Peace Has Come

Intro: I remember when Jr was born, Nomi and I were in college, I was working nights at UPS.

I am not quite sure how the call came in, because it was pre cell phones, I think it was pager. Half of you do not know what a pager is. I got the page, Nomi is in labor. So I informed my boss jumped in the car and headed home, concerned, worried, rushing so I was speeding 80- 90 MPH driving down the freeway trying to get home.

It was chaotic, then to make matters worse I seen those famous blue lights and heard the siren go off. Praise God he let me off after I told him about Nomi in labour, he asked what hospital we were going to to verify. It was chaos, our first child, we don’t know what to expect or what we were doing. God took care of us.

We get to the hospital, go through hours of labor, JR was born and there was chaos, because we were surprised because he was born with a cleft. After they made sure he was ok and cleaned him up. When my wife and I were able to hold him, there was peace in the midst of chaos.

Many times when we come to Christmas, we see our nativity scenes and we sing our songs like Silent Night, “all was calm all was bright” but in reality the first Christmas was even more chaotic than my experience.

Luke 2:1–20 ESV

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 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 among those with whom he is pleased!” When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

I. The Chaos of Christmas

A. Joseph and Mary were living in a nation oppressed by Rome.

1. Heavy taxation

2. Military Peace

3. Crooked leaders

4. Some Jewish People/Leaders worked for Rome

B. The Census Ordered by Rome

1. The trek from Nazereth to Rome

a) 90 miles - 8 -10 days

b) walking or on a donkey ( tuki tuki tuki)

2. Can you imagine and 8-10 day journey, in your 3rd trimester of pregnancy, in your last month!

C. They Arrive in Bethlehem

1. No room for them.

2. Taken to this cave like place, where they keep the animals, for a place to stay.

When you sit and think about all that Mary and Joseph had to go through, the chaotic world they were living in, the personal chaos in their lives. It was anything but a Silent Night.

Peace arrives in the midst of chaos.

II. The Chaos of our World

A. So much going on

1. Covid

2. A heated election cycle, that seems like is still going

3. An uncertain economy

4. issues with race & injustice

B. Personal Chaos

1. Just Like Mary and Joseph, everyone here is going through or has gone through a time of uncertainty, chaos, restlessness.

2. Some of you may still be going through it now.

What we need is peace in the midst of chaos.

Luke 2:8–20 ESV

And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 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 among those with whom he is pleased!” When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

Glory to God & on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased.

When Jesus came into our world, it was for two reasons , to bring Glory to God and bring peace among those with whom he is pleased.

Everything Jesus did on this earth was to bring God glory, his birth, his life, his death, his Resurrection, the salvation of many. It is all for the glory of God

Jesus also brought peace to whom those with whom he is pleased. Peace in the midst of chaos. Bring God glory and Peace are connected.

The peace of God, or the peace of Christ, can never be separated from God himself and Christ himself. 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.

So the key to peace is keeping together what the angels keep together: Glory to God, and peace to man. A heart bent on showing the glory of God, will know the peace of God.

And what holds the two together — God getting glory and us getting peace — is believing or trusting the promises of God obtained by Jesus. Romans 15:13 is one of those fundamental texts pointing to this crucial role of faith. “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing.” In believing. In other words, the way God’s promises become real for us and produce peace in us and through us is “in believing.” When we believe them. That’s true whether we are talking about peace with God, peace with ourselves, or peace with others.

III. Peace has come

Jesus, the prince of peace has arrived and offers peace in the midst of Chaos, peace with God, peace with your own life and peace with others.

A. Peace between God and Man

Romans 5:1–2 ESV

Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

Faith - believing- we are justified - declared righteous - God’s anger is turned away from us because of our sin and we have peace with God.

B. Peace with your self

Romans 8:1 ESV

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

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. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

C. Peace With Others

Romans 12:18 ESV

If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.

Ephesians 4:31–32 ESV

Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.