Peace

Happy Sunday. Merry Christmas. Thanks so much for joining me today. As we begin, I want to thank many of you who have faithfully supported this ministry financially. If you'd like to donate, the website DavidShavers.com has a link for you to donate there.

And if you'd like to mail a check, that's okay too; there's an address on the website as well. All donations are tax deductible. If you could include this ministry in your year-end giving, that would truly be a big help.

Today I want to talk to you about the peace that Jesus brings. I had a great Thanksgiving with my family. I have so many reasons to be thankful. I also can easily celebrate the peace that Jesus brings. My life is at peace.

Sadly, I know that there are many without peace. I found this story online from the Atlanta Journal, uh, .com website. It said a woman in Texas was living in a domestic violent shelter, and she found this letter to Santa and her seven-year-old son's backpack:

"Dear Santa, we had to leave our house. Dad was mad. We had to do all the chores, and Dad got everything he wanted. Mom said it was time to leave, and she would like us to find a safer place where we don't have to be scared. I'm still nervous. I don't want to talk to the other kids.

"Are you going to come this Christmas? We don't have any of our stuff here. Can you bring some chapter books, a dictionary, and a compass, and a watch? Also want a very, very, very good Daddy. Can you do that too? Love, Blake."

This Christmas season, as in every season, there are people that hurt, people that need peace. Luke chapter 2 talks about peace. I'll read a familiar story there:

"Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them. They were greatly afraid.

"Then the angel said to themo not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: you'll find a babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

"And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly hosts praising God and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men.'"

I want to pay attention to verse 4 14 there: "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men." Let me read Luke 2:14 for you from several different versions. In the NRSV it says, "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors." In the New Living Translation it says, "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased."

In the New International Version it's says, "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rest." What's going on here? Before I explain it, let me ask you a question: is everyone at peace? Of course not is the answer. You watch the news, don't you?

Our world is not at peace, not all of it, not much of it. So who has peace these days? Back to Luke 21:14: who are those whom he favors, or those with whom God is pleased, or those on whom his favor rests? This peace for everyone? Let me put it this way: it's for everyone who knows Jesus and knows him well.

This is whom God favors. This is whom he is pleased with. Hebrews 11:6 says this: "And without faith it is impossible to please God, for whoever would approach him must believe believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him." God is pleased with us when we believe, and when we believe, we have access to his peace.

So Christmas does not bring peace to everyone. John 3:19 puts it this way: "And this is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil." Many chose, and still choose, to not believe, and they do not have peace.

John 1:2 says this: "But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God." It was really only to his followers that Jesus can give peace. Jesus gave these words to his followers in John 14:27 before he left. He said, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Don't let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid."

There are two worlds. One offers true peace, and one does not. The people who enjoy the peace of God are these spoken of in Philippians 4:6 and 7. If you do this, you'll have peace: "Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, or guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

Look at this great truth from Psalm 85, beginning at verse 8: "Listen carefully to what God the Lord is saying, for he speaks peace to his faithful people. But let them not return to their foolish ways. Surely his salvation is near to those who fear him, so our land will be filled with his glory." And then in verse 10: "Unfailing love and truth have met together. Righteousness and peace have kissed."

I love that. It's a beautiful picture: righteousness and peace have kissed. To have peace, you have to have righteousness. They are that close together. You have have to have God.

You cannot have one without the other. You can have not, not have peace without righteousness, or righteousness without peace. They're that close. I'll repeat what the angel said: "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among among those whom he favors."

If you're a believer, he favors you. Merry Christmas! That's great news, even in this crazy world. Pray with me.

Lord, in the past month I've talked to friends who have had heart surgery, who've dealt with cancer, who were in the hospital, in therapy from falls, who've had tough times, who were between jobs. And Lord, because of their faith, they're going to be okay. On the other hand, I've seen people who seem to have everything, but there's no peace. Father, it's my prayer that all who watch, all who listen, know you and love you and have peace in this crazy world. In Jesus' name we pray, amen.

Thanks for watching. Mery Christmas.