Embracing Peace: Celebrating Jesus This Christmas Season

 

Summary

As we gather during this Christmas season, it's a time of joy and reflection, but also a time that can bring anxiety, especially when dealing with family dynamics. We often find ourselves anticipating difficult conversations or tensions that may arise. However, this season is a unique opportunity to celebrate Jesus, not just as a historical figure, but as the Prince of Peace who came to live perfectly on our behalf. This week, we are reminded of the importance of living as peacemakers, a calling that extends beyond the holiday season and into our daily lives as believers.

To worship is to extol the worth of God, and this is done by prioritizing time with Him, acknowledging His sovereignty, and living in a way that reflects His peace. Jesus came not only to show us how to live but to be our substitute, living perfectly where we cannot. This truth should guide us in our interactions, especially with fellow believers. We are called to live as peacemakers, embodying the peace that comes from trusting in Jesus for our salvation.

The concept of shalom, or peace, is twofold: inner peace with God and outer peace with others. Inner peace begins with acknowledging our need for Jesus, recognizing that without Him, we are spiritually dead. Outer peace involves living in harmony with others, particularly within the body of Christ. This requires wisdom, which begins with the fear of the Lord. True wisdom is not just knowledge but knowledge rightly applied, leading to a life of meekness and humility.

James reminds us that wisdom from God is pure, peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy, and sincere. As peacemakers, we are called to live out these attributes, striving for genuine peace rather than mere peacekeeping. This involves addressing conflicts with truth and love, seeking reconciliation rather than avoidance. As we navigate relationships, especially during this season, let us focus on sowing peace and reaping a harvest of righteousness.

Key Takeaways:

- Celebrating Jesus as the Prince of Peace: Christmas is a time to celebrate Jesus, who lived perfectly on our behalf. This truth should guide us in our interactions, reminding us of the peace we have in Him and our calling to be peacemakers. [23:34]

- The Dual Nature of Shalom: Shalom encompasses both inner peace with God and outer peace with others. Inner peace begins with acknowledging our need for Jesus, while outer peace involves living in harmony with others, particularly within the body of Christ. [27:32]

- Wisdom Begins with the Fear of the Lord: True wisdom is not just knowledge but knowledge rightly applied. It begins with reverence for God and leads to a life of meekness and humility, reflecting His peace in our interactions. [35:26]

- Living as Peacemakers, Not Peacekeepers: Peacemakers address conflicts with truth and love, seeking reconciliation rather than avoidance. This involves living out the attributes of wisdom from God: purity, peaceability, gentleness, and sincerity. [54:10]

- Sowing Peace and Reaping Righteousness: As we strive to live as peacemakers, we sow peace and, in time, reap a harvest of righteousness. This requires trusting in God's wisdom and being willing to address conflicts in a godly manner. [58:05]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [21:45] - Family Dynamics and Holiday Anxiety
- [23:34] - Celebrating Jesus as the Prince of Peace
- [25:49] - The Call to Be Peacemakers
- [27:32] - Understanding Shalom: Inner and Outer Peace
- [29:44] - The Greatest Gift: Jesus
- [33:55] - Wisdom Begins with the Fear of the Lord
- [35:26] - Applying Wisdom in Our Lives
- [41:17] - The Challenge of Trusting God
- [43:38] - True Wisdom vs. False Wisdom
- [48:03] - Overcoming Jealousy and Ambition
- [50:07] - Surrendering Desires to God
- [54:10] - Peacemakers vs. Peacekeepers
- [58:05] - Sowing Peace, Reaping Righteousness
- [01:02:48] - Taking Action: Making Peace
- [01:10:07] - Communion and Reflection

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. James 3:13-18
2. Proverbs 1:7
3. Matthew 5:9

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Observation Questions:

1. According to James 3:13-18, what are the characteristics of wisdom that comes from God? How do these characteristics contrast with earthly wisdom? [52:38]

2. In Proverbs 1:7, what is described as the beginning of knowledge? How does this relate to the concept of wisdom discussed in the sermon? [35:26]

3. How does Matthew 5:9 define peacemakers, and what promise is given to them? How does this align with the sermon’s call to live as peacemakers? [51:11]

4. What examples of family dynamics and holiday anxiety were mentioned in the sermon, and how do they relate to the need for inner and outer peace? [21:45]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the sermon explain the dual nature of shalom as both inner peace with God and outer peace with others? Why is it important for believers to understand and live out both aspects? [27:32]

2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of living as peacemakers rather than peacekeepers. What are the key differences between these two roles, and why is one preferred over the other? [54:10]

3. How does the fear of the Lord serve as the foundation for true wisdom, according to the sermon and Proverbs 1:7? What implications does this have for a believer’s daily life? [35:26]

4. In what ways does the sermon suggest that wisdom from God should be applied in our interactions with others, especially during the holiday season? [49:33]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a recent family gathering or interaction. Were there moments where you could have acted more as a peacemaker? What would you do differently next time? [21:45]

2. The sermon discusses the importance of acknowledging our need for Jesus to achieve inner peace. How can you make this acknowledgment a more regular part of your spiritual practice? [27:32]

3. Consider a conflict or tension you are currently experiencing. How can you apply the attributes of wisdom from James 3:17—purity, peaceability, gentleness, etc.—to address this situation? [52:38]

4. The sermon highlights the difference between peacemakers and peacekeepers. Can you identify a situation where you have been a peacekeeper instead of a peacemaker? What steps can you take to change this approach? [54:10]

5. How can you cultivate a greater fear of the Lord in your life to enhance your wisdom and decision-making? What practical steps can you take this week to grow in reverence for God? [35:26]

6. Think of someone with whom you need to make peace. What specific actions can you take this week to initiate reconciliation, and how can you prepare your heart for this conversation? [59:20]

7. The sermon encourages believers to sow peace and reap righteousness. What is one specific way you can sow peace in your community or church this week? [58:05]

Devotional

Day 1: Celebrating Jesus as the Prince of Peace
In the midst of the Christmas season, we are reminded to celebrate Jesus not just as a historical figure, but as the Prince of Peace who came to live perfectly on our behalf. This truth should guide us in our interactions, reminding us of the peace we have in Him and our calling to be peacemakers. As we gather with family and friends, we may face anxiety and difficult conversations, but this is an opportunity to embody the peace of Christ. By prioritizing time with God and acknowledging His sovereignty, we can reflect His peace in our lives. [23:34]

"For to us a child is born, to 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." (Isaiah 9:6, ESV)

Reflection: How can you intentionally bring the peace of Christ into a specific relationship or situation this Christmas season?


Day 2: The Dual Nature of Shalom
Shalom, or peace, is a profound concept that encompasses both inner peace with God and outer peace with others. Inner peace begins with acknowledging our need for Jesus, recognizing that without Him, we are spiritually dead. Outer peace involves living in harmony with others, particularly within the body of Christ. This dual nature of shalom calls us to seek reconciliation and harmony in our relationships, reflecting the peace we have received from God. As we embrace this calling, we are reminded that true peace is not merely the absence of conflict but the presence of God’s wholeness and completeness in our lives. [27:32]

"And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful." (Colossians 3:15, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you pursue both inner and outer peace in your life today, especially within your community of faith?


Day 3: Wisdom Begins with the Fear of the Lord
True wisdom is not just knowledge but knowledge rightly applied, and it begins with reverence for God. This wisdom leads to a life of meekness and humility, reflecting His peace in our interactions. As believers, we are called to embody the attributes of wisdom from God: purity, peaceability, gentleness, and sincerity. By seeking God’s wisdom, we can navigate our relationships and conflicts with truth and love, striving for genuine peace rather than mere peacekeeping. This wisdom is a gift from God, and it requires us to trust in His guidance and direction in our lives. [35:26]

"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight." (Proverbs 9:10, ESV)

Reflection: How can you cultivate a deeper reverence for God in your daily life, and how might this impact your interactions with others?


Day 4: Living as Peacemakers, Not Peacekeepers
As peacemakers, we are called to address conflicts with truth and love, seeking reconciliation rather than avoidance. This involves living out the attributes of wisdom from God: purity, peaceability, gentleness, and sincerity. Peacemakers strive for genuine peace, which requires courage and intentionality in addressing issues and seeking resolution. By embodying these qualities, we can sow peace and reap a harvest of righteousness in our relationships and communities. This calling challenges us to move beyond mere peacekeeping, which often involves avoiding conflict, to actively pursuing peace through reconciliation and understanding. [54:10]

"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God." (Matthew 5:9, ESV)

Reflection: Is there a conflict in your life that you have been avoiding? How can you take a step towards reconciliation today?


Day 5: Sowing Peace and Reaping Righteousness
As we strive to live as peacemakers, we sow peace and, in time, reap a harvest of righteousness. This requires trusting in God's wisdom and being willing to address conflicts in a godly manner. By sowing seeds of peace, we contribute to a community that reflects the righteousness of God. This process involves patience and perseverance, as the fruits of peace may not be immediately visible. However, by trusting in God’s timing and His promises, we can be assured that our efforts to sow peace will ultimately lead to a harvest of righteousness and blessing. [58:05]

"And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace." (James 3:18, ESV)

Reflection: What specific actions can you take today to sow peace in your community, trusting that God will bring about a harvest of righteousness in His time?

Quotes



To worship is to extol or to, you know, to worship is to extol or to worship. To highlight the worth or the value of something or someone. And so as we prioritize time in our daily lives, that's what we're doing. We're saying, Jesus, Lord, Heavenly Father, right? We worship the Trinity, the Father and Son and Holy Spirit. So we say, Lord, you're worth all of this time and more. [00:22:18] (22 seconds)


But it's true that this week is an especially important time for us where we get to, to thank the Lord, thank the everlasting Father for sending his Son, Jesus. To live perfectly in every way as we cannot. Right? The reason we have a little bit of that holiday anxiety from time to time is we know that we don't live perfectly. [00:22:44] (36 seconds)


If we live in ways that betray our statement of faith, our profession of faith, if we live in ways that betray the reality that Jesus is, the Prince of Peace, which means in part that he takes up residence in our life. Now, as we speak about this, this is through the form of the Holy Spirit who takes up residence in our lives. [00:25:07] (25 seconds)


What does it mean to live as a peacemaker? Last week, we talked about the word shalom and the fact that shalom means peace. It's the Hebrew word for peace, and it's really conceptualized in two ideas, right? There's inner peace and there's outer peace. Inner peace in your soul, right? We talked about the idea that it really is the idea of first trusting the Lord Jesus for our salvation. That's how we get peace. [00:26:09] (25 seconds)


I see people wrestle with this a lot, where they're fighting everything, and what is the easiest thing to do, which is to declare of yourself that you cannot live the way that God tells you to without him taking up residence in your life and living through you. I mean, that's the essence of the good news, the gospel of Jesus. Don't try harder alone. [00:26:50] (38 seconds)


Look at Proverbs 1, 7, which says, the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge or wisdom. Wisdom is knowledge rightly applied. You've got knowledge about God. You have knowledge from God. You have knowledge from God about life. Great. That's great. It's a bunch of garbage if you don't apply it well. [00:34:46] (28 seconds)


Fools despise wisdom and instruction. There it is. If we don't have a high reverence for who the Lord is, we lack wisdom. We lack the right knowledge. Why? Well, because we're foolishly putting away what God says. Because we don't esteem him highly enough. [00:35:26] (25 seconds)


Blessed are those who mourn for they shall be comforted that's talking about mourning over the reality of your own sin the reality of your own need for a savior you'll be comforted but there is grief that is filled with pride that can look like mourning but if the answer is to continually run to yourself for the solution it is not in fact mourning and those individuals don't find comfort. [00:38:41] (32 seconds)


James wants to help these Jewish Christians not be unstable. In other words, he wants to help them be stable with their feet firmly planted in the goodness and the grace and the full wisdom that comes from above, from God, our Father, who gives liberally, generously to everyone without finding fault. What a wonderful gift. [00:40:21] (24 seconds)


Forget all of the presents under your tree. Forget everything else. That would be the greatest gift that you could open this Christmas, is to put your faith in Jesus Christ for your salvation. And therefore have access to receive all of the wisdom from God, which I will also say, he has given us all of that wisdom that we need in his word, that knowledge, but learning how to apply it takes wisdom and practice and discernment and help. [00:40:45] (27 seconds)


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Transcript
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