Peace

Introduction

English Standard Version (Chapter 9)

6 For 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. 7 Of 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.

Biblical Peace: wholeness that comes as a result of alignment with God’s creative and redemptive purposes. (Lexham Theological Wordbook.)

> Shalom can be used in many ways, but it especially designates a state of prosperity, good health, lack of hostility.

> Our western understanding of peace is passive and is the avoidance of confrontation.

> the peace we celebrate today is the ushering in the Kingdom of God through the incarnation of Jesus.

A Better King

English Standard Version (Chapter 9)

For 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.

God will end all hostility through the reign of Jesus.

> In this passage, Isaiah never calls the Messiah the king. Some theologians have speculated that this was an intentional slap in the face of the ruling monarchy. The idea of a king had become so tainted that this ruler would be similar in name only.

We must exercise great caution when allowing people to have influence in our lives. Personally, for someone to speak into my life there are several things I look for:

A clearly defined and lived out faith in Christ.

Do they treat people as image bearers of God?

Are they people who reflect the reality of sanctification?

> Even the best of kings in Israel and Judah would never be able to establish an eternal reign.

> Remember who is king.

Do You Believe? 12 Historic Doctrines to Change Your Everyday Life Be Careful How You Interpret Your World

If you load things into the inner circle that actually belong to God, you will be domineering and controlling, and your life will be marked by anxiety and fear. God hasn’t given us just a set of responsibilities, but he has also pulled back the curtain of the heavens to reveal to us his sovereign throne. He has done this so we would be good stewards of the few things he has placed under our control, while resting in knowing that the things that are out of our control, but that still concern us, are under his sovereign control. The question for you is, “Do you have a clear understanding in your life of the things that God has called you to do and the things that he welcomes you to entrust to him?”

Attributes of Jesus’ reign.

> Wonderful Counselor: The coming king would rule with wisdom that is clearly from God. People would be in awe of the level of his wisdom.

Matthew 7:28–29 (ESV)

And when Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, for he was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes. (Comes after the Sermon on the Mount)

> Everlasting Father: This title refers more to the nature and characteristics which will make up his rule. Think about the Founding Fathers of the United States.

> Prince of Peace: Common prayer at for a king. That his reign would endure and be peaceful. In this case, the title is not a prayer and instead is a statement. The messiah will be the Prince of Peace.

Do you see Jesus as a better king?

> What do you hold of greater importance? Jesus or something else?

> What does your attitude say about Jesus?

Peace demands surrender.

Isaiah 9:7 (ESV)

Of 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.

The nature of God’s reign is one of justice and righteousness that leads to complete peace .

> Justice and righteousness require a clear standard of living and morality.

> This stands in stark contrast to Ahaz who have not reigned with justice or righteousness.

To be light we must pursue peace with those around us.

Example: Holding anger and bitterness to other brothers and sisters in Christ.

We rest in the reality that God’s work is not done. The peace that we experience now pales in comparison to what will experience on the new earth.

Matthew 10:34-38

34 “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. 36 And a person’s enemies will be those of his own household. 37 Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38 And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39 Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.

> Jesus is alluding to the false assumption that peace is the avoidance of conflict. Instead, Jesus makes it clear that following him will require hard sacrifices and a willingness to completely submit to his Lordship.

> If we are in submission to Jesus Lordship then we will have to work through the hard things to know peace.

Closing

We live in tension between two Advents. We celebrate the incarnation this season knowing that there is still much for God to do. We yearn for a final Advent where God will completely restore his people. This morning you are invited to meditate on that reality this morning as we sing O Come, O Come Emmanual together.