Many people yearn for peace in their lives. If you search on Amazon, you will find that more than 10,000 books about peace have been printed. But in reality, many people do not experience or have peace. The skit after the sermon this evening will show several situations where humans do not experience the peace they desire. Society is also increasingly easily provoked emotionally, resulting in "road rage" everywhere. Almost every day we hear news about shootings, such as the shocking shooting of a CEO in New York.
Wars continue to this day even though humans know that the consequences of war are terrible. The International Law Association in London stated that over the past 4,000 years, there have only been 268 years of peace despite good peace agreements. Over the past three centuries, there have been 286 wars on the European continent alone. Russia's invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, is still ongoing. It is estimated that by last September, more than 1,000,000 had been killed and injured. As you know, currently in the Middle East there is also a government overthrow and war.
So, what is the relevance of our Christmas theme this year, “Prince of Peace,” to a world full of stress, conflict, and even war? Very relevant! The coming of Jesus into the world two thousand years ago, prophesied by the prophet Isaiah 700 years earlier, gives us hope for the peace that we can get from Him. What does that mean?
Let’s read 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, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. In this verse, Jesus has four titles: Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. Since our time is limited, we will only discuss the fourth title, Jesus as Prince of Peace.
Our Creator knows that we long for peace, and He wants to give it to us. So, it is unsurprising that the word ‘peace’ is mentioned 790 times in the Bible or from Genesis to Revelation. When we study it, we find that the concept of peace in the Bible is broader and deeper than what people understand, namely the absence of conflict, war, or other hostility.
The word “peace” in the OT, in Hebrew, is “shalom.” The word “shalom” has four meanings, namely: (1) Shalom is the wholeness of life or health of the body. (2) Shalom is a right relationship or harmony between two parties or people, and harmony in the relationship with Yahweh. (3) Shalom as prosperity, success, or fulfillment. (4) Shalom as a victory over one’s enemies or the absence of war.
In the NT, the word “shalom” is translated into Greek as “eirene.” In the NT, the Greek word ‘eirene’ is often translated as ‘peace’ in English. Like the meaning of the word “shalom,” “eirene” has a meaning beyond being free from trouble but everything that produces the highest good for a person (Barclay's Daily Study Bible). So, according to the biblical concept, peace is more than the absence of war or a perceived condition in the mind. “Shalom” or “eirene” is a way of living in the right relationship between man and God and man to man.
According to the Bible, there are three types of peace that we must have so that we can experience true peace:
1. Peace with God. Isaiah 53:6 says – "All of us like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, each to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all."
Do you realize that we were born in a state of war against sin? That is why sinful traits that our parents never taught us, such as envy, selfishness, lying, and so on, emerge on their own within us. Our sinful traits develop as we grow. We become more daring in sinning and opposing God and His truth. Our sinful condition makes us enemies of the Most Holy God. However, through the sacrifice of Jesus, the Prince of Peace, on the cross, and His resurrection from the dead, we who believe in Him will be reconciled to God.
Romans 5:10 says – "For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through His life." Not only that, John 1:12 says – “But as many as received Him, to them gave He the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name.”
This means that when someone receives Jesus as their LORD and Savior, their relationship with God, which was previously broken, is restored, and their status as God’s enemy is now a child of God. Did you know that when someone has not been reconciled with God, they cannot experience peace? Maybe, because they are rich, young, and healthy, they seem fine. But, deep down, they feel restless and have no peace.
Blaise Pascal, a leading scientist, stated, "There is a God-shaped vacuum in the heart of every man which cannot be filled by any created thing, but only by God, the Creator, made known through Jesus." He was right! Human hearts cannot be satisfied by anything, be it wealth, power, or all the pleasures of the world, except by God Himself. You can see, that many people who are successful by world standards, have everything, but have to take sleeping pills to help them sleep. They experience anxiety, fear, depression, and even suicide like what happened to a man in Hong Kong named Teddy Hung.
Testimony: Teddy Hung was a former leader of the 14K Triad gang, the most powerful gang leader in Hong Kong. He established Asia’s largest underworld with about 1 million members worldwide. He earned a weekly income of about 100 million yuan (almost $14 million) from running gambling houses, nightclubs, and illegal drug trafficking rings. Teddy had everything but peace in his heart. He had a hard time sleeping despite trying various methods.
One night, he saw a Bible by his bed. He opened it and skimmed through it. Then he said arrogantly, “Jesus, if You are real and let me sleep, I will believe in You.” To his surprise, Jesus heard this prayer. Since that day, he could fall asleep as soon as he lay on the bed. Long story short, Teddy then learned to know Jesus and then, decided to believe in Jesus and accept Him as his Lord and Savior.
Teddy had found and experienced true peace. He had been reconciled with God. That was why he then closed all drug trafficking networks, nightclub businesses, and casinos. He also let go of the women who were his wives and girlfriends and returned to his first wife. Teddy then devoted himself to God. He preached the gospel to gang members and then became a pastor until he died on June 16, 2018, at the age of 70.
Praise God for His grace and mercy to Teddy Hung. Today if you have not been reconciled with God, do not delay. Because you do not always have the opportunity, give yourself to be reconciled with God!
2. Peace within us. The Lord Jesus not only reconciles humans with God, but He also gives peace to the hearts of those who believe in Him. A few days before He left His disciples, Jesus said to them – “Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you, and what I give is not like what the world gives to you. Let not your hearts be troubled or afraid” (John 14:27).
Jesus knew that as long as His disciples were still alive in the world, they would experience many difficulties, challenges, suffering, and even persecution which could make them sad, worried, and afraid. Therefore, He did not say: “Don't worry. I will make your life easy, smooth, and safe because you follow Me!” Instead, He said that He would leave them peace. The world cannot give the peace that Jesus gives. That is why His peace is called “the Peace of God.”
It is true what Pat Williams said – “Money can buy a house, but not a place to live; bed, but not rest; food, but not appetite; medicine, but not health; information, but not wisdom; sensation, but not joy; companion, but not friend; servant, but not loyalty; flattery, but not respect.”
That is why when you start to feel anxious and worried, come to the Lord Jesus, the Prince of Peace in prayer. The Apostle Paul reminds us in Philippians 4:6-7 – “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”
Research shows that practicing focused prayer for 12 minutes every day for eight weeks can produce changes in our minds. Toxic thoughts such as fear, anxiety, and unwillingness to forgive can damage the brain and body through the chemicals they make over time. But when we pray. Our bodies produce chemicals that have a positive effect.
Do you want to have the peace of God? Come to Him every day and give Him your burdens. Therefore, you will experience what the apostle Paul prayed for in 2 Thessalonians 3:16 – “And may the Lord himself, the Lord himself, give you peace always in everything. The Lord be with you all.”
3. Peace with others. Why do quarrels and hostility occur in families, workplaces, and society? Because of selfishness, arrogance, thirst for power, restless hearts, and chaotic minds, people are easily provoked, easily offended, and angry. However, when we are reconciled with God and we receive peace from Jesus, the Prince of Peace, we will be able to become patient and humble people, give in and be able to forgive the mistakes of others. So, we will have good relationships with others and live in peace and harmony.
May God grand you those three types of peace today as you celebrate Christmas, and the rest of your lives. Amen! Merry Christmas!
