The Best TIME Ever

There are times when we may not feel at peace...The good news of the Best Christmas Ever, is that like the shepherds, we don’t have to look far to find the gift of peace already with us.

The shepherds encounter with a host of heavenly angels will help us answer three questions about peace.

1. What is this peace that came at the best time ever?

2. How can we know this peace?

3. What do we do with peace we come to know ?

Two announcements of peace come into the world, at the best time ever. May we as well find this same peace in our hearts for the best Christmas ever.

Pray — Bibles — Notes

(S2) The Best TIME Ever for Peace

PEACE — Tranquility/inner peace — Lacking conflict — Prosperity/blessing — Peaceful/Quiet

Drummer in the house — Cabin in the woods — Family at peace

"Peace" is oftentimes defined as the condition of ones life or circumstances. (What Is Shalom: The True Meaning, by Susan Perlman)

This is kind of peace, while it can be enjoyable, its’ not reliable or sustainable...This is not the peace that came to the world in Jesus.

The first announcement of peace from the prophet Isaiah, came at a time when of conflict in the divided kingdoms of Judah and Jerusalem — Civil war — Weak leadership

(S3) “Is 7:1–2 records a battle with the Kingdom of Israel and the Arameans set against the Kingdom of Judah — Killed 120,000 soldiers from the Kingdom of Judah.”

Isaiah 8:21-22 “ They will look up to heaven 22 and down at the earth, but wherever they look, there will be trouble and anguish and dark despair. They will be thrown out into the darkness.”

The prophets words, reveal the hope of a king who would bring peace for the people — A PEACE governed by justice and righteousness.

Today we too hope for peace — Chaos in our streets — Government in turmoil — Threats from other nations — Rumors of wars — Peace in our schools

(S4) This was the best time ever for PEACE! There hope was in a born king of that day who would bring peace

Isaiah 9:6 “For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

“The birth of a crown prince, possibly Hezekiah of Jerusalem (reigned 715-687 B.C.), was one of several births understood by the prophet to herald a new, secure future for Judah.

Isaiah’s word from God of a peace maker, were a beacon of hope...

The 2nd announcement came when it seemed all was at peace — Shepherds in the fields in the quiet evening hours...

Matthews gospel of the Christmas story, is a reminder that all is not as well as it seems — The genealogy of jesus

Matthew 1:17 “17 All those listed above include fourteen generations from Abraham to David, fourteen from David to the Babylonian exile, and fourteen from the Babylonian exile to the Messiah.”

Oppressed people — King Herod — Mary/Joseph escape — Killing of children — Their was a need for PEACE

(S5)

What is this peace that came at the best time ever?

Who the angels came to, tells us what kind of peace it is...

8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night

Peace came to a few shepherds — Not to kings…not the religious leaders in the temple...

(S6) What is this peace that came at the best time ever?

I. Peace for the MEEK and the MILD.

Not peace for the proud or the arrogant — James and John

Mark 10:37 “we want to sit in places of honor next to you, one on your right and the other on your left.””

They wanted honor and power...

Matthew 5:5 “ Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

Gentle Jesus, meek and mild, Look upon a little child; Pity my simplicity, Suffer me to come to Thee.

Lamb of God, I look to Thee; Thou shalt my Example be; Thou art gentle, meek, and mild; Thou wast once a little child. C.W. Hymn

In his earthly life, Jesus modeled meekness and humility in everything he did...

Luke 2:9 (NLT)

9 Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified.

(S7) What is this peace that came at the best time ever?

II. Peace for those who FEAR the Lord.

To fear God is to hold in high regard. To respect, revere, as an act of piety. It’s why we are to worship, serve and share...

Psalm 2:11 “Serve the Lord with reverent fear, and rejoice with trembling.”

To fear God is to deny evil, in all its forms.

Proverbs 8:13 “All who fear the Lord will hate evil. Therefore, I hate pride and arrogance, corruption and perverse speech.”

This peace is for those who fear the Lord with great reverence and adoration — Do we fear God?

Luke 2:13 “Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God...”

(S8) What is this peace that came at the best time ever?

III. Peace for the politically OPPRESSED.

The people were under two threats against their having peace — Rome and all its might — Religious leaders and the weight of the law

The armies of heaven’s peace was an appearance of power and glory. But it was not a peace of military might as some had hoped.

“The birth of the savior-king heralded the release of the people from political oppression...”

This Christmas peace that came to the shepherds was for the underdog.

Everybody likes it when the underdog wins! Facing the Giants

Gideon versus the Midianites — David versus Goliath — Moses versus Pharoah

(S9)Jesus always fought for the underdog — Poor widow — The blind beggar — The Lame, sick and the hungry

Luke 4:18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free,”

‘The heavenly host sings of peace, that wholeness of life which God grants to persons and societies through a restoring of balance in all the forces in creation which influence our lives

With Jesus those who were politically and socially oppressed found peace — Why Jesus came as an infant child

Luke 2:14 (NLT)

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

(S10) What is this peace that came at the best time ever?

IV. Peace for theRIGHT of HEART with God.

(KJV) Good will toward men…God is pleased speaks to the motivation or intention of the individual. It tells a lot about a persons heart —

Philippians 1:15 “ It’s true that some are preaching out of jealousy and rivalry. But others preach about Christ with pure motives.”

Luke’s phrasing may seem limiting…(vs10) good news is for everyone.

Yet, this peace would be only for those right of heart with God. Grace and peace go hand in hand but grace requires repentance and a heart turned toward the goodness of God. This is one whom God is pleased.

Acts 13:22 “ God removed Saul and replaced him with a man about whom God said, ‘I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart. He will do everything I want him to do.’”

(S11) We don’t know the shepherds hearts...but God bringing them the announcement of the birth of Jesus reveals a lot…Peace for those right at heart with God.

John 14:27 “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart.

Peace for MEEK AND THE MILD — Those who FEAR THE LORD — The POLITICALLY/SOCIALLY OPPRESSED — HEARTS that are RIGHT WITH GOD

(S12) What does the shepherds encounter tell us about...How we can find this peace?

Luke 2:15 (NLT)

15 When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

Let’s go…Let’s see…They didn’t just stand there in amazement — This promise of peace caused them to go and seek it out

How can we find this Christmas peace? Go to the one who is peace — Jesus

(S13)

Matthew 7:7 ““Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you.”

Advent is a time focused on our seeking out and drawing near to the peace the disciples came to know.

John 16:33 I have told you all this so that you may have peace IN ME.

(S13) What do we do with this peace once we find it?

(S14)

Luke 2:17 (NLT)

17 After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child.

The peace that signaled the Best Christmas Ever, was never meant for the shepherds alone, it was meant for the world to know.

Brother, sister, children…friend...neighbor…who you see at work, the grocery store…those who are not here...those who don’t yet have the PEACE of Jesus

John 14:27 “Peace I leave with YOU; my peace I give YOU”

Knowing God’s peace doesn’t negate our duty as Christians of bringing it to others. In fact it a given to us to bring it to those who desire it.

Who knows it may be just at the right time..The best time ever! in a persons life!

Peace for the humble a heart — Peace for those who trust in the Lord — Peace for those who are hurting — Peace for hearts not yet right with God. Peace meant to seek out and to share with others.

There are many ways to peace...

The kind of peace many are searching for is temporary, and in a broken world that will not bring true peace...

(S15)

Shalom — “ Wholeness, completeness, fullness”

More than offering someone a sign of peace...

Matthew 26:49 “ So Judas came straight to Jesus. “Shalom, Rabbi!” he exclaimed and gave him the kiss.”

There is only one way to true peace — to know the fullness of God — One way to have the best Christmas ever?