The LORD's Day December 16, 2007

The Prince of Peace

Isaiah 9.1-7

We have been looking at the names Isaiah prophesied Jesus would be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father and finally today: Prince of Peace.

Back in the early 70's when I was a teenager, the word peace was used a lot to describe an end to the Viet Nam War. Today peace means to relax. Both concepts are included in this title or name Jesus would be called.

Jesus spoke about peace with His disciples. In fact this morning we are going to look at what the Prince of Peace Himself had to say about it.

1. His Birth Announcement Included Peace Luke 2:14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.
The way that leads to peace is salvation. Having our sins forgiven the lost relationship with God the Creator and our Father in Heaven is restored. There is no true peace without Jesus. God has placed eternity in the hearts of men. Only Jesus can satisfy that place in our heart that was created for a relationship with God.

When Christ is in a heart there is a tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Him, and so fearing nothing from God as far as punishment. It is a sense of being content. Peace and contentment go hand in hand. No matter what happens on this earth to us there can be contentment deep within.

God’s favor- His unearned favor is grace. Those who have received this grace are under God’s blessing.


2. There is a sharp statement by Jesus that makes the peace He brings unique.

Matthew 10:34 Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.”
We think of peace in terms of peace between individuals, harmony, accord. While Jesus does brings this between individuals that are a part of His Kingdom, those who are not part of His kingdom we often have tension with- even to the point of them considering us enemies.

Jesus is the LORD. That very nature sets people at odds with Him and His followers. Mohammed and Confucius and other leaders of world religions do not bring that response from people that Jesus brings.

Following Jesus brings us into opposition with the closest people in our lives if they are not following Him. That is what He is telling us here.

He does bring peace to people’s hearts but that very peace can and does bring division.
I believe we need to be fair when we sharing Christ. In our desire to see people come to Him we can fail to tell them there is a cost. Bruce Olson- Bruchko.

Too often the church has been like salesmen with our LORD- telling people all the benefits and leaving out the fine print. How unlike Christ He tells us here we will have division in relationships if we follow Him. We will be excluded. But we are to rejoice.

This division shows up when we asked to do something illegal or wrong. It shows up when someone asks us to lie for them and we won’t. I have had people get so upset because I wouldn’t do something wrong to benefit them.

3. There is a unity in peace between brothers and sisters in Jesus. Mark 9:50 Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with each other.

Here is where there is to be harmony and accord in relationships. We are to guard this carefully.

The LORD has told us that it is good and pleasant when brothers dwell together in unity. Psalm 133. We are to maintain the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.

What about people outside the Body of Christ? Romans 12:18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone, There are some people who actually enjoy upheaval and love to get in the middle of disputes. They are warped. Stay away from people like that- they will bring you down. There are birds that come to perch in the branches of the Vine- they are not part of the vine and they love to pick at the fruit.

Jesus is the Prince of Peace. We need to have Him reign in our relationships. We need to do things that will lead to peace. Proverbs 26:20 Without wood a fire goes out; without gossip a quarrel dies down. Do not be the one who keeps a quarrel going. Be the one who puts the fire out. Be a peacemaker. Let the fire die when it comes to you. This is allowing Jesus to be the Prince of Peace in your life. This will bring you additional peace and joy.

4. When a person meets Jesus Christ He gives them peace. Luke 7:50 Jesus said to the woman, Your faith has saved you; go in peace.

This statement by Jesus was given after a woman who had lived a sinful life sought Him out. He was dining at Simon, the Pharisee’s house. The woman was repentant and Jesus forgave her sins. He told her to go in peace. She had peace with God finally- no more guilt, no more fear of judgement. Her sins were forgiven

He is the Prince of Peace. He invites those who need peace and relief from the burden of sin to come to Him and find rest for their souls. Matthew 11.26-30

He came to His own and His own did not receive Him. We see this illustrated poignantly in the nativity. There he is born in a stable, laid in a feeding crib. All through His ministry His own rejected Him but to those who received Him like the woman at Simon’s house , they were transformed.

Finally this rejection of the Prince of Peace took place on the last time He rode into Jerusalem.
5. He was rejected at Jerusalem as well as Bethlehem. Luke 19:42 and said, If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes.

Jerusalem was the bigger rejection. It was bad enough His own people put Him out in Bethlehem when He was born. Of course God has His hand on this. What was a terrible thing to do to an expectant mother ended up being part of God’s plan. The Creator among the creatures. He was easily accessible to the shepherds when they came. It became a sign of how they would be recognize Him. a sign, mark, token. Think about this sign- a baby lying in a manger A newborn in the animal’s feeding crib It was a sign of how He would be treated His whole life

That by which a person or a thing is distinguished from others and is known- no other baby has this notoriety. This was an unusual thing. This can also refer to signs foreshadowing remarkable events soon to happen. This word sign was also used of miracles and wonders by which God authenticates the men sent by him, or by which men prove that the cause they are pleading is God's.

The rejection at Jerusalem was the final one. This was their final opportunity. For thirty three years they had the opportunity to embrace the Prince of Peace. But the truth is they rejected Him. His own did not receive Him

6. Jesus give us peace at life’s most difficult times. John 14:27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 16:33 I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart I have overcome the world.
To the world this is an oxymoron- peace in the time of trouble But the peace Jesus give is not as the world gives- He is the Prince of Peace His peace is not dependent on outward circumstances or conditions. He gives peace in our hearts.

In this present world Yes it is wicked. It was wicked in the days of the Master. Public execution was a common thing. It was a horrible thing. There was widespread oppression. One ruler after Jesus was born practiced infanticide and had all the baby boys in Bethlehem 2 years of age and under put to death because he was afraid. He has given us His peace and He has overcome the world, He has peace for you no matter what you are facing this week.

7. Jesus’ final words to us include the blessing of peace. Luke 24:36 [ Jesus Appears to the Disciples ] While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, Peace be with you. Frequently after the resurrection Jesus would greet His disciples with the word “Peace”.

One day there will be a state of national and international tranquillity. That day is soon to come when Jesus comes. We will be freed from the rage and havoc of war. One the most beautiful promises concerning this is found in Micah 5.1-5a

That is His promise and our hope
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The LORD’s Day
December 16, 2007


We Worship In Singing
We Worship In Prayer
We Worship In Hearing the Word of God
Prince of Peace
Isaiah 9.1-7
*Tithes and Offerings can be placed in the box at the rear of the sanctuary*
Please join us for bagels and coffee downstairs if you are visiting today.

This Week
Bible Reading Matthew 1-2, Luke 2
Monday Men’s Prayer Meeting 6:30am in the church basement
Wednesday &Thursday Bible Studies will resume next month
Next Lord’s Day
Morning Prayer- 10am in the church basement
Morning Worship- 10:30am(Sunday School for Children)
Spanish Service- 4pm

In Your Prayers For All of God’s People

Remember the men serving in the armed forces: Bradley, Julia Bujold’s grandson with Special Forces in Afghanistan, home on leave right now, Ken Brown, Pastor’s friend’s son finished his third tour of Iraq- His parents thank us for praying for him. Billy Knapp, Jr. in Iraq with the Marines (neighbor of the church and Pastor- Billy’s sister graduated from Good Shepherd). Stateside now being redeployed in April... Matthew Klaus, brother of Good Shepherd parent in Iraq as a firefighter for Haliburton. Pastor’s nephews’ and niece’s cousin Kim’s husband, Jay, in Iraq. Pray for them and the others away from their families. Praise God for keeping David Louis, Jake Morgan, Ken Brown and Tom Hindelang, Billy Knapp Jr. safe during their times in Iraq. Pray for peace. Katharina’s Family in the loss of her daughter... Remember Robert, her son-in-law and her grandsons, Norman, Raymond &Jonathan and their families. Kathy, Ziggy and Margot’s daughter-in-law, under the doctor’s care for fibromyalgia. Thank God for answers to prayer for her as well as Lucy, their daughter... God is she is recovering well. Pray for Eloise Brooks’ Family in their loss and sorrow... Remember Jean Louis on dialysis. Grace Martin, Edie Raevis’ daughter, recovering from surgery on her back and uindergoing Physical Therapy. Edie’s daughter’s mother-in-law, Millie Espisito remains in serious condition. Reginald Mooney, friend of Terri and John Garry, with a tumor in his kidney. Please remember Pastor’s friend Kim Richardson’s daughter, Kelly recovering from a mastectomy. Please remember this whole family in prayer..she has completed chemo therapy for now and is schedules for another round of radiation beginning Tuesday. She is under the care of an oncologist. Leah May’s cousin, Joan, respiratory problems now home... Lucy Mancini under Orthopedic Specialist’s care and physical therapy for pain and injuries resulting from the accident. Pastor’s Dad, Larry Mancini, Sr. in an intermediary care facility, undergoing physical, occupational and speech therapy. There is a blog for him: www.papa2all.blogspot.com . Stephen Huges, brother of a Good Shepherd Nursery School Mom, their parents home in Hewlett was destroyed in a fire.. Please remember Dr. And Mrs. Mucci in your prayers as well as Judy’s daughter Tatum. Alice Gordon’s family in the loss of her brother, Everette, Please remember his wife Monica and the whole family... Anka’s family in the loss of her dad. Joey Reda (Charlie and Diane Davison’s Grandson) experiencing some heart arrhythmia. Prudy’s Mom, Rose Ragusa, undergoing treatment- doing well. Jack Simon, a friend of Pastor’s, undergoing treatment for a lung problem...Pray for those children who will receive Christmas shoe boxes this December. Remember those who lost family and friends in the cyclone in Bangladesh... Leah May facing surgery. Please pray for healing.. Bart Moleta, Helen and Bob Pawson’s son-in-law, undergoing tests for a number of problems. Rianna’s brother’s family in their time of loss. Frank Watson, friend of Pastor’s from Bible College, who lost his wife... Pastor and Lucy’s Aunt Vivian has been placed in a nursing home rehab following a severe fall and has been diagnosed with a kidney disorder and cirrhosis of the liver. Janine Van Cott having back surgery Tuesday.

Christmas Eve Service- 5pm, December 24th

Notes on Our Time in God’s Word This Morning...

Prince of Peace

Isaiah 9.1-7

Pastor’s messages are now available online:
http://thesundaymorningmessage.blogspot.com/
Church e-mail: bayshorenaz@rock.com
Church Phone: 631-969-1730
1314 Pine Acres Boulevard, Bay Shore, Long Island, NY 11706-5436