4th Sunday of Advent:

“Christmas Peace”

What DoBill Clinton,

Troy Polamalu, and The Simpsons Have In Common?

1994 Peace Treaty Signing

Between Israel & Jordan

Christmas Peace:

1.) I MUST HAVE Peace with

God

Luke 2: 8-9 8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.

Luke 2: 10-12 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Luke 2: 13-14

13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.”

Isaiah 9:6“For to us a child is born,

   to us a son is given,    and the government

will be on his shoulders. And he will be called

   Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

   Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

Zechariah 9: 9-10

“9 Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion!    Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem!

See, your king comes to you,    righteous and having salvation,    gentle and riding on a donkey,    on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

10 I will take away the chariots from Ephraim    and the war-horses from Jerusalem,    and the battle bow will be broken.

He will proclaim peace to the nations.    His rule will extend from sea to sea

   and from the River to the ends of the earth.”

Ephesians 2: 19-22 19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners

and aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s people

and members of God’s household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and

prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. 21 In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy

temple in the Lord. 22 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in

which God lives by his Spirit.

Colossians 1: 19-22

19 “For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth

or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.  

21 Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. 22 But now he has reconciled you

by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight,

without blemish and free from accusation”

Romans 5: 1-2

1 “Therefore, since we have been justified

through faith, we have peace with God

through our Lord Jesus Christ,

2 through whom we have gained access

by faith into this grace in which we now

stand.”

Christmas Peace:

2.) I CAN HAVE Internal

Peace

Isaiah 26:3 & 48:22“You will keep in perfect peace    him whose mind is steadfast,

   because he trusts in you.”---------------------------------------------

“There is no peace,” says the LORD,

“for the wicked.”

John 14:27“Peace I leave with

you; my peace I give you.

I do not give to you as the world gives.

Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

John 16:33

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace.

In this world, you will have trouble.

But take heart!I have overcome

the world.”

Christmas Peace:

3.) I SHOULD HAVE

Peace with Others

Matthew 5:9 “Blessed are the peacemakers,

   for they will be called sons of God.”________________________________________

James 3:18 “Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.”

Colossians 3:15 “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to

peace. And be thankful.”

1 Peter 3: 8-11 8 Finally, all of you, live in harmony

with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. 9 Do

not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were

called so that you may inherit a blessing.

10 For,  ”Whoever would love life and see good days

must keep his tongue from evil    and his lips from deceitful speech.

11 He must turn from evil and do good;    he must seek peace and pursue it.”

Questions To Ask:

1.) Do I have peace with God through Jesus Christ?

2.) Do I have internal peace through trusting in God?

3.) Am I an active peacemaker?

Benediction:

2 Thessalonians 3:16Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in

every way. The Lord be with all of you.

Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God,

which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds

in Christ Jesus.