The Way of Peace
by Rev. Kirby Williams
Identifying God's gift of the way of peace through the Advent of His Son Jesus Christ.
Text: Luke 1:78-79
Date: 12/21/2025, the Combined service.
Series: "Your Word is Truth"
Occasion: Advent
Description:
As we continue to celebrate the Advent season, our focus turns now to the concept of "peace". Like joy, the state of "peace" can be confusing and even elusive for many Christians. Therefore we will spend time defining the Hebrew concept of peace, which stems from a positive relationship with God rather than the absence of the things that prevent peace. But in particular, in this message we will turn to Scripture to identify the "way" of peace. This "way" begins with God Himself who is the only source of true peace. It is then manifested in Jesus Christ who is the only way to the Father. And finally applied to our hearts as a gift of the Holy Spirit. Ultimately we will realize that true peace, like hope, love and joy, can only be found in a relationship with Jesus Christ. For Jesus alone redeems us, regenerates us, reconciles us and restores us to a relationship with the Father. And through Him and Him alone we gain access to the God-given way of peace.
View:
Options:
I. Introduction.
A. Defining "the way", Acts 9:2; Luke 1:76, 3:4; John 14:6.
B. The elusiveness of peace, Psa. 55:22; Jer. 17:7-8; Phil. 4:6; 1Pet. 5:7; Matt. 6:27,34.
C. The peace that passes understanding, Phil. 4:7.
II. Exposition of the text, Luke 1:78-79.
A. Context
B. Establishing the "way of peace".
1. Zechariah's Song, Luke 1:78-79.
a. The reason for the Advent.
b. The visitation of Light, Matt. 4:16; John 1:4,5; Luke 19:42,44.
c. The epiphany of the Dayspring.
d. Choosing to remain in darkness, Eph. 2:1; Isa. 42:6,7; John 3:19-20.
e. The way of peace.
2. Defining Peace in general.
a. What it is not.
i. Peace is not the absence of something, Mark 5:34.
ii. Peace is not grounded in the emotions.
iii. Peace is not dependent on circumstances.
b. What peace is.
i. Peace with God.
ii. Peace in the face of conflict.
1) Peace that excels in hardship.
2) An analogy of peace.
3. Following the way of peace.
a. The perfect peace of God.
i. The source of all peace, Rom. 15:33; 2Th. 3:16; Psa. 85:8; Isa. 54:10,13; Rom. 16:20.
ii. Attributes of God's peace.
b. The failed "peace" of the world.
i. Why there is no peace in the world, John 14:27.
1) The problem of human nature.
2) No peace for the wicked, Isa. 57:20-21; Jer. 6:14.
ii. How sin destroys peace, Rom. 2:9; Isa. 27:5, 48:18, 59:8; Rom. 3:15-17; Luke 19:42.
c. God's gift of peace.
i. God's peace is a gift, John 14:27; Gal. 5:22; Rom. 15:13; Zech 9:10.
ii. God's peace is supernatural, Phil. 4:7; Col. 3:15; Isa. 55:12.
4. The manifestation of God's peace.
a. The problem of sin, Hab. 1:13; Isa. 32:17.
b. The messianic promise of God's peace, Luke 1:78-79; Isa. 9:6-7; Isa. 53:5.
c. The peace of Christ, Rom. 5:1; Col. 1:19-20; Luke 2:14; John 14:6, 16:33; Eph. 2:13-17; Phil 4:7.
III. Conclusion, Matt. 7:13-14.
A. No peace down the easy way, Isa. 48:22.
B. Peace is found only "IN CHRIST".
