Peace

Isaiah 9:6–7 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. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, Upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, To order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice From henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.

I love Christmas. Let the sleigh bells ring. Let the carolers sing. The more Santas the merrier. The more trees the better. The tinsel and the clatter and waking up “to see what was the matter.” Bing and his tunes. Macy’s balloons. Mistletoe kisses, Santa Claus wishes, and favorite dishes. Holiday snows, warm winter clothes, and Rudolph’s red nose. I love Christmas. I love it because somewhere someone will ask the Christmas questions: What’s the big deal about the baby in the manger? Who was he? What does his birth have to do with me?

Lucado, Max. Because of Bethlehem (with Bonus Content): Love Is Born, Hope Is Here (p. 3). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition.

Lucado, Max. Because of Bethlehem (with Bonus Content): Love Is Born, Hope Is Here (pp. 3-4). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition.

In one Peanuts cartoon Lucy says to Charlie Brown, “I hate everything. I hate everybody. I hate the whole wide world!”

Lucado, Max. Because of Bethlehem (with Bonus Content): Love Is Born, Hope Is Here (p. 3). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition.

In one Peanuts cartoon Lucy says to Charlie Brown, “I hate everything. I hate everybody. I hate the whole wide world!”

Charlie says, “But I thought you had inner peace.”

Lucy replies, “I do have inner peace. But I still have outer obnoxiousness.”

The Personnel Journal reported this incredible statistic: since the beginning of recorded history, the entire world has been at peace less than eight percent of the time! In its study, the periodical discovered that of 3530 years of recorded history, only 286 years saw peace. Moreover, in excess of 8000 peace treaties were made—and broken.

Moody Bible Institute’s Today In The Word, June, 1988, p. 33

Peace is not the absence of conflict as much as it is the presence of God. In the season of Christmas, we celebrate the incarnation. We celebrate Emmanuel which means God with us. This Christmas can be the best Christmas ever because you can discover that right in the midst of your conflict there can be peace as you come to realize that God is right there with you. When Jesus came on that first Christmas he came to a dirty and broken world, but to that dirty and broken world he offered himself.

Emmanuel, God with us. Jesus brings peace.

I don't have to feel anxiety over my situation because though it may be more than I can handle it is not more than God can handle. I can find rest this Christmas season because we have been instructed by God to cast our cares on Him. We don't walk this life alone. When we respond to the hope given us by Christ we find help in our time of need.

DO:

Allow the peace of Jesus to override your anxiety in the many categories of life. Do not try and carry the burden of conflict on your own. Make a conscious decision to give your concerns to Jesus. Write them down and find peace knowing that God is in control.

PRAYER:

Jesus, I confess that I feel overwhelmed by the circumstances in my life. I confess that I can not make it on my own. Please remind me that you will never leave me or forsake me. Remind me that I can cast my cares on you because you care for me. Remind me that I am to come to you if I am weary and heavy burdened. I ask that in the midst of life's difficulties that I might find peace. A peace that passes my understanding.

MAIN SCRIPTURAL TEXT:

Main Scriptural Text:

SUPPLEMENTAL SCRIPTURAL TEXT:

Supplemental Scriptural Text: , ,

, , , ,

Point 1: No one is immune to conflict -

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.

Jesus was born into a world full of conflict. The Jewish people and the Roman government were at odds. Even at the time of his birth, Jesus' life was being threatened. Jesus knew conflict. If even the God of the universe faced trouble, the truth is so will we. Even during a season like Christmas, with all the wonderful aspects, it seems to even more accentuate the struggles around us. The truth is, if you live long enough, you will experience conflict. Jesus seems to believe that even though he confirms that we will experience trouble, we can still know peace because he has overcome the world.

-33

Jesus was born into a world full of conflict. The Jewish people and the Roman government were at odds. Even at the time of his birth, Jesus' life was being threatened. Jesus knew conflict. If even the God of the universe faced trouble, the truth is so will we. Even during a season like Christmas, with all the wonderful aspects, it seems to even more accentuate the struggles around us. The truth is, if you live long enough, you will experience conflict. Jesus seems to believe that even though he confirms that we will experience trouble, we can still know peace because he has overcome the world.

Trouble is the common denominator of living. It is the great equalizer.

Jesus was born into a world full of conflict. The Jewish people and the Roman government were at odds. Even at the time of his birth, Jesus' life was being threatened. Jesus knew conflict. If even the God of the universe faced trouble, the truth is so will we. Even during a season like Christmas, with all the wonderful aspects, it seems to even more accentuate the struggles around us. The truth is, if you live long enough, you will experience conflict. Jesus seems to believe that even though he confirms that we will experience trouble, we can still know peace because he has overcome the world.

Soren Kierkegaard

Point 2: Peace doesn't come by power but by sacrifice

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.

Our temptation is to try and find peace at all costs. Most of the time we search for earthly avenues for peace. Most often we choose power to promote peace. The Jews' approach was power through government. They wanted a Messiah who would rule by the sword, like Rome. We too often want to have peace but peace by the sword. The world around us has bought into peace through power. Jesus comes to us in a manger though as a baby. He comes vulnerable and powerless. He brings peace not by power but by sacrifice. He was called the Prince of Peace because he came to a broken world and offered his life and so defeated conflict at its core.

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.

Point 3: The World will never understand -

Philippians 4:4–7 KJV 1900

Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. 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.

We are promised one thing: God is with us.

We are promised one thing: God is with us. This is enough according to scripture for us to find peace in the midst of our circumstances. This is enough to find peace in our conflict. Where power and the sword makes the most sense to a world that is used to exerting power for peace, Jesus comes vulnerable. It is not power over, but power under that brings peace. This is a mystery to much of the world. the writer of Philippians states this by saying that "it transcends all understanding". But this peace will guard our hearts and minds to find peace through God's presence.

Matthew 28:20 KJV 1900

Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

This is enough according to scripture for us to find peace in the midst of our circumstances. This is enough to find peace in our conflict. Where power and the sword makes the most sense to a world that is used to exerting power for peace, Jesus comes vulnerable. It is not power over, but power under that brings peace. This is a mystery to much of the world. the writer of Philippians states this by saying that "it transcends all understanding". But this peace will guard our hearts and minds to find peace through God's presence.

Point 4: Grace is a gift and peace is a response

Ephesians 2:8 KJV 1900

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

Through Jesus life, death and resurrection we have been offered an incredible gift of grace. This grace must be opened. This grace must be received. Our Prince of Peace came to rule and reign, but his reign is one of grace. It is through the grace that is offered to us that we can offer the same to others. Conflict can only continue when we participate. Instead of choosing power we choose grace and in so doing we find peace. Grace is a gift offered to us without price and Peace is the ultimate outcome.

Point 5: The best Christmas ever is a result of peace

In order for this Christmas to be the best one ever it must first begin with hope and that hope gives way to peace. No matter what conflict exists in our lives we can find peace by grace through faith. Jesus rules and reigns in our lives, not by power but by sacrifice.

I don't have to have everything in my life resolved in order to experience peace in my life. Though I am going through conflict right now, I don't go it alone. Jesus' rule and reign in my life ensures that he has the last word and final say in my life rather than any circumstance.

I don't have to feel anxiety over my situation because though it may be more than I can handle it is not more than God can handle. I can find rest this Christmas season because we have been instructed by God to cast our cares on Him. We don't walk this life alone. When we respond to the hope given us by Christ we find help in our time of need.

DO:

Allow the peace of Jesus to override your anxiety in the many categories of life. Do not try and carry the burden of conflict on your own. Make a conscious decision to give your concerns to Jesus. Write them down and find peace knowing that God is in control.

PRAYER:

Jesus, I confess that I feel overwhelmed by the circumstances in my life. I confess that I can not make it on my own. Please remind me that you will never leave me or forsake me. Remind me that I can cast my cares on you because you care for me. Remind me that I am to come to you if I am weary and heavy burdened. I ask that in the midst of life's difficulties that I might find peace. A peace that passes my understanding.