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.
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