The Christmas Story And The Coming Of Peace And Joy

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.