A Time Of Reconciliation Series

Purpose of Christmas Part 4:

A Time for Reconciliation

Luke 2: 8 Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. 10 Then the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger." 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: 14 "Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!"

A secret to happiness this Christmas… Worship fully by giving your presence to Jesus, and to those you love!

Three weeks ago we discussed from Luke 2 the response of the Shepherds to the Angels heralding cry of the coming messiah…

• We’ve talked about having Christmas on purpose this season!

• To take time, like the Shepherds, to pause, reflect on Christ…

• WE’ve talked about how Christmas is a time for Celebration…"Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.

o Christmas is worth celebrating for three reasons…

• It’s personal – I bring you…

• It’s good – good news of great joy…

• And it’s universal – will be for all people…

• How Christmas is a time for Salvation…

o 11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

• And today how Christmas is a time to receive Peace and goodwill from God!

o 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: 14 "Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!"

Two weeks ago we discussed Christmas is specifically a party, a birthday party… celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ! A hinge of history, the coming messiah, foretold in prophecy, now has come to take upon the sin of the world on his shoulders, and set us all free… all those who desire to walk with God!

Last week Pastor Mark led us as we discussed the time of salvation… how Christ came on purpose… we have been speaking from Luke 2… and today focus on the final declaration of the Angels…

13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: 14 "Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!"

Christmas on Purpose…

Why did we call our series that this season… because God sent Jesus on purpose, Jesus came on purpose… and salvation was given to us… on purpose. To bring peace, goodwill to all men… to bring hope, joy, and a promise of a good future!

Believe me, we needed it..

In the last 5000 years there have been 15,000 wars… and these are the ones known about.

We are not good with peace… some say peace is the moment everyone pauses to reload…

What the world needs most… is reconciliation… the restoration of peace that comes from Jesus Christ…

The powerful miracle of healed lives, healed relationships… sincere peace among men… a change or exchange of your stress for God’s serenity… your tension into God’s serenity… a peace of mind instead of panic or worry… strength of heart rather than pressure to succeed.

Reconciliation… Jesus – prince of peace

Luke 2:14 the angels said to the shepherds…

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”

Peace… how much do we need reconciliation?!

Every day conflict is on the rise…

I have seen conflict between races, nationalities, language, religious groups, political, ethnic, rich and poor… on every front of the planet this tension exists.

In our interpersonal lives… friendships, marriages, families…. All struggling.

Now littered across the landscape of life… Damaged kids, divided homes, discarded friends, discarded partners…

How much do we need the real message of Jesus Christ… Peace on Earth… the heralding angels speak of.

Lord Jesus, how desperately we need you… the Christ child, the prophecied one, the one of hope, of joy… and of peace!

Today, how can we embrace the third message from our heralding angels… a message of peace… as we live in a world of conflict?!

How can we truly worship fully this Christmas season?

1. Make a change from conflict to peace!