1. Peace Video (WWI story of temporary peace on the front lines)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jdobquf1zms
2. Prince of Peace – Isaiah 9.6
I. The King was to be God’s Prince
A. The King was to Represent God to the People
1. Thomas Jefferson attended church every Sunday as an example to the nation
2. Kings of Israel were to have their own copy of the Torah – reminder to do what God says and that they were not above the Law
B. Declared at His Coronation – Psalm 2.7-8
1. Baptism of Jesus – Matthew 3.17; Mark 1.11; Luke 3.22; even Hebrews 1.5
2. The Temptation of Jesus – Matthew 4.9; Luke 4.5
II. God’s Prince was to Bring Shalom (Peace)
A. Peace Includes the Absence of Conflict
1. The answer to the world’s conflicts – Jesus
2. We become his imitators – Philippians 2.3-4
3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
3. Arabs and Jews are at peace in Jesus
B. Peace Involves the Absence of Chaos
1. God brings order to chaos in creation – Genesis 1.2 (without form and void) “and God said” (1.3); day echad (1.5)
2. God brings order out of confusion – Storm on Sea of Galilee -- “Peace! Be still!” (Mark 4.39)
3. God brings order to the church
a. From Prayer to Proclamation – Acts 1-2
b. Worship – a place of peace – 1 Corinthians 14.40
C. Peace Incorporates the Achievement of Completeness
1. God is One
2. Jesus was One with God
3. He makes us One – Ephesians 2.14
14 For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility
1. With Jesus we have “peace that passes understanding.”
2. In conflict and chaos, there is completeness
3. Jesus is God’s Prince and our King – He shows us how to represent God to our world
4. Scamming the System
A couple of years ago, the mayor of the Italian town of Boscotrecase had to close down city hall because 23 of his staff were arrested for absenteeism. Staff members learned to scam the system by swiping one another’s passes when clocking into their jobs. Thirty people were involved in the scheme, and among those arrested was the head of the local traffic police.
We’re living in a world where people cut corners whenever they can. After a while, scamming the system becomes a way of life. That doesn’t work on the spiritual level. There aren’t any shortcuts to spiritual growth. The Bible uses the word “diligent” to describe how we should go about our Christian lives. According to Hebrews 11:6, God rewards those who diligently seek Him. Peter told us to be diligent to make our call and election sure. “Be diligent,” he wrote, “to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless” (2 Peter 1:10 and 3:14).
As Christians we need to take responsibility for our walk with God, seeking to be more like Him, sharing our faith and serving others. Don’t try to scam the system. Be diligent to serve the Savior.
