December 4, 2016
The Prince of Peace
Man cannot attain true peace on his own because peace at its root is about restoring his relationship to God.
Sermon Notes:
- The Christmas season is a reminder to many that there is something missing in our lives, that we are not at peace.
- We live in a relativistic age, when many forces seek to break down the basis of true peace.
- Relativism says that all facts and beliefs are relative, rather than rooting truth in the transcendent God of Scripture.
- Relativism is necessarily intolerant, because it breaks down the common source of meaning.
- The basis of truth and any meaningful discourse about man’s purpose is God’s foundational thesis about all things.
- Into the alleged peace of the Pax Romana was declared the true and lasting peace of God (Eph. 2:17).
- Early Canadian Christmas cards offered a gospel message: “May peace be thine and joy within thy hearts.”
- Christ is called the Prince of Peace (Isa. 9:6), because in the gospel He bestows a peace which surpasses knowledge.
- The wise men came from foreign lands to seek out the royal prince of peace. They had learned from Isaiah that there would be a light for the nations (Isa. 49:6).
- Peace is not a human right; man’s political will cannot legislate peace.
- Christ did not come as a statesman offering political peace; since all our problems stem from our moral condition, Christ came as our Saviour.
- We cannot attain true peace on our own, because peace at its root is about restoring our relationship to God.
- If we seek reconciliation with God through Christ, peace will be a by-product. Christ Himself is our peace (Eph. 2:14).
- Through Christ we can find peace from a troubled conscience, peace with God, peace about the future, and peace with our fellow man.
- The longer you defer mending your relationship with God, the greater your burden of conflict and alienation.
- The peace of God breaks down the hostility; Christ comes to confront sin and conflict.
- Having been grafted into the people of God, we are part of the olive branch which represents His peace.
Application Questions:
- How can a first-century peasant be a source of world peace today?
- Contrast the peace that Christ brings with the world’s notions of peace.
- Why do all the world’s attempts to attain peace fail?
- What is the root cause of conflict and hostility?
- Why are people who say they accept all beliefs so intolerant?
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