Glory That Brings Peace

"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased" (Luke 2:37, ESV).

This verse reminds us of two important truths that come through the Christmas story.  Although the message of Christmas is richly textured and multifaceted, we will only look at the two that are expressed in this verse.  The first truth is that God is highly glorified because of Christ's coming.  The second truth is that peace is available to those the Lord favors.

As the angels are singing their heavenly chorus,  their primary concern is proclaim the glory of the Creator.  He who spoke the world into existence, had come down to rescue the fallen image bearers.  The God Most High had come to dwell among the lowly, fallen creatures who had rebelled against his rule.  This truth inspires awe among the heavenly host, and should leave us full of awe.

God has chosen to be most glorified through the process of redemption.  For his own purposes, he has chosen to demonstrate the greatness of his mercy by rescuing man from the penalty of sin.  This willingness on God's part means that now man can have peace with his Creator.

In the Christmas story, we see that God has chosen to glorify himself through the appearing of the Son in human flesh, and that that appearing has brought us peace.  Through faith in Christ Jesus, we can approach the Father in heaven.  We have access to his abundant mercy for all our needs.  Christmas means that God wants to glorify himself through rescuing sinners like me and you.  It means we can abide in his peace.  I hope and pray you are abiding in that peace this Christmas season.

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The Glory of God

I was fortunate to have the opportunity to speak in a revival meeting this evening at Bethel Baptist Church. My sermon was entitled, "The Grace of God," and focused on Titus 2:11-14. In this passage Paul explains:

1. That the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. In this passage he uses the term "the grace of God" as a kind of short hand for the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. His words remind us that God has demonstrated his grace through the death and resurrection of Jesus, because it "has appeared." It has already occurred, when Jesus stepped out of heaven into the flesh. He has shown his grace through his pursuit of us rebels. He has shown us his grace by allowing the gospel to be proclaimed to us and allowing the Spirit to convict us of our sin and need of a savior. When Paul says that it has appeared to all men, he doesn't mean that everyone will be saved. He means that it for everyone Jew or Gentile, male or female, young or old, rich or poor, slave or free, etc. The grace of God that brings salvation is only effective for those who believe. Paul demonstrates this by saying that it teaches us a few important truths.

2 . The grace of God that brings salvation teaches us: A.) to say "no" to ungodliness and worldly passions. Ungodliness is often defined by us in terms of gross immorality--like sexual sin, stealing, etc. However, gross immorality is only a symptom of ungodliness. Ungodliness at its heart is a life lived without fear or reverence for God. When we do not seek to glorify God with our lives we are living ungodly lives. Worldly passions expresses the desires and cravings of the flesh that drive and motivate us. Whether it is success, fame, popularity, wealth or any other object, worldly passions drive us away from God. They attract us more than a life of devotion to the Lord. They allow us to place the Lord and his plan on the back burner. B.) The grace of God teaches us to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives. They are self-controlled in the sense that we are temperate in our approach. Having been brought, by grace through faith, into right standing with God, we seek to walk in faith. We don't allow sin free reign in our life, but strive against it. And we don't impose legalistic rules to establish our own righteousness. An upright life is one where we seek not to harm others. Avoid slander, gossip, backbiting, and so-on. We treat others as we would treat the Lord. Our lives are godly when we reflect the character of Christ. C.) The grace of God teaches us to live in light of the second coming of Jesus. This world is just a training ground. It is reading to meet our Great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.

3) The grace of God reveals our Great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. It teaches us that he gave himself for us. That is, he died in our place to reconcile us to God. He gave himself to redeem us--to purchase our freedom from lawlessness. He gave himself to cleanse us and make us his special possession--a people eager to do good works. The grace of God should motivate us to serve and glorify him.