Outer Banks Community Church

Luke 2:7-14 (KJV)

7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. 8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. 10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. 12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”

“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” Romans 5:1 (KJV)

Intro: This is week three in our advent season, the first week was Hope, second week was Joy, this week the Gift of the advent season is the reminder of Peace! Is there peace in your world? The Bible says: “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” So maybe the question is, do you have faith? Do you have a relationship with Jesus Christ? Not an image in your mind of a baby wrap in swaddling clothes lying in a manger or some Christmas card that quotes a scripture reference of the Christmas message and you hang the card on your door, because it is Christmas. Have you by faith received Jesus Christ as your Lord and savior? Because you see, you never really have peace in this world or the place you spend eternity until you have faith!

PEACE Total well-being, prosperity, and security associated with God’s presence among his people. Linked in the OT with the covenant, the presence of peace was conditional, based on Israel’s obedience. In the prophetic writings, true peace is part of the end-time hope of God’s salvation. In the NT, this longed-for peace is understood as having come in Christ and can be experienced by the believers. In the Old Testament Shalom, the most prominent OT term for “peace,” held a wide range of implications (wholeness, health, security, well-being, and salvation). Tyndale Bible Dictionary

Application: Christ is our source of PEACE!

Peace in the Greek: eirēnē

This Gift that has been my theme for the last couple of weeks, can it be fully appreciated from Manger? And to that I say yes because in this Manger was God, Emanuel. “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”

1. Complete Peace: “You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.” Isaiah 26:3

Only God Can Give complete peace, peace is the Offspring of Trust, complete peace takes place in spite of external conflicts.

To God be the glory great things He has done for He has brought to us a way to have peace. That way is Jesus: (No Jesus No Joy!)

One thing is certain: Jesus did not advocate conflict. He taught his followers to offer no resistance or retaliation when they were attacked or ill-treated. "Blessed are the peacemakers," he said, "for they will be called sons of God", meaning that God is the God of peace, so that those who seek peace and pursue it reflect his character.

To put on the full armor of God we must: “shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace.” "And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven" Colossians 1:20

This peace brought all we needed: He hath done marvelous things. He has opened his greatness and goodness in the work of redemption. What marvels has not Christ done?

1. He was conceived by the Holy Ghost.
2. Born of a virgin.
3. Healed all manner of diseases.
4. Fed thousands with a few loaves and fishes.
5. Raised the dead.
6. And what was more marvelous, died himself.
7. Rose again by his own power.
8. Ascended to heaven.
9. Sent down the Holy Ghost.
10. And made his apostles and their testimony the instruments of enlightening, and ultimately converting, the world. Adam Clarke.

This is the good will, know Jesus know Joy and experience peace. And all that from a manger!

2. Still Peace: “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” John 14:27 (KJV)

“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 (KJV)

We must seek peace with ourselves and with God, with the world we live in and the life we experience! That is why Christ came: “Let him turn away from evil and do good; Let him seek peace and pursue it.” 1 Peter 3:11

Seek peace and pursue it!

1. Christ Made Peace: Everyone wants peace - world leaders, church leaders, parents, children. People strive for peace through every conceivable means. Christ made peace by His death on the cross. All who accept Him by repentance and faith may receive His peace. Christ's message was given to the Jew first, but also to the Gentile. The peace of God is available to all - black and white, young and old, rich and poor. No one need be left out. Those who hear the Word, accept and believe it, and will receive the peace of God.
2. Christ Gives Peace: The peace the world gives isn't real or lasting. It fails to satisfy the longing of the soul. The peace that Christ gives is what the world needs. It can solve world problems, church problems, family and home problems. It is a real and a lasting peace. This peace is not earned; it cannot be purchased. This peace is given to those who love God.
3. Christ Is Our Peace: To have true peace we must have Christ, for He is our peace. If we are to have His peace, He must have us. We must give all to Him - our hopes, our plans, our will, our future.

“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.” Mark 4:39

Jesus says to us, "Peace, be still," when: We are in a hopeless situation, when we are on the high seas of trouble, when conflicting winds blow about us.

• Peace with God is acquired when we have faith in Jesus.
• Peace with God is acquired when Jesus gives us access to God.
• Peace with God is acquired when God extends his grace.

“And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7 (KJV)

“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.” Isaiah 9:6

Still Peace can come from a manger.

Conclusion: ABC’s of Peace:

1. Anxious for nothing.
2. Prayerful for everything.
3. Thankful for anything.

SYMPTOMS OF INNER PEACE

1. A tendency to think and act spontaneously rather than from fears based on past experiences.
2. An unmistakable ability to enjoy each moment.
3. A loss of interest in judging self.
4. A loss of interest in judging others.
5. A loss of interest in conflict.
6. A loss of interest in interpreting the actions of others.
7. A loss of ability to worry.
8. Frequent, overwhelming episodes of appreciation.
9. Contented feelings of connectedness with others and nature.
10. Frequent attacks of smiling through the eyes of the heart.
11. Increasing susceptibility to love extended by others as well as the urge to extend it.
12. An increasing tendency to let things happen.

“The LORD will give strength to His people; The LORD will bless His people with peace.” Psalm 29:11