“PEACE TO MEN”
Luke 2:1-14
Key verse 2:14
#Luke 2:14
Luke 2:14 "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor
rests." NIV
Opening Prayer Dear Heavenly Father in the Mighty Name of Jesus Christ, we are so
grateful Lord for your unfailing Love, Mercy and Grace upon us, You have seen us
through this year by your Grace, Thank you for everything Lord you have done in our
Live, We Parise you Lord for the good the bad and all that we have been through. May
your Name be Praised Lord Father.
Lord we gather this morning your Name to celebrate and remember our coming down
into humanity as a humble Savior born in manger to redeem us from the power of sin
and death, Lord this is a great ministry that man can’t understand, we know it’s your gift
to us and all of humanity. Lord as we celebrate the theme Peace to Men, may your
amazing peace fill our hearts. In Jesus’ Mighty Name I pray. Amen.
Merry Christmas dear brethren, welcome to today’s Christmas worship service, we Praise
the Lord for His grace and mercy upon each one of us throughout last year. Amen
Today we celebrate our Chrisman worship service with the theme “peace to men”, Amen
We are living in a world where peace is becoming increasingly difficult to attain and truly
have. The world today continues to be dominated by events that robe humanity of their
peace.
An article from United Nations had this message from the Secretary-General António
Guterres, # “If we continue on our current path, we will face the collapse of everything
that gives us our security,” he said: food production, access to fresh water, habitable
ambient temperature and ocean food chains.”
This is the type of news we have been receiving for the past years not mentioning the
current pandemic that has raved humanity.
However, what is God’s message to humanity in this time and age? Based on the theme
of our Christmas entitled “Peace to Men”. God has promised us His perfect peace
irrespective of what is happening all around us. Amen
Therefore, today’s passage will show us the Lord’s greatest gift to humanity that brings
peace in times of trouble and stormy seas while on the earth, may the gracious Lord
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grant each one of us His perfect peace this festive season as we welcome the Prince of
Peace and Saviour of humanity, the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen
Part one: “The census” (1-5)
Look at verses #1-3 Luke 2:1-3 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a
census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took
place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to his own town to
register. NIV
#Caesar Augustus was the first Roman emperor, reigning from 27 BC until his death in
AD 14, Though his ushered in a time of relative peace, the Roman Empire was known for
it’s ruthless rule and oppression of its subjects. The Israelites not being an exception
from the Roman Empire oppression and rule. These were generally tough and hard times
for anyone under the empire, any form of rebellion against the empire was faced with
the most brutal punishment, life under a ruthless empire casts anxiety, stress and sorrow
in the hearts of its subjects.
In current times, we can relate this to ruthless leaders, corrupt officials and uneven
distribution of resources latter on disease, pestilences, wars and natural disasters. These
are some of the events humans live under that cause pain and suffering as it was under
the Roman rule.
So while under this rule, #Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be
taken of the entire Roman world. Census were regularly taken to increase tax bases and
have more control over their territories, we can relate this to our current National Identity
Card registration systems.
What happened following this decree look at verses #4-6 4 So Joseph also went up from
the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he
belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was
pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. NIV , Joseph who was pledged
to be married to Mary complied with authority, and everyone went to his home town to
register.
In these verses we see another important Christian virtue and aspect of submission to
authority, some times we may be under oppression especially from our leaders however
God calls us to submit to leadership and willfully obey those in authority, this is what the
entire Israelite community did when this decree was issued. Amen
What happened during the census? Look at part Two, of this message;
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Part Two: “The Birth of Jesus Christ” (6-7)
Look at verse # 6-7 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7
and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a
manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. NIV
We can only imagine the hardship and struggle that Joseph and Mary went through to
have the Lord born in a time and manner like this, I personally can’t understand the
discomfort and trouble Mary went through to have Jesus born through her. Expectant
mothers are often delicate and require careful handling, how did Mary move in that state
for long distances? And at the end of it all she couldn’t find a comfortable place to have
her baby from, was there any professional midwife? Or medical care? Further still there
was no room in any inn for Mary to have her child.
Think of it how cruel the world is, no room for this young couple to find comfort in the
world. This further reinforces the cruelty in the world. However, the Lord chose to
participate in this suffering and put Himself in this vulnerable state. This shows the Lord’s
humility and willingness to identify in our suffering. If the Lord had come in a luxurious
way, maybe the poor wouldn’t feel as being part of Him. However, in putting Himself to
this suffering He became the Lord of us all both poor and rich. Amen
Throughout all this suffering, Mary successfully gave birth to her first-born son, wrapped
him in cloths and placed him in a manger. Amen
How was the news of this divine, miraculous birth spread through tout the community?
Look at part three of today’s message,
Part Three: “Peace to Men” (8-19)
Look at verses #Luke 2:8-12 8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby,
keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and
the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 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. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the
Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a
manger." NIV
These verses describe how the heavens spread this good news throughout the Israelite
community, God’s angels took the good of the Lord’s birth throughout the region starting
with humble shepherds that stayed out taking care of their sheep. What was the
message? Look at verse 11-12 again #11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been
born to you; he is Christ the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby
wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." NIV A Saviour had been born, Christ the Lord.
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Just like any other man, these shepherds needed a Saviour, the whole Israelites
community eagerly anticipated and waited for a Saviour, one who would liberate them
from their Roman oppression finally word had come of a new born Saviour. Hallelujah.
We too need a Saviour, not a political leader like the Israelites anticipated but a true
Saviour who will save us from man’s greatest oppression which is sin. Sin has caused
many of us to be bound in misery and suffering, it’s the reason many have no eternal
life. And the only remedy to sin is Jesus our Lord. He alone has the power to deliver us
from sin and death. Amen
Look at verse 13-14 Let’s read these verses together let’s go… #Luke 2:13-14 13
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God
and saying, 14 "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his
favor rests." NIV
Jesus’ birth is the greatest news to humanity, the entire heavens rejoiced at the Lord’s
coming, angels appeared praising God and saying Glory to God in the highest and on
earth peace to men Amen
God’s peace finally had come to a sorrowful and troubled world, Jesus Christ had become
the peace of the world, He is the prince of peace to all humanity. Amen
How was this news received? Look at verse 15-19 #Luke 2:15-19 15 When the angels
had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to
Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about." 16
So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the
manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been
told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds
said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.
NIV, Humble shepherds went out and spread the wonderful news of the Lord’s birth, a
Saviour had been born in the city of David just like the scriptures and prophets had
foretold. All who heard this great news were amazed.
I personally too had the privilege to hear the good news the saving grace through our
Lord Jesus Christ way back in my primary school, I was a small boy by then but God used
many gospel workers to regularly visit our school play ground and preach the gospel of
Jesus Christ in our town back then. These were the shepherds the Lord sent us and by
God’s grace I grew with the seed of Jesus Christ in my heart. This saw me through my
secondary and eventually campus where I continued to learn more about Jesus becoming
a gospel minister and campus shepherd by God’s grace. Just the shepherds under the
Roman empire received peace through the angelic message, I too have received the
peace of Jesus Christ in this troubled world. There are many storms God has seen me
through in life. Surely the Lord Jesus Christ is our peace. Hallelujah
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In conclusion we are reminded of the Saviour Jesus Christ who humbled Himself to the
level of humanity and came to us in the humblest way, He came to save us in this
oppressive and sin sick world, He took our sorrows and has become our peace, and
finally calls us to spread this gospel message just like the shepherds to the rest of the
world. Amen.
Let’s remind ourselves of today’s key verse again, Key verse #Luke 2:14
Luke 2:14 "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor
rests." NIV
Closing Prayer: Heavenly Father thank You so much for once again loving us selflessly,
you came to the earth as a humble baby in a manger purposely to save us from sin and
the fallen world, Lord you are our peace, give us the grace to obey and follow you, teach
us your ways every day and enable us to overcome the enemy and all its schemes. In
Jesus’ mighty Name I pray. Amen
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