Series: Christmas Message 2001 – City Church of Chattanooga, Chattanooga, TN
Today, we come to the original Christmas carol, sung by an angelic choir to shepherds in ancient Bethlehem.
Luke 2:13-14, And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of heavenly hosts praising God and singing, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.’ Peace is the promise of Christmas. It is central to the message of Christ. But what is this peace? Is it simply the absence of strife or war or conflict or animosity? No, it is much more. Something much more positive. Peace is not a cease fire. Peace is a reconciliation.
PEACE WITH GOD
Sin separates us from God and makes us his enemies.
Romans 5:10-11, We were restored to friendship with God by the death of his son while we were still enemies…Now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because of what our Lord Jesus Christ has done for us in
making us friends with God. (NLT) In the place of guilt and fear, we have peace with God.
Romans 5:1, Since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus has done for us. (NLT)
Romans 8:1, There is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ. (NLT)
PEACE OF GOD
Inner peace is a mind that is disciplined, not fractured by fear, anxiety, depression, etc. Such peace is the promise of God to his people.
John 14:27, I am leaving you a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give isn’t like the peace the world gives. So don’t be troubled our afraid. (NLT)
Philippians 4:7, If you do this (pray) you will experience God’s peace…His peace will guard your hearts and your minds as you live in Christ Jesus. (NLT)
Isaiah 26:3, You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, whose thoughts are fixed on you. (NLT)
PEACE WITH OTHERS
The Gospel is not something we add to our lives. It is something that must control our lives. “Peace on earth, good will toward men” – do we really take this seriously? We who have received reconciliation must incarnate the peace of God in our lives.
Hebrews 12:14-15, Make every effort to live in peace with all men…See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many. (NIV)
Ephesians 4:3, Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. (NIV)
Matthew 5:9, Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God. Peacekeeping and peacemaking are active pursuits. Grace, mercy and peace are the three great words of the gospel. If we do not give them, we lose them.