The Peace Of Christmas

Temple Baptist Church - 12-1-2019

Luke 2:1-14

Introduction: 

A.  Thanksgiving is now past but let us always be mindful of the many blessing that we have in America. 

1.  You or I could have been born in a third world country and have little or nothing physically or spiritually. 

2.  America is an exceptional nation!  It has its flaws because it has a multi-national citizenship.  The “Melting Pot of the World!”  I thank God for its diversity!

B.  As we now are enjoying what is called the “Christmas Season,” it would do us well to reflect upon the real meaning of this time of the year.  There is much controversy concerning the time of the birth of the Messiah and I personally think that Scripture teaches that he was born in the fall of the year and not the winter. 

C.  Some choose to celebrate the birth of Christ during the Christmas Season while others choose not to do so.  I understand its beginning but have no problem with praising the Lord for His coming to earth this time of the year.  If or how you celebrate it is up to you.  The main thing is that He did come! 

D.  There is little or nothing that I can preach to you this year that you have not heard before, but we are admonished pass our faith on to our children.

2 Timothy 3:15  And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

E.  Most of us, from our childhood, have known of the wonderful birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ—but it is a story that never grows old and holds for this preacher a wonder and beauty that never fades! 

F.  I want to look this morning at the peace of His coming.  In verse 10, the Bible says, “Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.”

G.  Did you know that there are more suicides this time of the year than any other time?  People think that Christmas is about presents, things, and family.  These things have become a part of the season, but the “Reason for the Season” is the sinfulness of mankind, the love of the Father, and the Gift of His Son!  Period!!

H.  So many people have no lasting peace.

1.  The unsaved have no lasting peace because their “peace” is found in things that are subject to change.

Isaiah 48:22  There is no peace, saith the LORD, unto the wicked.

2.  The saved often have no peace because of carnality.

Isaiah 26:3  Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.

I.  Philippians 4:6-7  Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.  (7)  And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

1.  The Search for Peace.  “And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.”  The world seeks peace but in the wrong places.

a.  There is no peace in things. 

1)  Money, land, toys, automobiles, etc. do not bring peace. The reason being that these things are physical, therefore, temporal. 

2)  This Christmas, the world tries to find peace in presents, decorations, light and tinsel.  Christmas morning will come, presents opened, and the tree bare.  There is always the letdown that follows it.  Their efforts toward an inner peace will have failed again.

3.  Henry Wadsworth Longfellow wrote the song, "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day." He composed the words to "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day" on December 25th 1864. The song flowed from the experience of Longfellow-- involving the tragic death of his wife Fanny and the crippling injury of his son Charles from war wounds. "My heart was hot within me, while I was musing the fire burned: then spake I with my tongue" (Psalm 39:3).

I heard the bells on Christmas day
Their old familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet the words repeat
Of peace on earth, good will to men.

I thought how, as the day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along th'unbroken song
Of peace on earth, good will to men.

And in despair I bowed my head:
'There is no peace on earth, ' I said
'For hate is strong, and mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good will to men.'

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
'God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail,
With peace on earth, good will to men.'

Till, ringing, singing on its way,
The world revolved from night to day
A voice, a chime, a chant sublime,
Of peace on earth, good will to men.

b.  Lasting peace comes through things eternal.

 Jim Elliot — ‘He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose.’

2.  The Source of Peace.  “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.”

a.  Peace comes through knowing Christ.  Isaiah 9:6  For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

b.  Peace comes through trusting Christ.  Psalms 4:8  I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety.

3.  The Serenity of Peace.  “And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,  Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”

Isaiah 32:17-18  And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever.  (18)  And my people shall dwell in a peaceable habitation, and in sure dwellings, and in quiet resting places;

John 14:27  Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.