Part 1: The Peace of Christmas
CHRISTMAS AT CRESTVIEW
PART 1
Luke 2:10-14
1. WHAT PEACE ON EARTH ISN’T:
“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom His favor rests.” Luke 2:14 (NIV)
Peace on earth is not international or political peace.
“‘Teacher,’ they asked, ‘when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are about to take place?’ He replied: ‘Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will come in My name, claiming, I am He, and, The time is near. Do not follow them. When you hear of wars and uprisings, do not be frightened. These things must happen first, but the end will not come right away.’” Luke 21:7-9 (NIV)
Peace on earth is not life without difficulty.
“Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division.” Luke 12:51 (NIV)
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)
2. WHAT PEACE ON EARTH IS:
“And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for Him, to give His people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.” Luke 1:76-79 (NIV)
“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Romans 5:1 (NIV)
“Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. 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.” Colossians 1:21-22 (NIV)
Peace on earth is God and sinners reconciled.
3. HOW DO YOU RECEIVE THIS PEACE AND LIVE IT OUT?
You have to admit you are at war with God.
“For the sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never did obey God’s laws, and it never will.” Romans 8:7 (NLT)
“He was despised and rejected—a Man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief. We turned our backs on Him and looked the other way. He was despised, and we did not care.” Isaiah 53:3 (NLT)
Say yes to Jesus.
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation.” 2 Corinthians 5:17-18 (NIV)
Live out of God’s peace.
“They were told that their messages were not for themselves, but for you. And now this Good News has been announced to you by those who preached in the power of the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. It is all so wonderful that even the angels are eagerly watching these things happen.” 1 Peter 1:12 (NLT)
MY NEXT STEP TODAY IS:
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This Week’s Reading Plan and Blog/Podcast:
YouVersion® Bible App Reading Plan:
“Christmas: Seven Days of Peace” (7 Days)Blog and Podcast: “What is Peace on Earth?”
Repost from December 3, 2023