Reasons to Rejoice, Part 4

For the past several weeks, we've been looking at the real reasons we rejoice, not just at Christmas time, but all throughout our lives. The Bible says that we are to rejoice always.

And again, I say, rejoice. We are to rejoice in the Lord. And my prayer for each and every one of us is that we would understand what it means to live a life rejoicing in all that God is and all that God does. So we began in the first week of December looking at those reasons.

The very first reason was because of the reality of His person. The verse for that is Luke 2, 11. That tells us of His saviorship and His messiahship and His lordship. You can't rejoice unless you understand the personhood of Christ. So it all begins with the reality of His person. Once you remember to rejoice for the reality of His person, it causes you to revere His identity and His ministry. The second reason was because of the eternality of His plan.

The verse for that is Galatians 4, 4-5. That in the fullest of time, God would send forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, that He might redeem those who are under the law. In other words, there was a perfect time. A time that was established way in eternity past. The precise moment, the perfect time in which God would send forth His Son. Because a plan for redemption was spawned in eternity past. And so we rejoice because of the eternality of His plan. When we remember that, then we learn how to rest in His sovereignty.

Third reason was because of the joy in His pardon. The greatest joy happens when man is forgiven of all his sins and the guilt of all his sins. The verse for that is Matthew 1, verse number 21, where we are told that you're going to call His name Jesus, for He shall save His people from their sins. Our God is a Savior. When you remember to have joy amidst all the pardon that God has given you, it causes you to refrain from iniquity. And number four, the point we want to cover today on this Christmas Sunday, 2024, is this.

The reason we rejoice is because of the obtainability of peace, His peace. The obtainability of His peace. For when you receive His peace, then you are able to live in a way that honors Him. You can radiate His tranquility. The verse for that is Luke chapter 2, verse number 14. You know it well. When the angel said these words, it says in verse number 13, And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of heavenly hosts, praising God and saying, Angels don't sing, they say. They used to sing.

They sung at creation. But since the fall of man, angels don't sing. They only speak. They will sing once again at the restoration of humanity, when there's a new heaven and a new earth. They will once again sing. But at this point, they say, they speak. This is what they said. Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased. The angels make the announcement that peace has come. A fulfillment of Isaiah chapter 9, verse number 6, which says that the child that's given, the son that's born, shall be called the Prince of Peace.

Zacharias understood that because earlier, in Luke 1, verse number 79, he says that the Messiah will shine upon those who sit in darkness, in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace. So Zacharias knew that when the Messiah arrived, he would move them into the way of peace. Simeon later would talk about the fact that he was looking and longing for the consolation or the peace that comes to Israel. So this is part of the expectation. Peace is now obtainable. You can finally be at peace with the true and living God.

And the word's a unique word. It talks about the binding and the joining together of two opposing forces because they've been reconciled. In other words, you've come together with God because you've been reconciled by the blood of Jesus Christ. Peace happens because of Christ. There's one mediator between God and man. That's the man, Christ Jesus. And therefore, because of Christ, the Prince of Peace, we now, who were once enemies of God, can now be at peace with the living God. But isn't it interesting that very few people who lived during the time of Christ ever obtained peace?

How do we know that? Well, all you've got to do is journey further in Luke's Gospel to the Monday before his death on Friday. Listen to the words of Jesus in Luke 19, verse number 41. Now remember, during his triumphal entry, there was a myriad of fulfilled prophecy. The prophecy of Zachariah 9-9, that he would ride into Jerusalem on the backside of a donkey, which he did, to the praise of the people, which they did, which is a fulfillment of Psalm 118, verse number 26, blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, because that's what they said.

It was also a fulfillment of Daniel 9, 24-27. So there was a myriad of prophecy fulfilled just by Jesus entering into Jerusalem on that Monday before his death on Friday. And these are the words of Jesus. When he approached Jerusalem, and Jerusalem is, of course, the city of peace. So he had the prince of peace approaching the city of peace. He saw the city and wept over it, saying, If you had known in this day, even you, the things which make for peace, but now they have been hidden from your eyes.

If only you had known the things that make for peace, but they did not know. What are the things that make for peace? Do you ever think about that? What are the things that make for peace? Christ says, if you would have known the things that make for peace, but you missed it, you forfeited peace.

Amidst all the fulfilled prophecy, you forfeited peace. How? Well, if you go back to Luke 2, verse number 14, it says these words. And on earth, peace among men with whom he is pleased. The coming of Christ didn't give peace to all men. It only gave peace to men with whom he is pleased. Well, what kind of men please the Lord? Answer, the Bible tells you. Psalm 147, verse number 11. The Lord is pleased with those who fear him. So peace comes to those with whom God is pleased. And who are the ones who please God?

The ones who fear him. Psalm 147, 11. Those who wait for his loving kindness. That's why Isaiah said these words in Isaiah chapter 8, verse number 13. It is the Lord of hosts whom you shall regard as holy. You shall regard him as holy. He shall be your fear. He shall be your dread. And then he shall become a sanctuary for you. God, the holy God, only becomes a place, a holy place of shelter, a holy place of sanctuary, a holy place of protection for those who fear him and dread him. For those who don't, he is not.

So Christ rides into Jerusalem and says, if you had only known the things that make for peace, what is that? To fear me. They did not. They did not fear the Lord. They even cried, we will not have this king rule over us. Earlier in Luke's gospel. They didn't fear the Lord. They didn't understand his identity. You fear him because you believe in who God is. So much so that you tremble before him. To this man will I look. To him who is broken and of a contrite heart, who trembles at my word, who shakes uncontrollably under the authority of what I have to say.

If you don't do that, then you're going to forfeit peace. You'll never experience the peace of God. And that's why the Lord says, if only you had known the thing that makes for peace, that you fear me, that you believe all there is to know about me. What else would be that which makes for peace? Not just fear, but faith. Without faith, it's impossible to please God. Peace comes to those with whom God is pleased. Without faith, it's impossible to please him. And so, if fear is believing in who God is, then faith is believing in what God has said.

And they didn't believe what God said. They sang praises to him. Because it was miracles. That's what it says. Earlier in Luke 19, the same day, same scene, it says, as soon as he was approaching near the descent of the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of the disciples began praising God joyfully with a loud voice for all the miracles which they had seen. They didn't praise him for the message that he spoke. They just praised him for the miracles that they had seen. They didn't praise him for the man that he was, the God-man.

They just praised him for the miracles that they had seen. And so Christ says, if only you had known the things that make for peace, fear me and have faith in me.

The Bible says, having been justified by faith, Romans 5, verse number 1, you have peace with God. To be justified by faith means that you believe in what God has said because of who said it, the holy God of Israel. So the things that make for peace are the fear of God, faith in God, and forgiveness from God. Not only do you believe in who he is, not only do you believe in what he said, you believe in what he does. He forgives. And the only way he forgives is because he would be a substitute on Calvary's tree.

He came to die in your place. And forgiveness is a requirement to be at peace with God because if you're unforgiven, you don't have peace with anyone, let alone the living and true God. So he comes to them and says, at the very beginning, at his birth, that peace is offered to man, to those with whom he's pleased. But at the end of his ministry, he recognizes that God is not pleased with the majority of those around him because they did not fear him, they had no faith in him, therefore they were not forgiven by him.

And therefore he says these words, For the days will come upon you when your enemies will throw up a barricade against you, surround you and hem you in on every side, they will level you to the ground and your children within you, and they will not leave in you one stone upon another because you did not recognize the time of your visitation. Didn't recognize it. How many people do you know that just never recognize the time of God's visitation upon their lives? They forfeit peace. The Bible says in Isaiah 57, Isaiah 48, that there is no peace for the wicked.

None. None because they are at odds with God. And this peace is not some kind of external peace. It doesn't rest on external circumstances or external conditions. It's all about an internal condition, that man's heart is right with God. And when it is, there are certain characteristics that are obvious. So let me talk to you about those characteristics of peace with God.

The peace of God that comes to those who fear him, have faith in him, and have been forgiven by him. First of all, the peace that God offers is what we're going to call inevitable peace.

It is absolutely inevitable. So if you come to God by faith, out of fear in his holy name, and embrace the forgiveness that he offers, the peace you receive is inevitable. Why? Because he is the God of peace. Ephesians 2, Christ himself is our peace. Listen to the words of Paul in 2 Thessalonians 3, verse number 16. Now may the Lord of peace himself continually grant you peace in every circumstance. Now may the Lord of peace himself continually grant you peace in every circumstance. In other words, they already had peace in every circumstance already.

Why? Because the peace that God offers is not affected by that which is on the outside. Because everything is calm on the inside. Because you're right with God. And therefore, the peace that God gives is an inevitable peace because it's his peace. And we, as Peter says, are partakers of his divine nature. And if he is Yahweh Shalom, the God of peace, and Christ is the prince of peace, and they dwell within us, and we are partakers of their divine nature, then peace is inevitable in your life and in mine.

So important to realize that. And I wonder how many of us have experienced the God of peace. Paul says in Romans 15, verse number 33, Now the God of peace be with you all. It says in Romans 16 that the God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. And then, earlier, in Romans 15, verse number 13, Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. See, the peace is inevitable. Why? Because the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.

So if you're a citizen of God's kingdom, you've experienced not only His righteousness, but His peace and His joy. So that's the peace that they would forfeit, an inevitable peace granted to them by the God of peace. But number two, not only is this peace inevitable, this peace is invaluable.

It's invaluable. Why? Psalm 119 and 165. Great peace have those who love thy law and absolutely nothing causes them to ever stumble. That's invaluable. Great peace have those who love thy law and nothing causes them ever to stumble. Why? Why? Because they're at peace with the true and living God. If I take you back to that verse in 2 Thessalonians 3, verse number 16, I'd read to you just the first part where it says, Now may the Lord of peace Himself continue to grant you peace in every circumstance.

And then it says, The Lord be with you all. This is why it's invaluable. Peace is not the absence of conflict. Peace is the presence of Christ. You're going to have conflict. In the world you will have tribulation. But be of good cheer, I have overcome the world, Christ says.

There's all kinds of turmoil on the outside, all kinds of conflict, all kinds of hardship, but on the inside, because of the presence of Christ, that I experience His beautiful peace. I love what the psalmist said in Psalm 42. When he said these words, Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why have you become disturbed within me? Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him, for He is the help, or He is my help, because of His presence. It's His presence within us that allows us to experience peace.

That's why it's so invaluable. That's why everything about Christmas is a mystery. Christ in you, the hope of glory. Christ says to the multitude as He wept, If only you'd known the things that make for peace.

The peace that I would give you would be inevitable. It would be invaluable. Number three, it would be incomparable.

In other words, there's nothing you can compare to it. Nothing. In fact, the Bible says in John 14, 27, Christ says, My peace I give unto you, not as the world gives, give I unto you, but my peace I give unto you.

It's His peace. It's incomparable. You can't compare His peace with anything on this earth, because it's His peace. That's why over in John 16, He says these words, verse 33, These things I have spoken to you, so that in me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage, I have overcome the world. I've spoken these things so that in me you will have peace. This peace is incomparable. You can't compare anything to it. So let me illustrate it to you.

Let me read to you a very familiar story, a story in Mark's gospel, in Mark chapter 4, about a story that talks about the incomparable peace of the living God.

The context is very important. The Lord had just given a series of parables to His disciples. To help them understand, He who has ears to hear, let him hear. He wanted them to make sure they listened correctly. They listened intently to all that God said. And so He takes them from the schoolroom, okay, of talking to them about listening through practical experience, to see whether or not they really fully listened to God. And what you have in Mark's gospel, in the fourth chapter, beginning with the 35th verse, are two firsts.

Two. One is the one and only. It's the one and only time in the Scriptures that speak of Jesus sleeping. Now we know He slept in His humanity, right? But this is the only record of Jesus ever sleeping. And it happens when there is a tremendous storm on the sea. There's another first.

And that is this, that the disciples have always been ready to look and watch and see the miracles of God. They observe from a distance the blind seeing, the lame walking, the dead raised, the hungry fed. They've seen it from a distance. But this is the first time they now have to experience a miracle in their own lives.

And their response is quite different than when they sit on the outside observing a miracle than when they're on the inside having to experience a miracle of God. Let me read it to you.

On that day, when evening came, He said to them, let us go over to the other side. Leaving the crowd, they took Him along with them in the boat, just as He was. And other boats were with Him. And there arose a fierce gale of wind. The waves were breaking over the boat, so much that the boat was already filling up. Jesus Himself was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke Him and said to Him, Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing? Now this is a remarkable story. Having been to Israel many, many times, preached this text on the Sea of Galilee is quite fascinating.

But to realize that He told them we're going to the other side. Will you listen to what I have just told you? We're going to the other side. But on their journey to the other side, there arose a fierce gale of wind, a fierce storm. Now remember, these are fishermen. They're well versed with the sea. Their whole lives were on the sea. They know about storms on the sea. So this is a normal storm. This isn't something that simply comes and goes. This is something abnormal to them. This is a fierce storm, so much so that they feared for their lives.

They feared. Lord, don't you care that we are perishing? Don't you care that we're going to die? Don't you care that we're not going to make it to the other side? But Jesus said, let us go to the other side. But they did not believe they would make it to the other side. Having to face the turmoil around them, they were uncertain that their God could do anything. But when they were able to sit back and watch God heal the sick and raise the dead and cause the lame to walk the blind to see, oh, they believed then.

It's not like you and me. We believe that God can do great things until we find ourselves in a situation that seems insurmountable, that seems overwhelming. God can help the other believer, but I'm not sure he can help me in this situation. Don't you care, Lord, that I'm falling under? Don't you care, Lord, that I'm perishing? Don't you care, Lord, that things are not going well? Don't you care? Of course he cares. Why? Because the one who controls the storm can calm the storm. The one who starts the storm can stop the storm.

He knew the storm was coming because he, in his plan, determined there'd be a storm on the sea at the precise moment that he was asleep on the boat. It's all his plan. They didn't recognize it. They didn't understand that there was no peace in their hearts, in their life. But notice, Jesus says, my peace I give unto you, not as the world gives, but my peace I give unto you, an incomparable peace.

The kind of peace that allows you to sleep when everything around you is raging. Can you do that? What do you do when everything around you is raging? What do you do when everything around you and your family is falling apart? What do you do when everything around you in the workplace is miserable? Do you sleep? Are you at peace? Because on the inner part of your soul, you're not at odds with God, but you're at peace with God. The incomparable peace of the true and living God. This is the peace that Christ says, my peace I give unto you.

It's an incomparable peace. You can't compare it with anything the world offers. And so, Jesus got up, rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, peace, be still. I wish I could have been there. Drenched with water, with a boat filling up with water, and all of a sudden, everything became like glass. Peace, be still. Remember, Hebrews 1.3, he upholds all things by the word of his power. It's just so good. He just speaks it, and it stops. He speaks it, and it starts. Because he upholds all things by the word of his power.

So he says, peace. Peace, be still. And he got up and rebuked. He said, peace, be still, and the wind died down, and it became perfectly calm. He said to them, why are you afraid? Why are you cowards, is the word that's used there? Why are you such cowards? Why are you all men, of all people, cowards? Do you still have no faith? He says. Do you still not believe what I say? See, that's our problem. Christ offers incomparable peace. It's an inevitable peace. It's an invaluable peace. It is an incomparable peace.

He offers it to you, but yet, do you believe what he said? That's our problem. We just refuse to believe in what God has already said. And then it says, that they became very much afraid. What's more fearful than a storm outside your boat? The Savior in your boat. And said to one another, here's a great, great statement. What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the waves obey him? What manner? Phrase used seven times in the New Testament. Translated by one word, Pah-da-pen. What manner?

It's a word that means, otherworldly. From another dimension. Incomprehensible in this dimension, because it's from another dimension. In other words, what otherworldly kind of man is this? What man from another dimension is this, that even the wind and the waves obey him? It's the same phrase used in 1 John 3 verse number 1, when it says, what manner of love the Father has bestowed upon us, that we should be called the children of God. What otherworldly kind of love, what kind of love is this from another dimension, that the Father would bestow upon us, that we should be called the children of God?

It's something that's not from this realm, it's from another realm. Christ rebuked the sea, the wind and the waves. He also rebuked his men, because they did not believe in what he said, or going to the other side. And they refused to even believe that, because the storm was so severe. How many times throughout this year of 2024, or previous years, that you've gone through such severe storms, that you have refused to believe, in what God has already said. Thus you have forfeited the peace, that he wants to encompass you with.

His peace. A peace that's inevitable, because you're a partaker of the divine nature. A peace that's invaluable, because it's his peace in you. It's a peace that's incomparable, nothing you can compare it to. It's from another dimension, it's otherworldly, it's God's peace. And that's why Jesus wept, over Jerusalem, the city of peace. He wept simply because, if only you had known the things that make for peace, but you forfeited it. You missed it. But it goes way beyond that. A peace that not only is inevitable, and valuable, and incomparable, that kind of peace is inscrutable.

You can't understand it. You can't read a textbook about it, and understand it. Can't do it. It is inscrutable. That's why the Bible says, in the book of Philippians, the fourth chapter, chapter verse number four, Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say rejoice.

Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. Be anxious for nothing, 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 human comprehension, will guard your heart, and your mind in Christ Jesus. The peace that God offers is inscrutable. You can't read about it in a textbook. You can't learn about it in a classroom. It's beyond human understanding, because it's spiritual. It's eternal.

It comes from the infinite God, and the peace of God, which goes beyond all human comprehension, is that which protects the heart and mind, that guards the heart and mind, in Christ Jesus. Notice he says rejoice always.

Why? Because he's saying in advance, the reason he rejoices is because of the obtainability of peace. Peace is obtainable, and when you obtain that peace, you'll radiate with his tranquility. You'll emanate with his peace, and everyone will know it, because when everyone else around you is falling down, everyone around you is anxious, and worried, and sweating, you're asleep on the boat. You're as calm as a cucumber. Why? Because you know your God's in control. He's in charge. He's got a plan. It's running on course.

There's nothing to worry about. God's going to take care of everything. Therefore, you're not anxious, but you request him to do great things. When you do that, that peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard, protect your heart, your mind, your inner being. Why? Because that's where God is. That's where he resides, and that peace of his is incomparable. So, Christ wept because Jerusalem missed peace that was inevitable. They missed peace that was invaluable, incomparable, inscrutable.

I like this next one, inimitable. It means it cannot be copied or imitated. It's inimitable. It's his peace. God decreed it, the Son died for it, and the Spirit dispenses it. The whole triune God is involved in this peace. God is called the God of peace. Several times all throughout the Scriptures, Christ is called the Prince of peace. And Galatians 5 says that the fruit of the Spirit is peace. It's dispensed by the Spirit himself. And therefore, it cannot be imitated. It cannot be copied. Nobody can imitate this.

It's inimitable. It is a spiritual peace that comes from the Spirit of God himself. That's why you walk in the Spirit so you don't fulfill the lust of the flesh. You keep in step with the Spirit. That's why you're filled with the Spirit. You're controlled by the Spirit. You're dominated by the Spirit. Why? Because when you're dominated by the Spirit of God, the peace of God just emanates from your being like the joy of God, like the love of God, like the gentleness of God, the self-control of God.

It just emanates from your being because the Spirit of God dispenses it. It cannot be imitated. It cannot be copied. It is inimitable. So Christ would weep because they had forfeited inevitable, invaluable, incomparable, inscrutable, inimitable peace. But they also forfeited invincible peace. Invincible peace. Because the peace that God offers is absolutely victorious. It is invincible. Isaiah 26, verse number 3, Thou will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Thee. Thou will keep him in perfect peace.

The literal translation is Thou will keep him in peace, peace. Because the writers could not figure out a way to talk about the overwhelming, invincible character of the peace. They just said peace, peace. And so the English writer said perfect peace. It's the kind of peace that's so victorious, it's invincible. That's why he says the steadfast mind, you will keep in perfect peace because he trusts in you, trusts in the Lord forever, for in God the Lord we have an everlasting rock. It's an invincible peace.

Remember what Paul says in Galatians chapter 6, verse number 16, that those who walk by faith in the power of the Holy Spirit, peace will be up on them. In Colossians 3, verse 15, Paul says let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts. The word rule means to umpire or to call the shots. Let the very fact that you're at peace with God be the governing factor in every decision that you make. In other words, you're letting God make every decision. Let the peace of God rule in your heart. Let the peace of God make every decision from you or from your heart because he is the umpire.

He's the one who calls all the shots. Why? Because when he calls the shots, he always makes the right decision. Notice this.

Remember in the armor, the Christian's armor, Ephesians 6, you have the helmet of salvation, you've got the sword of the spirit, you've got the shield of faith, you've got the breastplate of righteousness, you've got the belt of truth that girds everything together. But your feet, your feet are clothed by the preparation of the gospel of peace. Now your feet are very important when you go to war. If you can't stand and you're uncomfortable, it's going to be a long battle. But remember, in the context of Ephesians 6, you are to stand firm, right?

And your feet are prepared with the gospel of peace. It doesn't mean that you're preaching the gospel of peace while you're fighting in the army because it's not about evangelism, it's about standing strong against the wiles of the devil. So here's the point. Your feet are prepared with the gospel of peace so much so that you're able to stand strong against the wiles of the devil because you're at peace with God. That's why we read earlier, Romans 16, verse number 20, that God is about, the God of peace is about to crush Satan under your feet.

The reason in the battle that we face every day and we put on the armor of God, the very fact that we are at peace with God enables us to stand strong against the fiery arrows of the wicked one. Why? Because we're on God's side. We're children of the living God. We're at peace with God and therefore we don't falter because the peace of God is an invincible peace. It cannot be stopped by anything or anyone because it's His peace. It's no wonder Christ would weep over the city of peace for people who had no peace, a peace that would be inevitable, a peace that would be invaluable, incomparable, inscrutable, inimitable, invincible.

And lastly, one more, incredible, absolutely incredible. Now unto Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we could ever ask or think. That's right. This is an incredible peace. Why? Because it's offered by an incredible God who does so much for His own. The Bible says in Isaiah chapter 9 these words.

Isaiah 9. You know them well. Verse 7. There will be no end to the increase of His government and there will be no end to the increase of His peace on the throne of David and over His kingdom to establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness. From then on and forevermore the zeal of the Lord of hosts will accomplish this. There's coming a day where there will be peace literally on earth. And that will only happen when the Prince of Peace rules from the throne of David from Mount Zion in Jerusalem as the King of Peace.

And the Bible says in Isaiah chapter 32 these words. Isaiah 32 verse number 17. The work of righteousness will be peace. He who knew no sin became sin for us that we might be made through righteousness of God in Him. Well the work of that righteousness is peace. And it says this. And the service of righteousness is quietness and confidence forever. Do you have that? That's why Christ wept. They weren't quiet nor were they confident because they weren't at peace with God. And so He says if only you'd known the things that make for peace but you forfeited it.

And now everything around you is going to crumble. And it did. Some 40 years later, 70 AD it all came crashing down around them. He fulfilled another prophecy because that's who He is. And so for you and me today we just ask the question on this Christmas Sunday are you at peace with God? Do you have His peace? Are you free from the inner turmoil because you're no longer at odds with God? You are one with God? And therefore because you're at peace with Him you experience His peace. An incomparable peace that will allow you to rest in His sovereign grace no matter what is happening around you you can say my God is in control.

No matter how severe the storm. No matter how harsh the conflict. I know that my God is in control. I can trust Him because I believe in everything that He said. And I trust Him for that. How about you? This Christmas don't miss the day of your visitation. The day in which Christ comes to offer you the gift of eternal life. The gift that grants peace beyond all comprehension. If you're here today and never given your life to Christ today is the day you need to do so. Let's pray together. Lord we thank you for today.

We thank you for this opportunity. You are an incredible God. You do incredible things. I guess the word incredible is just not even enough to describe the overwhelming way in which you operate. You've saved us from our sin. You've taken up residence in our lives. We are at peace with God because of the blood of Jesus Christ our Lord. May there not be one person today who is here who has yet to experience that peace. Help them understand that through you and only you the great God of the universe can they obtain the peace of God.

So we thank you Lord for our time and pray that this week we celebrate Christmas Day a day in which we rejoice over the birth of our great God and Savior. We just ask that Lord you go before us. May our testimony be strong in Jesus name. Amen.