Jesus: The Prince of Peace and Our Call to Reconciliation
Summary
In today's message, we explored the profound significance of Jesus as the "Prince of Peace," a title prophesied by Isaiah and fulfilled through Christ's life, death, and resurrection. This title is not merely a name but a testament to Jesus' divine role in establishing peace between humanity and God. We delved into Romans 5:1-2, which highlights the peace we have with God through faith in Jesus Christ. This peace is both objective, a fact of our reconciled relationship with God, and subjective, the inner tranquility we experience as believers.
Historically, names have held deep meanings, often reflecting one's occupation or lineage. For Jesus, embodying the title "Prince of Peace" was not coincidental but prophetic, offering hope to a world in turmoil. The peace Jesus brings is twofold: subjective peace, the feeling of calm and assurance, and objective peace, the reality of our reconciled relationship with God. Through His sacrifice, Jesus tore down the barriers that separated us from God, granting us direct access to His presence and transforming our relationship status from enemies to children of God.
We also examined the temple's structure in Jesus' time, illustrating the separation between humanity and God's presence. Jesus' death tore the veil, symbolizing the new access to God and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in believers. This transformation is a testament to God's love and grace, reconciling us to Himself even while we were His enemies.
Furthermore, we discussed the importance of being peacemakers, as Jesus calls us to be. As children of God, we are to reflect His peace to the world, actively seeking reconciliation between others and God, and fostering peace in our relationships. This involves stepping into uncomfortable situations, sharing the source of our peace, and prioritizing eternal reconciliation over temporary comfort.
In conclusion, the Prince of Peace offers us a pathway to both objective and subjective peace, urging us to share this peace with others. As we celebrate the birth of Christ, let us remember the profound peace He brings and strive to be peacemakers in His name.
Key Takeaways:
- Objective and Subjective Peace: Jesus provides both objective peace, the fact of our reconciled relationship with God, and subjective peace, the inner tranquility we experience. This dual peace is rooted in our faith and the assurance of our salvation. [09:38]
- Historical Context of Peace: The temple's structure in Jesus' time symbolized the separation between humanity and God. Jesus' sacrifice tore the veil, granting us direct access to God and transforming our relationship status from enemies to children of God. [12:52]
- The Role of Peacemakers: As followers of Christ, we are called to be peacemakers, actively seeking reconciliation between others and God, and fostering peace in our relationships. This involves stepping into uncomfortable situations and sharing the source of our peace. [38:43]
- The World's False Peace: The world offers temporary distractions as peace, but true peace comes from God. We must be cautious not to seek peace in worldly distractions but in the eternal assurance provided by Christ. [31:25]
- Eternal Perspective on Peace: With an eternal focus, we can endure present sufferings, knowing they prepare us for the eternal glory to come. Our peace is rooted in the assurance of our salvation and the hope of Christ's return. [33:45]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [01:49] - Introduction to the Series
- [07:42] - Understanding the Title "Prince"
- [09:38] - Defining Peace: Subjective and Objective
- [12:52] - The Temple and Separation from God
- [17:35] - Our Status Before Peace
- [20:24] - God's Love and Reconciliation
- [22:14] - Accepting Jesus' Sacrifice
- [23:28] - Experiencing Subjective Peace
- [25:57] - Rejoicing in Suffering
- [28:26] - The Cycle of Suffering and Hope
- [30:37] - The World's False Peace
- [31:25] - True Peace from God
- [33:45] - Eternal Perspective on Peace
- [37:06] - Being Peacemakers
- [38:43] - Sharing God's Peace
- [41:12] - The Role of Peacemakers
- [44:01] - Questions for Peacemakers
- [45:14] - Conclusion and Reflection
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: The Prince of Peace
Bible Reading:
- Romans 5:1-2
- Isaiah 9:6
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Observation Questions:
1. What does Romans 5:1-2 say about the peace we have with God through Jesus Christ? How is this peace described in the sermon? [09:38]
2. According to Isaiah 9:6, what are the titles given to the Messiah, and how does the sermon explain the significance of the title "Prince of Peace"? [01:49]
3. How did the structure of the temple in Jesus' time symbolize the separation between humanity and God, and what event changed this separation? [12:52]
4. What are the two types of peace mentioned in the sermon, and how are they defined? [09:38]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of "objective peace" in Romans 5:1-2 provide assurance to believers, and why is this important for understanding our relationship with God? [09:38]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that Jesus' title as "Prince of Peace" was prophetic rather than coincidental? How does this impact our understanding of His role in our lives? [01:49]
3. The sermon discusses the role of peacemakers. What does it mean to be a peacemaker according to the sermon, and how does this relate to our identity as children of God? [37:06]
4. How does the sermon contrast the world's version of peace with the peace offered by God? What are the implications of seeking peace in worldly distractions? [31:25]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current relationship with God. Do you feel at peace with Him, and if not, what steps can you take to change your relationship status from "enemy" to "peace"? [22:14]
2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of being peacemakers. Can you identify a situation in your life where you can actively seek reconciliation or peace? What might that look like practically? [37:06]
3. Consider the distractions in your life that might be offering a false sense of peace. What specific steps can you take this week to seek true peace from God instead? [31:25]
4. How can you share the peace you have found in Christ with others around you? Identify one person you can reach out to this week to share the source of your peace. [38:43]
5. The sermon mentions the cycle of suffering, endurance, character, and hope. How have you seen this cycle play out in your own life, and how can you use this understanding to find peace in current or future struggles? [25:57]
6. Reflect on the role of the Holy Spirit in your life as a source of peace. How can you cultivate a deeper relationship with the Holy Spirit to experience more of this peace? [12:52]
7. The sermon challenges us to be uncomfortable for the sake of making peace. Are there areas in your life where you need to step out of your comfort zone to foster peace? What might be holding you back, and how can you overcome it? [44:01]
Devotional
Day 1: The Dual Nature of Peace
The peace that Jesus offers is both objective and subjective. Objective peace refers to the reconciled relationship between humanity and God, a fact established through faith in Jesus Christ. This peace is not dependent on our feelings or circumstances but is a reality rooted in the assurance of our salvation. Subjective peace, on the other hand, is the inner tranquility and calm that believers experience as a result of this reconciled relationship. It is the peace that surpasses all understanding, guarding our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. This dual nature of peace is a profound gift that transforms our lives, allowing us to live with confidence and assurance in God's promises. [09:38]
Romans 5:1-2 (ESV): "Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God."
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you struggle to experience subjective peace, despite knowing the objective peace you have with God? How can you invite God into these areas today?
Day 2: The Veil Torn for Access
In the historical context of the temple, a veil symbolized the separation between humanity and God's presence. Only the high priest could enter the Holy of Holies, and that too only once a year. However, Jesus' sacrifice on the cross tore this veil, granting believers direct access to God. This act symbolizes the transformation of our relationship status from enemies to children of God. Through Jesus, the barriers that once separated us from God have been removed, and we are now invited to approach Him with confidence and boldness. This new access is a testament to God's love and grace, reconciling us to Himself and allowing the Holy Spirit to dwell within us. [12:52]
Hebrews 10:19-22 (ESV): "Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water."
Reflection: How does the reality of having direct access to God change the way you approach Him in prayer and worship? What steps can you take to deepen your relationship with Him today?
Day 3: Called to Be Peacemakers
As followers of Christ, we are called to be peacemakers, reflecting His peace to the world. This involves actively seeking reconciliation between others and God and fostering peace in our relationships. Being a peacemaker requires courage and a willingness to step into uncomfortable situations, prioritizing eternal reconciliation over temporary comfort. It means sharing the source of our peace, Jesus Christ, with those around us and being agents of His love and grace. As children of God, we have the responsibility to embody His peace and work towards healing and restoration in our communities. [38:43]
Matthew 5:9 (ESV): "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God."
Reflection: Who in your life needs to experience the peace of Christ? How can you be a peacemaker in your relationships and community today?
Day 4: The Illusion of Worldly Peace
The world often offers temporary distractions as a form of peace, but true peace comes only from God. These distractions may provide momentary relief but ultimately fail to address the deeper need for reconciliation with God. As believers, we must be cautious not to seek peace in worldly things but in the eternal assurance provided by Christ. This involves recognizing the false promises of the world and turning to God for true and lasting peace. By focusing on the eternal perspective, we can endure present sufferings, knowing they prepare us for the glory to come. [31:25]
John 14:27 (ESV): "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid."
Reflection: What worldly distractions do you find yourself turning to for peace? How can you shift your focus to the eternal peace that Christ offers?
Day 5: An Eternal Perspective on Peace
With an eternal focus, believers can endure present sufferings, knowing they prepare us for the eternal glory to come. Our peace is rooted in the assurance of our salvation and the hope of Christ's return. This eternal perspective allows us to view our current circumstances in light of God's greater plan and purpose. It encourages us to persevere through trials, trusting that God is working all things for our good and His glory. By keeping our eyes fixed on the eternal, we can experience a peace that transcends our present challenges and fills us with hope for the future. [33:45]
2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (ESV): "So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal."
Reflection: How does having an eternal perspective change the way you view your current struggles? What steps can you take to cultivate this perspective in your daily life?
Quotes
"Now, 600 years later, roughly 20 generations or so, many of us have kept the last name, but we no longer embody the last name. I know four different Smiths over at the Sugar Grove campus. I don't think any of them work in metal, right? So there are some people though, hundreds of years later who embody their family name. They still embody their family name. They have their family name. The first example, this man, he, uh, he worked 12 years as the Washington Bureau chief for CNN." [00:04:41] (40 seconds)
"Peace because we have faith in Jesus. A pathway to peace has been paved between us and God. The relationship status now equals peace. He goes on in verse two. It says, through him, we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Through faith, we have God's grace. The grace in which we stand, it points to the secure position that believers have in the standing of their relationship with God. Relationship status equals peace." [00:10:56] (35 seconds)
"so that they didn't go in there and drop dead as well, right? This is the world that Jesus was born into. And when Jesus died on the cross to atone for our sins, to pay our debt, to purify our hearts, that veil that sectioned off the room where God's presence dwelt, that curtain was torn from top to bottom, signifying a new access to God that his son in his sacrifice has given us. Now the Holy Spirit can dwell within our hearts. Hebrews 10, 14 says that by a single offering, he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified." [00:15:46] (41 seconds)
"And in contrast to his anger and his wrath is his incredible grace and mercy. In Romans 5 .10, it said, while we were still enemies of God, we were reconciled to God by the death of his son. While we were still enemies to God, he paved a pathway of reconciliation through the blood of his son because he loved us. Ephesians 2 said, by nature, we were children of wrath like the rest of mankind, but God, but God being rich in mercy because of the great love in which he loved us." [00:20:53] (36 seconds)
"Through objective peace, we can have subjective peace. Jesus is paved a pathway for us to have objective peace with God, the fact of peace with God because of what he's done. We can have confidence in the status of our relationship with in God for our subjective peace, that we can feel peace from God. Now we know as believers, that doesn't mean that our life is about to be easy. As my mother -in -law says, it's not going to be peachy keen, right? And Jesus said that as well in John 16, 33, that, in the world, you'll have tribulation, you'll have trouble, but take heart, I have overcome" [00:25:57] (40 seconds)
"the world. That taking heart is an acknowledgement of the objective peace that we have knowing that our eternity is secure, knowing that how the story ends, that he overcomes the world. But what about subjective peace? How do we go about feeling that peace, especially amid tribulation and trouble? We pick up in Romans 5, 3. It says, not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope. And hope does not put us to shame because God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us." [00:25:57] (43 seconds)
"Imagine with me, if subjective peace is water, if the feeling of peace is water, and we're all thirsty for peace, but the world doesn't sell real peace. The world is selling bottles of Sprite at an absorbent price like you're buying it out of the airport. Y 'all know Sprite. Lemon Lime Soda. Back when I was in high school, 2007, they had this whole campaign, and it was freedom from thirst. You can get freedom from thirst. It'd be like a bunch of guys riding in the back of a pickup truck." [00:29:36] (37 seconds)
"See, the peacemaker, they put themselves between two enemies and contends for both so that they can participate in the reconciliation. They put themselves between two enemies. I intercede to God on your behalf, and I evangelize to you on God's behalf. 2 Corinthians 5 .20 says, therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ. God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ. Be reconciled to God. But the only way for me to have that voice in your life with any shred of authenticity or credibility is if I am leaning on God for my peace and then shining that light into the world that you could see God's peace in my life." [00:39:58] (46 seconds)
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