Advent: The Invitation of Advent: Peace

The people who walked in darkness
    have seen a great light;
those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness,
    on them has light shone.
You have multiplied the nation;
    you have increased its joy;
they rejoice before you
    as with joy at the harvest,
    as they are glad when they divide the spoil.
For the yoke of his burden,
    and the staff for his shoulder,
    the rod of his oppressor,
    you have broken as on the day of Midian.
For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult
    and every garment rolled in blood
    will be burned as fuel for the fire.
For to us a child is born,
    to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
    and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of his government and of peace
    there will be no end,
on the throne of David and over his kingdom,
    to establish it and to uphold it
with justice and with righteousness
    from this time forth and forevermore.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.

Isaiah 9:2-7

…and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of his government and of peace
    there will be no end…

Isaiah 9:6-7

 

“Peace in Scripture is a situation of comprehensive welfare. In English the word “peace” usually refers to either an inner tranquility – peace of mind - or to an outward state – absence of war. But biblical shalom conveys the picture of a circle; it means communal wellbeing in every direction and in every relation… The Hebrew word depicts a circle embracing the whole community, internally and externally … Peacemakers are reconcilers.”

 

The Need for Peace in the Time of Jesus

Internationally 

Ethnically

Interpersonally

Spiritually

The Provision of Peace by the Work of Jesus

Spiritually

For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.

Colossians 1:19-20

Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

Romans 5:1

 

The Provision of Peace by the Work of Jesus

Interpersonally

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

Matthew 5:9

 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.

Romans 12:18

The Provision of Peace by the Work of Jesus

Ethnically

 

It shall come to pass in the latter days
    that the mountain of the house of the Lord
shall be established as the highest of the mountains,
    and shall be lifted up above the hills;
and all the nations shall flow to it,
     and many peoples shall come, and say:
“Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord,
    to the house of the God of Jacob,
that he may teach us his ways
    and that we may walk in his paths.”
For out of Zion shall go forth the law,
    and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.
He shall judge between the nations,
    and shall decide disputes for many peoples;
and they shall beat their swords into plowshares,
    and their spears into pruning hooks;
nation shall not lift up sword against nation,
    neither shall they learn war anymore.

 

Isaiah 2:2-4

As we celebrate the arrival of the Prince of Peace,

what kind of peace do you need most?

Spiritual Peace

Interpersonal Peace

Ethnic Peace

International Peace