The Gift of Peace

Gifts of Advent—1 of 4

December 1, 1991

John 16:33

(Children's Sermon:)

The best stories are the old stories! The ones we have heard over and over. And the very best of these old stories are Bible stories. I'm thinking of one I learned when I was very small— younger than most of you...

"Please help me remember.. help me tell the story of Shadrach, Meshack, and Abednego."

There was a powerful king. There was a golden statue. There was a command: Do not pray to any God except the King (who thinks he is a god!) There was a "burning, fiery furnace!"

The king did not understand Shadrach, Meshach, and Abdenego. The king thought that God and prayer and things like that were not important. The king thought that he was more important than God! But we know that God and prayer and love and truth are the most important things in the world, don't we! We know that God loves us.

That is what Shadrach, Meshach, and Abdego knew! They were sure God was good. They were sure that if they loved God, and did the right, God would be with them! And He was!)

So— what happened?

And what does that tell us about praying and burning fiery furnaces and kings and the like? Do you think any of this has anything to do with peace?

(Introduction, Sermon, proper:)

Our text this first Sunday in Advent is John 16:33

These things have I spoken unto you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.

Peace was one of the main themes of the final words of Jesus, the Last Supper discourse. In Advent the hope of genuine peace and faith and love all mingle together in the anticipation of the coming of Messiah.

I. PEACE IN THE FUTURE

Advent is about anticipation. It is keeping alive the hope that Messiah will indeed come. Of course, we know that He has already come. He is coming again. But also in reality we know that there are many areas where there is a lack of peace— in the world, and in our individual situations. Wherever there are human beings, there is a need for peace.

"We do not yet see all thing put under (Messiah's) feet! But we see Jesus!" That is where hope comes in. Hope is believing, having faith in God's integrity, as we look into the unknown. Advent— anticipation. People in darkness, seeing a Light.

The hope of Messiah is alive in Judaism as perhaps never before! It should be alive in all people of faith. Jesus promised a future peace.

II. A PRESENT PEACE

But peace is not just "in the future" for those who follow Jesus. If genuine peace were only in the future it would be worth whatever it costs to live so as to finally receive it. But there is real, genuine, heart-healing peace right here and now! Jesus said, on that night before He was crucified, "Peace I leave with you; MY peace I give to you!"

  1. This present peace is a MYSTERY of our faith. Philippians 4:7 "The peace of God which passes all comprehension— passes all understanding— that is mysterious but real— shall keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus."

    YES- I can see the many things that are wrong! God's prophets are crying out against the evil of our day! Father Heery in Sacred Heart pulpit; my son Russell's pastor, Steve Perry in the Duxbury Nazarene pulpit— you don't need to travel to hear Chuck Coleson (although that is not a bad idea)— you just have to be alive to God to be shocked and saddened by the intensity of the evil in our world today— evils that I find difficult to even talk about in a public meeting where tender ears are present!

    YES- I do not know what the next step is! I have no lack of advice: write this legislator; block that entrance; get busy— DO something! Now! Don't waste time! It's already too late!

    NO! I am NOT overwhelmed! I know that I am in my Savior's care! The FIRST thing I must do is make sure that my roots go down deep into HIM! My PEACE is only in HIM!

  2. Present peace begins with a reconciliation with God. The call of the prophet is "Be reconciled with God!" The world in great part does not even understand that it is alienated from God. Our society today has no concept of sin. On the one hand violence and sex are glorified; on the other hand random killing and rape and incest are epidemic, and social experts cannot make the connection. Our society is out of touch with spiritual reality! We as a civilization are being showered with anti-God propaganda.

    But when individuals wake up— or are shocked awake by some sense of need, and the Holy Spirit of God brings conviction for sin, and a strong faith that Jesus can and will forgive sin, there comes a glorious sense of peace with God, and a justification— a forgiveness of guilt that brings real, not false peace.

    This is the peace of PARDON.

    Present peace continues with a settled-ness regarding who I am, and what I do. I do not claim more for "peace" than the Bible; the way of faith is very much a battle. But God's people come not only to know peace with God, but they come to know the peace OF God.

    This is a peace of PURPOSE.

    The best part of present peace— peace during the storms and battles of life— is that the God of peace is with His people!

    This is the peace of God's PRESENCE.

  3. This present peace is an ABIDING PEACE! 1. As we abide in Him! 2. This peace comes to ABIDE in us!
  4. When the disciples finally DID turn their world upside down it was NOT through frantic endeavor. It was not through massive political demonstration. There were cases of civil disobedience, perhaps. But only when clearly the law told them not to speak of the power of the Gospel. And then, frightened, they repaired to the BODY, where they poured out their fears, and they prayed together! Their prayer was for abiding peace:

    "Lord, behold now their threatenings! Grant that with boldness (i.e., lack of intimidation; i.e., peace) we may proclaim You as Lord!" (Acts 4)

III. A SIGN OF THIS PEACE: COMMUNION

Jesus said: "As often as you do this, You proclaim all that I am and all that I have done and all that I am going to do!" (Paraphrase from I Corinthians 11)

Invitation:

Jesus would invite us to share in His peace today!

Jesus would remind us of our HOPE today!

Our peace is in the future— He is coming again, just as surely as He came in Bethlehem. We are no different from the faithful who sat in darkness, waiting, watching— like Simeon and Anna and all the prophets before them. The wrongs of earth will be made right! Every knee shall bow! Messiah will come!

Jesus would also reinforce our PEACE today! Our peace is here, now, with us, present! What a wonderful GIFT! What a powerful assurance!

What a sinful thing to hide such a GIFT! How we need to seek ways to share it!

Jesus would also challenge us to be instruments of PEACE:

Our peace is not a denial of struggle; not an "answer" to dilemma, nor a forceful action. Our peace is a still small voice saying: "This is the way! Walk ye in it!" Our peace is the quiet nudge to speak to a neighbor with concern about her problems; our peace is a call to be and then to do.