| Review of Advent Series Gen. 6 reminded us of our need of a Savior because of our sin and that God graciously responded to humanity's sin by sending his Son to redeem us from sin. Isaiah 59 showed us that in order to have true hope, we must first be completely hopeless and that God promises a Savior who is our hope. Today we will see, in the announcement of our Savior's birth, that we were created to glorify and enjoy God forever. That brings us to Lk. 2:14. Introduction to This Sermon You have heard the expression familiarity breeds contempt. This is the idea that extensive knowledge of or close association with someone or something leads to a loss of respect for them or it. I think this is true. But I also think that familiarity breeds inattention, laziness, and lack of appreciation. I am sure we all have experienced that. We don't notice Mt. Rainier as we drive up and down I-5. We are not really enthralled by the beauty of the evergreens. We become so familiar with what is around us that we stop even realizing that it is there. Sadly, that includes even the people who are around us. We see this also happening with portions of the Bible that we are very familiar with. One those passages is Lk. 2:14. I wonder if we understand what these words really mean. So, let's slow down, and pretend with me that this is the first time you are reading this verse. Glory and Peace are the two principal words of this hymn. We will look at Glory first. I. The First Word Is Glory. A. I don't know if you have noticed this about yourself, but you are glory focused – not only you but all of us. B. Everything we do in our lives – everything we say, every choice we make, every reaction we have – is done in pursuit of some kind of glory. C. We were created to live with the glory of God in view. 1. The main motivation of ours hearts was supposed to be that God would be praised in every moment of life. 2. All of creation was designed to remind us of the glory of God. a. That's the way it was meant to be, but in a moment of disobedience and rebellion, Adam and Eve chose to live for the glory of the creation rather than the glory of God, Gen. 3:6. b. Ever since that horrible moment, there has been a glory war raging on our hearts. c. We don't always live for the glory of God; we want to fight for our own little glories. 1) Some of us were sitting in traffic this week, and I would bet that we probably didn't think first of the glory of God. 2) Some of us struggled with lust this week, exchanging the glory of God for the glory of momentary sexual pleasure. 3) Some of us struggled with materialism as we thought about what we wanted for Christmas, replacing the glory of God with the possession of physical things that don't satisfy. 4) Some of us struggled with pride, choosing to live for self-glory instead of the glory of God. d. We all are, in some way, glory confused. D. Imagine what the world would be like if every person lived out the angels' hymn – GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST. 1. Imagine what it would be like to live in a society where every heart was ruled by the glory of God. a. No war, no poverty, no divorce, no murder. b. But that's far from our reality. 2. Our planet is populated with people who live for their own glory, and so is the church. E. We will come back to glory in a moment. II. The Second Word Is Peace. A. You and I were not only created to live for the glory of God; we were created to live at peace with God. 1. We were created to have the high honor of being the worshipful and obedient friends of God. 2. There's a horrible moment in the Garden of Eden when God comes down in the cool of the day to commune with Adam and Eve, Gen. 3:8. a. It should be a beautiful picture, where God walks with his friends, but Adam and Eve are hiding in guilt and fear and shame. b. Peace with God has been shattered because of sin. 1) Because peace with God was shattered, so was peace within ourselves. 2) Because peace with God was shattered, so was peace among ourselves. B. Peace with God is only accomplished through the Prince of peace. Is. 9:6 – For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Rom. 5:1-2 – Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 1. Through faith in the Prince of peace, the Lord Jesus Christ, we no longer need to fear God's wrath. 2. We are no longer God's enemies; we are God's children. C. Peace with God allows us to have peace within because of the work of the Spirit in us. Gal. 5:22-23a – But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. 1. In the Bible, peace is more than the absence of conflict. 2. It pictures that all things are in their proper order and are working the way they were designed to work. D. Peace with God finally means peace with others. 1. When you and I don't have peace with God, and we don't have peace inside ourselves, it makes it very difficult to live at peace with others. 2. Our lives become marked by conflict. 3. I don't think anyone here this morning has lived a conflict-free 2016. 4. In fact, I would go as far as to say that you probably haven't lived a conflict-free December 2016. 5. Yet, the angels declare peace among men on earth. a. Imagine what the world would be like if every person lived that way. b. Imagine what it would be like to live in a society where every heart was ruled by peace with God and others. III. If We Have a Glory and Peace Problem, Then We Have a Heart Problem. A. Yes, traffic is frustrating and the sexual insanity of our society doesn't help, and yes, your child is often disobedient and your spouse is often difficult, but your biggest problem is still you. 1. There's something broken in your heart. 2. That's why David gets it right when he prays, "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me." (Psalm 51:10). 3. What we need is radical, personal, permanent heart-change. B. This little hymn is a celebration of the baby's birth, but it's so much more than that. 1. These words define our biggest need, and in defining our need, they define the mission of Christ. 2. The prophecies of his coming are very clear that Jesus will address this issue. Ez. 36:26 – I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. 3. There's another thing these words do – they define the price of Christ's mission. a. The last phrase of the hymn is "… goodwill toward men!" b. It could be translated in several different ways. 1) Peace among those with whom he is pleased! 2) Peace on whom his favor is placed. 3) Peace to those to whom his grace is given. c. The only hope of peace is grace, and the vehicle of grace is a death. Rom. 5:1-2 – Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. d. You won't fully understand the weight of the baby in the manger unless you know that the baby came to be a Lamb – a sacrificial Lamb. This little hymn from the heavenly host announces your redemption, but it also reminds you of your ongoing need for grace. While the power of sin has been broken, freeing you from bondage to all the little self-glories that used to rule your life, you still struggle to live for the glory of God everyday. And while the ultimate sacrifice has been paid so that you can experience eternal peace with God, but you still struggle to live at peace within and live at peace with others everyday. As you think about this verse this week, ask yourselves the following questions: · Are you struggling with familiarity? How can you slow down this Advent season and personalize your walk with Christ? · Where do you see a glory war raging in your heart and in your life? Why are you tempted to live more for the glory of self than the glory of God? · Where are you struggling to find peace with God, within yourself, and with others? How can you let the peace of Christ rule in you heart? · Why is it difficult to admit that you have a heart problem? Who, or what, are you blaming for your glory and peace problems?
This Advent season, remember that the birth of Christ frees you from living for little glories and invites you into a much more glorious kingdom. And remember that the birth of Christ not only gives you eternal peace with God, but enables you to live at peace within and at peace with others.
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