Finding True Peace Through Christ's Birth
Summary
The sermon series focuses on the theme of peace, its biblical significance, and its relevance to believers' lives. The pastor emphasizes Jesus's role in bridging the gap between God and humanity, highlighting the peace and completeness that believers find in Him. The pastor also discusses the importance of giving, not just financially, but also in terms of love, energy, and other blessings. The pastor acknowledges the dissatisfaction and longing that people often feel, but assures the congregation that God wants to bring peace to their hearts.
The pastor delves into the concept of peace as it relates to Jesus and his followers. He explains that Jesus came to offer his peace to others, restoring the broken relationship between humans and God through his death and resurrection. The pastor also reflects on the story of the shepherds and the birth of Jesus, encouraging the congregation to imagine themselves in the shepherds' shoes and to appreciate the significance of this momentous event.
The pastor discusses the fracture that occurred in both the natural and spiritual realms when Adam and Eve sinned in the garden. He explains that God instituted a system of sacrifices to temporarily deal with sin, but these sacrifices were not enough to fully restore peace. However, with the birth of Jesus, there was a shift in the narrative. The pastor also shares a personal anecdote about attending multiple holiday parties with their newborn baby, which resulted in exhaustion and misery. From this experience, they learned the importance of not trying to please everyone and not stressing about doing everything.
The pastor then discusses the concept of peace as described in the Bible. He explains that in the Bible, peace goes beyond the absence of conflict and points to the presence of something better. The pastor also reflects on the feelings of confusion, fear, and anxiety that can arise when we don't know what is happening. He reminds the congregation of the hope that comes from the Christmas story, both in the first coming of Christ and the anticipation of his second coming.
Finally, the pastor reflects on the uncertainty and lack of peace surrounding the birth of Jesus. He emphasizes that the Christmas story was definitely not a silent night, as newborn babies are not quiet or peaceful. Despite their desire for peace and wholeness, Mary and Joseph's peace is interrupted by the arrival of shepherds who want to see the baby. The pastor raises the question of whether this was truly God's plan, considering the stress, turmoil, tension, and pain that preceded the birth of the Prince of Peace.
Key Takeaways:
- The peace that believers find in Jesus is not just the absence of conflict but the restoration of what is broken and fractured in our lives, relationships, and the world. This peace is achieved through faith and trust in God, not through works. ([49:33])
- The concept of peace in the Bible goes beyond the absence of conflict and points to the presence of something better. It refers to a state of completeness and wholeness in complex situations and relationships. When any aspect of life is out of alignment or missing, peace breaks down and needs to be restored. ([52:12])
- The birth of Jesus signifies a shift in the narrative of humanity's relationship with God. The angels' proclamation of peace on earth and goodwill towards men signifies that peace is no longer something to be earned through works, but rather something that is achieved through faith and trust in God. ([55:45])
- The Christmas story is a reminder of the hope that comes from the first coming of Christ and the anticipation of his second coming. This hope brings a sense of peace, knowing that one day every tear will be wiped away and God himself will be our light. ([58:30])
- The uncertainty and lack of peace surrounding the birth of Jesus raises the question of whether this was truly God's plan. The pastor suggests that Isaiah's prophecy about the Prince of Peace was not about perfect, stress-free holidays, but rather about God's great rescue plan and the beginning of His mission. ([61:15])
Study Guide
Bible Reading:
1) Luke 6:38 #!!36:01!!#
Observation Questions:
1) What is the main command in Luke 6:38?
2) What promise is given to those who obey this command in Luke 6:38?
Interpretation Questions:
1) What does it mean to give "good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over" as mentioned in Luke 6:38?
2) How does the principle of "with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you" apply to giving as described in Luke 6:38?
Application Questions:
1) How have you experienced the principle of Luke 6:38 in your life, where you received in abundance after giving generously?
2) What is one specific way you can practice generous giving this week, not just financially but also with your time, energy, or love?
3) Can you think of a person or a group of people you can give generously to this week? How can you do it in a way that reflects the "good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over" principle?
4) How can you encourage others around you to practice the principle of generous giving as described in Luke 6:38?
Devotional
Day 1: Restoration Through Faith and Trust
The peace that believers find in Jesus is not just the absence of conflict but the restoration of what is broken and fractured in our lives, relationships, and the world. This peace is achieved through faith and trust in God, not through works. ([49:33](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tl6u4lM4yPM&t=2958s)) This peace is not a superficial calm, but a deep-seated wholeness that permeates every aspect of our lives, healing our brokenness and bringing us into alignment with God's perfect will.
Bible Passage: Ephesians 2:14 - "For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility."
Reflection: Reflect on an area of your life that feels broken or fractured. How can you invite Jesus into that space to bring restoration and peace?
Day 2: Peace Beyond Absence of Conflict
The concept of peace in the Bible goes beyond the absence of conflict and points to the presence of something better. It refers to a state of completeness and wholeness in complex situations and relationships. When any aspect of life is out of alignment or missing, peace breaks down and needs to be restored. ([52:12](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tl6u4lM4yPM&t=3117s)) This peace is not merely about avoiding strife, but about embracing the fullness of God's blessings in every area of our lives.
Bible Passage: Colossians 3:15 - "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful."
Reflection: What is one situation or relationship in your life where you need to experience God's peace? How can you actively seek this peace beyond the absence of conflict?
Day 3: Shift in Humanity's Relationship with God
The birth of Jesus signifies a shift in the narrative of humanity's relationship with God. The angels' proclamation of peace on earth and goodwill towards men signifies that peace is no longer something to be earned through works, but rather something that is achieved through faith and trust in God. ([55:45](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tl6u4lM4yPM&t=3330s)) This shift marks a new era in which God's grace, not human effort, is the key to peace and reconciliation with God.
Bible Passage: Luke 2:14 - "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests."
Reflection: How does understanding the shift in humanity's relationship with God through Jesus's birth change your perspective on peace and reconciliation with God?
Day 4: Hope and Peace in Christ's Coming
The Christmas story is a reminder of the hope that comes from the first coming of Christ and the anticipation of his second coming. This hope brings a sense of peace, knowing that one day every tear will be wiped away and God himself will be our light. ([58:30](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tl6u4lM4yPM&t=3495s)) This hope is not just for the future, but also for the present, as we experience God's peace in the midst of our daily struggles and challenges.
Bible Passage: Titus 2:13 - "while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ."
Reflection: How does the hope of Christ's second coming bring peace into your current circumstances?
Day 5: God's Plan Amidst Uncertainty
The uncertainty and lack of peace surrounding the birth of Jesus raises the question of whether this was truly God's plan. Isaiah's prophecy about the Prince of Peace was not about perfect, stress-free holidays, but rather about God's great rescue plan and the beginning of His mission. ([61:15](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tl6u4lM4yPM&t=3660s)) Even in the midst of chaos and uncertainty, God's plan for redemption and peace was unfolding.
Bible Passage: Isaiah 9:6 - "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."
Reflection: How can you trust in God's plan for peace in your life, even when circumstances seem uncertain or chaotic?
Quotes
"Jesus came to offer his peace to others like when he said to his followers, 'My peace I give to you.' All the apostles claimed that Jesus made peace between messed up humans and God when he died and rose from the dead." [53:23]
"Becoming people of peace means participating in the life of Jesus who reconciled all things in heaven and on earth, restoring peace through his death and resurrection. So peace takes a lot of work because it's not just the absence of conflict, true peace requires taking what's broken and restoring it to wholeness." [54:04]
"For to us a child is born and to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and the Prince of Peace. This passage was written several hundred years before Jesus was born, and yet Isaiah was looking forward to a time when there would be a Messiah coming that would bring restoration and wholeness." [54:42]
"There's a sense of peace that comes along with thinking about heaven and what it'll be like when Jesus finally comes back to earth. It's a feeling of knowing that every tear will be wiped away, the lion will lay down with the lamb, and God Himself will be our light." [46:48]
"He himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility... His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace."
"All of a sudden there was a shift in what was happening... peace isn't about what you can do anymore but it's about what he's done... we can just trust and believe God."
"The most basic meaning of shalom is complete or whole. The word can refer to a stone that has a perfect whole shape with no cracks, or a completed stone wall that has no gaps and no missing bricks."
"Life is complex, full of moving parts and relationships and situations, and when any of these is out of alignment or missing, your shalom breaks down. Life is no longer whole; it needs to be restored."
"There's this uncertainty of having a new baby, you know, and will I be able to take care of it, what does it even mean to raise God's son? And so there's all of that uncertainty as well. And you can guarantee if there's anything that we know to be true about the Christmas story, it's that it was definitely not a silent night that night right there was definitely not silence happening when a newborn baby is born into the world they are not quiet, they are not peaceful."
"When Isaiah prophesied the prince of peace, he was thinking about the perfect no stress holidays, was he thinking about you know how everything we were going to have all the lights done and all of the cookies made and all of the you know we were going to get to all of the plays this year and we were going to go see all of the sites and we were going to have all of the all of the family parties and all of that stuff? No, he of course he wasn't thinking about those things. But we know that when Isaiah was prophesying that he was talking about God's great rescue plan, he was talking about how God has put in motion at the beginning."
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