Peace: Advent 2020

Introduction

"Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you; not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid" (John 14:27).

Did you ever think that when Christ was dying on the cross he made a will? Perhaps you have thought that no one ever remembered you in a will. If you are in the kingdom Christ remembered you in His will. He willed His body to Joseph of Arimathea; He willed His Mother to John, the son of Zebedee; and He willed His spirit back to His Father. But to His disciples He said: "My peace, I leave that with you; that is My legacy. My joy, I give that to you." "My joy," think of it! "My peace"—not our peace, but His peace!

They say that a man cannot make a will now that lawyers cannot break, and drive a four-in-hand right straight through it. I will challenge them to break Christ's will. Let them try it. No judge or jury can set that aside. Christ rose to execute His own will. If He had left us a lot of gold, thieves would have stolen it in the first century; but He left His peace and His joy for every true believer, and no power on earth can take it from him who trusts.

In some old castles are found deep wells meant to supply the garrison in time of siege. An aqueduct bringing water from without would be at the mercy of the enemy. But the foe has no power over the well inside. The peace the world seeks depends on one's surroundings, and in time of trouble its source is cut off; but the peace of Christ is a spring inside

Christ is peace inside us…a peace that cannot be taken away from us. The peace we have in Jesus is eternal…rooted in Him and His work for us. It is dependent upon His ability to do what He said He would do.

We enter life broken people. All of us have fallen short of God’s intention for humanity. We were created to be perfect. We were meant to be holy, without sin and living in a world free of the curse which comes with sin,

But all of us are born into the curse and we ourselves are born a curse. And some people simply cannot move past the curse. They cannot seem to accept that God might make peace with them and remove all consequences of what they were born to be.

If this is you then you are in for a great ride this morning as we look at Romans 5:1.

Romans 5:1 CSB

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

God Has Given Us Peace Through The Justifying Work of Jesus

Peace — To be without trouble…to have no worries…to “sit down in one’s heart.” To have peace is to enjoy tranquility.

Tranquility — State of calmness.

When it comes to God the Christian is without troubles or worries…we may rest in our heart. We can have a sense of calmness and well-being.

But not everyone enjoys this state of well being and calmness. Those who do not generally lack the preconditions of this kind of peaceful life…They are not justified or do not have faith to enjoy the full measure of what it means to be justified by Christ.

Justified — The act of clearing someone of transgression…to acquit, set free, remove guilt.

God has cleared us of all our transgressions against Him. As far as He is concerned nothing is held against us…Jesus paid it all.

Acquit — Formally declare someone not guilty of a criminal charge.

Remove Guilt — A feeling of having done wrong or failed in some obligation

The scene was San Diego Superior Court. Two men were on trial for armed robbery. An eyewitness took the stand, and the prosecutor moved carefully: "So, you say you were at the scene when the robbery took place?" "Yes." "And you saw a vehicle leave at a high rate of speed?" "Yes." "And did you observe the occupants?" "Yes, two men." "And," the prosecutor boomed, "are those two men present in court today?" At this point the two defendants sealed their fate. They raised their hands.

We know out guilt don’t we? And it sticks to us like tar. The only remedy for it is Christ!

Do you believe what Jesus has done for you? This morning do you feel freedom from all your transgressions, all of your sins? Do you know, feel and believe that the Father finds you not guilty for your thoughts, words and actions which are contrary to His will?

Are you free from feelings of having done something wrong or not having done something right? Are you free from feelings that you have in some way disappointed God?

Luke 2:14

Luke 2:14 CSB

Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to people he favors!

Our peace was seen that night in the manger. The promised Messiah burst upon the scene and the promised plan of God to bring peace between Himself and the world was born.

Do you know God’s peace? A,B,C

What does the world know of God’s peace? Peace between Himself and us…and a sense all is well with the world because of our relationship with Him.

Conclusion

We are living in a world without peace. The CDC reported this year that in June 40% of American adults suffered mental health issues and or substance abuse related to the Covid 19 epidemic.

The study found that the proportion of respondents reporting that on at least one day in the previous week they had wanted to end their life increased from 8.2% to 9.2% and then to 9.8%, over the three waves of the study. These rates were highest in young adults (aged 18-29), rising from 12.5% to 14.4% throughout the three waves.

Our country is enduring a gut wrenching moment since the election. We still have no idea who really won the presidential race due to the incredible amount of fraud…and honestly we may never know the real winner regardless of who is inaugurated in January. People are losing hope in our government and the peace its stability brings is being taken from us.

While the stock markets surge there are people all over the world who are out of work…businesses being shut down…economic uncertainty is wrecking the life and heart of people everywhere…and their peace is shattered with it.

A hopeless world is a world without peace. Christ gives us hope and peace through His birth, life, cross and resurrection from the dead.

Everyday they pass me by I can see it in their eyes Empty people filled with care Headed who knows where...

On they go through private pain. Living fear to fear....Laughter hides their silent cries. Only Jesus hears...

People need the Lord, people need the Lord At the end of broken dreams, He's the open door People need the Lord, people need the Lord When will we realize people need the Lord?

We are called to take His light To a world where wrong seems right What could be too great a cost For sharing life with one who's lost?

Through His love our hearts can feel All the grief they bear They must hear the words of life Only we can share

People need Jesus…we need Jesus…our nation needs Jesus. And the way is to share the peace found in Him like the message completely depends upon us…and Pray knowing it all depends upon God.