Return to the Peace of Christmas

Series: A Weary World Rejoices

Summary

Return to the Peace of Christmas

Pastor Aaron Sutherland

Peace is not a destination we arrive at once everything has gone right. Peace is the presence of God meeting us when many things have gone wrong.

I. WE RETURN TO PEACE WHEN WE FACE THE PROBLEM OF PEACE

Ephesians 2:12-13

Remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

We cannot know true peace apart from truly knowing God.

We can never experience world peace, until we experience personal peace.

II. WE RETURN TO PEACE WHEN WE ENGAGE THE PERSON OF PEACE

Ephesians 2:14-18

For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.

The person of peace makes personal peace possible.

There was a wall of enmity between us and God, and Jesus tore it down.

The only way the GREAT wall of hostility standing between people and God could come down, was through a GREATER expression of love. And Jesus is that love.

III. WE RETURN TO PEACE WHEN WE EXPERIENCE THE PURPOSE OF PEACE

Ephesians 2:19-22

Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.

When the prince of peace comes into our hearts, our hearts finally find their home.

God’s peace is intended to be both incarnational and inspirational.

Luke 1:76-79

And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, to give knowledge of salvation to his people in the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God, whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.

Peace is not about where we walk to, it's about who we walk with.

Discussion Questions:

1. How have you experienced the problem of separation with God?

2. What comes to mind when you think of peace being found in a person (Jesus) as opposed to being found in a place (a destination)?

3. How have you seen God’s peace in your life affect the peace in another’s life?

Speaker: Aaron Sutherland

December 18, 2022

Aaron Sutherland

Lead Pastor

Return to the Peace of Christmas

Series: A Weary World Rejoices

Summary