Sermon Tone Analysis

Peace

Luke Chapter 2:11-14

 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.”

13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

14  “Glory to God in the highest,

and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

For to us a child is born,

to us a son is given;

and the government shall be upon his shoulder,

and his name shall be called

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

14 For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility 15 by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, 16 and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility.

17 And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near.

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

OLD TESTAMENT

OLD TESTAMENT

OLD TESTAMENT

The principal word used to express the idea of peace in the Hebrew Bible is šālôm.

The root of the word is found in many Semitic languages.

The Akkadian salāmū comes closest to the core meaning of the root, “to be hale, whole, complete.”

In one form or another the notions of wholeness, health, and completeness inform all the variants of the word.

Peace is not, then, simply a negative, the absence of war.

Peace is a positive notion, a notion with its own content.

Šālôm is the daily greeting in Israel; šālôm ʿălêkem “peace upon you (pl.)” is a common expression we could translate as “good day.”

But it really is closer to “may you be well.”

To be well is, of course, to be “whole, to be complete,” to have physical and spiritual resources sufficient to one’s needs.

Wholeness or completeness can be ascribed to things as well.

Thus Solomon in offers peace offerings (šelāmı̂m) in the temple he completed (šillam).

A debt is made good (šallēm) through payment of money.

Vows are completed (šallēm) through sacrificial offerings.

Peace is contrasted with war.

Ecclesiates = notes that “there is a time for peace and a time for war” ().

In numerous passages peace is negotiated to end or preclude hostilities (; ; ; ; ).

R. de Vaux (AncIsr, 254) notes that “peace in a political sense is not only the absence of war in a purely negative sense, but it includes the idea of friendly relations between two peoples” (see ; ; , 26; 22:45).

Peace is also synonymous with victory (; , ; ; ).

Peace and prosperity are paired (;

Thus says the LORD concerning the prophets

who lead my people astray,

who cry “Peace”

when they have something to eat,

but declare war against him

who puts nothing into their mouths.

Zechariah said peace is coming some 500 years before Christ birth

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version.

(2016).

().

Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

;  For there shall be a sowing of peace.

The vine shall give its fruit, and the ground shall give its produce, and the heavens shall give their dew.

And I will cause the remnant of this people to possess all these things.

In this pairing it would seem that peace is seen as a sort of economic freedom.

In this pairing it would seem that peace is seen as a sort of economic freedom.

NEW TESTAMENT

The word eirene (peace) appears in almost every writing of the NT.

It describes an international calm and a relationship of goodwill between God and humans.

Most frequently it describes a social reality, a state of reconciliation and wholeness among a group of people.

Peace is only found in Christ

- 1st with God 5 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

- 2nd with each other 14 For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility 15 by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, 16 and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility

- 2nd with each other

- 3rd even in difficulties and trials -74 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.

5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone.

The Lord is at hand; 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

- 3rd even in difficulties and trials

Peace is the fruit of obedience to God

4) Peace is the fruit of obedience to God

- We are called to live by faith

- Doing so brings peace

- Look at You keep him in perfect peace

whose mind is stayed on you,

because he trusts in you.

4  Trust in the LORD forever,

for the LORD GOD is an everlasting rock.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version.

(2016).

().

Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

- We are called to worship God

- To live in awe of Him

- To live as He is indeed God Almighty

- We are called to refrain from evil and to do good

- This obedience brings peace

- See We are to do good- Do the works of God- And speak the words of God- We are to pursue peace- Even in persecution- We can find God’s peace- It is a fruit of our growing relationship with Christ- It grows inside us where no sword or word can touch it-

Christ said in , “Blessed are the peacemakers.

They shall be called the sons of God.”5)

We are to help others find the same peace given to us in Christ-

, “You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, telling the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord over all.”-

The Gospel is the Gospel of peace- Peace with God through the atoning work of Christ- We are to proclaim this peace- To a world desperately searching for it- To a world which has no peace- We are to remind them as Isaiah said- “there is no peace,” said the Lord, “for the wicked.”

()- Peace comes only in surrender to Christ )-

Peace comes only in surrender to Christ,

27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.

Not as the world gives do I give to you.

Ephesians 2:14-17

14 For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility 15 by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, 16 and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility.

17 And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near.

5 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

o as we celebrate Christmas- And read the familiar stories- Hear the familiar songs of peace and joy on earth- Amid the world’s calls for war and violence- We need to reflect on who is our peace- And return to Him Seeking the peace that passes all understanding

So as we celebrate Christmas- And read the familiar stories- Hear the familiar songs of peace and joy on earth- Amid the world’s calls for war and violence- We need to reflect on who is our peace- And return to Him Seeking the peace that passes all understanding

- That overcomes and befuddles the world

- The peace which comes from the Prince of Peace

And we need to look expectantly for his return

- When Christ returns again

- He will establish peace on earth