PEACE: THE MYSTERIOUS GIFT (2 OF 4)
by Rick White
Scripture: LUKE 2:13-14
This content is part of a series.
Peace: The Mysterious Gift (2 of 4)
Series: Christmas Gifts from God
Rick White
Luke 2:13-14
Message Truth: The gift of peace is a mysterious gift because it is given not in the absence of anxiety but in the midst of it.
(Luke 2:13-14 NASB) And suddenly there appeared 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 men with whom He is pleased."
Introduction: A couple of years ago the headlines in the New York Times read; In Bethlehem Christmas Is Marked By Tension. While most of us think about peace and joy at this season of the year, the truth is that for many of us Christmas is marked by tension. It may be brought about by all the demands of the season. Schedules are overcrowded, budgets are overspent, and emotions are overtaxed. It may result from personal irritations or family conflicts.
However, those same headlines could have also been published in the first century. It was not a time of tranquility. Rome ruled with an iron fist. Religious leaders had their own agendas, and who know what personal turmoil was in the hearts of the shepherds.
And then something very mysterious took place. God gave peace. Like many words in our culture, peace has become all things to all men. To the first century Jew, shalom, peace, meant far more than the absence of war. Peace was a living vibrant thing that made for the well being of mankind.
DEFINING THIS MYSTERIOUS GIFT
- Peace is the possession of adequate resources. (Dr. George Morrison)
- Peace has nothing to do with the situation on the outside.
- Peace has everything to do with the condition on the inside.
- The world tries to find peace by escaping stress and avoiding responsibility.
- Jesus offers us peace in the midst of difficulty, tranquility in the midst of turmoil.
(John 14:27 TLB) "I am leaving you with a gift--peace of mind and heart! And the peace I give isn't fragile like the peace the world g ...
Series: Christmas Gifts from God
Rick White
Luke 2:13-14
Message Truth: The gift of peace is a mysterious gift because it is given not in the absence of anxiety but in the midst of it.
(Luke 2:13-14 NASB) And suddenly there appeared 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 men with whom He is pleased."
Introduction: A couple of years ago the headlines in the New York Times read; In Bethlehem Christmas Is Marked By Tension. While most of us think about peace and joy at this season of the year, the truth is that for many of us Christmas is marked by tension. It may be brought about by all the demands of the season. Schedules are overcrowded, budgets are overspent, and emotions are overtaxed. It may result from personal irritations or family conflicts.
However, those same headlines could have also been published in the first century. It was not a time of tranquility. Rome ruled with an iron fist. Religious leaders had their own agendas, and who know what personal turmoil was in the hearts of the shepherds.
And then something very mysterious took place. God gave peace. Like many words in our culture, peace has become all things to all men. To the first century Jew, shalom, peace, meant far more than the absence of war. Peace was a living vibrant thing that made for the well being of mankind.
DEFINING THIS MYSTERIOUS GIFT
- Peace is the possession of adequate resources. (Dr. George Morrison)
- Peace has nothing to do with the situation on the outside.
- Peace has everything to do with the condition on the inside.
- The world tries to find peace by escaping stress and avoiding responsibility.
- Jesus offers us peace in the midst of difficulty, tranquility in the midst of turmoil.
(John 14:27 TLB) "I am leaving you with a gift--peace of mind and heart! And the peace I give isn't fragile like the peace the world g ...
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