God's Peace

God's PeaceGood News • December 5, 2021Teacher: Adam Barnett--Luke 1:26-28 NIVIn the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendent of David. The virgin's name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you."So why the Virgin Birth?1. It highlights the supernatural2. It reveals that redemption must come from God, not humanity3. It put God's initiative on display.4. It hints at the nature of Jesus being both fully human and fully divineLuke 2:8-14 NIVAnd there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.""And on earth peace"Peace is not the absence of conflict. Instead...Peace is the result of presence!Luke 2:14 NIV"Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests."1. The Glory of God2. The Salvation of HumanityRichard Thomas France"Our sin has put hostility and wrath between us and God, and a mere ceasefire will never suffice. We are not meant to live under the cloud of an uneasy standoff with God based on self-righteousness or sheep grace. Instead, Jesus became incarnate, died, and rose so that believers might be adopted into God's own family and eat at the table with him in unbroken fellowship forever!"3. The Holy Spirit