Second Sunday of Advent: Peace
Christmas 2011
Isaiah 9.1-7
Peace: shalom, a sense of wholeness, togetherness, and well-being.
What is the nature of this peace?
- Reigning peace - intricately connected to His sovereignty.
- From an abundance of His rule shall come an abundance of His peace (v.7).
- The Kingdom is righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit (Rom 14).
- As guaranteed as His zeal (end of v.7).
- Lasting peace - enduring because His reign is forever.
- Isaiah 11.1-10
- We talk about “now” nature of the Kingdom, but there’s a forever nature too.
- Public peace - flowing from what is just.
- Isaiah 10.1-4
- Public Justice in the law (v.1)
- Practical Justice in society (v.2-4)
- Personal peace - abiding in the heart and mind of those who look to Him.
- It’s not an absence of insanity - it’s a sense of clarity in the midst of it.
How does He bring peace?
- He brings it, not sends it.
- No mailing, but delivering. No greetings. No card. It’s hand delivered, not left on a doorstep.
- He comes with it because He is Immanuel: God with us.
- Maybe better stated: it comes with Him.
- God is near. The Prince of Peace is near.
- Every ounce of authority and power and mercy and grace that is God is near.
- He offers it through the sacrifice of the One who came.
- Isaiah 53.5
- But we’re NOT at peace - so how do we get it?
- What should’ve been ours fell on Jesus instead - OUR SIN
- Only way to peace (Rom 5.1)
- Not for everyone, though anyone can receive this...
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