THE PRINCE WHO BRINGS PEACE
Isa. 9:6; Lk. 2:13-14
INTRODUCTION
A. HUMOR
1. Nancy Dugan was nearly four as Christmas drew near. Her parents and four older siblings had all tried to prepare Nancy for Christmas by talking with her about the real meaning of Christmas and why their family celebrated it.
2. Nancy had a wonderful Christmas with a lot of presents and toys. A few days later Nancy was talking with her older sister about what a great Christmas she had. Then Nancy said, “I sure hope Joseph and Mary have another baby next year!”
3. Another four-year-old, Skylar, was pestering her uncle about what he would like for Christmas – for the tenth time. He lowered his newspaper, and with a slight growl said, “I told you Skylar, just a little peace and quiet!” She said, “We just got back from the mall and they’re all out of that!”
B. THE DESIRE FOR PEACE IS UNIVERSAL
1. Promoting peace in the world is one of the highest priorities of our Gov’t. If you don’t believe it, consider the billions spent:
a. On brokering peace between Israel & the Palestinians;
b. To hunt down and destroy all the agents of terrorism;
c. All the efforts to stymy the militarism of Iran and North Korea.
2. Why has the use of OxyContin reached such gargantuan proportions? For relief and peace!
3. Why do the Hindus bathe in the holy River in India?
Why do Muslims trek the hot miles to Mecca?
Why do Americans pay enormous amounts to psychiatrists? To get freedom from guilt and a semblance of peace. God wants us to have peace; “Blessed are the peacemakers!”
C. ANNOUNCEMEMNT OF THE ANGELS
1. A true, lasting peace is possible, but it will never be achieved through the efforts of politicians or the use of weapons.
2. The only real prospect for peace was made clear by the angels when they announced the birth of Jesus Christ with the words, “Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests” Luke 2:13-14.
3. Isaiah the Prophet identified the Christ-Child as the bringer of peace when he said, “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (9:6).
4. The New International Reader’s Version finishes the above verse, “The Prince Who Brings Peace.”
5. SO WHAT IS THIS PEACE THAT JESUS BRINGS?
I. THE NATURE OF TRUE PEACE
A. WHAT “PEACE” IS NOT:
1. NOT THE STOPPING OF ALL STRIFE
a. People think that if we stop all wars that there will be peace, but this isn’t true.
b. There are many other things that rob us of peace:
*Crime *Delinquent Children
*Marital strife *Job turmoil
*Economic troubles
2. MONEY DOESN’T BRING PEACE. Jay Gould had an enormous fortune. When dying, he said, “I suppose I am the most miserable man on earth.” Studies show that those with large amounts of money tend to be more unhappy than those moderately well off.
3. NOT FAME OR NOTORIETY
a. George Simenon was one of the most prolific writers who ever lived; he is the most translated writer in the world, except for Vladimir Linen. In April 1970, Simenon finished his 408th novel in a mere nine days!
b. Simenon wrote, “I have only one ambition left, to be completely at peace with myself. I doubt I shall ever manage it. I do not think it’s possible for anyone. It’s not a question of money, for that kind of happiness must come from within yourself. I do not know any man, however successful, who is completely happy. I write, because if I did not, I should die.”
4. PEACE CAN’T BE DERIVED FROM THE “RIGHT CIRCUMSTANCES,” for if we’re waiting for the circumstances to be perfect, we’ll never have peace.
B. WHAT PEACE IS:
1. Peace = an undisturbed state of mind, a tranquility, a harmony, a calm even in the midst of the storm.
2. ILLUS. “The Picture of True Peace”
a. Two painters were commissioned to paint a picture depicting the concept of “true peace.”
b. The first painter chose the scene of a still, lone lake among far-off mountains.
c. The second artist chose a thundering waterfall, with a fragile birch tree bending over the foam. At a fork in the branch, almost wet with the cataract’s spray, a robin sat sleeping on its nest.
d. The Judges chose the second as representing true peace. They said, “The first painting only pictures stagnation, but the second, true peace. True Peace must have two elements: tranquility in the midst of turbulence.” [Tan, 7700, # 4296]
3. True peace is achieved by harmony in 3 directions: a. harmony with God; b. harmony with your fellow man; and c. harmony with yourself.
4. True peace is not just neutral, but is a positive assurance that all things are well with God, your fellow-man, and yourself. This kind of peace can only be found in God.
II. THE ORIGINS OF THIS PEACE
A. FROM THE “GOD OF PEACE”
1. This reference to God is spoken 6X in Scripture; Rom. 15:33; 16:20; 2 Cor.13:11; Phip. 4:9; 1 Th. 5:23; Heb. 13:20.
2. Most of these references were made by the apostle Paul, who knew what it was to “fight against God.” Paul had been a Jew who persecuted Christians and resisted the dealings of the Holy Spirit. He was at odds with his Creator, until he found forgiveness on the Damascus Road. What a peace/ harmony he found when he started working WITH God.
B. ORIGINS OF OUR CONFLICTS
1. All human conflicts stem from our separation from God. Once we begin the inner conflict between ourselves and God, we get selfish and reproachful toward others around us.
2. A hurricane is one giant storm; it has many bands of clouds that extend out from it, but the center of the disturbance revolves around the “eye.”
3. Likewise when God wanted to bring peace to mankind, He focused on the true center of the problem: the alienated relationship between God and humans.
C. THE PRINCE OF PEACE
1. Why is Jesus called the “Prince of Peace?” Because He reconciled God and man when He died on the cross. He struck at the eye of the storm.
2. Rom. 5:1, “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Eph. 2:14, “For He is our peace….” Col. 1:20, “Having made peace through the blood of His cross…to reconcile all things to Himself….”
3. An old Chinese proverb says, “If there is righteousness in the heart, there will be beauty in the character. If there is beauty in the character, there will be harmony in the home. If there is harmony in the home, there will be order in the nation. If there is order in the nation, there will be peace in the world.” [Walter Knight’s New Illus., p. 467, “How to have peace.”]
4. They rightly observed that peace must begin within the human heart by being made right with God! So the Cross is the key to worldwide peace.
5. Once you have peace with God within, the outward turmoil of life can’t stop the peace experienced within the heart.
III. THE CONDITIONS OF PEACE
A. THIS PEACE IS NOT AUTOMATIC
1. Only where Jesus rules will there be peace. Ps. 29:11, “The Lord will bless HIS PEOPLE with peace.” Ps. 119:165, “Great peace have they that LOVE YOUR LAW and nothing shall offend them.”
2. As we let Christ rule on the throne of our life, we experience the peace and victory He purchased for us.
B. OBEDIENCE IS ESSENTIAL TO PEACE
1. Our peace depends on what we’re living for.
2. Rom. 8:6 NIV, “The mind of sinful man is death; but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace.”
3. A sinning world will not have peace.
“ “ nation “ “ “ “
“ “ family/person “ “ “ “.
4. SIN & PEACE DO NOT MIX. Isa. 57:20-21; “But the wicked are like the tossing sea, which cannot rest…. ‘There is no peace,’ says my God, ‘for the wicked.’”
CONCLUSION
A. ILLUSTRATION “Peace has been Declared”
1. God’s requirements for peace are always the same: total surrender.
2. Two years after the Civil War, a man went into the mountains of North Carolina to spend a few weeks while on vacation.
3. He climbed a rugged mountain and descended the other side down into a dense valley. To his surprise he stumbled upon a little cottage with a few acres of tilled gardens beside it.
4. On his approach to the door, he found it barred against him and the occupants who were very distrustful. But he offered them some of the venison so they let him in. He found they had been living there 3 years.
5. It turned out that they were deserters from the Confederate Army and were still hiding out, fearful they might be found by conscription officers. They had never returned to their families for fear of being arrested.
6. What a surprise to find out that the war had been over for two years; peace had long ago been declared, but they had never heard the good news.
7. The same could be said to people today; “God has made peace possible for you! Have you accepted His peace offer yet?” [Knights New Illus., p. 468]
B. THE CALL
1. Could there be a better time than Christmas, when God sent the Prince of Peace, to make peace with God? Jesus is our peace; if you receive Him, you find the peace of God that surpasses all understanding! How many of you want this peace? Raise your hands.
2. Do you have a difficulty? God is in control! Herod may scheme against baby Jesus, but God was in control. Some may scheme against you, but God is in control. Let’s pray for God’s perfect will for your life, and that you will have peace in the midst of the storm.
3. PRAYER.
