I chose this topic because the sermon was to be given on Christmas Day (Sunday, December 25, 2005). I began the sermon by reading Luke 2:1-32, which tells the story about the birth of Christ.
AN OUTLINE OF THE TEXT OF THE SLIDES IS AS FOLLOWS:
Christ's Birth Announced
Read Luke 2:1-32
The Peace in Luke 2
• Luke 2:14 - “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”
• Luke 2:29 - “Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace ….”
What is peace?
From the Greek noun “eirene” - It describes
• harmonious relationships between men, Matt. 10:34; Rom. 14:19;
• between nations, Luke 14:32; Acts 12:20; Rev. 6:4;
• friendliness, Acts 15:33; 1 Cor. 16:11; Heb. 11:31;
• freedom from molestation, Luke 11:21; 19:42; Acts 9:31 (RV, 'peace,' AV, 'rest'); 16:36;
• order, in the State, Acts 24:2 (RV, 'peace,' AV, 'quietness'); in the churches, 1 Cor. 14:33;
• the harmonized relationships between God and man, accomplished through the gospel, Acts 10:36; Eph. 2:17;
• the sense of rest and contentment consequent thereon, Matt. 10:13; Mark 5:34; Luke 1:79; 2:29; John 14:27; Rom. 1:7; 3:17; 8:6; in certain passages this idea is not distinguishable from the last, Rom. 5:1
Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words, http://www.menfak.no/bibel/vines.html, 12/18/2005 11:44 PM
Peace as contentment
• Abraham, Genesis 15:15
• Simeon, Luke 2:29
• Philippians 4:6-8
• Rom. 1:7, 8:6 (vss. 38-39)
– See also 1 Cor. 1:3, 2 Cor. 1:2, Gal. 1:3, Eph. 1:2, Phi. 1:2, Col. 1:2, 1 Thes. 1:1, 2 Thes. 1:2, 1 Tim. 1:2, 2 Tim. 1:2, Tit. 1:4, Phm. 1:3, etc.
All Men Need Peace
• Sin separated man from God, Genesis 2:16-17, 3:1-6, 19, 22-24
• Through Adam’s sin, death came to all men, Rom. 5:12
• The wages of sin is death, Rom. 6:23
• All have sinned, Rom. 3:23
• All men die, 1 Cor. 15:22
Peace to all men?
• Luke 12:51 - “Do you suppose that I came to give peace on earth? I tell you, not at all, but rather division.” See also Matt. 10:32-39.
• Luke 2:14 (NASB) - “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased."
• Psalm 37:37-38
• Psalm 119:165
Where Can I Find Peace?
• Through Christ & God’s Word
– Acts 10:36
– Rom. 10:15
• Christ made peace, Eph. 2:14-18 (Isa. 57:19)
– Between Jew & Gentile
– Between Man & God
• Christ’s blood made peace possible, Isa. 53:5; Col. 1:20-23
How Can I Have Peace?
• Through Justification (declared righteous, acquitted of sin)
– By Faith, Rom. 5:1-2
– By Christ’s blood, Rom. 5:9-10
• When and how do I benefit from Christ’s death?
– Through Baptism, Rom. 6:3, Gal. 3:27
– Through righteous living after baptism, Gal. 5:22; Isa. 32:15-18; Isa. 57:21
Can I expect peace in my present condition?
• The angels praised God for the peace Christ brought, Luke 2:13-14. Can you?
• Simeon knew he would die in peace, Luke 2:29. Do you?
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