Welcome again to another edition of the Weekend Sermon. I hope that if you are one of my US readers that you had a great Thanksgiving holiday. I went to a buffet for dinner, and I had a really good meal and a wonderful time. I hope that all of the rest of you are doing very well.
Last week, we started our sermons for the Advent season by looking at the hope and help that Jesus brought to the world through his Incarnation. We also looked into the fact that just as people waited in anticipation for the first Advent, we as believers today are looking for the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus.
Today, we will focus our attention on the fact that the coming of Jesus into this world has brought about peace. Now let me get something out in the open right away. There are a lot of people and nations in this world who have since the time of Jesus' coming claimed to follow Him. Many of them have been among the most warlike people and nations in the history of the world. These are so called followers of Jesus. In my opinion, these are like what James talked about. They have a profession of faith, but they do not have a true possession of faith. If they did, they would not have been so warlike and harmed so many often bringing the name of Jesus into the whole mess. All of this doesn't have anything to do with Jesus or what He taught. It is all on His followers not doing what they are supposed to be doing, or using religion for their own ends.
When the birth of Jesus was announced two thousand years ago, the angels announced the message of peace on earth to the shepherds who were abiding in the fields and keeping watch over their flocks by night. The Incarnation of Jesus into this world brought peace in two different ways.
First of all, Jesus coming into this world introduced to the one who Isaiah called the Prince of Peace. The teachings of Jesus if they were followed in the way that He intended would bring about peace on this earth. Jesus came to teach people that they needed to love their neighbor, and He went so far as to say that we are to love our enemies. Jesus taught that we are to treat others in the same way that we want to be treated. He taught us the way of nonviolent resistance to those who would exploit others. He also taught us that people and nations should concentrate their efforts on doing good to the least among us as if we were doing it unto Him.
Jesus coming into this world also brought about peace in a different way. His coming allowed us to have peace with God. By coming to this world and being the Lamb of God to take away the sins of the world, Jesus bore our sins in His body on the cross. He dealt with sin. Through His resurrection, He dealt with the consequences of sin. When a person places his faith and trust in the finished and complete work of Jesus Christ, that person is made right with God. Their sins are taken away and they receive the imputed righteousness of Christ. When God looks at those who are in Christ, He does not see a sinner, He sees a person clothed in the righteousness of His dearly beloved Son.
Jesus and His forgiveness gives us life and gives us peace within our hearts that can only come from having a personal relationship with Him. Jesus left us His peace. We have peace knowing that He is always with us, and we have peace knowing that He has prepared a place for us so that we can be with Him forever.
Now, Jesus coming into this world also brings an ultimate and forever peace to the universe. This will come to a consummation when Jesus returns. When He comes again, He will rule and reign over all the earth. There will be no more war. Nation will no longer rise against nation. People will turn their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Each man will sit under his own vine as the Scripture says, and no one shall make him afraid.
Jesus brings peace. He can bring peace to your heart now and in the future. It all begins by trusting in Jesus as Savior and Lord. Let Jesus bring peace to your heart. Amen.
Prayer Requests
Next week, I have to go to the doctor to see why I am still having so much trouble. Please pray for me in this regard. Thank you.
Please keep praying for peace. Ukraine and Sudan are at the forefront of my mind. We need to keep praying for peace in Israel, Gaza and the entire Middle East. Pray that there is not a war in Venezuela.
Remember to pray for those who are recovering from natural disasters. Pray for those in the Caribbean and those in Asia who are still suffering.
For our prayer focus countries this week, let us pray for those in the nations of Gambia and Qatar. Pray that many will come to know Jesus and His peace.
Next week, we will continue with our Advent messages. I will post the verses on Tuesday, and I will post the next chapter of the book on Wednesday. May God bless you all.
No comments:
Post a Comment