WEBVTT 00:00:00.720 --> 00:00:07.360 Our passage this morning comes from Isaiah chapter 9, starting in verse 2. 00:00:07.740 --> 00:00:08.240 We read, 00:00:09.240 --> 00:00:13.339 The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light. 00:00:14.080 --> 00:00:19.100 Those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone. 00:00:19.859 --> 00:00:23.960 You have multiplied the nation, you have increased its joy. 00:00:24.379 --> 00:00:28.460 They rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, 00:00:28.460 --> 00:00:31.460 as they are glad when they divide the spoil. 00:00:32.420 --> 00:00:36.480 For the yoke of his burden, and the staff for his shoulder, 00:00:37.120 --> 00:00:42.859 the rod of his oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian. 00:00:43.799 --> 00:00:48.920 For every boot of the trampling warrior in battle tumult, 00:00:49.320 --> 00:00:54.040 and every garment rolled in blood, will be burned as fuel for the fire. 00:00:54.039 --> 00:00:59.060 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given. 00:00:59.799 --> 00:01:02.320 And the government shall be upon his shoulder, 00:01:02.759 --> 00:01:10.920 and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 00:01:10.920 --> 00:01:17.240 Of the increase of his government, and of peace there will be no end. 00:01:18.200 --> 00:01:21.439 On the throne of David, and over his kingdom, 00:01:21.820 --> 00:01:26.079 to establish it and to uphold it, with justice and with righteousness, 00:01:26.760 --> 00:01:29.359 from this time forth and forevermore, 00:01:29.879 --> 00:01:32.659 the zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this. 00:01:33.140 --> 00:01:34.299 This is the word of God. 00:01:34.299 --> 00:01:38.840 Thank you, Rachel. 00:01:39.159 --> 00:01:41.019 Before we start, hey, can I pray for us? 00:01:42.640 --> 00:01:47.099 Father God, we come before you this morning with great expectations. 00:01:48.299 --> 00:01:51.879 Great expectations not from a man speaking your word from front, 00:01:51.979 --> 00:01:56.420 but great expectations from knowing that you, God, will speak to us this morning. 00:01:57.280 --> 00:02:00.560 Great expectations of your Holy Spirit to work in our hearts this morning. 00:02:00.560 --> 00:02:04.420 Father, we come with our hearts open this morning to hear your word. 00:02:05.260 --> 00:02:07.820 And as we read your word, as we listen to your word, 00:02:07.920 --> 00:02:12.360 Father, we pray that your spirit would work in our hearts right now throughout this service. 00:02:13.319 --> 00:02:16.240 Father, help us to see the places we are failing. 00:02:16.580 --> 00:02:19.900 Help us to see your grace and your love as we listen in. 00:02:20.560 --> 00:02:22.599 And Father, we pray that you would be glorified, 00:02:23.199 --> 00:02:25.580 and you would be honored and respected over all. 00:02:26.340 --> 00:02:27.240 And we give you glory. 00:02:27.340 --> 00:02:28.319 In Jesus' name we pray. 00:02:29.039 --> 00:02:29.340 Amen. 00:02:29.340 --> 00:02:34.259 Okay, as I settle myself, because I'm a little shorter than Kevin, 00:02:34.860 --> 00:02:35.599 my name is Alan. 00:02:37.020 --> 00:02:41.080 If you don't know me, I oversee the youth here at Watermark. 00:02:41.439 --> 00:02:46.599 And it's such a great privilege and joy and honor to be bringing God's word to us this morning. 00:02:48.539 --> 00:02:51.439 It's Christmas, and I can see the jackets are up. 00:02:51.500 --> 00:02:52.699 I can see the mufflers are up. 00:02:53.080 --> 00:02:56.879 And it's one of those seasons that gives, well, at least for me, a fuzzy feeling. 00:02:56.879 --> 00:02:58.799 I don't know what it does for you. 00:02:59.599 --> 00:03:03.919 One of the few words that are associated with Christmas is joy. 00:03:03.919 --> 00:03:05.719 And we were looking at it last week. 00:03:05.780 --> 00:03:08.639 Niels was telling us about the places that we look for joy, 00:03:08.839 --> 00:03:13.079 like maybe buying the latest iPhone or getting a ticket to Japan. 00:03:13.359 --> 00:03:18.019 And ultimately, these things might give you joy, but it's not true and lasting joy. 00:03:18.020 --> 00:03:25.420 But the real and lasting joy can only be found in the true source of joy, which is Christ Jesus. 00:03:26.700 --> 00:03:34.420 And in a similar way, in today's sermon, where the title is Unwrapping Empty Gifts When Christmas Lets You Down, 00:03:34.480 --> 00:03:41.460 we're going to look into the word peace, especially the promise of peace, which kind of and ultimately lets us down. 00:03:41.460 --> 00:03:43.480 So let us dive in. 00:03:43.620 --> 00:03:48.340 So what comes into your mind when you think or when you hear the word peace? 00:03:49.320 --> 00:03:58.040 Is it a beach somewhere in Maldives, sipping some virgin mojito and laying back and getting the tan that you always wanted? 00:03:59.920 --> 00:04:08.379 Or is it some cozy place in your living room when you dim the lights and sip hot chocolate and with soft jazz music at the back? 00:04:08.379 --> 00:04:16.480 Or maybe for some of us, it's just a quiet, warm walk in the nature, just going alone or maybe with your loved ones. 00:04:16.779 --> 00:04:19.339 What comes in your mind when you think of peace? 00:04:20.620 --> 00:04:32.519 The great wisdom of this age, Chad GPD, defines peace as, very loosely defined as, absence of conflict, violence, and disturbance. 00:04:32.719 --> 00:04:37.899 And again, a sense, a kind of calmness and rest, there's a kind of rest. 00:04:38.379 --> 00:04:45.100 Now, the thing about these three things is that we don't have to go very far to actually find all of these three things around us, right? 00:04:45.519 --> 00:04:51.500 I mean, it can be something as simple as you're having your quiet time after long hours of work, drinking coffee, 00:04:51.579 --> 00:04:57.500 and this really irritating guy comes and he wants to share something about his life with you. 00:04:57.500 --> 00:05:01.040 Or maybe it could be some relationships that has gone sour. 00:05:01.720 --> 00:05:06.720 Maybe it's a conflict with your friend or a colleague that just came out of misunderstanding. 00:05:07.379 --> 00:05:10.500 Maybe an argument with your loved one that seems to go on and on and on, 00:05:10.560 --> 00:05:13.060 or that seems to happen every Sunday morning before you come to church. 00:05:14.019 --> 00:05:17.600 Or maybe it could be something as simple as, well, not as simple as, 00:05:17.600 --> 00:05:22.420 something as common as for college students, deadlines and assessments that goes on and on and on. 00:05:23.180 --> 00:05:25.420 Especially this season of time, right? 00:05:26.020 --> 00:05:31.240 Or maybe it could be some long working hours, especially before Christmas and New Year holidays, 00:05:31.600 --> 00:05:37.700 where your bosses have this impossible task that you've got to finish before you go on off to Japan or somewhere else. 00:05:37.699 --> 00:05:44.399 Or maybe for Hong Kong, it's just the culture of that is so competitive, that's so performance-based, 00:05:44.879 --> 00:05:50.300 that it feels like you've got to be at the top on your toes, got to be the best, got to perform all the time, 00:05:50.719 --> 00:05:52.360 and it just feels so tiring. 00:05:54.699 --> 00:06:02.899 Or maybe it's just for young parents, maybe it's just you never get any quiet or any peace at home 00:06:02.899 --> 00:06:06.199 because of the noise and chaos. 00:06:06.199 --> 00:06:09.360 I mean, I could go on and on and on and on, 00:06:09.659 --> 00:06:15.899 but it's not a new thing for us to know that the city that we live in is not exactly a peaceful city. 00:06:16.939 --> 00:06:20.680 I mean, peace is not exactly the word that anyone would describe Hong Kong as. 00:06:20.839 --> 00:06:23.839 Maybe busy, maybe competitive, maybe fast, 00:06:24.399 --> 00:06:26.919 but peace would be somewhere at the bottom of the list. 00:06:28.339 --> 00:06:32.279 And after all of these things, the Christmas comes in, the December comes in, 00:06:32.279 --> 00:06:36.619 IFC starts playing the Christmas carols on their shopping malls, 00:06:36.619 --> 00:06:40.579 and then you feel like, ah, you just want some kind of rest after all of this. 00:06:40.839 --> 00:06:41.819 So what do we usually do? 00:06:41.899 --> 00:06:44.879 Maybe some of us would buy a ticket to Mali's, like I said, 00:06:45.279 --> 00:06:46.919 somewhere, any way away from this cold. 00:06:47.279 --> 00:06:48.419 Just go there, get the tan. 00:06:49.019 --> 00:06:50.259 Or maybe you just go back home, 00:06:50.759 --> 00:06:54.399 light the scented candles that you brought from the S&D last week, 00:06:54.399 --> 00:06:57.060 the mulled wine flavor. 00:06:57.199 --> 00:06:58.219 Oh gosh, that was so good. 00:06:59.819 --> 00:07:05.639 And just lay back and relax and chill with soft jazz music or rock music, 00:07:05.879 --> 00:07:06.979 whatever gives you peace. 00:07:08.060 --> 00:07:10.979 Or maybe it's just for parents sending their kids away to their grandparents 00:07:10.979 --> 00:07:12.839 so you can have a time of peace. 00:07:13.219 --> 00:07:13.639 I don't know. 00:07:14.699 --> 00:07:16.859 I mean, all of these things are not necessarily bad. 00:07:17.560 --> 00:07:18.299 It is good. 00:07:18.300 --> 00:07:24.900 But we can all say, and we all know that once the scented candles goes off, 00:07:25.259 --> 00:07:29.100 once the playlist finishes, and once the vacation is over, 00:07:30.000 --> 00:07:31.900 so does the peace that came with it. 00:07:33.680 --> 00:07:38.860 I mean, it seems that the external circumstances has changed for a bit, 00:07:39.500 --> 00:07:42.620 only to return as soon as you come back to reality. 00:07:42.620 --> 00:07:48.720 It seems that the external temporary thing that gave you peace is just for a while, 00:07:49.579 --> 00:07:54.879 just waiting for you to come back into the restlessness and the chaos of life. 00:07:56.500 --> 00:08:01.660 I mean, and it's the kind of restlessness that kind of keeps us awake at night, right? 00:08:01.720 --> 00:08:08.439 Thinking about future, finance, relationships, conflicts, singleness, work, family, life, 00:08:08.439 --> 00:08:11.019 and maybe for some of us, even our own sinfulness, 00:08:11.839 --> 00:08:14.339 a habitual sin that never seems to go away, 00:08:14.560 --> 00:08:16.779 things that leave you to despair, 00:08:18.459 --> 00:08:23.079 a kind of restlessness in our heart that leaves us awake at night. 00:08:24.860 --> 00:08:27.659 So what is this promise of peace this Christmas? 00:08:28.560 --> 00:08:31.480 So what does God's Word have to say about peace? 00:08:32.220 --> 00:08:35.480 A true peace that does not seem to go away when the candles go away. 00:08:35.480 --> 00:08:39.279 So let us look and dive into today's Scripture 00:08:39.279 --> 00:08:41.800 and look at this first one, the promise of peace. 00:08:42.480 --> 00:08:45.980 So you'll find the Scripture in your bulletin, Isaiah 9. 00:08:46.220 --> 00:08:47.220 Let's open up to the Scripture. 00:08:47.899 --> 00:08:50.960 You can follow in your bulletin or on your phones or Bible. 00:08:51.560 --> 00:08:54.580 So this promise that we just read, Rachel read for us, 00:08:54.940 --> 00:09:00.159 it's a promise that has been written in a context to a nation 00:09:00.159 --> 00:09:04.399 that is kind of heading downwards, spiraling into destruction. 00:09:04.399 --> 00:09:08.679 I mean, this, if you read the previous chapters of Isaiah, 00:09:08.799 --> 00:09:11.819 you'll see that this is a nation that has a lot of injustice, 00:09:12.039 --> 00:09:17.079 a lot of chaos, a lot of civil wars, sinfulness, corruptions, and bribes, 00:09:17.139 --> 00:09:19.799 and no one was taking care of the needy and the poor. 00:09:20.220 --> 00:09:21.620 There was no love for the neighbors. 00:09:22.639 --> 00:09:27.159 And to top it all off, all on that is this enemy nation that was coming from top, 00:09:27.279 --> 00:09:29.759 the Assyrians, that was coming to conquer them, 00:09:29.860 --> 00:09:32.220 and that nation was coming nearer and nearer. 00:09:32.220 --> 00:09:37.860 And in fact, Isaiah, the prophet, actually prophesied that this nation is going to conquer you, 00:09:38.220 --> 00:09:41.399 is going to enslave you and put you under their rule. 00:09:42.700 --> 00:09:49.100 So it is a nation that is steeped with worries, steeped with conflicts, violence, disturbance. 00:09:50.279 --> 00:09:55.860 I mean, peace is not exactly the word that you would describe Israel at this point of time. 00:09:55.860 --> 00:10:01.779 So in that kind of context, God speaks through his prophet Isaiah, 00:10:02.019 --> 00:10:03.480 and he gives this promise. 00:10:04.180 --> 00:10:07.919 And we come face to face with the promise of God, God's promise of peace, 00:10:08.320 --> 00:10:10.220 God's promise of salvation and freedom. 00:10:11.019 --> 00:10:15.419 But first of all, look at the kind of people this promise is being spoken to. 00:10:16.379 --> 00:10:17.159 I mean, follow with me. 00:10:17.220 --> 00:10:17.840 Look at verse 2. 00:10:17.840 --> 00:10:21.740 Just a little below that. 00:10:21.800 --> 00:10:25.139 Those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness. 00:10:25.960 --> 00:10:29.100 In other words, people that are unsure, people that are not sure about the future, 00:10:29.259 --> 00:10:35.240 people that cannot see, people that are in cold and in fear, that are lonely. 00:10:36.540 --> 00:10:39.280 Because of the darkness, not being able to see, fear of the future, 00:10:39.700 --> 00:10:41.960 people dwelling in deep darkness. 00:10:41.960 --> 00:10:45.300 A little below verse 4. 00:10:45.420 --> 00:10:46.379 For the yoke of his burden. 00:10:46.500 --> 00:10:47.840 People that are burdened. 00:10:49.180 --> 00:10:51.820 It could be because of the unjust rulers that they had. 00:10:52.620 --> 00:10:54.600 Burdened because the nation is heading downwards. 00:10:55.519 --> 00:10:57.500 And just a burden of taking care of your family. 00:10:57.600 --> 00:11:00.100 What's going to happen in the future? 00:11:01.580 --> 00:11:02.040 Verse 4. 00:11:02.139 --> 00:11:03.420 Again, staff for his shoulders. 00:11:03.639 --> 00:11:04.560 Rout of his oppressors. 00:11:04.680 --> 00:11:07.060 People that were oppressed by the ones above them. 00:11:07.639 --> 00:11:10.560 People, the rulers, the kings that were supposed to take care of them. 00:11:10.559 --> 00:11:11.479 Oppressed. 00:11:12.219 --> 00:11:16.479 And as you know, as the nation plunges down, the pressure of the people goes up. 00:11:17.019 --> 00:11:18.399 And that's pretty common, right? 00:11:18.459 --> 00:11:23.219 When the finance and economy goes down for the country, the pressure on the people goes up. 00:11:23.959 --> 00:11:25.159 And people that are oppressed. 00:11:25.359 --> 00:11:27.739 People burdened to go out and provide for their families. 00:11:28.579 --> 00:11:29.059 Unsure. 00:11:29.279 --> 00:11:29.659 Darkness. 00:11:30.000 --> 00:11:30.419 Lonely. 00:11:32.279 --> 00:11:32.819 Verse 5. 00:11:32.939 --> 00:11:33.939 Boots used in war. 00:11:34.079 --> 00:11:35.259 Garments rolled in blood. 00:11:35.479 --> 00:11:37.159 In other words, people that are in battle. 00:11:37.339 --> 00:11:39.279 People that felt like it was always war. 00:11:39.279 --> 00:11:47.740 People that felt like they had to hold on to these garments of war because there's this kind of insecurities of this nation. 00:11:47.919 --> 00:11:49.480 Insecurity about what's going to happen. 00:11:49.620 --> 00:11:54.439 They're holding on to these things that are insecure and in fear. 00:11:56.199 --> 00:11:59.459 And these are the kind of people that this promise is being spoken to. 00:11:59.460 --> 00:12:00.700 Darkness. 00:12:00.700 --> 00:12:00.900 Darkness. 00:12:01.120 --> 00:12:01.920 In deep darkness. 00:12:02.340 --> 00:12:02.820 Oppressed. 00:12:03.960 --> 00:12:04.680 Beaten down. 00:12:05.120 --> 00:12:05.560 Insecure. 00:12:06.340 --> 00:12:06.780 Burdened. 00:12:08.200 --> 00:12:09.980 And not exactly peaceful. 00:12:09.980 --> 00:12:13.779 And I wonder how many of us feel that way this morning. 00:12:14.740 --> 00:12:19.860 Or maybe this past few weeks or past month or even this past year felt like that for us. 00:12:21.200 --> 00:12:23.680 I wonder how many people in Hong Kong feel like that. 00:12:25.840 --> 00:12:31.379 A restlessness in our hearts with the worries of future and life because of the darkness. 00:12:31.379 --> 00:12:38.159 The high expectations of college, university, work that drives you to perform. 00:12:38.379 --> 00:12:40.299 That makes you feel like you've got to perform. 00:12:40.439 --> 00:12:42.600 That your value is based on how you perform. 00:12:42.840 --> 00:12:45.240 Your value is based on how much you earn money. 00:12:47.279 --> 00:12:47.720 Enslaved. 00:12:47.879 --> 00:12:48.320 Oppressed. 00:12:48.539 --> 00:12:52.939 Or the insecurity that you might have about your work because of the fluctuating job market. 00:12:53.120 --> 00:12:54.460 Or maybe even the lack of work. 00:12:55.500 --> 00:12:58.120 The insecurities and things that you hold on to. 00:12:58.120 --> 00:13:01.419 And it feels like a constant battle in life. 00:13:02.120 --> 00:13:03.860 Maybe a few seconds of peace. 00:13:04.039 --> 00:13:05.060 A few weeks of peace. 00:13:05.279 --> 00:13:07.379 But a constant battle after battle. 00:13:07.759 --> 00:13:09.820 Almost like a cycle that never seems to end. 00:13:11.860 --> 00:13:15.220 Well, what does this promise speak to his hearers? 00:13:15.799 --> 00:13:17.779 What does this promise speak to you and I? 00:13:19.120 --> 00:13:20.379 Let's go back to verse 2. 00:13:20.980 --> 00:13:24.919 The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light. 00:13:24.919 --> 00:13:30.819 Those who dwelt in land of deep darkness, on them light has shown. 00:13:32.000 --> 00:13:35.439 People in fear and darkness and loneliness are brought out of it. 00:13:36.879 --> 00:13:43.000 Verse 4 tells us that those who are burdened, who are oppressed, are freed as on the day of Midian. 00:13:43.159 --> 00:13:44.620 What is the day of Midian, by the way? 00:13:45.339 --> 00:13:49.439 Basically, Midian talks about the story of Gideon, which rhymes. 00:13:49.440 --> 00:14:00.960 It talks about a time when God took a handful of people and took these people to fight against the Midianites, which was a huge nation. 00:14:01.820 --> 00:14:07.140 And these people were armed with nothing more than clay pots, trumpets, and torches. 00:14:08.280 --> 00:14:11.460 And it was a time of incredible salvation and victory. 00:14:12.020 --> 00:14:14.960 Totally done by God and not by the people. 00:14:14.960 --> 00:14:20.460 And what this promise is saying is that those who are being oppressed and burdened, God is going to do it again. 00:14:21.240 --> 00:14:25.080 He's going to free you as He did for Gideon and the Midian. 00:14:27.019 --> 00:14:34.519 Verse 5 tells us that all the boots that were used for war, all the garments that were bloodied, will be used for fuel, for fire. 00:14:34.600 --> 00:14:36.240 In other words, you no longer have to fight. 00:14:37.400 --> 00:14:43.600 The restlessness that came from the insecurities and the violence and conflicts, you no longer have to go through it again. 00:14:43.600 --> 00:14:53.300 The insecurities that you had, which caused you to hold on to these garments, things of life that you feel will secure life, will be of no more use except for fire. 00:14:53.960 --> 00:15:06.259 In other words, the worries that you have right now, the things that keep you up at night, fears of the future, oppression, the competitive, the performance-based life, the culture, the value that is locked with how much you earn, 00:15:06.259 --> 00:15:15.159 and all high expectations of job, everything that keeps you on rest, that takes away the peace, that keeps you awake at night, will be at peace. 00:15:15.159 --> 00:15:20.299 And man, isn't that an incredible promise of peace? 00:15:21.100 --> 00:15:29.339 For you, for us, for the people of Hong Kong, for the rest of the world, for all of the world, isn't that an amazing promise? 00:15:31.219 --> 00:15:32.219 But here's the thing. 00:15:32.220 --> 00:15:43.540 Even though this is an incredible promise, it is nowhere as incredible and as beautiful as how God is going to bring about this promise. 00:15:44.440 --> 00:15:49.519 The promise is nowhere near as breathtaking as how God is bringing it to the earth. 00:15:50.040 --> 00:15:54.220 And that's when we come face to face with the person of peace. 00:15:56.060 --> 00:15:58.660 Which takes us to our second point, the arrival of peace. 00:15:59.060 --> 00:16:00.940 So how is God going to bring this peace? 00:16:00.940 --> 00:16:10.980 So how is God going to answer the problem of this restlessness, this injustice, the sinfulness, this corruption that was happening at that time? 00:16:11.420 --> 00:16:16.380 What is God's answer to all of the restlessness that keeps you awake at night? 00:16:17.320 --> 00:16:18.600 What is God's answer? 00:16:19.900 --> 00:16:22.700 And His answer is a child. 00:16:24.640 --> 00:16:26.060 And that's incredible, right? 00:16:26.059 --> 00:16:37.339 Imagine you and your friend, imagine me and Marco, he's not here so I can talk about him, is going to be attacked by someone as big as Dan. 00:16:37.639 --> 00:16:39.419 Dan is not here too, I can talk about him. 00:16:40.939 --> 00:16:43.259 A gangster, huge guy is going to beat us up. 00:16:43.339 --> 00:16:45.879 And Marco tells me like, hey Alan, don't worry, I got a solution. 00:16:46.079 --> 00:16:50.439 He runs off to his house and he comes back with a small guy as big as Isaac. 00:16:50.440 --> 00:16:55.800 And he says like, this is my solution, he's going to save us from this massive gangster. 00:16:57.020 --> 00:16:58.620 It's pretty ridiculous, right? 00:16:59.580 --> 00:17:05.440 A child, a small kid, a baby is a solution for this massive unrestlessness? 00:17:05.440 --> 00:17:06.600 On restlessness? 00:17:09.220 --> 00:17:13.640 But the thing about this child is, this child, this promised child was kind of different. 00:17:14.059 --> 00:17:15.180 I mean, look at verse 6 with me. 00:17:15.279 --> 00:17:21.059 I don't even have to say anything much more or add to it to see the magnitude of who this child really is. 00:17:21.480 --> 00:17:22.480 Verse 6 tells us, 00:17:23.259 --> 00:17:27.220 The child is born, a son is given, and the government shall be upon his shoulder. 00:17:27.220 --> 00:17:35.200 And his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 00:17:36.180 --> 00:17:38.779 And this is my encouragement to you, as you go into the week, 00:17:39.740 --> 00:17:42.980 take each day to think about each of those words. 00:17:43.100 --> 00:17:44.480 There's so much under it. 00:17:45.200 --> 00:17:48.360 But it's no mystery that this child is incredible. 00:17:49.000 --> 00:17:50.920 It's something different about this child. 00:17:51.500 --> 00:17:53.960 Verse 7, I mean, it says, 00:17:53.960 --> 00:18:12.500 This child not only comes bearing peace, to bring peace, 00:18:12.600 --> 00:18:19.140 but this child is coming to rule with peace and with righteousness and with justice. 00:18:20.620 --> 00:18:22.059 I mean, can you imagine that? 00:18:22.059 --> 00:18:24.399 I mean, today is the day of voting. 00:18:25.460 --> 00:18:30.059 But can you imagine where you have a government who is completely powerful, 00:18:31.279 --> 00:18:35.119 completely righteous, and completely just like this child? 00:18:35.700 --> 00:18:37.159 I mean, I'm from India. I'm from Nepal. 00:18:37.559 --> 00:18:38.720 Imagine that in your country. 00:18:38.819 --> 00:18:40.099 Imagine you get a government like that. 00:18:40.579 --> 00:18:42.579 A government who fights for his people, 00:18:42.980 --> 00:18:45.000 who strives for the good of his people. 00:18:45.599 --> 00:18:47.879 A government that brings peace, justice. 00:18:48.059 --> 00:18:49.019 There's no more corruption. 00:18:49.200 --> 00:18:50.799 There's no more bribes, no more of that. 00:18:50.799 --> 00:18:53.259 The need and the poor are taken care of. 00:18:54.039 --> 00:18:57.079 I mean, relationship and character is prioritized. 00:18:57.680 --> 00:19:01.379 I mean, the culture of performance, the culture of value based on money, 00:19:01.440 --> 00:19:02.619 all of those are eradicated. 00:19:03.899 --> 00:19:08.419 I mean, can you imagine living in that kind of country under a king like that? 00:19:08.799 --> 00:19:09.839 A government like that? 00:19:11.639 --> 00:19:16.259 A culture that takes cares of others rather than putting other people down. 00:19:16.259 --> 00:19:20.940 I mean, you don't have to sleep with worries about what the future holds 00:19:20.940 --> 00:19:23.180 because you know that you can bank your life on this ruler, 00:19:23.579 --> 00:19:25.619 that he's working for the good of his people. 00:19:26.279 --> 00:19:28.279 And that's an incredible picture of peace. 00:19:28.579 --> 00:19:32.099 And you know this is possible because the government is powerful. 00:19:32.660 --> 00:19:33.599 He's all powerful. 00:19:33.599 --> 00:19:38.699 In fact, the government is mighty God, everlasting father. 00:19:38.859 --> 00:19:39.779 He's full of wisdom. 00:19:41.579 --> 00:19:47.279 And this child is coming to not just rule with peace, righteousness, and justice, 00:19:47.419 --> 00:19:49.159 but this child is full of wisdom. 00:19:49.559 --> 00:19:51.459 He's powerful for he is a mighty God. 00:19:51.619 --> 00:19:53.240 And his rule will have no end. 00:19:53.519 --> 00:19:55.879 And he is the prince of peace. 00:19:55.880 --> 00:20:01.600 And what an incredible promise it is to the people struggling in restlessness 00:20:01.600 --> 00:20:03.540 under oppression and fears. 00:20:03.660 --> 00:20:05.480 What an incredible promise of peace. 00:20:06.680 --> 00:20:09.500 And what an incredible promise it is to you. 00:20:11.140 --> 00:20:12.180 Can you think about that? 00:20:13.000 --> 00:20:16.480 To have someone like that in your life. 00:20:18.840 --> 00:20:21.860 Now let's take a breather as I drink my water 00:20:21.860 --> 00:20:23.700 and ask this question. 00:20:23.700 --> 00:20:27.360 What is peace? 00:20:28.080 --> 00:20:29.400 Man, this mic is so sensitive. 00:20:31.640 --> 00:20:32.539 What is peace? 00:20:33.519 --> 00:20:34.860 I mean, we've been talking about it, right? 00:20:35.059 --> 00:20:36.019 Is the unrestless? 00:20:36.440 --> 00:20:38.519 Is the absence of conflict, violence? 00:20:39.340 --> 00:20:41.420 You might be saying like, yeah, yeah, yeah, that's peace. 00:20:41.539 --> 00:20:45.580 But it would be a great injustice if I just leave it at that. 00:20:46.299 --> 00:20:49.000 Because you see, in the Bible, in God's Word, 00:20:49.000 --> 00:20:53.519 peace has a much richer meaning than just that. 00:20:54.539 --> 00:20:59.740 I mean, in God's Word, peace is something much more than what Chad GPT defines peace as. 00:21:00.860 --> 00:21:04.880 And it is quite an interesting time to define peace in the middle of a sermon, right? 00:21:05.259 --> 00:21:10.740 But I feel like it's the perfect time because now we're looking into the peace that this son, 00:21:11.319 --> 00:21:12.660 this child is truly bringing. 00:21:12.660 --> 00:21:16.140 So, well, how does God's Word define peace as? 00:21:16.980 --> 00:21:18.500 In Hebrew, it's called shalom. 00:21:18.660 --> 00:21:21.040 I'm pretty sure some of you have heard the word. 00:21:21.440 --> 00:21:26.040 New Testament, it's the Greek for irening, from which we get the name irene. 00:21:26.160 --> 00:21:27.660 So now we know what irene means. 00:21:27.660 --> 00:21:32.680 And what it basically means is whole or complete. 00:21:33.380 --> 00:21:37.519 Or in other words, to bring something into completeness or to its wholeness. 00:21:38.019 --> 00:21:43.060 For example, if you own a chess collection and if you have all the chess pieces, 00:21:43.180 --> 00:21:44.860 that means it's complete, it's whole. 00:21:45.620 --> 00:21:50.080 Or for example, when King Solomon completed the unfinished temple, 00:21:50.320 --> 00:21:51.759 he brought shalom to the temple. 00:21:52.019 --> 00:21:53.320 He completed, he restored it. 00:21:53.319 --> 00:22:01.599 Or in the Old Testament law, when a person brings destruction or damages a neighbor's property, 00:22:01.839 --> 00:22:06.939 he pays the amount in full to restore the neighbor's property to its fullness. 00:22:07.099 --> 00:22:10.619 To bring complete restoration, to bring complete wholeness, 00:22:11.079 --> 00:22:13.319 is what it means to bring peace, to bring shalom. 00:22:13.859 --> 00:22:17.539 In other words, you take what's missing and you bring it to its wholeness. 00:22:18.179 --> 00:22:22.019 So therefore, in the Bible, peace is not just an absence of conflict, 00:22:22.019 --> 00:22:24.099 not just an absence of violence and disturbance, 00:22:24.660 --> 00:22:27.059 but it's a restoration to its wholeness. 00:22:27.859 --> 00:22:31.539 Peace is not just when two people over conflict stop fighting, 00:22:31.960 --> 00:22:36.379 but it's actually when those two people strive to work for the other's benefit. 00:22:37.660 --> 00:22:41.819 It's not just the absence of conflict, but restoration to its wholeness. 00:22:42.379 --> 00:22:47.079 And whether that restoration be ourselves, our relationships, or the whole world around us, 00:22:47.079 --> 00:22:50.960 it's peace is to restore to its fullness and completeness. 00:22:52.019 --> 00:22:56.359 So now we have this child, the Prince of Peace, the Prince of Shalom, 00:22:56.859 --> 00:22:58.579 the Prince of Wholeness and Completeness. 00:22:59.139 --> 00:23:02.180 I mean, it is no mystery to us this morning who this child is, right? 00:23:02.519 --> 00:23:07.019 In Luke chapter 2, when the angels proclaimed the birth of Christ Jesus to the shepherds, 00:23:07.440 --> 00:23:08.759 they sang our praises, crying, 00:23:08.879 --> 00:23:14.400 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those whom he is pleased. 00:23:14.400 --> 00:23:18.180 Among many things, Jesus came to bring peace on earth. 00:23:18.300 --> 00:23:23.800 So what does this completeness, what does this wholeness have to do with the restlessness 00:23:23.800 --> 00:23:25.460 that you feel in your heart? 00:23:26.019 --> 00:23:30.780 What does this peace, shalom, wholeness, and completeness have to do with the things 00:23:30.780 --> 00:23:32.140 that keep you awake at night? 00:23:32.740 --> 00:23:36.600 With the things, the external circumstances that never seem to change? 00:23:36.599 --> 00:23:40.099 What does this completeness and wholeness have to do with all of that? 00:23:41.559 --> 00:23:43.939 Well, actually, a better question to ask is, 00:23:44.559 --> 00:23:47.199 where does this restlessness actually even begin? 00:23:48.379 --> 00:23:52.039 Where does this thing that, what is this thing that actually takes away the peace? 00:23:53.919 --> 00:23:59.000 Because our usual thought is that the external situation is what brings the internal unrest. 00:23:59.000 --> 00:24:02.299 But let us actually go back to Isaiah 9. 00:24:02.460 --> 00:24:03.000 Think about it. 00:24:03.299 --> 00:24:07.859 Where does all this unrest, this chaos start in Isaiah? 00:24:08.940 --> 00:24:10.819 Well, it starts in Isaiah chapter 1. 00:24:11.640 --> 00:24:14.619 I mean, if you have a Bible, you can see in Isaiah chapter 1, 00:24:15.099 --> 00:24:18.220 God speaks to his nation through his prophet Isaiah, 00:24:18.380 --> 00:24:20.140 and he says this, he tells the people, 00:24:20.779 --> 00:24:24.279 the ox knows his owner, the donkey its master's script. 00:24:24.339 --> 00:24:27.180 In other words, these animals know who they belong to, 00:24:27.180 --> 00:24:30.259 but Israel does not know. 00:24:31.140 --> 00:24:33.220 My people do not understand. 00:24:34.740 --> 00:24:37.840 In other words, the unrest, the restlessness, 00:24:38.440 --> 00:24:42.940 the lack of peace actually begins, starts when people turn away from God. 00:24:44.019 --> 00:24:45.840 You see, we usually think horizontal. 00:24:46.120 --> 00:24:49.100 We usually think our surroundings and the externals is what, 00:24:49.820 --> 00:24:52.019 when we think about peace and restlessness. 00:24:52.680 --> 00:24:54.759 But what we see in God's scripture is that 00:24:54.759 --> 00:24:56.580 it does not really start from there, 00:24:56.579 --> 00:24:59.359 but it actually has a lot to do with the vertical. 00:25:02.119 --> 00:25:06.419 Peace and restlessness has a lot to do with our relationship with God. 00:25:07.399 --> 00:25:10.259 And it actually begins when people start walking away 00:25:10.259 --> 00:25:13.919 from the true source of joy, as we were looking last week, 00:25:14.139 --> 00:25:16.139 but also from the true source of peace. 00:25:18.279 --> 00:25:22.039 Restlessness begins when people reject God's kingship, 00:25:22.039 --> 00:25:24.259 when people reject God as king, 00:25:24.259 --> 00:25:29.159 when we walk away from the one who created us in his image, 00:25:30.059 --> 00:25:33.220 when people walk away from the one who truly cares and loves them, 00:25:33.279 --> 00:25:35.740 who knows the number of hairs on their head, 00:25:35.859 --> 00:25:39.779 when people walk away from the one who created our inmost being. 00:25:39.779 --> 00:25:43.819 In other words, restlessness begins when in sin, 00:25:44.940 --> 00:25:46.559 we turn away from God, 00:25:46.779 --> 00:25:49.079 and in rebellion, we walk away, 00:25:49.460 --> 00:25:52.819 and tragically, walking away from life and peace. 00:25:54.099 --> 00:25:56.500 It is the sin that separated us from God. 00:25:56.940 --> 00:25:59.059 It is a sin that has left us broken, 00:25:59.740 --> 00:26:01.079 has left the world broken, 00:26:01.240 --> 00:26:02.599 has left our surroundings broken, 00:26:02.700 --> 00:26:03.539 and our hearts broken, 00:26:03.539 --> 00:26:06.539 and ultimately has left us restless, 00:26:07.159 --> 00:26:10.960 finding for something that can never be satisfied. 00:26:13.200 --> 00:26:14.720 In the midst of all that, 00:26:14.819 --> 00:26:18.500 then comes this child that was given to us. 00:26:19.480 --> 00:26:22.180 Christ Jesus who came to bring peace, 00:26:22.639 --> 00:26:24.200 who came to bring shalom, 00:26:24.839 --> 00:26:27.539 wholeness and completeness between God and man. 00:26:28.279 --> 00:26:30.500 And you see, peace is never free. 00:26:30.500 --> 00:26:33.799 Peace is never free. 00:26:34.180 --> 00:26:36.579 There is always a cost under peace. 00:26:36.940 --> 00:26:38.779 And the price for the ultimate peace, 00:26:39.259 --> 00:26:42.019 the restoration of relationship between God and man, 00:26:42.279 --> 00:26:43.559 because of our sinfulness, 00:26:44.160 --> 00:26:46.099 and not just be at peace with God, 00:26:46.200 --> 00:26:47.640 but to bring into wholeness, 00:26:47.819 --> 00:26:51.500 to complete restoration between God and us, 00:26:51.900 --> 00:26:54.539 was paid by Jesus on the cross. 00:26:56.220 --> 00:26:57.779 Romans 5.1 tells us, 00:26:58.000 --> 00:26:59.599 since we have been justified by faith, 00:26:59.599 --> 00:27:02.939 we have peace with God through Jesus Christ. 00:27:04.699 --> 00:27:08.759 Jesus brought us peace by entering the most peaceless world 00:27:08.759 --> 00:27:11.939 and submitting to the wrath of the Father. 00:27:14.319 --> 00:27:16.399 I mean, I think we should stop and let that digest. 00:27:16.519 --> 00:27:17.379 Can you imagine that? 00:27:18.859 --> 00:27:20.419 Can you stop and think about that? 00:27:20.779 --> 00:27:21.419 Think about this. 00:27:21.579 --> 00:27:24.980 What gain did the creator of all universe, 00:27:25.119 --> 00:27:25.939 the king of kings, 00:27:26.059 --> 00:27:28.480 the all-powerful, all-sufficient God, 00:27:28.480 --> 00:27:32.960 what gain did that God have in making peace with you and I, 00:27:33.400 --> 00:27:34.759 who had nothing to offer to him? 00:27:40.640 --> 00:27:44.160 So here is the real promise of peace this Christmas. 00:27:45.200 --> 00:27:49.660 And here is the invitation of Christmas by the Prince of Peace. 00:27:49.660 --> 00:27:54.620 So what does it mean for you? 00:27:55.620 --> 00:27:58.840 So what does it mean as you lay awake at night with worries and fears? 00:27:59.380 --> 00:28:02.420 What does it mean for you as you grow anxious about your children, 00:28:03.519 --> 00:28:05.740 about your future, about their future? 00:28:07.120 --> 00:28:09.540 What does it mean when you are pressured by the culture, 00:28:10.340 --> 00:28:13.140 when you feel like you got to perform as you go back to work? 00:28:13.140 --> 00:28:15.000 What does it feel? 00:28:15.200 --> 00:28:18.680 What does it mean when there are relationships that are broken in your life? 00:28:18.820 --> 00:28:22.200 There are conflicts that doesn't seem to mend by itself. 00:28:22.860 --> 00:28:25.360 What does it mean when you face the pressure of singleness? 00:28:26.259 --> 00:28:31.620 What does it mean for our conflicts now that Jesus has brought and bought peace 00:28:31.620 --> 00:28:32.920 between God and men? 00:28:32.920 --> 00:28:34.960 What does it mean for you? 00:28:36.800 --> 00:28:42.759 Well, it means that for those that come to him in faith can be at peace. 00:28:43.759 --> 00:28:47.300 It means that you don't have to succumb to the pressure of the culture 00:28:47.300 --> 00:28:49.120 because you don't have to perform, 00:28:49.519 --> 00:28:52.560 but you can trust in Jesus and his finished work on the cross 00:28:52.560 --> 00:28:55.820 that he has done it and you no longer have to perform, 00:28:56.060 --> 00:28:59.539 that he has finished it and you no longer have to strive. 00:28:59.539 --> 00:29:02.440 It means that as you worry about your children, 00:29:02.940 --> 00:29:04.339 that you can trust Jesus, 00:29:04.700 --> 00:29:07.480 that he loves your children more than you can ever do 00:29:07.480 --> 00:29:10.420 and that he has shown that and has proven that 00:29:10.420 --> 00:29:12.619 by giving his son Jesus Christ, 00:29:12.960 --> 00:29:16.720 that he gave his life and he loved you even before you turned towards him. 00:29:17.779 --> 00:29:20.279 I mean, today's scripture said the son was given to you 00:29:20.279 --> 00:29:22.099 even before you asked. 00:29:24.599 --> 00:29:26.960 It means that as you worry about your future, 00:29:27.099 --> 00:29:28.279 your finance, your career, 00:29:28.279 --> 00:29:32.639 you can trust Jesus because he provided the means of salvation and peace 00:29:32.639 --> 00:29:34.180 even before we turned to him. 00:29:34.680 --> 00:29:35.859 And if he can't do that, 00:29:35.899 --> 00:29:38.259 he's trustworthy to bank our lives on. 00:29:38.660 --> 00:29:41.299 Maybe you feel the pressure of singleness or life itself, 00:29:41.680 --> 00:29:45.180 but you can trust Jesus because of the peace that he has made. 00:29:45.819 --> 00:29:48.220 You can be at rest because he is king. 00:29:48.799 --> 00:29:50.440 He is in complete control. 00:29:50.920 --> 00:29:54.099 That he is the wonderful counselor who will counsel you, 00:29:54.279 --> 00:29:55.379 who will guide you. 00:29:55.380 --> 00:29:57.300 And he is mighty God. 00:29:57.640 --> 00:29:59.900 That he is powerful and trustworthy. 00:29:59.900 --> 00:30:02.900 And I mean, 00:30:03.000 --> 00:30:03.880 in present times, 00:30:04.259 --> 00:30:08.060 as you go off from this service towards Monday, 00:30:08.259 --> 00:30:12.080 it may feel like your external circumstances are anything but peaceful, 00:30:12.640 --> 00:30:14.960 but there is also this incredible promise 00:30:14.960 --> 00:30:17.540 and hope that Jesus will one day return 00:30:17.540 --> 00:30:19.200 and come and restore, 00:30:19.360 --> 00:30:20.759 bring perfect shalom, 00:30:20.980 --> 00:30:23.640 perfect wholeness to all things, 00:30:23.640 --> 00:30:26.480 which I think we will talk about next week. 00:30:26.580 --> 00:30:27.360 But for now, 00:30:27.620 --> 00:30:28.520 for this time, 00:30:28.580 --> 00:30:29.320 for our present, 00:30:29.880 --> 00:30:30.680 but even now, 00:30:30.759 --> 00:30:31.980 he has given us peace. 00:30:32.500 --> 00:30:32.720 I mean, 00:30:32.759 --> 00:30:33.800 many times we feel 00:30:33.800 --> 00:30:36.100 we don't have that peace in our hearts 00:30:36.100 --> 00:30:37.160 because we forget 00:30:37.160 --> 00:30:39.040 that Jesus is king, 00:30:39.740 --> 00:30:41.259 that he has finished the work, 00:30:42.320 --> 00:30:43.780 but he has given us peace 00:30:43.780 --> 00:30:47.440 regardless of how your external circumstances looks like. 00:30:48.040 --> 00:30:48.220 I mean, 00:30:48.280 --> 00:30:49.420 Philippians 4 tells us, 00:30:49.420 --> 00:30:56.519 You see, 00:30:56.600 --> 00:30:58.420 it's a peace that cannot be explained. 00:30:59.240 --> 00:31:01.440 It's a peace that cannot be formed 00:31:01.440 --> 00:31:05.160 with our limited words and alphabets and our languages. 00:31:06.080 --> 00:31:09.180 And it's a peace that guards our hearts and minds, 00:31:09.279 --> 00:31:11.580 our guards and minds like a wall 00:31:11.580 --> 00:31:14.160 from the worries and the lies of this world. 00:31:14.160 --> 00:31:16.560 It guards our hearts from the pressures 00:31:16.560 --> 00:31:18.759 and the lies and the culture of this world 00:31:18.759 --> 00:31:22.019 and reminds us of the incredible peace 00:31:22.019 --> 00:31:23.700 that Jesus has brought us. 00:31:25.839 --> 00:31:26.180 I mean, 00:31:26.240 --> 00:31:27.059 just last few, 00:31:27.539 --> 00:31:27.759 last, 00:31:27.960 --> 00:31:29.220 I think the week before, 00:31:29.720 --> 00:31:32.759 I was having a dinner with one of our youths 00:31:32.759 --> 00:31:34.519 and I asked him a question. 00:31:36.400 --> 00:31:36.619 Hey, 00:31:36.759 --> 00:31:38.740 what was it for you 00:31:38.740 --> 00:31:42.660 that you actually suddenly realized 00:31:42.660 --> 00:31:43.680 that Jesus is real? 00:31:43.680 --> 00:31:45.299 What was it that helped you, 00:31:45.839 --> 00:31:46.460 what do you call it, 00:31:46.599 --> 00:31:47.500 the pen drop for you? 00:31:47.859 --> 00:31:48.220 Pen drop? 00:31:48.319 --> 00:31:48.680 Pen dropped? 00:31:49.740 --> 00:31:50.019 What? 00:31:51.339 --> 00:31:52.299 Penny dropped for you. 00:31:54.420 --> 00:31:55.279 What was it? 00:31:56.160 --> 00:31:56.420 Something, 00:31:56.500 --> 00:31:56.640 something, 00:31:56.740 --> 00:31:57.500 the penny dropped for you. 00:31:58.099 --> 00:31:59.140 I don't know how to phrase it. 00:32:00.980 --> 00:32:02.420 And he thinks about it for a while 00:32:02.420 --> 00:32:03.819 and he says, 00:32:04.140 --> 00:32:04.339 you know, 00:32:04.379 --> 00:32:05.940 I was going through a really tough time. 00:32:06.980 --> 00:32:08.299 It was really challenging, 00:32:08.740 --> 00:32:10.119 but somehow, 00:32:11.279 --> 00:32:11.579 I mean, 00:32:11.599 --> 00:32:12.299 this is a teenager. 00:32:13.400 --> 00:32:14.579 Tough time for them. 00:32:14.839 --> 00:32:15.079 I mean, 00:32:15.140 --> 00:32:15.519 for us, 00:32:15.740 --> 00:32:16.960 their tough time might feel nothing, 00:32:17.059 --> 00:32:17.559 but for them, 00:32:17.620 --> 00:32:18.600 it's like their whole world. 00:32:20.100 --> 00:32:21.720 They're going through a really tough time 00:32:21.720 --> 00:32:22.140 and he says, 00:32:22.660 --> 00:32:23.079 I don't know, 00:32:23.120 --> 00:32:23.799 I was going through a tough time, 00:32:23.840 --> 00:32:24.440 but somehow, 00:32:24.900 --> 00:32:26.360 I was at peace. 00:32:27.940 --> 00:32:28.700 And he said, 00:32:29.039 --> 00:32:30.340 and I was reminded of the verse, 00:32:30.600 --> 00:32:31.180 John 14, 00:32:31.180 --> 00:32:31.680 27, 00:32:31.680 --> 00:32:33.620 where Jesus says, 00:32:33.720 --> 00:32:34.460 I give you peace, 00:32:34.820 --> 00:32:36.100 not as the world gives you. 00:32:37.400 --> 00:32:38.740 A peace that is quite different. 00:32:39.380 --> 00:32:39.940 And he says, 00:32:40.019 --> 00:32:41.180 as he felt that peace, 00:32:41.279 --> 00:32:43.779 as he felt God's presence in his life, 00:32:44.279 --> 00:32:45.380 somehow he realized, 00:32:45.980 --> 00:32:46.120 hey, 00:32:46.200 --> 00:32:46.880 Jesus is real. 00:32:46.880 --> 00:32:49.220 Jesus is real, 00:32:49.360 --> 00:32:50.600 that he is with me. 00:32:51.240 --> 00:32:53.860 And regardless of this problem that I'm facing, 00:32:54.820 --> 00:32:56.360 somehow my heart is at peace. 00:32:57.880 --> 00:32:58.880 And we all have, 00:32:59.480 --> 00:33:01.140 and we all have a lot of stories like that. 00:33:01.260 --> 00:33:01.420 I mean, 00:33:01.460 --> 00:33:02.340 I have stories like that, 00:33:02.380 --> 00:33:03.620 where my mom went through cancer 00:33:03.620 --> 00:33:05.580 and somehow I had peace. 00:33:07.600 --> 00:33:08.080 And you see, 00:33:08.440 --> 00:33:09.780 isn't that incredible? 00:33:10.780 --> 00:33:11.080 You see, 00:33:11.079 --> 00:33:13.139 Jesus not only promises peace, 00:33:13.819 --> 00:33:16.240 but he promises his presence. 00:33:17.519 --> 00:33:19.319 Tim Keller said this about peace. 00:33:19.399 --> 00:33:19.659 He said, 00:33:19.759 --> 00:33:20.559 the peace of God 00:33:20.559 --> 00:33:22.059 is not the absence of fear. 00:33:22.919 --> 00:33:23.839 Another person said, 00:33:23.899 --> 00:33:25.039 it's not the absence of trouble. 00:33:25.159 --> 00:33:27.679 It's not the absence of pain and suffering. 00:33:28.299 --> 00:33:29.659 But it is in fact, 00:33:30.399 --> 00:33:31.099 his presence. 00:33:32.500 --> 00:33:33.039 You see, 00:33:33.119 --> 00:33:35.179 your external circumstances may fail. 00:33:35.639 --> 00:33:38.079 Your external circumstances may look restless 00:33:38.079 --> 00:33:39.279 and anything but peaceful. 00:33:39.279 --> 00:33:41.660 But you can be at peace 00:33:41.660 --> 00:33:43.779 because of God's presence, 00:33:43.920 --> 00:33:44.859 of Jesus' presence. 00:33:45.559 --> 00:33:46.660 And isn't it beautiful 00:33:46.660 --> 00:33:48.720 that as we come to Christmas, 00:33:48.799 --> 00:33:49.779 as we think of Christmas 00:33:49.779 --> 00:33:51.039 and the birth of Christ, 00:33:51.559 --> 00:33:53.319 it was announced by the angels 00:33:53.319 --> 00:33:55.259 that this child's name 00:33:55.259 --> 00:33:56.680 is going to be Emmanuel, 00:33:57.279 --> 00:33:58.099 God with us. 00:33:59.079 --> 00:34:01.079 God who's with you and with us. 00:34:03.019 --> 00:34:04.559 So you can be at peace 00:34:04.559 --> 00:34:07.059 because Jesus has brought peace. 00:34:07.819 --> 00:34:09.259 You can trust in his word 00:34:09.260 --> 00:34:11.140 in the way that he has brought peace 00:34:11.140 --> 00:34:13.220 because he is the prince of peace. 00:34:14.840 --> 00:34:15.040 Now, 00:34:15.120 --> 00:34:16.920 I don't want us to walk away from that 00:34:16.920 --> 00:34:18.240 very quickly. 00:34:19.280 --> 00:34:20.900 Can I just call the band up 00:34:20.900 --> 00:34:23.140 and let us spend some time in prayer. 00:34:24.140 --> 00:34:25.700 Let us spend some time 00:34:25.700 --> 00:34:26.720 letting the Holy Spirit 00:34:26.720 --> 00:34:28.300 minister to our hearts this morning. 00:34:29.760 --> 00:34:29.980 I mean, 00:34:30.040 --> 00:34:31.680 if you're new to Christianity this morning, 00:34:32.060 --> 00:34:32.920 here's an invitation 00:34:32.920 --> 00:34:34.200 for you to come 00:34:34.200 --> 00:34:36.400 and know the real peace. 00:34:37.440 --> 00:34:37.960 I mean, 00:34:38.019 --> 00:34:38.680 if you're weary, 00:34:38.920 --> 00:34:40.079 if you are tired, 00:34:40.220 --> 00:34:41.139 if you are burdened, 00:34:41.320 --> 00:34:42.740 if you feel like you have tried 00:34:42.740 --> 00:34:43.800 a thousand things, 00:34:44.780 --> 00:34:45.000 well, 00:34:45.019 --> 00:34:45.800 here's an invitation 00:34:45.800 --> 00:34:47.500 from the Prince of Peace 00:34:47.500 --> 00:34:49.220 to come 00:34:49.220 --> 00:34:50.900 and know him 00:34:50.900 --> 00:34:52.680 who is the true source 00:34:52.680 --> 00:34:53.619 of joy and peace. 00:34:53.619 --> 00:34:57.319 And for the rest of us, 00:34:57.400 --> 00:34:57.480 hey, 00:34:57.559 --> 00:34:58.059 why don't we 00:34:58.059 --> 00:34:59.359 close our eyes 00:34:59.359 --> 00:35:00.559 and spend some time in prayer. 00:35:01.279 --> 00:35:02.079 Why don't we pray 00:35:02.079 --> 00:35:03.179 for the Holy Spirit 00:35:03.179 --> 00:35:04.279 to work in our hearts? 00:35:07.079 --> 00:35:08.299 For the Holy Spirit 00:35:08.299 --> 00:35:09.940 to show us in our hearts 00:35:09.940 --> 00:35:10.940 the places that 00:35:10.940 --> 00:35:13.119 we have been looking for peace. 00:35:13.119 --> 00:35:15.440 or maybe 00:35:15.440 --> 00:35:17.199 for many of us 00:35:17.199 --> 00:35:18.279 or some of us, 00:35:18.980 --> 00:35:19.679 it's just been 00:35:19.679 --> 00:35:21.159 a time of restlessness 00:35:21.159 --> 00:35:21.539 and 00:35:21.539 --> 00:35:23.819 really tough time 00:35:23.819 --> 00:35:24.819 throughout this Christmas 00:35:24.819 --> 00:35:25.559 or this year. 00:35:28.599 --> 00:35:28.859 I mean, 00:35:28.920 --> 00:35:30.059 have you been burdened lately 00:35:30.059 --> 00:35:30.380 or 00:35:30.380 --> 00:35:32.259 even this past few months 00:35:32.259 --> 00:35:32.579 or year? 00:35:34.659 --> 00:35:35.699 Are there worries 00:35:35.699 --> 00:35:36.259 and fears 00:35:36.259 --> 00:35:37.480 that keep you up at night? 00:35:37.559 --> 00:35:38.460 Is there some kind 00:35:38.460 --> 00:35:39.539 of pressure in your life 00:35:39.539 --> 00:35:40.039 and oppression 00:35:40.039 --> 00:35:40.440 from 00:35:40.440 --> 00:35:41.539 culture, 00:35:41.779 --> 00:35:42.239 fears, 00:35:42.619 --> 00:35:42.940 fears, 00:35:43.119 --> 00:35:43.460 family, 00:35:43.739 --> 00:35:44.219 circle? 00:35:45.400 --> 00:35:45.699 I mean, 00:35:45.719 --> 00:35:46.319 is it health 00:35:46.319 --> 00:35:47.179 and sickness? 00:35:48.440 --> 00:35:49.420 Maybe your own health 00:35:49.420 --> 00:35:49.819 or maybe 00:35:49.819 --> 00:35:50.559 the health 00:35:50.559 --> 00:35:51.440 of someone you love 00:35:51.440 --> 00:35:51.799 and care. 00:35:54.319 --> 00:35:54.960 Or maybe 00:35:54.960 --> 00:35:56.039 is it your own sinfulness, 00:35:56.339 --> 00:35:57.319 a habitual sin 00:35:57.319 --> 00:35:58.679 that chains you down 00:35:58.679 --> 00:36:00.159 that you feel like 00:36:00.159 --> 00:36:00.880 there is no peace 00:36:00.880 --> 00:36:01.519 from this sin 00:36:01.519 --> 00:36:03.940 and you're yearning 00:36:03.940 --> 00:36:04.719 from some kind 00:36:04.719 --> 00:36:05.599 of freedom from it? 00:36:09.099 --> 00:36:09.579 Well, 00:36:09.659 --> 00:36:10.380 come and see 00:36:10.380 --> 00:36:11.839 the child that was born, 00:36:11.840 --> 00:36:13.920 the son that was given. 00:36:16.500 --> 00:36:17.280 Come and see 00:36:17.280 --> 00:36:18.220 the prince of peace 00:36:18.220 --> 00:36:19.300 who brings the promise 00:36:19.300 --> 00:36:20.519 of peace and restoration. 00:36:21.340 --> 00:36:22.220 Come and trust him, 00:36:22.280 --> 00:36:23.260 the prince of peace, 00:36:23.780 --> 00:36:25.059 of whose the increase 00:36:25.059 --> 00:36:25.720 of his government 00:36:25.720 --> 00:36:26.260 and peace 00:36:26.260 --> 00:36:27.260 there will be no end. 00:36:28.120 --> 00:36:29.460 Come and trust him 00:36:29.460 --> 00:36:31.160 for the zeal 00:36:31.160 --> 00:36:32.200 of the Lord of hosts 00:36:32.200 --> 00:36:33.539 has done it 00:36:33.539 --> 00:36:34.440 and the work 00:36:34.440 --> 00:36:35.019 is finished. 00:36:35.019 --> 00:36:38.659 come and be at peace. 00:36:38.659 --> 00:36:54.899 Thank you for your time, 00:36:57.119 --> 00:37:00.039 peace yep!