ADVENT 2015 "REVEALED"
December 6, 2015
“Peace Revealed”
ADVENT VIDEO
INTRO We live in unsettled times. We have terrorism increasingly prevalent in our everyday lives. There is unrest in communities across this nation and around the world. Divisions between various segments of the population seem to be growing. Our televisions and personal devices are awash with violence. Everyone is longing for peace. Is there an answer? YES!
As believers we have the answer and it is Jesus Christ and Him alone. There will never be peace until He is recognized as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
Peace is not a program, a policy, or a preference. It is a Person and His name is The Lord Jesus Christ!
PEACE VIDEO
Angels proclaimed Him on the night Jesus was born.
Luke 2:14 NKJV Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!
This night had been prophesied hundreds of years before by the prophet Isaiah.
Isaiah 9:6–7 (NKJV) For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.
Look again at verse 7. There is a relationship between God’s government and God’s peace; they both will increase together, in parallel. As one increases, the other increases.
Notice that Jesus is seated on the throne. He is ruling. This is prophesied by other prophets also.
Micah 5:2 NKJV But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Though you are little among the thousands of Judah, Yet out of you shall come forth to Me The One to be Ruler in Israel, Whose goings forth are from of old, From everlasting.
Jesus came to rule and when He rules, there is peace.
Today the message of the Angels is often disguised with the deluded trappings of humanism. For instance, some would say that the goal of Jesus was to end all war and bring the nations together in some international kumbaya. Let me remind you what Jesus said:
Matthew 10:34 NKJV Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword.
Luke 12:51 NKJV Do you suppose that I came to give peace on earth? I tell you, not at all, but rather division.
Jesus did not come to take sides, He came to take over!
Psalms 2:1-12 NKJV Why do the nations rage, And the people plot a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, And the rulers take counsel together, Against the LORD and against His Anointed, saying, “Let us break Their bonds in pieces And cast away Their cords from us.” He who sits in the heavens shall laugh; The Lord shall hold them in derision. Then He shall speak to them in His wrath, And distress them in His deep displeasure: “Yet I have set My King On My holy hill of Zion.” “I will declare the decree: The LORD has said to Me, ‘You are My Son, Today I have begotten You. Ask of Me, and I will give You The nations for Your inheritance, And the ends of the earth for Your possession. You shall break them with a rod of iron; You shall dash them to pieces like a potter’s vessel.’ ” Now therefore, be wise, O kings; Be instructed, you judges of the earth. Serve the LORD with fear, And rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest He be angry, And you perish in the way, When His wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him.
To preach the peace of Jesus without the rule of Jesus is a hurtful thing!.
Jeremiah 6:14 NKJV They have also healed the hurt of My people slightly, saying, peace, peace when there is no peace.
Jeremiah 8:11 NKJV For they have healed the hurt of the daughter of My people slightly, saying, peace, peace when there is no peace.
Ezekiel 13:10 NKJV Because, indeed, because they have seduced My people, saying, peace when there is no peace; and one builds a wall, and they plaster it with untempered mortar.
Isaiah sums this up in two different places in his prophecy.
Isaiah 48:22 NKJV There is no peace, says the LORD, for the wicked.
Isaiah 57:21 NKJV There is no peace, says my God, for the wicked.
In fact, this is exactly what the Angels proclaimed! Unfortunately, the language of 17th century England may not have translated the Angels in the best way.
Let’s look at it again.
Luke 2:14 NKJV Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!
Greek and English word order is different and sometimes the entire meaning is changed. This is one place. Every contemporary translations changes the word order to match the Greek construction. Listen to the difference.
Luke 2:14 NASB Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.
Luke 2:14 NIV Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.
Luke 2:14 NLT Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.
Luke 2:14 MSG Glory to God in the heavenly heights, peace to all men and women on earth who please him.
Luke 2:14 AMP Glory to God in the highest [heaven], and on earth peace among men with whom He is well pleased [men of goodwill, of His favor].
I am very reluctant to split hairs over translations, but I believe this is important. The peace of God comes to those who make Him the Lord of their life!
Acts 10:36 (NKJV) The word which God sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ—He is Lord of all—
Philippians 4:9 (NKJV) The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.
Look at Isaiah 9 again.
Isaiah 9:7 (NKJV) Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.
Notice what Jesus does when he rules:
1. He brings order.
2. He brings stability.
3. He brings good judgment.
4. He brings justice.
If you had those four things in your life, don't you think have more peace in your life? Think about it: how can you have peace when your life is unruly, when you have no security, when you don’t make good decisions, and your life is marked by unjust living!
Romans 14:17 NKJV for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
Peace is more than a good feeling. The Hebrew word is Shalom. It means completeness, soundness, welfare, and peace. The Greek word means peace, quietness, and rest. Anybody need some of that today?
So how do we get peace? Let me give you some steps.
1. Realize Jesus came to give you peace.
John 14:27 (NKJV) Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
Ephesians 2:14 (NKJV) For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation,
Ephesians 2:17 (NKJV) And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near.
Colossians 1:20 (NKJV) and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross.
2. Make Jesus the Lord of your life.
Isaiah 53:5 (NKJV) But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.
Ephesians 1:2 NKJV Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Roman Road
3. Let Jesus speak peace to every area of your life by submitting to His rule in your life.
World: John 16:33 NKJV These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.
Circumstances: Mark 4:39 NKJV Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm.
Fear: Luke 24:36 NKJV Now as they said these things, Jesus Himself stood in the midst of them, and said to them, “Peace to you.”
Doubt: John 20:26 NKJV And after eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, “Peace to you!”
Mind: Isaiah 26:3 (NKJV) You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.
Worry; Philippians 4:6–7 (NKJV) Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Heart: Colossians 3:15 (NKJV) And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.
Body: Mark 5:34 NKJV And He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction.”
Where there is no peace, Jesus is not ruling!
Want peace in your life? Let Jesus rule!
Want peace in your home… marriage… children… job…?
4. Be a peacemaker.
Matthew 5:9 NKJV Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
John 20:21 NKJV So Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.”
James 3:18 NKJV Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
You see brothers and sisters, there is coming a day when all will be peaceful. Listen to the prophet Micah:
Micah 4:1-5 NKJV Now it shall come to pass in the latter days That the mountain of the LORD’s house Shall be established on the top of the mountains, And shall be exalted above the hills; And peoples shall flow to it. Many nations shall come and say, “Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, To the house of the God of Jacob; He will teach us His ways, And we shall walk in His paths.” For out of Zion (the Church) the law shall go forth, And the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. He shall judge between many peoples, And rebuke strong nations afar off; They shall beat their swords into plowshares, And their spears into pruning hooks; Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, Neither shall they learn war anymore. But everyone shall sit under his vine and under his fig tree, And no one shall make them afraid; For the mouth of the LORD of hosts has spoken. For all people walk each in the name of his god, But we will walk in the name of the LORD our God Forever and ever.
BENEDICTION AND BLESSING
Romans 16:20 NKJV And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.
II Thessalonians 3:16 NKJV Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always in every way. The Lord be with you all.
Twila Paris: Prince Of Peace
There is no hope for a world that denies you
Firmly believing a lie
Hiding their hearts while their minds analyze you,
Cleverly choosing to die
Maker of all, we kneel interceding
Fighting for your will
Father of light
Your children are pleading still
Chorus:
Prince of Peace, come and reign
Set Your feet on the mountaintop again
Take Your throne, Rightful Lord
Prince of Peace, come and reign forevermore
There is no peace for a new generation
Living and growing in fear
There is no home in a Godless nation
Take your authority here
Maker of all, we kneel interceding
Fighting for Your will
Father of light
Your children are pleading still
Chorus:
Prince of Peace, come and reign
Set Your feet on the mountaintop again
Take Your throne, Rightful Lord
Prince of Peace, come and reign forevermore
Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done
Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done
Chorus:
Prince of Peace, come and reign
Set Your feet on the mountaintop again
Take Your throne, Rightful Lord
Prince of Peace, come and reign forevermore
Prince of Peace, come and reign forevermore
