Advent: Peace

What do we mean by peace?

• World peace? "Give peace a chance."
• Jesus said, "Don’t imagine that I came to bring peace to the earth! I came not to bring peace, but a sword." (Matthew 10:34)
• The kind of peace we are concerned with here is a right relationship between us and God, us and others, and us and ourselves.
• Job 3:25-26 "What I always feared has happened to me. What I dreaded has come true. I have no peace, no quietness. I have no rest; only trouble comes.” / Isaiah 48:22 "There is no peace for the wicked.”

The Peace Offering

Good News of Peace

• Isaiah 52:7 How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of the messenger who brings good news, the good news of peace and salvation, the news that the God of Israel reigns!
• Isaiah 9:6-7 For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His government and its peace will never end. He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David for all eternity. The passionate commitment of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies will make this happen!
• Luke 2:8-14 That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.” Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying, “Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.”
• The GOOD NEWS of Peace -- Acts 10:36 "This is the message of Good News for the people of Israel—that there is peace with God through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all." / Romans 5:1 Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. / Colossians 1:19-20 For God in all his fullness was pleased to live in Christ, and through him God reconciled everything to himself. He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth by means of Christ’s blood on the cross.
• Under the Old Covenant, man presented peace offerings to God. Jesus is God's peace offering to us. / "Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God." (Ephesians 5:2)

Where and How Do We Find Peace?

• John 14:27 “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid."
• Ephesians 2:14-18 For Christ himself has brought peace to us. He united Jews and Gentiles into one people when, in his own body on the cross, he broke down the wall of hostility that separated us. He did this by ending the system of law with its commandments and regulations. He made peace between Jews and Gentiles by creating in himself one new people from the two groups. Together as one body, Christ reconciled both groups to God by means of his death on the cross, and our hostility toward each other was put to death. He brought this Good News of peace to you Gentiles who were far away from him, and peace to the Jews who were near. Now all of us can come to the Father through the same Holy Spirit because of what Christ has done for us.
• Romans 15:33 And now may God, who gives us his peace, be with you all.
• Isaiah 26:12 Lord, you will grant us peace; all we have accomplished is really from you.
• Romans 8:6 So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace.
• Proverbs 1:33 (wisdom speaking) But all who listen to me will live in peace, untroubled by fear of harm.
• Psalm 119:165 Those who love your instructions have great peace and do not stumble.
• Isaiah 26:3 You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!
• 2 Thessalonians 3:16 Now may the Lord of peace himself give you his peace at all times and in every situation.

Benefits of God's Peace

• Philippians 4:6-7 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
• Psalm 4:8 In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, O Lord, will keep me safe.
• Proverbs 12:20b Joy fills hearts that are planning peace!
• Proverbs 14:30 A peaceful heart leads to a healthy body; jealousy is like cancer in the bones.
• Romans 19:19b-20 I want you to be wise in doing right and to stay innocent of any wrong. The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.

Our Responsibilities

• 2 Timothy 2:22b Pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love, and peace.
• 1 Peter 3:11 Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work to maintain it.
• Colossians 3:15 And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.
• Romans 12:18 Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.
• Ephesians 4:3 Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace.
• Jeremiah 29:7 "And work for the peace and prosperity of the city where I sent you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, for its welfare will determine your welfare.”
• James 3:18 And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness.
• Matthew 5:9 God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God.

Be a Messenger of Peace

• Ephesians 6:15 For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. (or "For shoes, put on the readiness to preach the Good News of peace with God.")
• Isaiah 52:7 How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of the messenger who brings good news, the good news of peace and salvation, the news that the God of Israel reigns!

Go and Do Likewise

Just as we are to forgive as we have been forgiven, just as we are to show mercy as we have been shown mercy, just as we are to love others as Christ has loved us, so we are to extend be at peace as others as God Himself has made peace with us. It is impossible to have a right relationship with God without being in right relationship with others.

Now may the Lord of peace himself give you his peace at all times and in every situation. The Lord be with you all. May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.