Sermon Tone Analysis

Experiencing the Beauty of Peace in Bethlehem

For reasons I cannot quite remember (perhaps the guidebooks or the guide himself told us it wasn't much to get worked up about), I wasn't excited to visit the birthplace of Christ while visiting the Holy Lands in 2008.

I recall wishing we could spend our time in Jerusalem, but I didn't have a choice.

If the group was going to Bethlehem, I was, too.

We walked through the dusty streets of the town and soon came to the entrance to the Church of the Nativity.

We stood in line for what seemed like hours, winding our way downward into a series of caves (though we often have nativity sets of barns and stables, Christ was actually born in a cave).

Once there, I was hushed by the holiness of it all.

There were candles lit here, there, and everywhere.

Hundreds were on their knees in prayer, scattered about on the cold, damp floor.

We made our way to the traditional cave of the birth where we read Matthew's story once again.

Soon we were singing.

"O Holy Night," "O Little Town of Bethlehem," and "Silent Night."

Right there in a church building that has been ravaged by war and terrorism and today is owned by four different religious groups, we prayed for peace.

We offered a continued invitation for shalom.

It was one of the more sacred moments of my life.

As we left, I passed by all the pilgrims yet again.

Some were from Germany, Poland, or Italy and others from England, Spain, or China.

They, too, sang and prayed.

Anger and violence wrestled about in all our worlds, but in that moment we had all come together in Bethlehem to worship and celebrate the Prince of Peace who, if anything, was working shalom into the folds of our lives as he will until the day he returns to work it into all things, once-for-all.

The moment we left the Church we were back in Palestine territory, you could still see the remnants of war and oppression all around.

What had just happened in that moment in time.

What had happened that starry night over 2,000 years ago as the Angeles declared, “glory to god in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom his favor rests.”

In the world of turmoil in which we live, the peace of God is an attractive concept.

Yet it is not always understood.

We sometimes fight images in our mind of angels slouching on couches, listlessly picking at a harp, trying, after a million years, to think of a new tune.

To English-speakers, peace generates images of war being finished.

For us, peace is an absence of conflict either internal or external.

The biblical idea of peace is much broader, however.

Peace: In the Biblical context, peace is the wholeness or completeness that as a result of alignment with God’s creative and redemptive purposes.

Peace can also be seen in the light of wars ceasing, but the biblical concept of peace is even broader.

Salom: can refer to the wholeness or well-being as in the sense of political or interpersonal peace.

Other words in Hebrew show peace as a verb denoting states of quietness, rest, and completion.

Cosmic: There is also a cosmic sense about the word peace in the sense that all aspects of creation has a broken peace with God, both human and non-human, should exist in harmony with each other.

Peace is the ideal creation that God’s redemptive activity seeks to restore.

NOTE: Christians should seek to live at peace with other human beings, but ultimately peace comes as a result of Jesus work and therefore, is a free gift given by God.

Peace was the customary greeting that we find any many of the letters in the New Testament.

Peace was also the customary greeting coming and going it was the first and the last thing you would say to someone.

Peace is therefore restored through the redemptive work of Christ on the Cross.

TRANQUILITY - PEACE

The absence of mental stress or anxiety; especially that results from a proper recognition of salvation’s worth.

How do we experience peace in the waiting?

(Rom.

15:13; Col. 3:15)

I think this is the wrong question to be asking.

We should be asking:

What does peace in the waiting do for us?

1. Peace in the waiting prepares us for Evangelism.

Look at Ephesians 6:15

This comes on the tale end of a larger part of Ephesians chapter 6 look at the beginning of this section in verse 10 Paul writes “be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might, put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.”

Note: Isn’t it strange that right in the middle of a passage dealing with spiritual warfare and conflict Paul should mention the gospel of peace.

Look at what Paul says in Ephesians 2:13-18

So, here is the good news of the gospel, that we who were once enemies of God have now entered into the peace of God through his son Jesus Christ.

Note: So, when you share Christ with someone what you are really offering them is Peace.

You are offering them peace with God.

AS we read in Isaiah 9:7 the day is coming with the whole earth will be filled with His righteousness and peace.

The Bible is perfectly clear that only those who trust him as Savior and Messiah will experience the peace of God.

The angels’ declared in Luke 2:14

The angels indicate that peace will come for those to whom is favor rests.

How do you know if you have the peace that the Angels were speaking about over 2,000 years ago?

Jesus gives a little picture in Luke 10:5-6 “whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace be to this house!’

And if the son of peace is there, your peace will rest on him.

But if not, it will return to you.”

God’s peace is offered to all but not all are “son’s of peace.”

We have peace among God’s people, we have peace with our own soul.

And peace with other people.

NOTE: By peace we do not mean the absence of conflict or struggle.

2. Peace in the waiting leads us to a life of trust.

3 Relationships that are healed from a lack of trust and belief.

Peace with God, ourselves, and others.

*Peace with God means our rebellion is overcome.

The peace of God living inside of us constantly reminds us that we are no longer enemies of God our rebellion against him has been put away.

We are now adopted into His royal family.

*Peace with ourselves means our anxiety is overcome.

*Peace with others means our quarrels are overcome.

“If possible, as much as it depends on you, live at peace with all people.”

NOTE: Notice it say’s “all”.

For some of us getting together with family at Christmas is anything but a peaceful experience.

I have had my share of holiday’s that were not very peaceful.

How do we cultivate a life of peace with those who are difficult to get along with and continually cause conflict in our lives.

We must continually cultivate a sense of amazement that in spite of all our sins God has forgiven us through Christ.

Be amazed that you have peace with God.

You were once not a people, but, now you are His royal priesthood and adopted children.

3. Peace in the waiting brings us contentment in the storm .

We must remember that peace does not mean the absence of conflict.

Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians & Colossians (III.

Conclusion: Painting Peace)

Painting Peace

A number of years ago a very rich man wanted a painting that would portray peace.

He commissioned three artists to paint peaceful scenarios.

After a month the artists returned with their paintings completed.

Each painting was placed in the foyer, covered by a veil, waiting the moment of revelation.The first artist unveiled his painting of a beautiful mountain scene.

The mountains were covered with green aspens and spring flowers.

The snow-capped, majestic peaks rose up to meet a blue, cloudless sky.

The rich man said, “I like it.

This mountain scene is indeed peaceful.”

Then the second artist removed the cloth veil draped over his masterpiece.

His painting was of a beautiful ocean view.

The sand was crystal white.

The sea was blue and tranquil.

The sun was slowly setting in the sky as its reflection danced across the placid sea.