Advent, Pt. 2, Peace

 
The Illusive Search for Peace in a War Torn World Advent, Pt. 2, Bethlehem - Peace By Pastor Dan Kennedy © December 6, 2015 www.pastorkennedy.com We are in search for peace in our world today, just as the world has been since Adam and Eve were dismissed from the Garden of Eden. When the leaders of modern nations boast they are gaining a foothold on economic reform, cultural equality, natural security, climate preservation and foreign diplomacy, other troubling elements raise their ugly head, which disrupt the world’s peace even more. World leaders cry, “Peace, Peace!” When there is no peace. There was such a leader in Israel at Jesus’ birth who was Rome’s appointed monarch over the land, Herod, king of Judea considered himself to be “king of the Jews”. He had ruthlessly consolidated power to himself – historians account Herod’s putting to death those in his family, including one of his wives, his mother-in-law, two of his sons, his brother-in-law, and anyone else who he believed were conspiring against him, or getting in his way. Herod conscripted 2,000 soldiers as bodyguards. 1 He had reconstructed the Jewish temple so that it was even renamed after himself. Josephus stated that Herod was so concerned that no one would mourn his death, that he commanded a large group of distinguished men to come to Jericho, and he gave an order that they should be killed at the time of his death so that the displays of grief that he craved would take place. Fortunately for them, Herod's son Archelaus and sister Salome did not carry out this wish. 1 1 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herod_the_Great Bethlehem & Peace When we think of Bethlehem during the Christmas season we often associate peace with this little town because of the Carols, “O Little Town of Bethlehem,” and “Silent Night”. O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie! Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by. Yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting Light; The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight. Silent night, holy night, All is calm, all is bright Round yon Virgin Mother and Child Holy Infant so tender and mild Sleep in heavenly peace, Sleep in heavenly peace It is in the context of beloved Christmas hymns that, I believe the concept of “peace” has been commissioned upon this sleepy, unimportant, “little” town in which Christ’s birth was prophesied in Micah 5:2. Micah 5:2 2 But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days. Unfortunately, after the birth of Jesus and the coming and going of the Wise men from Bethlehem, the peace was totally shattered. Matthew 2:1–12 The Visit of the Magi 2 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem 2 and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.” 3 When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Christ was to be born. 5 “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written: 6 “ ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of my people Israel.’” 7 Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. 8 He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and make a careful search for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.” 9 After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 11 On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh. 12 And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route. After the Wise Men presented their kingly gifts to Jesus, and left Bethlehem, and at God’s prompting, had gone home a different way, avoiding a return to Herod, an angel of the Lord told Joseph in a dream to get up and leave town that night – something terrible was going to happen. That quiet and peaceful town of Bethlehem was tragically going to be turned into a place of mayhem, anguish, death and despair. Paranoid Herod, was furious that the Wise Men had deceived him and had not come back to give him specific instructions regarding the location of the new astronomically announced Monarch. Herod was so threatened by the supernatural rise of this “King”, that he sent his ruthless soldiers to slaughter of all the baby boys two years and younger in Bethlehem, seeking to rid himself of any supposed threat. Matthew 2:13–18 The Escape to Egypt 13 When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up,” he said, “take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.” 14 So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt, 15 where he stayed until the death of Herod. And so was fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet: “Out of Egypt I called my son.” 16 When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi. 17 Then what was said through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled: 18 “A voice is heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more.” This dual reality of a desperate search for peace in a war torn world is constantly evidenced in history and in our world today. Joseph and Mary found peace in frantic and uncertain times as they rushed away from Bethlehem under cover of darkness to live in the foreign and sometimes hostile country of Egypt, with God’s miraculous baby cradled in their arms. So can we! If there is any attribute in the world, which is constantly sought as truly desirable, but which seems to be the least discoverable, it is Peace. Peace, the Illusive Dream Throughout history, from the firstborn man-child of humanity, Cain, who murdered his brother – the first couple had such hopes for him, to the final world dictator proclaiming “peace and safety”, true and certain peace was and is illusive, uncertain, and condemned to disaster, if merely constructed on a human-built template of a house of cards. A Need for All-inclusive “Peace”, not “Hopscotch” Peace The human need for peace isn’t just a “stop-gap”, momentary peace, but most folks seem to embrace a “hopscotch” form of peace. Skipping between… Substance Abuse, Good Deeds, Some form of Belief System (including “religious” traditions) for after-life “insurance”… A combination of these three dynamics seem to cover a wide spectrum of humankind’s search for worldly peace in life. People want to mask their uncertainty of peace because of: • Past sins and failures that plague the conscience. • Present headaches, heartaches and the lack of fulfillment in expected accomplishments, which dog our current path. • Future unknowns – o The frailty, uncertainness, and shortness of life, o The dark hazards that lurk in our future pathway, o The uncertainty of what will happen to us in eternity… Humans have an unquenchable craving for: • Physical Peace. • Emotional Peace. • Spiritual Peace. Peace, sustainable peace, must be resident in an individual’s Heart and Mind o It isn’t found in the clothes they wear, or the home in which they dwell, or the occupation, wealth or gifts they are given. o This peace is sustained with or without the trappings that can be commonly determined in this world to be elements of peace. o This peace transcends the understanding and accomplishments of mere mortals. True and sustainable PEACE can only come from God alone. How many times have you thought, “Maybe this will give me the peace and security that I am longing for?” When you finally obtained it, how long was it before you were looking for something else to bring satisfaction? How Does One obtain Sustainable Peace? Nothing in this world can bring lasting peace. Even so, today, as Christians, we are to pray for our leaders, and pray for peace that can be obtained in our world. (1 Tim. 2:1-2) Praise God, He transcended what the world could not obtain when He gave us The Prince of Peace. The Prince of Peace Isaiah 9:6–7a 6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. There are many attributes of the Prince of Peace, below are listed a few: • Truth • Humility • Justice • Righteousness • Compassion • Forgiveness • Judgment • Peace Oh, did we say that the Prince of Peace is also the Son of God? God, the Son! Through Christ, The Prince of Peace, we can have: 1. Peace with God Peace only begins when we have PEACE with God, through His Son, Jesus Christ. Romans 5:1 5 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Peace is sustained when we cast aside anxiety and present our anxious requests to God, trusting Him to sustain us and give us peace. Philippians 4:6–7 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Isaiah 26:3–4 3 You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. 4 Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord, is the Rock eternal. 2. Peace with Others What can create an element of Peace between people, even sometimes between bitter rivals or enemies? Romans 12:18 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. • Peace may come at times through Mutual loyalties – political opinions, doctrinal beliefs, etc., can be things that cause humans to have peace. o The primary loyalty is the fellowship that believers have in Jesus Christ, through the Spirit of God. • Mutual activities – humanitarian efforts, social circles, common bonds, athletics, VFW, local organizations, etc., etc. • Mutual heartaches – AA, NA, disasters, circumstances Where can we loose our peace? • Misplaced Trust or Loyalties: We can loose peace when we trust in someone or something else for sustainable peace other than God. o Searching for peace while coddling a corrupted, self-centered heart destroys peace. o Searching for peace while struggling to prove ourself to an antagonistic friend, family or neighbor, instead of waiting on Him and committing them and their outcome to the Hand of God, can destroy peace. • Replacing Peace with Fear: We can loose peace when we allow fear, instead of peace, to control our heart and mind. • Misplaced Self-Confidence: We can loose peace when we think, through our own power, cunning, wealth, or comfort that we can buy peace, manage peace, or offer peace to others, outside of God’s supernatural and sustaining Power. “Peace and Safety” – the mantra of End-Time Destruction 1 Thessalonians 5:1–3 Now, brothers, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, 2 for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3 While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. Peace directs our Minds to be Established on God’s Ability: John 14:27 27 (Jesus said) 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 33 “I (Jesus) 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.” Psalm 4:8 8 I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety. Bethlehem’s Peaceful Image exists, but there is also Bethlehem’s painful Reality. Joseph and Mary had peace as they fled from Bethlehem, put their trust in God and followed His promptings. Peace in the Midst of a Storm By Stephen R. Adams (originating from Mark 4:35-41) ~~~ “The Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make His Face shine upon you and be gracious to you; The Lord turn His Face toward you and give you peace.” Numbers 6:24–26 http://www.pastorkennedy.comhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herod_the_Greatshapeimage_2_link_0shapeimage_2_link_1