EMMANUEL – WEEK 2
PEACE
DECEMBER 7, 2025
LUKE 2:8-14 – And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 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. 10 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. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”
Four themes of Advent:
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- Hope
- Peace
- Joy
- Love
ἐλπίς (elpis) – a confident expectation of what is certain.
Adventus – Expectant/anticipated arrival
εἰρήνη (GK – eireine) – a harmonious relationship (between man; between God and man); the sense of rest and contentment consequent thereon.
שָׁלוֹם (HB: – šā·lôm) – wholeness; made perfect.
JOHN 16:33 – …In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.
JOHN 16:33 – 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.
PHILIPPIANS 4:4-7 – Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Paul’s structure:
-
- COMMAND
- COMMAND
- PROMISE
- COMMAND
- PROMISE
COMMAND #1: Rejoice in the Lord always
PHILIPPIANS 1:21 – For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
COMMAND #2: Let your reasonableness (gentleness) be known to everyone.
PHILIPPIANS 2:3-4 – Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
COMMAND #3: Do not be anxious about anything (but pray and petition with thanksgiving).
μεριμνᾶτε (merimnate) – anxious concern based upon possible danger or misfortune.
PROMISE: THE LORD IS NEAR