121822 - Celebrate Peace

1. In a general sense, a state of quiet or tranquillity; freedom from disturbance or agitation; applicable to society, to individuals, or to the temper of the mind.

2. Freedom from war with a foreign nation; public quiet.

3. Freedom from internal commotion or civil war.

4. Freedom from private quarrels, suits or disturbance.

5. Freedom from agitation or disturbance by the passions, as from fear, terror, anger, anxiety or the like; quietness of mind; tranquillity; calmness; quiet of conscience.

6. Heavenly rest;

7. Harmony; concord; a state of reconciliation between parties at variance.

8. Public tranquillity; that quiet, order and security which is guaranteed by the laws; as, to keep the peace; to break the peace.

There are two things, from those definitions, which stand out to me:

In a general sense, a state of quiet or tranquility...

Freedom from disturbance or agitation...

And yet, those are two things that we all seem to be lacking today!

So, how can we celebrate peace when we are not able to enjoy a state of quiet? How can we celebrate peace when our lives are filled with disturbances and agitation?

Is it possible to enjoy a state of quiet and tranquility when, in this life, we will never truly be free from disturbances and agitations?

Do you recall the message that the angels shared with the shepherds in Luke chapter 2?

Luke 2:10–14 (KJV 1900)

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, 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, Good will toward men.

Notice that last verse:

Luke 2:14 (KJV 1900)

Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, Good will toward men.

Aside from the tranquility which the shepherds enjoyed by being away from the hustle and bustle of the city as they tended their sheep on the hillsides outside of Bethlehem, there was not peace on earth when Christ was born?!?! In fact, some of the shepherds may have argued with you as to whether there was peace on the hillsides while they were tending their sheep...

They had to “put up with” their co-workers.

They had to “deal with” the constant disturbance of taking care of the sheep.

Similarly, we could certainly argue the point that there is no peace on earth in 2022! In fact, I have no problem echoing the words of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow when he wrote:

And in despair I bowed my head; "There is no peace on earth," I said; "For hate is strong, And mocks the song Of peace on earth, good-will to men!"

So, did the angels lie to the shepherds that night?

No, not if you stop and considering who it was that they - the shepherds - were worshipping that night.

Luke 2:15–17 (KJV 1900)

And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Beth-lehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

And when they had seen it...

When they had seen WHAT? Peace!

When the shepherds looked into that manger and saw baby Jesus, they were looking at the embodiment of peace!

Consider what the Prophet Isaiah had written:

Isaiah 9:6 KJV 1900

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: And the government shall be upon his shoulder: And his name shall be called Wonderful, Counseller, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

The Prince of Peace.

This morning, I want to share with you two reason why it is possible for us, even now, to celebrate peace (and to experience that peace) in spite of our circumstances.

Through Christ we may experience peace with God!

Notice again, from our Scripture reading:

Ephesians 2:12–14 KJV 1900

That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;

…Without God in the world...

I’ve not seen this sign in awhile:

No God; no peace.

Know God; know peace.

For He [Christ] is our peace...

Romans 5:1 (KJV 1900)

Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

Through Christ we may experience the peace of God!

Colossians 3:15 (KJV 1900)

And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

Philippians 4:6–7 (KJV 1900)

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

The night before Christ was crucified, He spoke these words to His disciples (and by extension, to us):

John 14:27 KJV 1900

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

A little later, He said:

John 16:33 KJV 1900

These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

Two points:

Jesus Christ was the peaceful Person to walk upon this earth!

The world’s peace requires the absence of disturbances, etc.; the peace of God is available even in the midst of disturbances, etc.

There was nothing - there was no one - who could disturb Christ’s tranquility; who could take away His peace!

Celebrate Peace

Turn to and read Mark 4:35-41.

Mark 4:35 KJV 1900

And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side.

Mark 4:36 KJV 1900

And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships.

Mark 4:37 KJV 1900

And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.

Mark 4:38 KJV 1900

And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?

How often do those last two verses describes our lives, as Christians? We have Jesus Christ living within us and yet, still, we, like the disciples are not experiencing the peace of God. Instead, we cry out to God, “Don’t you care that I’m going under?!?!?”

Mark 4:39 KJV 1900

And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.

Mark 4:40 KJV 1900

And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?

…how is it that ye have no faith?

The peace of God is that state of quiet and tranquility even in the midst of troublesome circumstances.

We must trust God - have faith in God - that He will only allow into our lives that which is His will for our lives, designed to bring us into conformity with the image of His Son, Jesus Christ!

Two of the greatest demonstrations of this type of peace - a peace that world cannot give and a pease that the world cannot understand - can be found in Daniel chapters 3 and 6:

Daniel chapter 3 - Shadrach Meshach and Abednego

Daniel 3:25 KJV 1900

He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.

Daniel chapter 6 - Daniel and the Den of Lions

Daniel 6:23 KJV 1900

Then was the king exceeding glad for him, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no manner of hurt was found upon him, because he believed in his God.

Isaiah 43:1–2 KJV 1900

But now thus saith the Lord that created thee, O Jacob, And he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: When thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; Neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.

Illustration: Going down the slide in the deep end.

Isaiah 26:3–4 KJV 1900

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on thee: Because he trusteth in thee. Trust ye in the Lord for ever: For in the Lord JEHOVAH is everlasting strength:

Celebrate Peace!

Exploring Ephesians & Philippians: An Expository Commentary ((1) The Secret of a Guarded Thought Life (4:7))

It was Christ Jesus who brought the peace of God down to earth. Heralding His birth across the Judean hills, the heavenly host said, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”

That imperturbable peace hushed the storm-tossed sea of Galilee and gave rest to the tormented soul of the Gadarene demoniac.

That peace remained unshaken by conflict, criticism, crisis, and cross.

At all times, in all places, under all circumstances, Christ reposed in His Father’s good and acceptable and perfect will.

And when Jesus appeared in the upper room on resurrection evening, His greeting to the disciples was “Peace be unto you”.

Have you experienced peace with God? Are you saved?

Are you - currently - experiencing the peace of God?

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