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:

  1. The Christmas season is a reminder to many that there is something missing in our lives, that we are not at peace.
  2. We live in a relativistic age, when many forces seek to break down the basis of true peace.
  3. Relativism says that all facts and beliefs are relative, rather than rooting truth in the transcendent God of Scripture.
  4. Relativism is necessarily intolerant, because it breaks down the common source of meaning.
  5. The basis of truth and any meaningful discourse about man’s purpose is God’s foundational thesis about all things.
  6. Into the alleged peace of the Pax Romana was declared the true and lasting peace of God (Eph. 2:17).
  7. Early Canadian Christmas cards offered a gospel message: “May peace be thine and joy within thy hearts.”
  8. Christ is called the Prince of Peace (Isa. 9:6), because in the gospel He bestows a peace which surpasses knowledge.
  9. 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).
  10. Peace is not a human right; man’s political will cannot legislate peace.
  11. Christ did not come as a statesman offering political peace; since all our problems stem from our moral condition, Christ came as our Saviour.
  12. We cannot attain true peace on our own, because peace at its root is about restoring our relationship to God.
  13. If we seek reconciliation with God through Christ, peace will be a by-product. Christ Himself is our peace (Eph. 2:14).
  14. Through Christ we can find peace from a troubled conscience, peace with God, peace about the future, and peace with our fellow man.
  15. The longer you defer mending your relationship with God, the greater your burden of conflict and alienation.
  16. The peace of God breaks down the hostility; Christ comes to confront sin and conflict.
  17. Having been grafted into the people of God, we are part of the olive branch which represents His peace.

Application Questions:

  1. How can a first-century peasant be a source of world peace today?
  2. Contrast the peace that Christ brings with the world’s notions of peace.
  3. Why do all the world’s attempts to attain peace fail?
  4. What is the root cause of conflict and hostility?
  5. Why are people who say they accept all beliefs so intolerant?
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