Purpose: To explain how Christ brought peace and joy to the earth.
Aim: I want the listener to experience God's peace and joy.
INTRODUCTION: Will Christmas change your life? Will your life be better on December 26th because you celebrated Christmas this year? The Christmas story promises peace and joy. Do you experience peace and joy in your life? If not, then is the Christmas story real, or is it JUST a story?
If we are honest, we tend to go through Christmas season after Christmas season and we remain the same. Jesus came to change the world. Luke 2:10 But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; (NAU)
The question I want us to think about today is this, Is Jesus changing our world so that we are experiencing peace and joy?
►Vs.11-20 I. The Christmas Story Includes the Coming of Peace
How can we understand verse 14 in light of Matthew 10:34 "Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. (NAU) Luke 12:51 "Do you suppose that I came to grant peace on earth? I tell you, no, but rather division; (NAU) ?
The answer is that Jesus isn't finished bringing peace. Jesus made that clear one day when He read the Scripture in a synagogue in Nazareth.
Luke 4:17--21 And the book of the prophet Isaiah was handed to Him. And He opened the book and found the place where it was written, 18 "THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS UPON ME, BECAUSE HE ANOINTED ME TO PREACH THE GOSPEL TO THE POOR. HE HAS SENT ME TO PROCLAIM RELEASE TO THE CAPTIVES, AND RECOVERY OF SIGHT TO THE BLIND, TO SET FREE THOSE WHO ARE OPPRESSED, 19 TO PROCLAIM THE FAVORABLE YEAR OF THE LORD." 20 And He closed the book, gave it back to the attendant and sat down; and the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on Him. 21 And He began to say to them, "Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing." (NAU)
What Jesus did was shocking for two reasons. First, He said that He was the fulfillment of Isaiah's prediction that God would send a deliverer, and second because Jesus stopped reading in the middle of the sentence. The next phrase is ... And the day of vengeance of our God... (Isaiah 61:2 NAU)
Jesus came 2,000 years ago to bring peace "... among men with whom He is pleased." (Luke 2:14 NAU). This was predicted hundreds of years earlier by the prophet Isaiah: Isaiah 9:6 For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. (NAU)
When Jesus comes the next time He will forcibly bring peace to all of the earth.
A. First Advent:
Prophesied Deut. 18:18, 19; Is. 7:14
Came as man Phil. 2:5--8
Announced Luke 2:10--14
Time predicted Dan. 9:25
To save the lost Matt. 18:11
Subject to government Matt. 17:24--27
B. Second Advent:
Prophesied John 14:1--3; 1 Thess. 4:16
Come as God 1 Thess. 4:16
As a thief 1 Thess. 5:2
At a time unknown Matt. 24:36
To judge the lost Matt. 25:31--33, 41--46
Source of government Rev. 20:4--6; Rev. 22:3--5 [1]
► Vs.11 A. We need peace with God "a Savior"
There are three titles given for Jesus:
Savior -- he will save people from their sins.
Christ -- the anointed to rule as king (fulfilling God's promise to David).
The Lord -- speaks of Christ's exalted position.
Jesus can forgive sin and bring peace between God and man because of His sacrifice on the Cross and because our God anointed king and lord.
Romans 5:1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, (NAU)
Because we are born as helpless, ungodly sinners who are enemies of God (according to Romans 5:6-10) then we need God's grace and forgiveness more than any other kind of peace.
Romans 2:5--10 But because of your stubbornness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, 6 who WILL RENDER TO EACH PERSON ACCORDING TO HIS DEEDS: 7 to those who by perseverance in doing good seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life; 8 but to those who are selfishly ambitious and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, wrath and indignation. 9 There will be tribulation and distress for every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek, 10 but glory and honor and peace to everyone who does good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. (NAU) We can only do good through God's grace.
Jesus was born so that we could have peace with God. Because sin separates us from a holy God, only God can bring us back to God.
Until we have God's favor and blessing on our lives, we cannot experience real peace. What a joy to know that all of our punishment has been paid for and taken away. We can know that God isn't looking for ways to punish us. He is only seeking to embrace us with His love.
When you trust in the entire Christmas story and accept the forgiveness that Jesus purchased for you through His death and resurrection, then God's peace is possible.
Acts 10:34--36 Opening his mouth, Peter said: "I most certainly understand now that God is not one to show partiality, 35 but in every nation the man who fears Him and does what is right is welcome to Him. 36 "The word which He sent to the sons of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ (He is Lord of all)-- (NAU)
Colossians 1:20 and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven. (NAU)
► Vs.12 B. We need peace in spite of circumstances "in a manger"
Jesus was born into poor and hard circumstances.
2 Thessalonians 3:16 Now may the Lord of peace Himself continually grant you peace in every circumstance. The Lord be with you all! (NAU)
John 14:27 "Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful. (NAU)
John 16:33 "These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world." (NAU)
Philippians 4:5--7 Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. 6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (NAU)
Romans 8:6 For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, (NAU)
► Vs.13-20 C. We need peace in order to put Christ on display "shepherds...glorifying and praising God"
How does the story of Christmas help me to have peace in my everyday life? When I understand that the story of Christmas provided a way for my sins to be forgiven, then I can see that more than anything else, others are just sinners in need of Christ's forgiveness.
Why would those without Christ, want to know Christ if we don't display the difference Christ has made in our lives?
2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. (NAU)
Mark 9:50 ... be at peace with one another." (NAU)
Romans 14:17--19 for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. 18 For he who in this way serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men. 19 So then we pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another. (NAU)
Hebrews 13:20--21 Now the God of peace, who brought up from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the eternal covenant, even Jesus our Lord, 21 equip you in every good thing to do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen. (NAU)
We need to see the God of peace bringing families back together, repairing marriages, and helping neighbors to get along. Romans 12:18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men. (NAU)
"...after the shepherds had seen such wondrous things they went back to the commonplace. That's true for us each year at Christmas as we celebrate these events. Where will we be when the excitement and fun are over? How do these events change the lives we lead back at our jobs, our homes, our schools? If we believe the message of the angels we go back to the ordinary as peacemakers. We begin to bear the message out and become peacemakers." [2]
►Vs.8-10 II. The Christmas Story Includes the Coming of Joy
We sing about joy this time of the year: "Come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant, O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem" "Joy to the world! The Lord is come: Let earth receive her King."
The problem is that JOY, for the most part, does not describe our world. These words from Isaiah seem to be a more accurate description of what we read about in the newspaper: Isaiah 8:22 Then they will look to the earth, and behold, distress and darkness, the gloom of anguish; and they will be driven away into darkness. (NAU)
God has promised a solution to our gloom and doom. Isaiah 9:1--2 But there will be no more gloom for her who was in anguish; in earlier times He treated the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali with contempt, but later on He shall make it glorious,.... 2 The people who walk in darkness Will see a great light; Those who live in a dark land, The light will shine on them. (NAU)
Zechariah was told by the angel: Luke 1:14 "You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth. (NAU)
Before John the Baptist was born he leaped for joy: Luke 1:44 "For behold, when the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby leaped in my womb for joy. (NAU)
Mary sang: Luke 1:47 And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior. (NAU)
When Elizabeth's friends heard that she was pregnant with John the Baptist they rejoiced: Luke 1:58 Her neighbors and her relatives heard that the Lord had displayed His great mercy toward her; and they were rejoicing with her. (NAU)
All of that joy came before what we have seen in today's text: Luke 2:10 But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; (NAU)
What do we have to rejoice over?
► Vs.8-9a A. Rejoice that God honors the weak "stood before them"
Shepherds were looked down on by the rest of society. Why did God choose to give them the most important news ever given directly from heaven? Paul answered that question for us: 1 Corinthians 1:27--29 God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, 28 and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are, 29 so that no man may boast before God. (NAU)
► Vs.9b-10a B. Rejoice that God banishes fear "Do not be afraid"
Isaiah 41:10 'Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.' (NAU) Isaiah 41:13 "For I am the LORD your God, who upholds your right hand, Who says to you, 'Do not fear, I will help you.' (NAU)
Later when Jesus came to the disciples walking on the water of the Sea of Galilee He calmed their fears. John 6:16--21 Now when evening came, His disciples went down to the sea, 17 and after getting into a boat, they started to cross the sea to Capernaum. It had already become dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. 18 The sea began to be stirred up because a strong wind was blowing. 19 Then, when they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and drawing near to the boat; and they were frightened. 20 But He said to them, "It is I; do not be afraid." 21 So they were willing to receive Him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land to which they were going. (NAU)
► Vs.l0b C. Rejoice that God's forgiveness is available to all "will be for all the people"
There is no entrance exam in order to be forgiven. You don't have to be rich, or educated, or good looking.
Romans 10:9--13 that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; 10 for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. 11 For the Scripture says, "WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED." 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him; 13 for "WHOEVER WILL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED." (NAU)
1 John 3:1 See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God; and such we are. .... (NAU)
Are you amazed that God would love you? If you are not amazed then you have yet to see yourself as God sees you.
Joseph Bayly has written a wonderful poem about the meaning of Christmas.
Praise God for Christmas.
Praise him for the Incarnation, for the Word made Flesh.
I will not sing of shepherds watching flocks on frosty nights, or angel choristers
I will not sing of a stable bare in Bethlehem, or
lowing oxen, wise men trailing star with gold, frankincense and myrrh.
Tonight I will sing praise to the Father who stood on heaven's threshold and said farewell to his Son as he stepped across the stars to Bethlehem and Jerusalem.
And I will sing praise to the infinite, eternal Son, who became most finite, a baby who would one day be executed for my crime.
Praise him in the heavens, praise him in the stable, praise him in my heart. [3]
Christ takes no more delight to dwell in a sad heart, than we do to live in a dark house.William Gurnall [4]
[1]Thomas Nelson Publishers, Nelson's Quick Reference Topical Bible Index., Nelson's Quick reference, 23 (Nashville, Tenn.: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1995).
[2]Bruce Larson and Lloyd J. Ogilvie, vol. 26, The Preacher's Commentary Series, Volume 26 : Luke, The Preacher's Commentary series, 52 (Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson Inc, 1983).
[3]Bruce Larson and Lloyd J. Ogilvie, vol. 26, The Preacher's Commentary Series, Volume 26 : Luke, The Preacher's Commentary series, 52-53 (Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson Inc, 1983).
[4]I.D.E. Thomas, The Golden Treasury of Puritan Quotations, electronic ed., 159 (Simpsonville SC: Christian Classics Foundation, 1996).
