Peace with God – Luke 2:14

Peace with God – Luke 2:14 and Selected Scriptures 

Introduction: WWI Christmas Day Truce 

“The English brought a soccer ball from the trenches, and pretty soon a lively game ensued. how marvelously wonderful, yet how strange it was. The English officers felt the same about it. Thus Christmas, the celebration of love, managed to bring mortal enemies together as friends for a time.” A German Infantryman 

Peace on earth…for a day – Stephen Nicols 

Peace for a moment — is that what Jesus came to give us?

Where is the peace that Jesus came to bring and what does it look like?

Luke 1: 78-79

God’s mercy is shown in the sending of Christ

The human problem is that we sit in darkness and live in the shadow of death

Romans 13:12

2 Corinthians 6:14

The mercy of the Lord is seen in sending Jesus as light — righteousness to those who are in darkness.

Romans 3:21

Romans 3:28

“We obtain peace with God, when he begins to be gracious to us, by taking away our guilt and not imputing to us our trespasses, and when we, relying on his fatherly love, address him with full confidence, and boldly praise him for the salvation which he has promised to us.” John Calvin

Luke 2:14

God’s peace is not a reward for those who have goodwill, but a gracious gift to those who are objects of his goodwill.” John MacArthur

Psalm 85:10

MacArthur –> Test refers to the future Kingdom of Christ

Augustine –> Righteousness and peace kiss because this righteousness comes through faith is only found in Christ and brings true peace with God for the once condemned sinner **

Isaiah 9:6

“Prophet declares by this title that the coming of Christ will be the cause of full and perfect happiness, or at least, of calm and blessed safety…The general meaning is, that all who submit to the dominion of Christ will lead a quiet and blessed life in obedience to him.” John Calvin

…but we know from a quick overview of Christian history that those who submit to the dominion of Christ do not live quiet and peaceful lives full of prosperity.

Romans 5:1

“Now when Christ shall have brought composure to our minds, the same spiritual peace will hold the highest place in our hearts, so that we will patiently endure every kind of adversity and from the same fountain will likewise flow outward property, which is nothing else than the effect of the blessing of God.” John Calvin

Philippians 4:7

Colossians 3:15

Acts 10:36

Ephesians 2:14-17

Some say that Paul’s PRIMARY concern here was outward peace between people groups and get the cart before the horse. 

hope in the Christian life comes from the objective reality of what Christ accomplished…that reality that was accomplished on the cross gives hope (and peace) to those who believe.

What happens in the life of the believer who experiences this peace with God?

Two groups: Jews and Gentiles who lived in hostility to one another

Tobit 1:10-12 “After I was carried away captive to Assyria and came as a captive to Nineveh, everyone of my kindred and my people ate the food of the Gentiles, but I kept myself from eating the food of the Gentiles. Because I was mindful of God with all my heart . . .”

Jubilees 22:16 “And you also, my son, Jacob, remember my words, and keep the commandments of Abraham, your father. Separate yourself from the Gentiles, and do not eat with them, and do not perform deeds like theirs. And do not become associates of theirs. Because their deeds are defiled, and all their ways are contaminated, and despicable, and abominable.”

Are there different tiers of Christians? Jewish Christians and Gentile Christians?

It is peace with God that is the real solution to the hostility that exists between people groups. 

John 16:33

Jesus must leave and he will then intercede for them — He is telling them these things in order that they have peace.

“This is intended to inform us that, so long as we trust to the grace of Christ, no troubles that can arise will prevent us from enjoying composure and serenity of mind. Let us then remember, that faith is seated amidst the storms of temptations, amidst various dangers, amidst violent attacks, amidst contests and fears, that our faith may not fail or be shaken by any kind of opposition.”  John Calvin