Embracing the Gift of Peace This Advent
Summary
During this Advent season, we find ourselves in a time of anticipation, reflecting on the coming of Jesus, both in the past and in the future. Advent is a time to remember the prophecies of the Messiah's arrival and to prepare our hearts for His return. Today, we focus on the candle of peace, symbolized by the Bethlehem candle, which reminds us of Mary and Joseph's journey to Bethlehem and the birth of Jesus, our Messiah. The lighting of the candle changes the atmosphere, just as the message of peace should transform our hearts.
Peace is not merely a concept or something we can achieve through our own efforts. It is a gift, a person—Jesus Christ—who brings transformation to our hearts. The story of Caesar Augustus, who sought to control the world through force, teaches us that true peace cannot be achieved through control or manipulation. Despite his power, Augustus could not bring about the peace he desired. In contrast, Jesus, born in humble Bethlehem, fulfills the prophecies and brings true peace wherever He is present.
The story of Jesus' birth is grounded in reality, emphasizing prophecy, place, and peace. Jesus was born in a real place, Bethlehem, fulfilling over 300 Old Testament prophecies. His presence brings the peace of heaven, pushing out anxiety, fear, and insecurity. Yet, throughout His life, there was often no room for Jesus—in the inn, in His hometown, in the marketplace, in government, and even in religion. This challenges us to consider whether there is room for Jesus in our hearts today.
To be peacemakers, as Jesus calls us, we must first have His peace within us. This peace is a gift from Jesus, who reconciles us with God and enables us to bring peace to others. The Father's business is peace on earth, and as followers of Christ, we are called to join this family business. This Christmas, let us make room for Jesus in our hearts and become conduits of His peace in our families, workplaces, and communities.
Key Takeaways:
- Peace is not something we can control or achieve on our own; it is a gift from Jesus, who transforms our hearts and brings true peace. [01:53]
- The story of Caesar Augustus illustrates that control and force cannot bring about true peace. True peace comes from Jesus, the Prince of Peace, who fulfills the prophecies and brings peace wherever He is present. [09:40]
- Jesus' birth in Bethlehem fulfills over 300 Old Testament prophecies, emphasizing the importance of prophecy, place, and peace in God's plan. His presence brings the peace of heaven, pushing out anxiety and fear. [14:21]
- Throughout His life, there was often no room for Jesus, challenging us to consider whether there is room for Him in our hearts today. We must make room for Jesus to experience His peace and become peacemakers. [20:39]
- As followers of Christ, we are called to join the family business of peacemaking, bringing the peace of heaven to earth in our families, workplaces, and communities. This is the true message of Christmas and Advent. [27:54]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[01:53] - The Gift of Peace
[02:27] - A Story of Control
[04:17] - The Story of Peace on Earth
[06:29] - Caesar Augustus and the Illusion of Peace
[08:13] - The Cost of Roman Peace
[09:40] - Control vs. True Peace
[11:35] - The Journey to Bethlehem
[14:21] - Prophecy, Place, and Peace
[16:46] - The Prince of Peace
[18:14] - No Room for Jesus
[20:39] - Making Room for Jesus
[22:33] - The Call to Peacemaking
[24:13] - Seeking Jesus Without Anxiety
[27:09] - The Father's Business: Peace on Earth
[30:34] - The Gift of Peace at Christmas
[33:52] - Closing Prayer and Blessing
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Luke 2:1-7 - The birth of Jesus and the decree from Caesar Augustus.
2. Micah 5:2 - Prophecy about the birthplace of the Messiah.
3. Isaiah 9:6 - Prophecy about the coming of the Prince of Peace.
#### Observation Questions
1. What does the lighting of the Bethlehem candle symbolize during Advent? [01:53]
2. How did Caesar Augustus attempt to achieve peace, and why was it ultimately unsuccessful? [09:40]
3. What significance does the town of Bethlehem hold in the story of Jesus' birth? [11:35]
4. How does the sermon describe the atmosphere change when a candle is lit, and how is this related to the message of peace? [01:53]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the story of Caesar Augustus illustrate the difference between worldly control and the peace that Jesus brings? [09:40]
2. In what ways does the prophecy in Micah 5:2 emphasize the importance of place in God's plan for peace? [14:21]
3. What does it mean to make room for Jesus in our hearts, and how does this relate to being a peacemaker? [20:39]
4. How does the sermon suggest that Jesus' peace can transform our hearts and lives? [01:53]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your current life situation. Is there room for Jesus in your heart amidst the busyness and stress of the season? How can you make space for Him this Christmas? [31:34]
2. Think of a situation in your life where you are trying to control the outcome. How can you surrender this to Jesus and seek His peace instead? [09:40]
3. Identify a relationship or situation in your life where you can be a peacemaker. What steps can you take to bring the peace of Jesus into that context? [27:54]
4. How can you incorporate the message of peace into your daily routine, especially in your interactions with family and coworkers? [27:54]
5. Consider the prophecy of Jesus' birth in Bethlehem. How does knowing that God had a specific plan for Jesus' arrival encourage you in your own life journey? [14:21]
6. Reflect on the areas of your life filled with anxiety or fear. How can you invite Jesus' peace to reign in those areas? [25:10]
7. As we celebrate Advent, what practical steps can you take to join the "family business" of peacemaking in your community? [27:54]
Devotional
Day 1: Peace as a Transformative Gift
Peace is not something we can control or achieve on our own; it is a gift from Jesus, who transforms our hearts and brings true peace. This peace is not a mere absence of conflict or a fleeting feeling of calm. Instead, it is a profound state of being that Jesus imparts to us, changing our inner world and, consequently, our outer actions. The peace Jesus offers is deeply rooted in His presence, which dispels anxiety, fear, and insecurity. As we light the Bethlehem candle during Advent, we are reminded of the peace that Jesus brings, a peace that is not of this world but from heaven itself. [01:53]
Isaiah 26:3-4 (ESV): "You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock."
Reflection: In what areas of your life are you trying to manufacture peace on your own? How can you invite Jesus to transform these areas with His peace today?
Day 2: The Illusion of Control vs. True Peace
The story of Caesar Augustus illustrates that control and force cannot bring about true peace. Augustus, despite his immense power, could not achieve the peace he desired through manipulation and control. In contrast, Jesus, the Prince of Peace, fulfills the prophecies and brings peace wherever He is present. This peace is not achieved through human effort but is a divine gift that surpasses all understanding. As we reflect on this, we are challenged to relinquish our own attempts at control and instead embrace the peace that Jesus offers, which is rooted in His presence and promises. [09:40]
Psalm 46:10-11 (ESV): "Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth! The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress."
Reflection: Where in your life are you relying on control to achieve peace? How can you surrender this to Jesus and trust in His peace instead?
Day 3: Prophecy, Place, and Peace
Jesus' birth in Bethlehem fulfills over 300 Old Testament prophecies, emphasizing the importance of prophecy, place, and peace in God's plan. His presence brings the peace of heaven, pushing out anxiety and fear. The reality of Jesus' birth in a specific place and time underscores the tangible nature of God's promises and His faithfulness to fulfill them. As we consider the significance of Bethlehem, we are reminded that God's peace is not abstract but is grounded in the reality of His presence with us. [14:21]
Micah 5:2-5a (ESV): "But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days... And he shall be their peace."
Reflection: How does the fulfillment of prophecy in Jesus' birth strengthen your faith in God's promises? What specific promise of God do you need to hold onto today?
Day 4: Making Room for Jesus
Throughout His life, there was often no room for Jesus, challenging us to consider whether there is room for Him in our hearts today. We must make room for Jesus to experience His peace and become peacemakers. This involves a conscious decision to prioritize His presence in our lives, allowing His peace to transform us from the inside out. As we reflect on the Advent season, we are invited to examine our hearts and make space for Jesus, ensuring that He is not crowded out by the busyness and distractions of life. [20:39]
Revelation 3:20 (ESV): "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me."
Reflection: What distractions or priorities are currently taking up space in your heart? How can you intentionally make room for Jesus this Advent season?
Day 5: Joining the Family Business of Peacemaking
As followers of Christ, we are called to join the family business of peacemaking, bringing the peace of heaven to earth in our families, workplaces, and communities. This is the true message of Christmas and Advent. Being a peacemaker means actively participating in God's mission to reconcile the world to Himself, sharing the peace we have received with others. It involves living out the values of the Kingdom of God, where peace, justice, and love reign. As we embrace this calling, we become conduits of God's peace, transforming the world around us. [27:54]
2 Corinthians 5:18-20 (ESV): "All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us."
Reflection: Who in your life needs to experience the peace of Christ through you? What practical steps can you take to be a peacemaker in your community this week?
Quotes
Peace is not something you can know. It's not something you can obtain. It's not something you can read about and find. Peace is someone that must know you. That's really what peace is. It's a gift. It's a gift and the purpose of the gift is to bring transformation to your heart. [00:02:00] (27 seconds)
Caesar Augustus could never bring about the peace that he wanted. Even though he had the largest army in the world, even though he had resources at his fingertips, he could never be the Prince of Peace. [00:10:21] (16 seconds)
This is very important, because this gives us a little bit of context. It gives us the revelation pattern of the Messiah. The revelation pattern of the Messiah. First, there's prophecy. There's prophecy. Bible scholars tell us, in fact, most Bible scholars agree about this. When Jesus was born and in his life, he fulfilled over 300 Old Testament prophecies. 300 prophecies. [00:14:21] (26 seconds)
Wherever Jesus is, the peace of heaven reigns. Wherever the Messiah is, wherever his location, the peace of heaven reigns. That light can push out anxiety, fear, and insecurity. It can completely push those things out. I love what the scripture that was read earlier in Isaiah 9, 6, for unto us a child is born, a son is given, and the government will be upon his shoulders, and he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and most importantly, for our purposes, Prince of Peace. [00:16:27] (44 seconds)
There was no room for him in the marketplace. If you remember when Jesus crossed over the lake to the Gadarene region, where there was a demon possessed man who lived among the tombs, those people in that region were Jews, but they were pig farmers. They raised pigs and they were forced to do it by the Romans to feed this massive army. And so business was good. [00:18:48] (23 seconds)
Is there room for Jesus in your heart when we're consumed about paying off the credit card and all the debt that we find ourselves in? Is there really room for Jesus in our hearts today? Here's what Jesus said in Matthew 5, 9. Jesus said, blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. [00:21:26] (25 seconds)
And when you and I are in peace, we're going to receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. When we receive Christ as Lord and Savior, we make room for him. Here's what he does. He's the one that makes peace between me and God, between you and God. He's the one then that makes peace for yourself. [00:22:18] (15 seconds)
You and I will not be able to see Jesus. We will not be able to see Jesus. We will not be able to see Jesus. We will never connect with Jesus through anxiety. We can never build a beautiful relationship with Jesus through fear, through insecurity. When we come to Jesus, he wants us to come whole. He wants us to come with all of our problems and all of our issues. And anxiety is a big one. [00:25:43] (23 seconds)
The family business this Christmas season is peacemaking, to be makers of peace, to be the peace of heaven on earth in your family, to be the peace of God in that broken relationship in your family where there's addiction and it looks like there's no peace. There's no peace. There's no peace. There's no peace. There's no peace. There's no way for peace to take place. [00:28:48] (27 seconds)
Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. Jesus says, peace, I want to leave with you. The peace that I purchased for you on the cross, the peace that my blood paid the price for, the new covenant, the peace that I made for you, Jesus says this, I'm giving it to you. [00:30:05] (29 seconds)
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