He Shall be Called Prince of Peace
20 December 09
Is 9:6
· “…His name shall be called Prince f Peace, of the increase of His government and peace there shall be no end…”
· The name of the person in the bible often describes their character, identity, purpose
· Matt 1:21 Jesus – ‘Saviour’ = He will save His people from their sin
Matt 1:23 Emmanuel – God with us = Manifest presence and kingdom of God
· His name shall be called Prince of Peace
· Prince = OT8296 = head person in rank, ruler over, to reign or have dominion over
Peace = OT7965 = Shalom (Hebrew) = safe, healthy, prosperity, prosperous
relationship
Dictionary = to be in harmony, free from strife, hostility or fear
a) Peace is connected to the Government of God:
Rom 14:7 “The Kingdom of God is righteousness, peace, power, joy in the Holy Ghost”
· Kingdom of God = Gods’ order, Gods rule, Gods Presence and activity
· Fear, anxiety, worry are the consequence of sin and its impact
b) Peace is a Fruit of a Holy Spirit Ruling Life:
Gal 5:22 “Now the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace …”
· When the Holy Spirit governs our thoughts and emotions the overflow is peace
· Whatever governs our inner world will manifest in our outer world
c) The Root of the Problem is Sin:
Is 57:20 “…the wicked are like the troubled sea, … no peace to the wicked”
· Peace is a spiritual issue, must have a spiritual solution as well as spiritual outworking
· Jam 4:1 “Where do wars and fights come from among you?”
3. People search for Peace:
· People long for peace, inner peace, peace in relationships
· Fear, anxiety and internal conflict are the source of much sickness
a) False Peace:
· Many of the solutions that people find are not a solution at all
· They do not address the root and core of the problem e.g.
i. Denial and Avoidance of issues
ii. Control of inner and outer world
iii. Negotiate a Truce – but hostility still there
iv. Spiritual Solutions – meditations
v. Chemical Solutions – Altered Chemical state e.g. smoking, alcohol, drugs, medicines, food
Note:
Is 26:3 “You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you”
· The human body needs a balance of chemicals, especially serotonin – ‘feel good chemical”
· When a person is out of peace with God the chemical balance alters – ‘they feel bad’
· The person faces a choice:
1) Resolve the issue
2) Medicate the condition to feel better
· People ask ‘Is it ok to smoke?’ Right or wrong?
· The issue is
1) Health
2) Addiction
3) Guilt in conscious
4) Open door to spirits
· Sorcery = NT5322 = Pharmakeisa = drug, magic
· It is better to resolve the condition than to medicate the symptoms
4. Peace is Found in a Person:
a) Jesus is Called Prince of Peace
· This is who He is, this is what He does, He is the source of peace
· Peace is found in a person, Jesus Christ
· He brings peace by confronting the issue and bringing Heavens solution and provision
· Eph 2:14 “He is our Peace”
The work He did at the Cross was to resolve the hostility between man and God (by substituting for us the Cross and bearing our sin)
· Rom 5:2 “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ”
· True peace is found firstly within us not outside us
· Jn 14:27 “My peace I give you, not as the world gives”
· Solutions the world tries to provide are all external
· Solutions that Jesus gives are within, they are spiritual
b) How can you find that Peace within?
i) Personal decision to forsake sin and trust Christ Rom 5:2
Sometimes underlying issues are generational
ii) Practice fixing your mind on Jesus and His full provision for you Is 26:3
iii) Practice letting go of cares and worries to Jesus Phil 4:6
iv) Practice gratitude expressing thanks Phil 4:6
v) Practice thinking on good things Phil 4:8-9
vi) Practice meditating on the Word of God Ps 119:65
vii) Practice recognizing and promptly resolving issues Col 3:15
viii)Practice seeking first the rule of God in you and Rom 12:18
ix) Living and relationships Mt 6:33