His Pleasure, My Peace
Luke 2:1-21
In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
His Pleasure
We come to the manger to WORSHIP. This is adoration in its purest form. When we say we worship God, it means that we live for his pleasure. I’m continually asking the question, “How can I please him in my thoughts, my actions, my speech, my use of time, talent and resources?” I know all of these things by his commands.
2 Corinthians 5:9-10
So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.
There is no true peace without the worship of the Son of God, because...
It is life by design, life according to plans of the Creator (think about the functioning of a car).
“Blessed are the single-hearted, for they shall enjoy much peace. If you refuse to be hurried and pressed, if you stay your soul on God, nothing can keep you from that clearness of spirit which is life and peace. In that stillness you will know what His will is.”
Amy Carmichael
As the shepherds were on the periphery in that time within that culture, the devil tries to push you out, to marginalize you, discourage and disconnect you so that you would be ineffective in the Kingdom. However, God sends his angels to look for you and bring you good news of glad tidings and reengage you in the Kingdom.
My Peace
God’s Peace Will Be Among Those With Whom He is Pleased
You can still find Christ in the manger (wherever circumstances seem non-ideal).
How to enter into his peace:
2 Corinthians 5:11-15
Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade others. But what we are is known to God, and I hope it is known also to your conscience. We are not commending ourselves to you again but giving you cause to boast about us, so that you may be able to answer those who boast about outward appearance and not about what is in the heart. For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.
“A great many people are trying to make peace, but that has already been done. God has not left it for us to do; all we have to do is enter into it.”
Dwight L. Moody
It is at the cross of Jesus Christ that we enter into this peace. We must repent of (turn away from) our sin and put our trust in the sacrificial death, burial and resurrection of Jesus for the forgiveness of our sins. In this manner we are reconciled to God, brought back into his peace and live the rest of our lives for his pleasure.
Second City Church - Declarations Of The Advent - Pastor Rollan Fisher 2018