“Christianity offers not merely a consolation but a restoration — not just of the life we had but of the life we always wanted but never achieved. And because the joy will be even greater for all that evil, this means the final defeat of all those forces that would have destroyed the purpose of God in creation, namely, to live with his people in glory and delight forever.” Tim Kelle
Peace
Isaiah 9:6-7
[6] For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
[7] Of the increase of his government and of peace
there will be no end,
on the throne of David and over his kingdom,
to establish it and to uphold it
with justice and with righteousness
from this time forth and forevermore.
The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.
The Advent season is one of looking to Jesus’ coming. Both the first coming…as a child. And the second coming…as Rightful ruler and judge. Let’s learn about these starting this Sunday and going through Christmas Eve.
Adam & Eve listen to the serpent and disobey God all the way back in Genesis 3. Because of this mankind has fallen and the earth is cursed. Sin reigns in the nature of man and in the corruption of the earth. Strife, murder, and death is what this means for us. The earth is not what it should be so thorns and thistles exists instead of a beautiful garden (paradise). Once God pronounces this
Genesis 3:15
[15] I will put enmity between you and the woman,
and between your offspring and her offspring;
he shall bruise your head,
and you shall bruise his heel.”
Mankind is looking for a Savior. Someone to bruise the head of the serpent and win back mankind from this fallen state. You may even wonder if with her first pregnancy that Eve was hoping it would be that quick? Is he the one?
As we walk through the Old Testament maybe many Hebrew mommas are thinking this child is “the one”?
But all we see are types and shadows. We see pale images of the “real thing”
Adam is the leader of the world
Abel is murdered by his brother for being righteous
Melchizedek is a king and a priest
Isaac is a promised miracle child who was called to be sacrificed
Joseph is a prophet who saves his family (from starvation) and is a beloved son
Moses is a steadfast deliverer and mediator with God
King David is a promised ruler
King Solomon is filled with wisdom
But none compare.
Why? They are imperfect men. They can’t deliver what is needed. Only God in the flesh can do that.
You might say. I know that Pastor, but what does it mean to me today?
Many times this might be our problem during Christmas. We think of a baby in a manger and all the sweet things and gifts and food and fun and that’s fine, but as I say sometimes…..my boss is on my back, life at home is busy, my wife and I aren’t getting along too well, the baby is sick and my older kids want something that I can’t afford for Christmas. I’m tired of hearing arguing and complaining in the world, on the news, at work and at home.
Where can I find what I need to help?
He’s right here.
- Peace
- Power
- Wisdom
- Hope
All those things wrapped up in one. Better than any Christmas present you can get.
Webster says this about peace.
: a state of tranquility or quiet:
: a state of security or order within a community provided for by law
: freedom from disquieting or oppressive thoughts or emotions
: harmony in personal relations
Isaiah 9:6
[6] For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
“Isaiah does not intend that we should understand that in actual life the Child would bear or be addressed by these names, anymore than in actual life He should bear the name Immanuel. . . . The thought is that the Child is worthy to bear these names, and that they are accurate descriptions and designations of His being and character.”
So prince of peace isn’t his name. It’s who He is.
“Prince of Peace,” is the monarch whose coming results in peace between God and man and between man and man
I read to you the definition of peace in English terms. Let me help a bit with how the Hebrew language means it.
1) completeness, soundness, welfare, peace 1a) completeness (in number) 1b) safety, soundness (in body) 1c) welfare, health, prosperity 1d) peace, quiet, tranquillity, contentment 1e) peace, friendship 1e1) of human relationships 1e2) with God especially in covenant relationship
Here’s what Peace for the following means.
For the world
For your family
For you (peace of mind)
The world.
Isaiah 2:1-5
The Mountain of the LORD
[1] The word that Isaiah the son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem.
[2] It shall come to pass in the latter days
that the mountain of the house of the LORD
shall be established as the highest of the mountains,
and shall be lifted up above the hills;
and all the nations shall flow to it,
[3] and many peoples shall come, and say:
“Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD,
to the house of the God of Jacob,
that he may teach us his ways
and that we may walk in his paths.”
For out of Zion shall go forth the law,
and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
[4] He shall judge between the nations,
and shall decide disputes for many peoples;
and 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.
[5] O house of Jacob,
come, let us walk
in the light of the LORD.
What will it be like for peace in the world.
Isaiah 11:1-9
The Righteous Reign of the Branch
[1] There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse,
and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit.
[2] And the Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him,
the Spirit of wisdom and understanding,
the Spirit of counsel and might,
the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD.
[3] And his delight shall be in the fear of the LORD.
He shall not judge by what his eyes see,
or decide disputes by what his ears hear,
[4] but with righteousness he shall judge the poor,
and decide with equity for the meek of the earth;
and he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth,
and with the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked.
[5] Righteousness shall be the belt of his waist,
and faithfulness the belt of his loins.
[6] The wolf shall dwell with the lamb,
and the leopard shall lie down with the young goat,
and the calf and the lion and the fattened calf together;
and a little child shall lead them.
[7] The cow and the bear shall graze;
their young shall lie down together;
and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.
[8] The nursing child shall play over the hole of the cobra,
and the weaned child shall put his hand on the adder’s den.
[9] They shall not hurt or destroy
in all my holy mountain;
for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD
as the waters cover the sea.
So peace will reign on the earth and in Heaven and it will be wonderful. The Prince of Peace will make sure of that.
…….Again, thanks Pastor. I believe that is coming one day. But can you help me today? What about peace in my family, peace in my own mind?
Yes. The context of this passage in Isaiah is about this coming time, but scripture itself teaches us that Jesus came to help us in the midst of all of this back then….and now.
Matthew 5:9
[9] “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
Matthew 11:28-30
[28] Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. [29] Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. [30] For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Rest for your souls is peace in the midst of all of the other things going on.
Paul says it this way….this is “how to do it”
Philippians 4:10-13
[10] I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. [11] Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. [12] I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. [13] I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
Then again
Colossians 3:1-17
Put On the New Self
[1] If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. [2] Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. [3] For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. [4] When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
[5] Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. [6] On account of these the wrath of God is coming. [7] In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. [8] But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. [9] Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices [10] and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. [11] Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all.
[12] Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, [13] bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. [14] And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. [15] And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. [16] Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. [17] And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
——-
If you think of Jesus, many things may come to mind and many scriptures, but are you watching how he did it? Does Jesus seem anxious? Irrational? Worrisome? Irritable? Even when at the very end when it’s bad and his friends have turned and he’s facing death for something that he didn’t do…he asks that the cup might pass, but “not my will but yours be done”.
One more time….How do I have peace?
Jesus said turn the other cheek, forgive your enemies, walk an extra mile.
Paul says
Romans 12:17-18
[17] Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. [18] If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.
The world isn’t slowing down. Work isn’t slowing down. We must listen to Jesus
John 14:27
[27] 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.
