A CHILD IS BORN
The Prince of Peace – He Can Fill…
Isaiah 9:6
Introduction:
Is it really possible?
Peace, I mean.
Can we really have peace on this earth? Or is it just a pipe dream that we cling to around the Christmas season?
Each year thousands of Christmas cards go out conveying this sentiment of peace – “Peace on Earth”; “PEACE”.
Were the angels feeding us a line when they said
“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” Luke 2:14
Because honestly it seems like we’ve had anything but peace since the world began. Has there ever been a time in human history where there was world peace? Everyday we see the news headlines filled with reports from the war in Iraq, the war on terror, the war against crime, etc.
PEACE? I don’t think so.
Our country is also engaged in a cultural war with both sides battling to see their agenda promoted.
PEACE? I don’t think so.
What about within our own homes or within ourselves? Do we have peace?
One guy says, “My therapist told me the way to achieve true inner peace is to finish what I start. So far today, I have finished 2 bags of chips and a chocolate cake. I feel better already.”
Is that the best we can do?
Is that what Jesus meant when he said, “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.” John 16:33
Jesus promised us he would leave us peace – John 14:27 “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.”
Did he break his promise, or can he really live up to the final name given him in Isaiah 9:6?
Isaiah 9:6 “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, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”
I believe he can give us peace – an unimaginable peace.
Philippians calls this the “peace of God”.
Philippians 4:7 “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
God can give us his peace – a peace that passes all understanding.
This peace cannot be comprehended.
This is the peace that keeps us anchored when our world is crumbling.
Anyone can be peaceful when your life is in order and your sitting on the white sand beaches of some Caribbean island sipping umbrella drinks.
But the peace that God can give comes when your job is going no where, the kids are driving you nuts, the finances don’t add up and generally you are being battered with the storms of life.
Sounds good?
How can we have it?
What do I need to do to experience that type of peace?
To have the peace of God you must have…
PEACE WITH GOD
It is not possible to have the peace of God without peace with God.
It all starts right here.
Having peace with God goes back to what we discussed last week.
Each of us, because of our sin, has a problem with God.
Our sin has separated us from God.
In fact, the Bible often refers to us in our lost, sinful condition, as the “enemies of God”.
A reconciliation (or peace treaty) had to be signed.
God’s peace treaty was signed with the blood of Jesus Christ.
Through his sacrifice we are reconciled to God – Colossians 1:20-21 “And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. 21And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled.”
When we put our complete faith and trust in Jesus Christ our salvation is settled and we have peace with God.
Romans 5:1 “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:”
If you want the peace of God you have to make peace with God through belief in Jesus Christ.
Until that occurs we may have fleeting moments of peace, but we’ll never have the peace that passes understanding.
If I haven’t made my peace with God then underneath the external peace will be that nagging war that rages between God and me.
He’s ready to make peace – he’s provided the written accord and the pen to sign. All we have to do is pick it up and sign it.
The peace of God starts by making peace with God. It also involves having…
PEACE WITHIN MYSELF
Our inability to obtain the peace of God is often tied to an inner turmoil we are experiencing.
It’s a battle raging within us.
In comes in a couple of forms…
Carnality
Rom 8:6 “For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.”
The Christian life is a battle between being more spiritually minded and being more fleshly (carnally, worldly) minded.
The decision to become a Christian is a life altering decision.
How we live ought to change as we choose to follow Christ.
When we claim to follow Christ and still continually chase after fleshly desires we will not have peace.
The inner conflict that exists will steal your peace because you know you aren’t doing right.
Even the great Apostle Paul struggled with this…
Romans 7:23 “But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.”
The peace of God comes from being spiritually minded – pursuing the spiritual things of God.
My inner peace also comes from relinquishing…
Control
We fight God for control all the time.
For some strange reason we think we can handle things better than he can.
When we try and control our situation (life) rather than simply understanding that He is in control, we are robbed of our peace.
Col 3:15 “And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.”
“Let the peace of God”
“Rule in your hearts”
Who is sitting upon the throne of your heart?
Whereas the decision to make peace with God (salvation) is a one time decision, the decision to maintain peace within ourselves is a day by day decision.
Will I pursue spiritual things or carnal things today?
Will I let God rule in my heart today?
When we have an internal warfare raging in our members it will eventually display itself in our earthly relationships.
This concept will lead us into our third area of peace, but before we go there let’s read this verse in James.
James 4:1 “From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?”
PEACE WITH OTHERS
Our ability to have the peace of God can be hampered by conflict with others in our life.
We know this is true.
When your relationships stink, your life stinks – you have no peace.
When my relational conflicts are the result of turmoil within myself obviously I need to rectify that situation and restore the earthly relationship.
Is there a relational riff in my life that I could take steps to restore?
Doing so will help restore the peace of God in my life.
What if I’m right with God and some relational turmoil still exists?
What if I take the necessary steps to restore the situation and the problem remains?
Here’s what Paul said…
Romans 12:18 “If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.”
If possible.
Do as much as you can do. That’s all you can do.
You can’t make someone else be at peace with you, but you can do the right thing.
You can do everything right and they may still have a problem with you – but you can have peace in that.
This is a liberating concept and brings great peace.
Living this out is really a matter of where we seek our approval.
Approval Addiction
Are you a people pleaser?
Even the most independent sorts battle this.
No one likes it when they think someone doesn’t like them or is upset with them.
God’s Approval
Do right and then you can stand before God in good conscience some day.
Please understand that this doesn’t mean that you are a Christian doormat who never gets upset or angry.
To the contrary – Jesus got angry. He even turned over tables in the temple he was so mad. His was a righteous anger.
You do as much as you can to live peaceably with all people, but understand when you take a stand for truth and righteousness some people won’t like it.
You’ll never please everyone, so the best option is to make sure you are pleasing God first and foremost.
Is peace on earth possible?
Without question.
We can have a peace that passes human comprehension if we will make peace with God, maintain peace within ourselves, and do our best to keep the peace with others.
Before we do our weekly spiritual challenge let me share one last passage with you…
Luke 4:35-41 “And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side. 36And 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. 37And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. 38And 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? 39And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. 40And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith? 41And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”
Do you feel like you’re in a storm?
He can bring peace and stillness to your life.
If he can control the wind and the sea, he can control your situation. I assure you.
This is a message that is presently close to my heart because I’m living it.
Frankly, my life (& Kerrie’s) has been a storm for the past few months. At first, it felt like we were drowning and God was asleep.
But now, it’s like he has arisen and said peace, be still.
I still feel the small sting of the driving rain at times. I still feel twinges of doubt wondering if the boat is going to sink. However, overriding all of that is PEACE on earth – stillness, a calmness that can’t be explained in human terms.
There is serenity in this.
I have peace with God, peace within myself (I’ve given control over to Him), and I’m doing my best to live peaceably with those around me.
I can tell you I have the peace of God right now.
You can have it too.
Challenge:
Which area is robbing you of peace? Peace with God, peace within, peace with others?
Focus on one area.
Connect card – write one: with God; within; with others.
