God's Desire for Peace
Advent 2018 • Sermon • Submitted
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· 66 viewsThe Heavenly Host's declaration of peace calls us to accept God's gift of peace and share God's gift of peace.
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Authentic Preaching: The man of God opening the Word of God and expounding its truths so that the voice of God may be heard, the glory of God seen, and the will of God obeyed.” Steven J. Lawson, Famine in the Land: A Passionate Call for Expository Preaching.
Be faithful to the text and functional for today. – Morris Proctor
Explain the text; expound the truth(s); encourage action(s).
Does this sermon humble the sinner? Does this sermon exalt the Savior? Does this sermon promote holiness?
How does this text & sermon encourage love for God and/or my neighbor?
How does this text & sermon add to understanding that all of life is to be lived in the presence of God?
How does this text & sermon promote Christlikeness in the listeners?
Text:
Sermon Purpose: to convey to the congregation God’s desire for peace, the price for obtaining peace, and the necessity to accept God’s offer of peace.
Need: Humanity is at enmity with God, and God has taken the initiative to bring peace to humanity through his son Jesus. For peace with God, people must accept the offer of peace by grace through faith in Jesus Christ.
Homiletical Proposition: Accept God’s peace offering in Jesus
Series: Advent 2018
Title: God’s Desire for Peace
INTRODUCTION
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Christmas is seen and presented as a season of peace. We want peace, we hunger for peace. But what is it that we want so much? A state of tranquility and quiet? Freedom from oppressive and disquieting thoughts or emotions? Harmony in personal relationships? International/political peace?
How does any of that happen? How might peace enter our lives, our world?
tells us that wars and fights arise out of sinful desires; Jesus () tells us that such sinful desires arise out of our hearts, our nature.
So, how does peace enter our world, our lives, our families, our church, etc?
It enters when we accept in faith God’s own peace offering, Jesus.
INTEGRATING THOUGHTS
1. The text
1.) Glory in the highest (places) to God
2.) upon the earth peace into men of divine favor (goodwill)
OR
to men goodwill (divine favor)
Let’s address the issue briefly
1. Glory – easy and simply stated
2. Peace – on earth to men of divine favor OR peace on earth, divine favor to men
In either case, an outpouring from Heaven, from the Father, through the Son (fully divine, fully human) to humanity is expressed. The result in the life of people, of you and me, is peace.
2. Peace on Earth!
1.) The heavenly host’s proclamation tells us that God’s glory is revealed in the incarnation of the new-born Messiah! “Glory to God in the highest (places)”
(1.) As a result of the birth of the Redeemer, God is glorified in the highest places, and by implication, we also ought to glorify God
(1.)) Look at the shepherds after their visit to the manger –
“Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.” (NOTE: the God they praised was the one true God (Gk. ton theon)
(2.) The writer of Hebrews tells us that Melchizedek was “king of righteousness” (meaning of name) and “King of Salem,” i.e., king of Peace (Shalom/Salem) and was made like the Son of God (). From that, we conclude that Jesus Christ is King of Righteousness and King of Peace.
THEREFORE, WE SEE GOD’S DESIRE IS FOR HUMANITY, FOR ME, YOU, OUR NEIGHBORS, IS TO EXPERIENCE PEACE WITH GOD AND BETWEEN ONE ANOTHER.
DO YOU DESIRE PEACE WITH GOD? WILL YOU ACCEPT GOD’S PEACE OFFERING. IT’S A GIFT.
2.) The heavenly host’s proclamation tells us that peace is available here and now. “Peace on earth”
2.) The heavenly host’s proclamation tells us that peace is available here and now. “Peace on earth”
(1.) A gift has been presented to us by God in Christ.
(2.) Paul says in , “Having been justified by faith, we have peace with God.”
(1.)) Unlike to warring parties who sit down at a table and negotiate a peace treaty, God offers peace to us as part of the package of salvation.
(2.)) Yes, peace comes on God’s terms, but I can think of no better terms, or any better benefit.
3.) ‘Goodwill to men’ or ‘in men of goodwill’
(1.) goodwill – a term meaning ‘divine favor,’ i.e., people who have received the grace of God by faith.
(1.)) records the words of the angel of the Lord who appeared to the shepherds. He said, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.”
The offer of salvation is for all people, and Christ’s death is sufficient to pay the price of sin for all people, but peace with God only comes as a result of faith in Jesus Christ.
(2.)) God desires (wishes) for all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth ()
THEREFORE, GOD’S DESIRE FOR HUMANITY, FOR ME, YOU, OUR NEIGHBORS IS TO RECEIVE HIS DIVINE FAVOR (SALVATION), AND AS A RESULT OF THAT, RECEIVE HIS PEACE.
WILL YOU RECEIVE GOD’S OFFER OF SALVATION?
3.) The heavenly host’s proclamation shows us one way to be peacemakers here on earth to fulfill the mission of God.
We know our mission – 6 words – Love God, Love People, Make Disciples
(1.) How might we be peacemakers?
(1.) Commit to being a peacemaker and receive the grace necessary to be a peacemaker.
– “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God”
- “Depart from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.”
(2.) Pray for peace
– “The LORD bless you and keep you; The LORD make his face shine upon you, and be gracious to you; The LORD lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace.”
(3.) Act peacefully
When you or I enter a place, do we bring peace or division, unity or strife?
Ben, speaking to the deacons, staff, and wives, Tuesday night talked about the Christian man (and woman) entering a situation of chaos and bringing direction and purpose. Chaos by definition is discord, distress, etc. Direction and purpose give peace, promote harmony.
Correction is an act of peace; we don’t let chaotic things go.
THEREFORE, BECOME AN AGENT OF GOD’S PEACE EVERYWHERE YOU GO.
WILL YOU CHOOSE TO BE A PEACEMAKER, TO BE A CARRIER OF PEACE INTO THE PEOPLE AND PLACES YOU LIVE AND VISIT?
INVITATION
(Review Structure) (Refresh Image) (Challenge)
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Will you accept the Gift of God?
Will you share the gift of God?