8

Romans 8:28 NIV

28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

And

Romans 8:38–39 NIV

38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

33“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Romans 8:38-

3. The Peace Christ Gives Is Beyond Understanding.

How can a Christian lose his job and not worry? How can a believer look cancer in the face and not flinch? How can a Christian keep going after the loss of a loved one, or some other tragedy? How can a believer give his life up to the flames instead of denying Christ?

It is because of the peace Jesus gives when you place your faith in Him.

Philippians 4:4–7 NIV

4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

(NIV)

4Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Rejoice

Be Gentle

Don’t be anxious

Pray

Be thankful

And the peace of God will guard your hearts and minds.

4. The Peace Christ Gives Is Always Available.

Before Jesus left His disciples He promised after He was gone the Holy Spirit would come and be with them, comforting, teaching, encouraging them.

In , the Holy Spirit did come. Now His comforting, teaching, and encouraging is available to all who believe in Jesus.

There is never a moment in which we are away from Christ’s peace. There is never a second when we need to worry, or need to be afraid. The peace that comes from Christ is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Conclusion: Are you in need of this type of peace? Is your life characterized by anything but peace?

Today Jesus is waiting to give you His peace. He came into the world to be your peace. He is the Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6 NIV

6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

(NIV)

6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful

, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.