#5/5 The True Identity of Bethlehem’s Baby Stockwell Road MBC
December 27, 2009 MW
“PRINCE OF PEACE”
Isaiah 9:6-7
INTRODUCTION:
A. Just before Christmas Paul Harvey told the story of a father whose son had gone off to fight for the union army during the American civil war. After months of camp fever, his son finally saw battle and was seriously wounded. News of his son’s wound came to the father on Christmas Eve, and being a poet he sat down and expressed his anguish in a song. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow wrote these words as he contemplated that bleak Christmas morning:
And in despair I bowed my head
"There is no peace on earth I said,
For hate is strong and mocks the song
Of Peace on earth goodwill to men."
B. We have come to the final name of Christ here in Isaiah 9:6. It is of course Prince of Peace. But this one is difficult for us because we seem to have so many mixed messages when it comes to peace. On the one side Jesus is called the prince of Peace and the angels proclaim peace on earth goodwill to men. However, on the other hand Jesus says in Matthew 10:34, “Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.” As well, we have our own observations there is no peace on earth. I think many will be glad to see 2009 go and 2010 come. Peace is not the absence of troubles or conflicts but it is the knowledge of the presence of God. This title, “Prince of Peace” means prince of shalom. Shalom is indeed used to describe the cessation of hostilities, but the word itself also pictures health and wholeness. It denotes harmony and completeness. To have shalom is to have not only a quiet life but also to be fulfilled in every way.
C. Jesus is the Prince of Peace and He wants to bring peace into your life. If your heart is broken this morning, He wants to mend it. If your life is in shambles this morning, He wants to help pick up the pieces. If storms are raging within or without in your family, He wants to calm them. 2 Thessalonians 3:16, “Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all.” How does the Prince of Peace deliver peace into our lives? According to Paul, in EVERY book, Paul declared grace first then peace! Grace is the vehicle God chooses to deliver peace! The unmerited favor of God is the vehicle that delivers peace to the weary heart! The Prince of Peace brings peace to our lives by his grace. Notice two forms of grace that He uses to bring peace to our lives.
BODY:
I. PEACE COMES FROM SAVING GRACE
Note: Eph. 2:8, “For by grace are ye saved…” and Titus 2:11, “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men.”
A. The Provider of Grace
--grace is wholly a work of God not man
--God saw our problem, God sent the solution
B. The Purpose of Grace
--bring salvation, forgiveness of sin
C. The Provision of Grace
--is available to all men! Not a select few!
II. PEACE COMES FROM SUFFICIENT GRACE II Corinthians 12:7-9, Titus 2:12
Note: The word sufficient in our text means to be possessed of unfailing strength. The grace of God is sufficient for any circumstance we find ourselves in.
A. Grace is Sufficient for Testing
--God wanted to keep Paul humble
B. Grace is Sufficient for Tribulation
--buffeted by Satan’s messenger
C. Grace is Sufficient for Timing
--prayer 3x, God said no for now!
D. Grace is Sufficient for Teaching Titus 2:12
CONCLUSION:
Here is the thing…you cannot experience the sufficient grace until you experience saving grace.
If you want to experience peace from God from the Prince of Peace it only comes by experiencing the grace of God.
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