(Isaiah 9:6) “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… Prince of Peace.”

CHRISTMAS’ PEACE

I can have peace this Christmas – but only through Jesus.

The Old Testament word for peace is “shalom.”

· Whole

· Rich (Ruth 2:12)

· Complete (Nehemiah 6:15)

· Committed (Isaiah 42:19)

The New Testament word for peace is “eirene.”

· Free from all disturbance.

· Quiet

· At rest

1. Peaceful City

A. The city of Jerusalem.

1) Who was Melchizedek?

(Hebrews 7:3) “Without father or mother, without genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life, like the Son of God, he remains a priest forever.

2) Melchizedek was Jesus (long before Bethlehem).

(Genesis 14:18) “Then Melchizedek, king of Salem, brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High, and he blessed Abram.”

3) Jesus is King of Salem (Jerusalem.)

(Hebrews 7:2) “And Abraham gave him a tenth of everything! First, His name means “king of righteousness”; then also, “king of Salem” means “king of peace.”

4) Jesus is King of Peace (Jerusalem).

B. The city of Heaven.

(Hebrews 12:22) “But you have come to Mt. Zion, to the heavenly Jerusalem, the city of the living God.”

(Revelation 21:10) “He carried me away in the Spirit to mountain great and high, and showed me the Holy City, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God.”

(Revelation 21:2) “I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.”

2. Peaceful Church

A. Jesus does NOT empower everyone to be at peace with each other.

I heard the bells on Christmas day

Their old familiar carols play,

And wild and sweet the words repeat

Of peace on earth, good will to me.

But in despair I bowed my head:

“There is no peace on earth,” I said,

“For hate is strong, and mocks the song

Of peace on earth, good will to men.”

(Luke 2:14) “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests.”

B. Jesus DOES empower His followers to be at peace with each other.

(John 13:14) “A new command I give you; love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.

(John 17:11b) “Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name – the name you gave Me – so that they may be one as We are one.”

3. Peaceful Soul

A. Jesus gives me all His peace – if I am in His favor.

(Luke 2:8-14) And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace to men on whom His favor rests.”

B. I am in His favor – if I have trusted my life into His hands.

(Romans 5:1) “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”