Sermon Tone Analysis
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SHALOM
By Rev. Will Nelken
________________________________________
Presented at Trinity Community Church, San Rafael, CA, on Sunday, January 23, 2022
If you’ve ever watched a Miss America or Miss Universe pageant, you’ve heard contestants
say, “I just pray for world peace.”
“Let there be peace on the earth” is a popular theme, as it should be.
Didn’t the angels sing as they announced Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem: “Glory to God in highest
heaven, and peace on earth to those who please Him!” (Luke 2:14)?
However, “peace” doesn’t look the same to everyone.
“Peace” to a tyrannical leader… looks like the silent compliance of his people.
“Peace” to a beneficent leader… looks like the joyous comfort of her people.
“Peace” to a wealthy people… looks like the security of their holdings.
“Peace” to an oppressed and impoverished people… looks like the freedom to flourish.
“Peace” on the battlefield… looks like a ceasefire or a truce.
“Peace” to the competitor… only looks like victory.
“Peace” to the plaintiffs in a court of law… looks like judgment in their favor.
“Peace” to the accused… looks like acquittal.
“Peace” to the afflicted… looks like healing and restoration.
“Peace” to the comfortable… looks more like “Leave me alone!”
And “peace” to the greedy… well, there is NO peace to the greedy.
Still the angels announced: “Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those who
please Him!” (Luke 2:14)
What did they mean?
The Bible speaks of many kinds of false or temporary peace, as just listed above, but only two
kinds of REAL peace.
Peace WITH God
First of the two is “peace with God.”
Acts 36
This is the message of Good News for the people of Israel—that there is peace with God
through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all.
This is the cessation of animosity or hostility between a human and his or her Creator.
More
than that, it includes their reconciliation.
And it only can come “THROUGH Jesus Christ.”
Not through anyone else, whether prophet or teacher.
Nor by any other way (religion can’t do it).
Jesus alone is the bridge of peace between man and God.
How is that so?
Romans 5:1
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.
Through the sacrifice of His own life on our behalf, Jesus broke down the wall of hostility.
He
tore the veil in two.
Jesus built the bridge between man and God by what He did for us.
He has
reconciled us with God.
It’s “because of what Jesus Christ has done.”
That refers to the cross on which He died.
He took the weight and shame and judgment for our
sins upon Himself.
He gave up His life in the place of ours.
By His death we are saved.
By His
wounds we are healed.
It also refers to the resurrection.
Had He only died, I suppose our sins would be canceled out,
and we would be forgiven, but still have just one life to live.
But when He arose, He rose up for
us, too.
Because He lives, we will live also.
His eternal life is also ours.
Unfortunately, what many accounts omit is the ascension.
Forgiven for all our transgressions is
amazing!
Back to life that never ends is astounding!
But it was His ascension that crowned Him
King of kings and Lord of lords!
That is when He took His place at the right hand of the Father
to reign as Lord of all, and to intercede for us every day.
Because of what Jesus Christ (and only He) has done for us.
This message counteracts our inclination to legalism—putting rules and rule-keeping above a
faithful relationship with God.
We like rules; they make us feel sure, secure, in charge, adequate.
But they separate us from one another, and, in the end, they separate us from God
also, because we cannot keep them completely.
Legalism always leads us to rely on self-effort.
But the more we try to prove ourselves worthy to God, the more unworthy we become.
Pride
is not pretty.
God is not impressed.
For the rest of us, who aren’t driven by rules (all the heathen world), we still suffer many anxieties.
We have worries about yesterday—past events, past traumas, past deeds that haunt us,
and drag us down like a ball and chain.
Or, we have worries about today—the expectations,
the demands, the deadlines, the delays.
As if that wasn’t enough, we have worries about tomorrow—all the unknowns that threaten to cripple our dreams, derail our plans, and steal our
delights.
Anxious thoughts…
Peace OF God
For us, there is… the peace of (or from) God.
Philippians 4:6
Do not be anxious about anything.
Instead, in every situation, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, tell your requests to God. 4:7 And the peace of God that surpasses all
understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
The peace that comes to us from God “surpasses all understanding.”
Sometimes, we think we
get it, but our understanding is limited.
As a result, many times we find ourselves thinking, “I
thought (past tense) I understood what You were up to, but now I’m shaking my head.”
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