Luke 2:8-20

Luke 2:8-20 Joy and Peace

It is difficult to talk about Joy and Peace and make sense of Sandy Hook. A town of 27,000, three times the size of Marinette. They did everything they could, with locked doors and a security system, and yet peace was taken from them. We live in a world of violence, violent games, violent shows, and music. Even our political parties have gone from disagreement to hate. In our stores we can buy weapons of war, and we can find bomb recipes on the internet. Yet the angels sang about Joy and Peace. I will try to make some sense of it all.

 

1. Violence, sin and evil are the norm.

            A. Genesis 3 tells us we live in a fallen world, Genesis 6:5-6 every inclination.

            B. Romans 1:29-31 filled with every kind of evil.

            C. Some even think we are living in the end times Rev 6:4

            D. The truth is, violence, sin, and evil are the norm, without God.

 

2. And the angel said Good News

            A. Good News of Great Joy for all the people

            B. a Savior is born

            C. who needs a savior? The lost, those in peril.

            d. to men, on whom his favor rest, or to men on whom his favor rest.

            e. yet the only pockets of peace found in the world are where people

 

3. Jesus did not come to bring peace to the earth but peace on earth.

            A.  John 14:27

            B. John 16:33

 

Conclusion:  The peace we receive from Jesus does not stop the tribulation of the world but it transcends it. In the midst of the tribulations of life both great and small, we can find peace, and Joy, because Jesus has overcome the world. We get glimpses and experience part of that peace now, on earth, but it will only truly be experienced in the place that Jesus has prepared for us, in heaven.

            So today, we thank God for the peace we do experience; it is a gift from God. We pray for those whom peace is shattered. Let each one of us examine our hearts and make sure we have ask Jesus for forgiveness, so we will have peace through the tribulation of this world and experience God’s perfect peace when we see Him face to face.

Isiaha 42

Isaiah 42:1-9

The Coming Servant

INTRODUCTION: I love Christmas, all the lights and decorations. Manger scenes with Baby Jesus. People seem a little more open to faith. I guess a Baby in a manger is more approachable than the all powerful King of heaven and earth. This is of course the Prophets Sunday of Advent. There are many prophecies about Jesus, when he would come, why he would come and what he would do. This prophesy was given 800 years before Jesus would be born. This plan of salvation was known about 800 years before Jesus was born to carry it out. And Jesus died on the cross 2000 years before you drew your first breath.

1. Gods Servant

            a. here is My servant- God’s servant

            b. Jesus did not come to serve you, he came to save you.

            c. Matthew 3:17 “Listen to Him”

            d. Jesus came because it was God’s desire, and purpose to save you.

            e. James and Dan were crossing a river, at twelve years old James had crossed this river many times and was an exhalant swimmer, Don, well not so much. Crossing the river it grew to be about chest high, with a good current moving them down stream with each step. Dan stepped into a hole and lost his feet. James went to the rescue. In his panic Dan grabbed at James and now both are in trouble. James starts beating on and wrestling with Dan until he got behind him grabbed his color and held his head above the water. James yells at a still struggling Dan. “I am trying to save you, would just cooperate”

            f. God only needs your cooperation.

 2. What is God’s servant doing

            a. To bring justice, right wrongs, judge sin,

            b. he will not stop.

            c. in terminator, kyle tells Sarah, he has been sent to kill you, programmed to kill you, he is a machine, he cannot be reasoned with, he cannot be bought, he will never stop searching for you he will never stop until you are dead.

            d. God declares His servant will never stop until justice is achieved.

 3. Part of Justice is grace

            While Jesus came to bring justice and to save people of faith, he came looking for five groups of people specifically.

            a. The smoldering wick (3)

            b. the bruised reed (3)

            c. the blind (7)

            d. captives from prison (7)

            e. those in dungeons of darkness (7)

 Conclusion: We all fall into one of these at some point; our faith is but a smoldering wick as we sit in a doctor’s office. We are a bruised reed as our job is downsized or we try to balance our checkbook, or learn of a nasty piece of gossip that is being spread about us. Blind to the love of God, seemingly a captive to our mistakes of the past, or our own limited ideas of what faith is all about. All alone in the cold darkness of life. This passage tells us that we are the people Jesus came looking for. This is God’s purpose, and He is God’s servant, and He will never stop trying to save you. Jesus is trying to save you, would you just cooperate?