And to discover the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I provide you with excellent news of wonderful joy that is going to for your people. For unto you has been born this present day in the city of David a Savior, who's Christ the Lord. And this is a sign quicker for you: you will discover child wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a lot of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in the very best,
and on this planet peace among individuals that have whom he's pleased!”
When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to the other, “Let us reassess to Bethlehem and find out this thing having happened, which is a situation Lord has made regarded by us.”
WHAT PEACE?
As people at large, it may feel we don't have a clue about peace at all!
Over the past 3,400 a lot human history, there have only been a reported 268 numerous years of peace. In the twentieth century alone greater than 105 million individuals have been killed in wars, and even as we speak today men, women and kids are losing their lives in conflicts all over the planet, lots of which are so mundane they don't rate a mention in our own news.
Mankind loves conflict. Just look at families! As soon as the Bible says Peace across the world, whatsoever is it referring to?
PIECES ON EARTH, NOT PEACE ON EARTH
We reside in a fallen world, where discussing often about peace but never obtain it. We try for peace, but only ever grasp at the illusion of peace, just like a mirage exactly where the closer we get to peace, the further away this process seems.
Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain visited Munich in 1938 to consult Hitler, who was continually posturing towards war by taking land from surrounding countries like Czechoslovakia. He was given an assurance that no more demands would be made, and he returned to Britain holding aloft the written assurance and proclaiming “Peace within our time.” A year later, the biggest and most devastating war in human history erupted… Peace was never further away!
Even today Peace is illusive. I recollect watching the wall come down in Berlin, seeing the demise of Communism and thinking, “Now we'll have peace.” The Cold War was over, but enter militant Islam and of course the war on terror replaces it. And here’s the joke… Islam actually means peace, but I've never seen a less peace loving crowd than Islamists!
We don’t have peace on earth, we have pieces! Let’looking at passage
Luke 2:14 (KJV Strong's)
Glory to God in the best, and on this planet peace, good will toward men.
The KJV, which some believe which happens to be the true translation, gets this very, confusingly wrong. It shows that peace and good will is proclaimed to men, but this is not the purport of the passage.
Luke 2:14 (ESV Strong's)
“Glory to God in the highest, and on this planet peace among those with whom he's pleased!”
This passage is proclaiming peace to individuals that have whom He (God) looks great pleased. The peace the fact that the angels offer isn’t for everybody, it's only for people who have whom God is please, individuals who have received Jesus Christ into their lives as Lord and Saviour.
We live in an evil world, controlled by evil people, so there cannot and won't be Peace across the world for all men until Jesus returns.
When these words were spoken via the angels as well as the shepherds, Roman Peace (Pax Romana) was valid since 27 BC. Previous to this, the Romans had invaded countries, slaughtered some individuals, enslaved the rest and declared peace! But the absence of war does not guarantee peace.
The Stoic philosopher Epictetus said, “Even though the emperor offers peace from war on land and sea, he is unable to offer peace from passion, grief, and envy. He cannot give peace of heart for which man yearns more than even for outward peace.”
The Jewish word shalom (peace) means much more than a truce within the battles of life. It implies well-being, health, prosperity, security, soundness, and completeness. It is required to do more with character than circumstances, and it is more about inner peace than the absence of external conflict. Life right now was difficult, just as it is today. Taxes were high, unemployment was high, morals were slipping lower, and of course the military state was in control. Roman law, Greek philosophy, and also Jewish religion could not meet the requirements of males’s hearts. So, God sent His Son!
I WANT A PEACE OF IT!
Look at our society today. There may be war worldwide, however there is war here in our society as well.
We face a war against morality, where militant gay activists have just won a battle. It’can be a war against the sexes, it’could be a war against our children. There’s no peace here. Those of us who hold to God’s view of marriage and of course the family are attacked constantly, but even among the LGBT community, can there be peace?
Based on their own figures, and even with the use of educational insitutions totally on their team, gay young people are five times more prone to attempt suicide, and transgenders are 11 times more likely. Almost half of transgenders attempt suicide, whether or not they to get the transition or do not, so you cannot inform me that these folk have peace on earth. They proclaim their sexual freedom, but inside they are torn to pieces by conflict, guilt and shame.
Families are torn apart more than in the past… that’s not Peace on earth is it? Unions and employers bicker, husbands and wife’s fight, kids and fogeys argue… there isn't any peace today, even at Christmas!
And Advertising screams at us all the time, “Buy this, have this, do that,” but none of it offers a way peace that lasts. You may experience the most wonderful holiday, and you still have to finish your day to reality, right?
The way in which to inner peace is not demanding and putting your own way! Considered one of life’s great paradoxes is that an increasing number you fight, the more consistently you claw and scratch, the better you demand, the less peace you get.
Isaiah 48:22 (ESV)
“There isn't any peace,” says the Lord, “for the wicked.”
When there is no God, in case you don't know Jesus, there is no such thing as a peace! I didn’t say it, God says it. And if you look around at this planet this Christmas, you'll be able to ensure it's 100% true.
But Paul writes this…
Romans 5:1 (ESV)
Therefore, since we've actually been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
True peace, peace with God, and peace within ourselves. That’s what are the angels proclaimed at the first Christmas… Find the promised child and you'll discover true peace. Take a look at that which was predicted for your birth of Jesus…
Isaiah 9:6 (KJV Strong's)
For unto us a baby is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder:
and the name needs to be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God,
The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
There’s that word again… Peace! In a world stuffed with conflict, filled with fear for ourselves, our nation, our futures, our country’s morals, our finances, our families, on a planet full of selfishness and sin and fear, we you could find peace. This Christmas, you'll be able to experience true peace, inner peace, lasting peace.
PEACE FROM WHAT?
Life is filled with worries and anxieties. As Christmas approaches, do you're feeling anxious? Worried about finances, worry about family interaction, concerned about being alone this Christmas?
People fear numerous things. If the is focussed and irrational, we refer to it as a phobia. And phobias are available bewildering variety…
Xanthophobia- fear of the color yellow
Turophobia- fear of cheese
Omphalophobia- fear of bellybuttons
Pogonophobia- fear of beards
Frigatriskaideaphobia- fear of long words (ironic)
Papa phobia- fear whatever the pope
Hylophobia- fear of trees and woods
Coulrophobia- fear of clowns (I feel we are able to all deal with that), and here’s a contemporary one…
Nomophobia- fear of being without mobile phone coverage, and experts say, more than half the people within our country suffer the pain of this!
A few of you here fear a great many items as Christmas approaches. Who among us lacks financial fear, worried that we have enough money to really enjoy Christmas and make presents for the children or grandkids. Many have anxiety about getting the family together and the inevitable conflicts.
John 14:27 (ESV Strong's)
Peace I leave together with you; my peace I give you. Not as the world gives do I offer to you. Let not your hearts fret, neither allow them to be afraid.
HOW CAN YOU FIND REAL PEACE THIS CHRISTMAS?
You won’t find peace on earth on this world. Politicians cannot debate and give us peace, lawmakers cannot legislate Peace. Pop stars can’t rate it for your requirements by songs, actors cannot fool you into it, and not to mention religion can’t create peace in your life (even when it calls itself peace although it’s blowing you up!).
Only Jesus, only a connection with Him, only having His Holy Spirit living within you can give you peace. So let’s consider looking at among the anxieties you face this Christmas, and never what I state about peace, but what exactly Jesus offers you this morning…
1. PEACE IN LACK
In case you are concerned about finances this Christmas, and I number myself among these, then Jesus knows and understands. We worry so much about acquiring and experiencing the things of this planet, but worry is sort of a rocking horse… it keeps your mind occupied, even so you don’t actually get anywhere.
Matthew 6:25-27 (ESV Strong's)
“Therefore I tell you, do not be troubled about your life, whatever you will eat or whatever you will drink, nor of your body, what you will put on. Isn't life more than food, and the entire body more than clothing? Look at the birds no matter what the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you presently not of more value than they? And which persons by becoming anxious will add one single hour to his span of life?
Stop, review your life right now. Are you able to add even just one hour into it by worrying? Nope, nobody can. But I have discovered an excellent key towards stopping worry and anxiety about money and other things inside my life. And I’m not even that clever, due to the fact that a few verses later, Jesus tells us the answer…
Matthew 6:31-33 (ESV Strong's)
Therefore do not be troubled, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek in any case these items, along with your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these items shall be put into you.
It is a Christian paradox that I have proven true many times… in the event you be worried about, obsess about and push for money, things, clothes and food, they seem to elude you. When you seek first His Kingdom, if you opt for the mind on loving and approaching to God, these things appear to come along almost miraculously. And if they don’t, you don’t care because you are usually more occupied with God!
Paul wrote
Philippians 4:11-12 (ESV Strong's)
Not which I am talking about being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am it certainly doesn't need to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I have the ability to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the key of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.
You can get peace on this planet, true peace on this planet and contentment whether you have a lot or a bit this Christmas!
2. PEACE IN CONFLICT
For individuals worrying about family conflict, anything that is arrayed against you, you will have peace within the midst of everything conflict. Do not fear this Christmas, but listen to what the Lord says about conflict…
2 Timothy 1:7 (ESV Strong's)
for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.
A sound method is self control. How many of you be aware that, whenever the family gets together, it merely takes one misplaced word and things escalate from there. Listen, a few of you need to get the power of shutting your mouth. The facility of holding your tongue, regardless how offended you will be!
No matter what other medication is saying who you love, you may choose to remain silent and not escalate the situation. This Christmas, in case you are worried about conflict, try being self controlled and remaining silent. Allow them to rant and rage… if your core mindset is Christ you'll be an island of peace this is definitely numerous stressed conflict!
3. PEACE IN BEING OVERLOOKED
Every Christmas lots of you feel overlooked. Overlooked by family, maybe kids who own their family. Some of you might be coping with broken families, separation, and some individuals here just feel desperately, desperately lonely, especially at Christmas time.
Psalms 68:5-6 (NIV-WS)
A father beyond just the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in holy dwelling.
God sets the lonely in families, he leads down the prisoners with singing; but the rebellious are now living in a sun-scorched land.
If you are feeling lonely and overlooked this Christmas, defenderless, fatherless, lonely, keep in mind that, whatever your family situation, you have a church family who loves you, right here at Ignite.
Please don’t be consumed with worry and loneliness this Christmas. You are required, and you'll not be overlooked forever. God says,
1 Peter 5:6-7 (ESV Strong's)
Humble yourselves, therefore, underneath of the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.
So today, in case you are lonely or overlooked, don’t take a look at individuals around you, lookup at He who gave His life quicker for you! And cast your anxieties on Him.
4. PEACE IN PAIN
Hurt people hurt people, and if you're in pain, or near a person, chances are you’ve been lured to or have already blamed God and attacked others around you. I’ve seen people struggling with health conditions, or dealing with separation and broken relationships, blame God, while it is His expressed longing to prosper you, to not harm you, to give you an additional plus a hope.
Pain, hurt, sickness and separation aren't God’s fault. The devil and man’s sinful nature take care of all the evil and pain you encounter around you. Sometimes God allows this to occur, but He always it provides a greater make plans to create your life along with your character.
But this Christmas, how can you find peace the world over, while in physical or psychological pain?
Psalms 34:18-19 (ESV Strong's)
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.
The majority are the afflictions no matter what the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out out of them all.
Go to Jesus this Christmas and permit Him to save lots of your crushed spirit. Though you may have many afflictions, God might be relied upon to offer stop you from each of them, so you can get perfect peace while in pain and suffering this Christmas. Trust Him, and see your eyes off the discomfort!
5. PEACE IN UNEXPLAINED FEAR
Some people only ever feel fear after we think of Christmas, not peace on this planet! Sometimes we are crushed underneath worry, and we are not even sure exactly what it is that’s causing it!
When Franklin D Roosevelt discovered power in 1933, he faced the depths of the Great Depression. In inaugural speech, he explained these words… “the one thing we've got to fear is fear itself,” and this is the same nature whatever the fears and anxiety that plagues us this and each Christmas.
Psalms 91:5-7 (ESV Strong's)
You won't fear the phobia of the twighlight, nor the arrow that flies by day,
nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor the destruction that wastes at noonday.
A lot of may fall at your disposal, 10000 at your own right hand, but it won't come near you.
In the event you feel like you are scared of almost everything, maybe you’re not even sure why you fear, then you need to come just before the Lord in prayer and order Him to beat the fears and anxieties and surround you with peace on earth…
HOW TO FIND PEACE ON EARTH IN YOUR HEART AND MIND
Peace on this planet is as elusive for those to search out right at heads once it's to view it as out there within the world. It resembles chasing a rainbow… generally if there’s a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, the closer you get, the further it appears to be away.
So this Christmas, how can you find perfect peace no matter what the christmas season brings?
Picture this… it’s late into the evening, you're worried about tomorrow’s troubles, you possibly can’t sleep. You are attempting to still the brain, but it races at 100 miles an hour.
Does this ever happen to your account? You are aware that 90% of what you may be worried about never even occurs, but you cannot tell our brain that, right?
1. PRAY
Philippians 4:6-7 (ESV Strong's)
don't be troubled about anything, yet in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made recognized by God. Plus the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts plus your minds in Christ Jesus.
So feelings is to hope, when you're worried and anxious, bring your eyes from the circumstances and position them firmly in Jesus. Praying is just speaking with God, but when you start to hope, when you confess your worries (because in spite of everything, they are sin), and once you hand the whole situation approximately God, you may experience perfect peace flooding your soul.
2. READ
The following verse in Philippians shows you how to acquire this perfect peace. It’s not by watching TV, it’s not if you take medication. The peace that really guards your hearts and minds and protects you against worry and anxiety…
Philippians 4:8 (ESV Strong's)
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whichever is honourable, everything that is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, everything that is commendable, in case there is any excellence, if there is anything deserving praise, take into consideration these things.
If you read His Word, if you meditate on all those things. You start to think about what it says. Then you definitely consider taking your eyes off of the circumstances and position them on Christ, and you will experience peace. Reading the Bible every single day slowly but surely changes how you think, speak and behave. Having Scripture in your heart guards it against attack, and allows peace to settle.
It sets one's mind on God, and once you transform your eyes upon Him, everything near you grows strangely dim.
Isaiah 26:3 (ESV Strong's)
You keep him in perfect peace whose method is stayed in your vehicle, because he trusts in you.
How will you trust someone you have no idea? If some guy on the street asks me for $50, I’m more likely to say no. If my wife asks me, I’m likely, indeed compelled to say yes. What’s the distinction? One I know and trust, the other is unknown.
Read God’s Word and see Him, and peace will flow through you this Christmas.
3. FELLOWSHIP
When we join our hearts together, there is a supernatural strength. That is what Church is about. It’s not about singing, preaching or raising money, it is mostly about worshipping together and supporting one another.
People often tell me, “I like Jesus but hate Church.” I understand this , but they can also be getting left behind on a level of faith and peace you only cannot find by yourself. God made us to become His body, joined together. So this Christmas, don’t hate Church, just find the right one because your peace shall be increased in the event you do.
People often think Church is about a wonderful time spent, and enormous churches have lights, smoke machines and world class entertainment. You can attend, sneak out afterwards and not have to do anything. All that’s Christian entertainment, folks, not Church. Church is about being connected, not being unit!
But precisely what lots of people today actually need just isn't a great experience , they should get a breed of believers who stand with them. The believer is encouraged to put on the complete armour of God…
Ephesians 6:16 (ESV Strong's)
In all circumstances require the shield of religion, with which you can extinguish all of the flaming darts of the evil one;
The shield Paul has take into consideration is a Roman shield, that was not used singularly but with other soldiers, forming a wall of shields. Your faith can protect you somewhat if you end up isolated and by yourself, but when joined with other people in people you have serious defense against the enemies flaming darts.
PEACE, MAN, PEACE
So this Christmas, on the earth cannot offer you peace on earth, but God can. You can so be the peace across the world which passes understanding guard your heart and the mind right now.
But it's essential to understand this… The peace of God is a gift; it isn't something we can manipulate and it also’s not something we are able to preorder from a catalogue or a website, because it is it's possible to of becoming one with Him. It is the results of leaving and letting God control and be worried about what is going on in the life.
When our relationship with Jesus is robust and adversity strikes, we are not compelled to fall apart or give in to worry and anxiety. We can choose, and find it is the freedom to choose, we can select to have a home in the steadfast and solid confidence of His love, His wisdom, His power, and His provision.
This is actually the basis of His unshakable peace across the world—not that we are capable of controlling circumstances, but that His help is ever-present and perfect to deliver us in each and every challenge we face. True peace is inner peace with God, whatever the circumstances, and even in war we might be at peace.
So this Christmas, let not your heart be troubled. Allow peace of God flood your life.
If you are dreading something about this Christmas, if you have fear, anxiety, worry or anything else, you moment to have us stand on you and pray for peace on this planet to those with whom He is pleased.
But if you don’t think God is pleased with you, if you don’t know Him or when you have been running from Him, or ignoring a Him, then we have to solve that first. If you're removed from God, or have never asked Him inside of life, this represents your moment
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