Untitled Sermon (44)
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1 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. 6 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. 8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 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!”
Pandemic
No parties
How to be happy?
Money = peace.
Married - peace.
Happiness- a false chase.
popularity- fails
Luke’s angels tell sus that there is peace among those with whom God is well pleased.
1 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered.
2 This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria.
3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town.
4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David,
5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child.
6 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth.
7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear.
10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.
11 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!”
No parties
How to be happy?
Money = peace.
Married - peace.
Happiness-
all of these things fail us because we are looking for the wrong thing. You see we are actually looking for peace, but we don’t know it.
You can be at a party and have no peace.
You can have lots of money but have no inward peace.
you can have a marriage, maybe a good one, but not have the peace Jesus offers.
Peace in a pandemic?
1 In that day this song will be sung in the land of Judah: “We have a strong city; he sets up salvation as walls and bulwarks. 2 Open the gates, that the righteous nation that keeps faith may enter in. 3 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.
3 You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.
What is perfect peace? Something we probably aren’t real familiar with.
I’m a Christian. I have faith. God, where are you?
What is Perfe
ct peace? Shalom. It means completeness, wholeness, full of peace.
In Isaiah’s passage, it is doubly present. Shalom Shalom is written. Perfect Peace.
mind “stayed”- fixed.
to lean on completely, to rest in one.
What is your mind fixed on this moment?
Bills? Christmas gifts? The car your neighbor is driving? Your health? Covid? The pastors message or his limp, haircut?
Listen to Pa*ul:
8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
Look at what Jesus said
27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.
Finally, Paul says this:
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.
So, Let’s go back to the manger:
14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”
23 “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us).
Bottom Line:
Peace Is Not Found In Absence of Difficulty. Peace is Found in the Presence of Christ.
Peace Is Not Found In Absence of Difficulty. Peace is Found in the Presence of Christ.
14 If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it. 15 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, 17 even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.
With whom he’s well pleased.
The world doesn’t know him.
Christ is Immanuel. He’s not left us comfortless. He’s left us His Holy Spirit… to be with us in the cancer, in the poverty, in the difficulty, in the sickness, in the hopelessness, in everything. God With Us.
For the Christian, Christ is found in every situation… good or bad, because He’s with us.