Message 2: Peace

John

Family Christmas / Luke 2:8–15

peace shows up in imperfect situations

Peace Introduced

Peace in the Scriptures

English Standard Version (Ephesians 1:2) 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Peace is a product of being in relationship with God.

Luke: An Introduction and Commentary Luke 2:13–14

Peace, of course, means peace between God and people, the healing of the estrangement caused by human evil.

Peace is about reconciliation between parties or situations. That is the definition of peace in the bible. It means a wholeness or a completion. There is nothing lacking. Peace is not that we have everything it’s that we aren’t lacking anything.

• Where have you looked to find peace in your life other than in Christ?

In looking at the story of the Shepherds we will see God offer peace in what looks like imperfect circumstances.

English Standard Version Luke 2:9

and they were filled with great fear.

• The Bible says they were filled with “great fear.” This phrase has the same meaning as an athlete who is right about to compete. It is not a jumpscare, like out of nowhere. “Great fear” is a sustained anxiety of looking directly into the unknown. You are unsure of how things are going to turn out for you.

• Talk in Faith Communities or write about a time where you were staring into the unknown, unsure of what would happen next?

Fear Not and Behold

Luke 2:10 ESV

And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.

Fear Not

• It is not what comes before we hear “fear not” but after that matters most.

Matthew 10:31 ESV

Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.

Isaiah 41:10 ESV

fear not, for I am with you;

be not dismayed, for I am your God;

I will strengthen you, I will help you,

I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Isaiah 54:4 ESV

“Fear not, for you will not be ashamed;

be not confounded, for you will not be disgraced;

for you will forget the shame of your youth,

and the reproach of your widowhood you will remember no more.

Genesis 15:1 ESV

After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision: “Fear not, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.”

Luke 12:32 ESV

“Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

Revelation 1:17 ESV

When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, “Fear not, I am the first and the last,

for Behold

• What always follows this phrase is that God is going to do something. Pay attention, it is telling us because God is moving.

Joel 3:1 ESV

“For behold, in those days and at that time, when I restore the fortunes of Judah and Jerusalem,

Zechariah 2:10 ESV

Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion, for behold, I come and I will dwell in your midst, declares the Lord.

Zechariah 11:16 ESV

For behold, I am raising up in the land a shepherd who does not care for those being destroyed, or seek the young or heal the maimed or nourish the healthy, but devours the flesh of the fat ones, tearing off even their hoofs.

• Even the Angels tell us things are imperfect. Don’t fear! But that does not stop what God is doing.

• What is one way you could begin to see the peace of God within your circumstances, no matter how imperfect they may be?

Glory and Peace

English Standard Version (Luke 2:14)

14  “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

This is the proper order, God and His glory first. From that place we can understand peace.

• This is why we don’t need perfect circumstances. God offers peace. The Angel offers us God’s peace but it comes as an invitation after we hear and proclaim God’s glory.

• Peace is not simply left to us. We see God first and then are offered peace through a restored relationship with Him.

• What is the next thing you can do to find peace with God?

• How can you turn that step into a prayer to God?