December 21st, 2025 - Peace

Devotional

Day 1: Great Joy Arrives Where Everything Felt Lost

When God breaks into human sorrow, everything reverses. Scripture shows that great joy often comes after seasons that were dreadful, heavy, and hopeless. In the fullness of time, Jesus steps into our darkness and turns the story—from despair to delight, from dead ends to open doors. Great joy is not a mood upgrade; it is the presence of Jesus Himself. Receive Him where life feels most stuck, and watch how He begins the holy reversal. [00:52]

Luke 2:10–11
The messenger said, “Don’t be afraid. I’m announcing good news that brings great joy for all people. Today in David’s town, a Savior has been born for you—He is the Messiah, the Lord.”

Reflection: Where do you feel most like things cannot change, and how will you invite Jesus into that specific place this week as the One who brings holy reversal?

Day 2: Peace in Chaos: Not Circumstantial, But Christ

The first Christmas happened in a world shaken by turmoil, yet heaven announced peace. Real peace is not the absence of noise or trouble; it’s the presence of Jesus settling the soul. We often settle for a quiet day or a smoother week, but God offers something deeper—peace that circumstances cannot grab away. Let your heart anchor in the One who is your peace, even when the world feels upside down. Ask Him for the kind that stays when nothing else does. [03:32]

Isaiah 9:6–7
A child will be given to us, and the weight of leadership will rest on His shoulders. He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His rule and His peace will keep expanding without end, establishing justice and righteousness forever.

Reflection: In one area where chaos has been loud, what simple, daily practice will help you return your mind to Jesus’ nearness—perhaps a breath prayer like, “Jesus, You are my peace” whenever anxiety rises?

Day 3: Enemy No Longer: Peace With God Through Jesus

Without Jesus, we don’t sit in a neutral corner—we end up opposing God, even if quietly. That’s a battle no one can win, and it leaves the soul restless. But God moved first: He offered His own Son as the peace offering, reconciling us to Himself. By trusting Jesus, we are no longer enemies—we become sons and daughters who live at peace with God. Let His finished work end the inner war. [10:24]

Romans 5:1,10
Since we’ve been set right with God by trusting Him, we now live at peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. And if, while we were still His enemies, God reconciled us to Himself through His Son’s death, then all the more—now that we’ve been reconciled—we will be rescued by His life.

Reflection: Where have you been resisting God’s way lately, and what would relying on Jesus’ finished work (instead of your own efforts) actually look like in that area this week?

Day 4: Peace For Those Who Humble And Believe

The good news is for everyone, but the experience of deep peace is specific—it rests on those who come low before God and entrust themselves to Jesus. This is not about earning; it’s about surrendering. God delights to give peace to the humble, the repentant, the ones who bow before the King. If peace feels distant, consider whether your heart is opened in trust or closed in self-reliance. He is ready to meet the humble with a peace that endures. [32:52]

Luke 2:14
Highest praise to God in the heavens, and on earth His peace rests upon people in whom He delights—those living under His favor.

Reflection: What is one concrete step of humility you can take today—confession to God, a hard apology, or a quiet act of obedience—that would open your heart to His peace?

Day 5: Responding in Haste to the Good News

When heaven announced the birth of Jesus, the shepherds didn’t delay—they moved with haste. The message still calls for a response: trust, repentance, baptism, obedience, witness. God’s heart is not to condemn but to save; yet choosing not to respond leaves us where we are—condemned already. It’s never too late to turn, and the invitation is still on the table. Move toward Him today; His peace meets those who come. [43:18]

John 3:16–18
God loved the world in this way: He gave His only Son so that everyone who places their trust in Him won’t be ruined but will share in unending life. God didn’t send His Son to point an accusing finger at the world, but to rescue it through Him. Those who trust Him are not condemned; those who refuse already stand condemned because they will not entrust themselves to the name of God’s only Son.

Reflection: What is your next faithful response—praying a clear prayer of surrender, pursuing baptism, reconciling with someone, or sharing this news with a friend—and when will you take that step?

Sermon Summary

We opened Luke 2 and sat with the angels’ proclamation of “peace on earth” in the middle of a world that was anything but peaceful. That tension is familiar—our lives feel chaotic, our culture anxious, and our hearts restless. The angels’ announcement wasn’t about a quiet night; it was about a decisive end to a war. Without Christ, we are not neutral—we are God’s enemies. That is why peace must begin not with calmer circumstances but with reconciliation to God.

God Himself initiates peace. He doesn’t wait for us to clean up or climb up; He comes down. He gives a baby in a manger who will give His blood on a cross. The offer is for everyone—truly everyone—but it is specific: peace comes through Jesus. Scripture’s witness and the manuscript evidence remind us that the angels’ song is best understood as peace “among those with whom He is pleased.” That’s not God playing favorites; that’s God making clear that peace is received by those who humble themselves, believe, and bow before the King.

This helps explain why many hear “peace on earth” yet feel unchanged by January. We often settle for situational peace—a smooth day, a quiet home—while God is offering great peace: peace with Him. Once reconciliation is received by faith, the peace of God can anchor us in every storm. We see it in Luke’s opening chapters—Zechariah softening to God’s word, Mary magnifying the Lord, shepherds running with haste. Peace comes where pride dies and trust lives.

So we do what the shepherds did—we respond. We don’t just admire the nativity; we approach the Savior. We don’t just sing about goodwill; we receive the gift of grace. Whoever believes in Him will not perish. It’s not too late. If you’re still breathing, God’s invitation stands: be an enemy no longer. Come to the One who is our peace.

Key Takeaways

1. Don’t settle for small peace. We often aim for calmer days and fewer conflicts, but God is offering something deeper—reconciliation that outlasts circumstance. The peace of God is grounded in peace with God, and that is why it endures. When we receive Christ, our inner war ends, and situational turmoil no longer dictates our stability. Trade temporary relief for durable rest in Him. [12:53]
2. Peace begins with ending hostility. Scripture names our condition plainly—without Christ we are enemies of God. Peace cannot live where hostility remains, so the first move is reconciliation. In Christ, God turns enemies into sons and daughters, ending the war we cannot win. Only then does peace take root. [07:54]
3. God initiates the peace we crave. We didn’t discover a path to God; He stepped into our ruin and brought peace in a Person. Jesus is the peace offering—our mediator who bridges the chasm. His cross does the work our effort never could. Our part is to receive what He has already provided. [17:28]
4. Peace is offered to the humble. “Peace on earth” is not a blanket of sentiment; it is a promise received by those with whom God is pleased—those who believe, fear the Lord, and bow low. Humility clears room for grace; pride resists the very gift we need. If we want heaven’s peace, we come the way heaven came—lowly. [32:52]
5. Respond to Jesus with urgency. The shepherds didn’t file the news away; they moved with haste. Faith is not passive consent but an active coming to Christ. Delayed obedience often hardens the heart, but prompt response keeps it tender. Peace meets those who move toward the Savior. [39:17]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:52] - Great joy defined as Jesus
[03:32] - Chaos then and now
[07:54] - Enemies of God without Christ
[10:24] - The war we cannot win
[12:53] - Small peace vs great peace
[17:28] - God initiates peace through Jesus
[19:47] - For everyone, yet specific
[24:26] - KJV vs ESV: Luke 2:14
[30:39] - Angelic context clarifies recipients
[35:25] - Who pleases God and why
[39:17] - Respond like the shepherds
[40:51] - John 3:16–18: choose to believe
[43:18] - Never too late to respond

Bible Study Guide

Bible reading
- Bold passage to read aloud together: Luke 2:14

Observation questions

In Luke 2:14, what two things are announced by the angels, and to whom is peace given?
What did the shepherds do after hearing the announcement, and how quickly did they do it? ([39:17])
What human condition is named that shows why we need peace in the first place? ([07:54])
What different wordings of Luke 2:14 were discussed (KJV vs. ESV), and why does that difference matter for understanding who receives peace? ([27:43])

Interpretation questions

The angels proclaimed peace into a world that was chaotic. What does that tell us about the kind of peace God gives versus the kind we usually look for? ([03:32])
Why can’t lasting peace live where hostility with God remains? How does “a war we cannot win” clarify our need for reconciliation? ([10:24])
How does “peace among those with whom He is pleased” shape the way we think about receiving peace? What actually pleases God according to the surrounding context (humility, faith, bowing low)? ([32:52])
If God initiates peace in Jesus, why do many still lack it? How do offer and response fit together here? ([17:28])

Application questions

Where have you been settling for “small peace” (a smooth day, a quiet home) instead of seeking “great peace” with God? What is one step you can take this week to pursue peace with God first? ([12:53])
Is there any place you’re resisting God (a command, a conviction, a relationship)? What would it look like to lay down arms and end the “war” today through repentance and faith? ([10:24])
Humility makes room for grace. What is one concrete act of humility you can practice this week (confession, asking forgiveness, submitting to God’s Word, bowing in worship)? When will you do it? ([32:52])
The shepherds “went with haste.” Where do you sense you need to respond quickly to Jesus—something to start, stop, or say? Name one action you will take in the next 48 hours. ([39:17])
Who in your life needs to hear that peace with God is offered to everyone, but received specifically through Jesus? How will you carry that news to them this week (text, coffee invite, prayer, an invitation to church)? ([39:17])
Many feel unchanged by January. What rhythms could anchor you in the peace of God even when circumstances don’t change (Scripture, prayer, Sabbath, community)? Choose one rhythm to begin or renew this week. ([27:43])
If you have not yet trusted Christ, what is honestly holding you back right now? If you have, what is one way you can freshly express trust in Him today (pray, surrender a worry, obey a hard command)? ([40:51])

Sermon Clips

We need to understand how far away we have drifted from Him There are some who try to fool themselves that all they have to do is be a good person And as long as youre a good person then youre good to go If youre a good person youll make it to heaven If youre a good person and youre in right standing with God and we fool ourselves into thinking all we have to do is be a good person [00:07:32] (22 seconds) #GoodnessIsNotEnough

``Think about that for a moment See we dont get this neutral state that without Jesus we could be in this gray area or this neutral state We could take it or leave it Were fine Were just a good person All of those things sometimes we want to find ourselves in a neutral state because its safe in a neutral state But Pauls saying there is no neutral state Youre either for Him or youre against Him And if you try not to choose then you have already chosen that you are against Him [00:09:15] (28 seconds) #NoNeutralFaith

He says look when you werent with me when you dont have a relationship with me you are an enemy of God And the gravity of that should grip our hearts to try to think of what it must be like to have it be an enemy of God Because we realize something When were an enemy of God we are warring with Him Were raging against Him Whether we think we are or not our spirit inside of us says look even though God says do this I dont want to do that So were at war with Him [00:10:56] (29 seconds) #WarringWithGod

You know sometimes we have a picture of God in heaven Hes just waiting for us to mess up Hes just waiting to show us how strong He is or how judging He could be of us and how He can condemn us Sometimes we have such a negative picture of God But can I tell you God does not want you as an enemy The love that God has for each and every one of us will never be able to measure will never be able to grasp or to understand [00:16:14] (42 seconds) #GodsLoveUnmeasured

Hes just waiting for us to mess up Hes just waiting to show us how strong He is or how judging He could be of us and how He can condemn us Sometimes we have such a negative picture of God But can I tell you God does not want you as an enemy The love that God has for each and every one of us will never be able to measure will never be able to grasp or to understand Its not His desire and Im going to get more into this in a little bit but its not His desire at all for any of us to perish for any of us to be condemned for any of that He wants to love us [00:16:21] (46 seconds) #GodsHeartIsLove

We need to be those vessels We need to be the vessels that go out and tell people about this news share the gospel share the story let people know about it because it is for everybody okay But after receiving the message people need to respond We all needed to respond We need to respond The message is for everyone but the peace is only for those whom God is pleased in God is not pleased unless we respond Jesus came to this earth for all people but not all people respond to Jesus Thats a sad statement by the way [00:39:51] (35 seconds) #BeAVesselShareGospel

Thats not my desire Thats not what Im here for Thats not what I want to do I came so people can be saved I came so people could have peace I came so people could have everlasting life Thats why He came Thats why Hes here for But He did go on and He said in the next verse He said but heres the thing if people do not respond if people just say you know what Thanks but no thanks then theyre already condemned I didnt condemn them They did it already because they dont believe [00:42:02] (26 seconds) #JesusCameToSave

It doesnt have to be that way Im convinced and you cant say nothing to unconvince me but Im convinced if youre still here on this earth if youre still drawing air to breathe Gods not done with you God still wants you to have this peace God still wants to offer you the free gift that He has for you Never too late Never too late But we must respond appropriately [00:42:55] (26 seconds) #NeverTooLateToTurn

Ask a question about this sermon

Chatbot

What distinguishes great joy from ordinary joy?

How can enemies of God find peace?

How does Luke 2:14’s translation shape peace’s recipients?