Waiting for peace Pastor Kile Baer - December 10th, 2023 What kind of peace are you looking for? Zechariah 9:1-8 Tyre has built herself a fortress; she has heaped up silver like dust and gold like the dirt of the streets. Listen! The Lord will impoverish her and cast her wealth into the sea; she herself will be consumed by fire….I will encamp at my house as a guard, against those who march back and forth, and no oppressor will march against them again.. Zechariah 9:9-13 Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout in triumph, Daughter Jerusalem! Look, your King is coming to you; he is righteous and victorious, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. “Advent” = arrival Christmas “Advent” = first arrival I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim and the horse from Jerusalem. The bow of war will be removed, and he will proclaim peace to the nations. His dominion will extend from sea to sea, from the Euphrates River to the ends of the earth. Luke 2 In the same region, shepherds were staying out in the fields and keeping watch at night over their flock. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people: Today in the city of David a Savior was born for you, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be the sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped tightly in cloth and lying in a manger.” Suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying: Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. (KJV) This peace is not: An end to war Matthew 10:34-36 “Don’t assume that I came to bring peace on the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I came to turn a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and a man’s enemies will be the members of his household.” Inner peace Interpersonal peace with people Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to people he favors! (CSB) Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests. (NIV) This peace must be received on earth, but it is not from or for earth. Hark! The herald angels sing "Glory to the new-born king Peace on earth and mercy mild God and sinners reconciled" Mild He lays His glory by, born that man no more may die. Born to raise the sons of earth. Born to give them second birth Luke 1:76-79 And you, child, will be called a prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to give his people knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins. Because of our God’s merciful compassion, the dawn from on high will visit us to shine on those who live in darkness and the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace. This is not world peace, inner peace, or interpersonal peace, this is ultimate peace with God through Jesus Christ. What kind of peace are you looking for? Three big realizations about peace: The first place you need peace is between you and God. You don’t have to wait for peace, you can have peace in Jesus Christ. You won’t be able to be at peace with the world, with people, or yourself.