And He Shall be Called...Prince of Peace

December 15, 2024

If Jesus is the Prince of Peace, then why does the world still feel so broken?


Message Listening Guide

The Promise of Peace (Isaiah 9:6-7):
The Prince of Peace is the promised ruler whose reign will bring justice, righteousness, and unending peace (2 Samuel 7:12-16).
Shalom means flourishing, wholeness, and restoration—not just the absence of conflict but the fullness of life as God intended.
Jesus’s identity as the heir of David fulfills God’s covenant for an eternal kingdom, proving God’s faithfulness to His promises.

The Fulfillment of Peace (Colossians 1:19-22):
Jesus accomplished peace through His work on the cross, reconciling humanity to God and beginning the restoration of all creation.
The Announcement of Peace (Luke 2:13-14): The angels declared, “Peace on earth, goodwill to men.” Jesus’s birth initiated His kingdom of peace breaking into a broken world.
Peace with God: The cross reconciles us to God, providing the foundational peace every human heart longs for.
The Restoration of All Things: Jesus’s peace is already transforming lives, and we await the day when His reign will make all things new.

The Point: The peace of God is a gift of His rule, not a sign of it.

Application:
Receive Peace with God Through Jesus: Trust in Jesus’s work on the cross to reconcile you to God and experience the foundational peace He offers.
Be Reconciled to One Another: Pursue unity with other Christians, reflecting the peace Jesus brings by forgiving and restoring relationships.
Work for Peace in Your Relationships and the World: As a follower of the Prince of Peace, live as a peacemaker, bringing reconciliation and hope to those around you.

Q. & A.

1. If Jesus is the Prince of Peace, why is there still so much conflict in the world?
This is a question that has troubled Christians for centuries. While Jesus inaugurated His kingdom of peace 2000 years ago, its completion awaits His second coming. We currently live in a time theologians call the "already/not yet." The Kingdom has begun, but it is not yet fully realized. The effects of sin and death are still present, but Jesus has dealt them a fatal blow, like a hunter landing a critical hit on a deer. Just as the hunter must wait for the deer to succumb, we await the final victory of Jesus over evil and the full establishment of His peace.

2. What is the biblical concept of peace, and how is it different from simply the absence of conflict?
The Hebrew word for peace, "Shalom," goes far beyond mere ceasefire. It signifies wholeness, flourishing, restoration, and right relationships. Biblical peace is not simply the absence of fighting but the presence of thriving communities and lives lived in harmony with God and each other.

3. How did Jesus achieve peace, and what does that mean for us?
Jesus achieved peace through His death and resurrection, reconciling humanity to God. On the cross, He took the violence of our sin upon Himself, making peace through His shed blood. This act provides the foundation for peace in our lives. By accepting Jesus' sacrifice, we receive peace with God and become part of His kingdom.

4. What does it mean to "receive peace with God through Jesus"?
Receiving peace with God means turning away from our self-centered ways and acknowledging Jesus as Lord. It involves confessing our sin, accepting His forgiveness, and committing to follow Him. This change of direction, called repentance, is the first step towards experiencing the peace Jesus offers.

5. How should Christians respond to conflict and injustice in the world?
Christians should be known as peacemakers, actively pursuing unity and reconciliation in their relationships and communities. Rather than ignoring or downplaying conflict, they should address it directly, seeking just and peaceful resolutions. We are called to work for peace in practical ways while also praying for God's intervention and the ultimate return of Jesus, who will establish perfect peace.

6. What should our attitude be toward the "already/not yet" reality of Christ's kingdom?
While we work for peace and long for its complete realization, we should not become discouraged by the ongoing presence of conflict. Instead, we should view injustice and suffering as invitations to prayer, trusting in God's power and ultimate victory over evil.

7. How can we experience the peace of God in our daily lives?
Philippians 4:6-7 encourages us to bring all our anxieties and requests to God in prayer. As we do so, we can experience a peace that transcends our understanding, guarding our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. This peace is not dependent on our circumstances but is a gift from God that sustains us through trials and difficulties.

8. What does the peace of God look like in practice?
True peace is not a passive feeling but an active, resilient hope grounded in the reality of Christ's victory. It allows believers, even those facing persecution and suffering, to experience a deep inner calm and strength rooted in their relationship with God. They are able to forgive their enemies and endure hardships with grace and courage, demonstrating the transformative power of the gospel.