I want to suggest to you today that Jesus came with a thoroughly different vision of peace – of the way things ought to be – that is just as revolutionary today as it was when the shepherds first heard of it from the angelic hosts.

Peace through the Kingdom
Jesus came to earth as the humble king, proclaiming the good news that his kingdom was near. That should come as no surprise to us, since it was predicted long before by the prophet Isaiah that he would come as the Prince of Peace and that the government would be on his shoulders. Jesus has taken it upon himself to make things the way they are supposed to be.

How did he do that? He came to earth. He modeled and explained how life ought to be lived. He died, providing a solution to the biggest problem peace faces. He rose from the dead and is returning to earth one day to fully establish his kingdom and to, in his own words, make all things new. He is going to set all things right. Under Jesus, things are going to be the way they are supposed to be.

Luke ties together two scenes in his story of Jesus’ life that are memorable images of the glory and peace of Jesus’ kingdom. There is this image of the angels proclaiming the arrival of the baby. And there is this image of Jesus’ arrival in Jerusalem, in a triumphal entry as king.

As we look back at those images, it causes us to look forward to when he will come to earth again, bringing the full extent of his kingdom – glory in the highest and on earth peace.

But you don’t have to wait until then. He can and will bring peace to your life today. We live in the tension of what has been called the already and the not yet. It is not yet that Jesus will come and reign on earth as its king. But it is already that he can come and reign in your life as king. The full extent of his kingdom is not yet, but you can begin to live like it is here already.

Just like we live in the tension between the way things are and the way things are supposed to be, so too, we live in the tension of the already and the not yet. And I want to invite you today to live in that tension, to embrace it.

Let the chaos of life point you to Jesus.

Sometimes people think Christians have their heads in the sand and are all Pollyanna about life. No – we’re not. At least we shouldn’t be. In fact, Christians should feel most keenly the pain of living in a war-torn world. Our perspective and point of view ought to be shaped by what we read in the Bible:

That all people – regardless of skin-color or national origin or religious practice – are made in God’s image and are valuable, not expendable or collateral damage.

That basic human needs like providing food for the hungry and healthcare for the sick were the very things that characterize the kingdom lifestyle Jesus exemplified.

Let the kingdom of Jesus point you to a new life.

What would that look like in your life this Christmas? What would your life look like if you prepared for this holiday by seeking peace? Can the chaos of consumerism be replaced by the calm of contentment? Can generosity overwhelm the onslaught of selfishness induced by TV ads? Can isolation and distance be engulfed by a loving, accepting community? Can the post-holiday depression so many feel be overcome by a satisfying joy that Jesus was here this year?

Live the kingdom. Bring peace to earth. Be an angel in someone’s life proclaiming peace through the kingdom of Jesus.

o Ring someone’s doorbell and run off, leaving behind an unexpected Christmas gift.
o Fix someone’s broken down car – even if it takes a couple of hours out of your day.
o Spend some of your Christmas money on a single mom and her infant son.
o Give generously to your church knowing that its going to help reach people who are desperately seeking peace – In fact, I want to introduce you to someone who did just that.
o Use Christmas present money to adopt a child through World Vision or Compassion International.
o Read the Christmas story with your kids on Christmas morning.

We can’t fix every problem in the world. If we could, we wouldn’t need Jesus. But we can fix some of them. Vintage – go out there and make things the way they ought to be.

Join us at Kevin & Mary Fitzpatrick’s home for an open house, Sunday, December 3 from 5 to 8 p.m. They live at 538 Cleburn St. in Fayetteville. This will be a great time of adult fellowship and fun.

O Come O Come Emmanuel-traditional 

Here I am to Worship-Tim Hughes: www.timhughesmusic.com 

Humble King-Brenton Brown: www.vmg.com 

Joyful Joyful We Adore Thee-Van Dyke, Beethoven and Charlie Hall: www.charliehall.com 

The Solid Rock-More, Bradbury and Charlie Hall 

Adam and Eve are distanced from God by their disobedience.  The intimate relationship they’ve enjoyed with their creator is suddenly broken.  Where is the hope?  Gen. 3:15

The hope is in Jesus who would someday provide salvation and victory over Satan.

King Ahaz and the Nation of Israel are surrounded in Jerusalem by 2 neighboring armies.  The Israelites haven’t been obedient and the Mosaic covenant promised removal from the land for disobedience.  Where is the hope?  Isaiah 7:13-14

The hope is in Jesus who would be born of a virgin, and named Immanuel.

The tribe of Judah experiences trial after trial due to Israel’s disobedience.  They are shattered and scattered in God’s judgment.  Where is the hope?  Isaiah 9:1-7

The hope is in Jesus, born to provide salvation, and one day to return to provide eternal peace, justice, and righteousness.

Israel is referred to as the daughter of troops in Micah 5:1 because of the siege and constant battles they face.  Bethlehem is so small it isn’t even numbered in the significant Israelite locations.  Where is the hope?  Micah 5:2

The hope is in Jesus who is eternal and who will establish peace, all from Bethlehem.

Since the days of Abraham, the nation of Israel has enjoyed the leadership of men who heard directly from God.  This continued through the days of the prophets, when men spoke on behalf of God to the people.  Then, 400 years goes by without a word from God.  Twice as long as the United States has existed, a nation used to direct contact with their God/King experiences silence.  Where is the hope?  Matthew 1:18-2:6

The hope is in Jesus, whose birth breaks the silence, fulfilling every prophecy concerning Him in the Scriptures.

His birth is the first direct contact from God in 400 years, and instead of words, the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us.

I don’t know what you are facing today.  Maybe the holidays are a difficult time for you due to financial strain, personal relationship struggle, private pain, or any number of other issues.  Where is the hope?

The hope is in Jesus, who can provide, heal, comfort, and strengthen.  This December, in preparation for Christmas, allow yourself to hope, believe that hope in Jesus will transform your life, and commit to hope.