RECEIVE THE GIFT OF PEACE

8 That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. 9 Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, 10 but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. 11 The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! 12 And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.” 13 Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.”

SETUP

PRINCE OF PEACE... REALLY?

Christmas is supposed to be a peaceful time…

Silent Night, holy night, all is calm… Riiiggght!

Travel plans, Christmas gifts, meals with family, traffic, credit card debt

Hopefully your Christmas was full of peace and bliss…

The first Christmas for sure wasn’t peaceful

Teen Pregnancy = “God did it”

Cross-Country travel while 9 months pregnant… on a donkey

No room/no hospital/no home/no hotel/no nothing to stay in

Just a barn/cave made for livestock

No crib… just a manger (feed trough)

No epidural, running water, or germ-x

Let’s not forget Herod is out to kill the baby too!

We often romanticize the Christmas story (it makes it better for children)

BUT new born babies are not peaceful!

AND toddlers are not peaceful!

AND kids are not peaceful!

AND teenagers are not peaceful!

Ultimately the Christmas story from 2000 years ago might resemble real life in 2020 more than realize…

Unpredictable, Messy, Painful, Scary…

Isaiah 9:6 NLT

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

ENTER JESUS: THE PRINCE OF PEACE

SUBSTANCE

PRINCE OF PEACE = “SAR SHALOM”

Sar = Hebrew for: The One who is in charge; the Captain, Lord, Chief…

Romans liked this word so much they adopted it “Czar = Caesar”

Shalom [Hebrew Greeting] = Hebrew for: Rest, tranquility, wholeness, completeness

Jesus Is:

The Captain of Rest / The Lord of Tranquility / The Chief of Contentment / The Sar Shalom

Jesus is the Peace Giver

1. JESUS OFFERS US PEACE WITH GOD

Romans 5:1 NLT

1 Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us.

In OT times, peace with God was initiated by humans and came very differently..

In Genesis, peace with God came through the sacrifice of an animal for a man and woman

In Exodus, peace with God came through the sacrifice of a lamb for a family (Passover)

In Leviticus, peace with God came through the sacrifice is a male lamb for a nation (Law)

In Numbers, peace with God came through a male lamb with no broken bones (Prophecy)

None of these could ever truly purchase peace…

Peace with God can’t be earned… It can only be received.

In the Gospel, the sacrifice is Jesus, the Lamb of God, and He purchased peace for the entire world by sacrificing Himself for all who would come to Him!

2. JESUS OFFERS US PEACE WITH OURSELVES

Luke 2:14 NLT

14 “Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.”

If God can be pleased with you… maybe it’s time you learn/choose to be pleased with your…

There is something positive to be said for pursuing self-improvement...

Health // Spirituality // Person

But never let where you want to be steal the joy found in where you are

3. JESUS OFFERS US PEACE WITH ONE ANOTHER

Romans 12:18 NLT

18 Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.

You can’t make everyone be at peace with you, but you can do all that you can do to live at peace with everyone...

This really comes down to one word…

FORGIVENESS

Why do we forgive?

We forgive because we have been forgiven of the unforgivable

We forgive because we value freedom over vengeance

How do we forgive?

By remembering...

God’s grace (Not forgive and forget, but forgive and remember)

By continuing...

Forgiveness is a process, not a moment

Ephesians 4:31–32 NLT

31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. 32 Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.

4. JESUS OFFERS US PEACE IN THIS WORLD

Isaiah 26:3 NLT

3 You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!

Perfect Peace

We are all much more familiar with imperfect peace…

World’s definition of peace: Absence of conflict

The reason it is imperfect = It doesn’t last

Perfect Peace = “Shalom Shalom”

What peace isn’t...

No trouble, no problems, nothing breaking, kids not fighting, dishes not getting dirty

Peace isn’t found in the absence of problems. Peace is found in the presence of God!

Peace is God’s presence, God’s perspective, God’s assurance even in the middle of problems!

“Fixed” = Samak — To lean on completely, to fully rest oneself.

You’ll be kept in perfect peace when your mind is leaning on God, your thoughts resting on His unfailing promises.

SHUTDOWN

You can receive the gift of peace because Jesus is the Prince of Peace

Peace with God (receive His grace)

Peace with yourself (have grace for yourself)

Peace with others (offer grace for others)

Peace in this world (trust in Him completely)

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