Advent Week 4 Prince of Peace

The Prince of Peace Isaiah 9:2-7 (ESV) The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone. 3You have multiplied the nation; you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as they are glad when they divide the spoil. 4For the yoke of his burden, and the staff for his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian. 5For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult and every garment rolled in blood will be burned as fuel for the fire. 6For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this. Introduction Christmas Eve, 1914 Prince This is a title, a formal title appropriately given to Him that communicates executive authority. To Him belongs the government. Jesus shoulders the full weight of governing the kingdom of God. He shoulders the burden of rule. Jesus was born to be King that first Christmas. Born to Be Your King Because of Jesus Christ, you can stop trying to anticipate every possible eventuality. You can stop bearing the crushing burden of kingship. Your shoulders are just not broad enough for it. A better King has come, and you can submit to Him, bend the knee to His lordship, embrace His mastery. Let Jesus take the reigns. The life that Jesus redeems, He rules. The heart that Jesus cleanses, He commands. There is no deliverance without the dominion of Jesus Christ." 1 1David Strain First Presbyterian Church Jackson Mississippi We live in the Not Yet There are global aspects to this peace that lie in the future when "the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea" (Habakkuk 2:14). When, as Isaiah says, "Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end" (Isaiah 9:7). Jesus has come to inaugurate that peace among God's people. The Main Point of Peace God's purpose is to give you peace by being the most glorious Person in your life. Ephesians 2:14 (ESV) For he himself, (Jesus) is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility If we want peace to rule in our lives, God must rule in our lives. Christ must rule in our lives. God's purpose is not to give you peace separate from himself. His purpose is to give you peace by being the most glorious Person in your life.1 Three Relationships of Peace 1. Peace with God The most basic need we have is peace with God. This is foundational to all our pursuits of peace. If we don't go here first, all other experiences of peace will be superficial and temporary. Romans 5:1 (ESV) Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. " Justified means that God declares you to be just in his sight by imputing to you the righteousness of Jesus. And he does that by faith alone." And the result is peace with God. God's anger at us because of our sin is put away. Our rebellion against him is overcome. God adopts us into his family. And from now on all his dealings with us are for our good. He will never be against us. He is our Father, and our Friend. We have peace. We don't need to be afraid any more. This is foundational to all other people. 2. Peace with Ourselves Philippians 4:6-7 (ESV) "do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." The picture here is that our hearts and our minds are under assault. Guilt, worries, threats, confusions, uncertainties - they all threaten our peace. When we do this, when we come to him - and remember we already have peace with him! - and trust him as our loving and almighty heavenly Father to help us, his peace comes to us and steadies us, and protects us from the disabling effects of fear and anxiety and guilt. 3. Peace with Others This is the one we have least control over. Romans 12:18 (ESV) "If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all." Continually cultivate a sense of amazement that in spite of all your sins God has forgiven you through Christ. Be amazed that you have peace with God. It's this sense of amazement, that I, a sinner, have peace with God, that makes the heart tender, kind and forgiving. Extend this to others seventy times seven.2 Look at Jesus. As the Wonderful Counselor, he has the best ideas and strategies. Let's follow him. As the Mighty God, he defeats his enemies easily. Let's hide behind him. As the Everlasting Father, he loves us endlessly. Let's enjoy him. As the Prince of Peace, he reconciles us while we are still his enemies. Let's welcome his dominion3 Conclusion The Prince of Peace came to make peace for you with God, to reconcile you to God. Are you at peace with God? To have the Prince of Peace give you peace, it must mean this first - to have been reconciled to God by the blood of His cross. And for that, you must come and give up the reigns of your life, surrendering them into His hands, asking Him to come and be Lord and King, your Prince of Peace, and your Master. Will you come and bend your knee to Him, the Lord Jesus Christ, our great Prince of Peace. 1 Piper, J. (2014). Sermons from John Piper (2000-2014). Minneapolis, MN: Desiring God. 1 Piper, J. (2014). Sermons from John Piper (2000-2014). Minneapolis, MN: Desiring God. 3 Ortlund, R. C., Jr., & Hughes, R. K. (2005). Isaiah: God saves sinners (p. 99). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books. --------------- ------------------------------------------------------------ --------------- ------------------------------------------------------------