Luke 2:10-14 NASB

"But the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.' And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.'"

His peace is offered to all, but it is only realized by those who receive it through faith.

Peace in the Old Testament: Shalom

1. What is shalom?

Shalom means wholeness, integrity, flourishing

Nothing missing; Nothing broken

Shalom is not fragile like our understanding of peace. It is not circumstantial; it is rooted in the presence of God.

Judges 6:20-24 NASB

"The angel of God said to him, 'Take the meat and the unleavened bread and lay them on this rock, and pour out the broth.' And he did so. Then the angel of the Lord put out the end of the staff that was in his hand and touched the meat and the unleavened bread; and fire sprang up from the rock and consumed the meat and the unleavened bread. Then the angel of the Lord vanished from his sight. When Gideon saw that he was the angel of the Lord, he said, 'Alas, O Lord God! For now I have seen the angel of the Lord face to face.' The Lord said to him, 'Peace to you, do not fear; you shall not die.' Then Gideon built an altar there to the Lord and named it The Lord is Peace. To this day it is still in Ophrah of the Abiezrites."

2. People cannot reproduce shalom

Jeremiah 6:14 ESV

"They have healed the wound of my people lightly, saying, 'Peace, peace,' when there is no peace."

False peace soothes the surface while the soul continues to bleed.

Man-made peace always malfunctions. Without God, it eventually turns to confusion.

3. Shalom comes via instruction and trust

Proverbs 3:13-18 ESV

"Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding, for the gain from her is better than gain from silver and her profit better than gold. She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her. Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her; those who hold her fast are called blessed."

You will not find peace through performance; you will find peace by obeying God's instruction.

Isaiah 26:3 NIV

"You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you."

Real peace flows from trust in God, not circumstances.

Peace in the New Testament: Eirēnē

1. Definition of Eirēnē

Eirēnē means complete well-being, wholeness

Everything that makes for a person's highest good: not an achievement, but a gift; a status given to believers because of what Christ accomplished; resulting from Christ's redemptive work.

While Shalom focuses on external wholeness within community and covenant, Eirēnē focuses on internal reconciliation with God that produces lasting transformation.

Colossians 1:19-20 ESV

"For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross."

2. Peace exists in the midst of trouble

John 16:33 ESV

"I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world."

The presence or absence of trouble has little to do with peace.

3. Jesus gives a different kind of peace

John 14:27 ESV

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid."

His peace calms all storms.

The Peace of Christ in 3 Dimensions

A. Peace with God

Romans 5:1-2 ESV

"Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God."

To have peace with God means no separation, no enmity, and no condemnation — positional, not merited.

B. Peace with Self

Philippians 4:6-9 ESV

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you."

Peace comes from Trust and trust is relational.

Peace with self is possible because Christ lives within us.

C. Peace with Others

Ephesians 6:15 ESV

"And, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace."

2 Corinthians 5:18 ESV

"All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation."

We are given the responsibility to bring peace to our communities, not keep ourselves from the communities as though our peace can be robbed.

Conclusion

We look forward to the finality of peace when Christ comes again. We have received peace, we live with peace, and we look forward to peace!