UNWRAPPING THE MIRACLE OF CHRISTMAS

“Unwrapping the Gift of Peace”
Pastor Ben Johnson – December 17, 2023

Isaiah 9:6 (NIV) – For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called; Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Unwrapping the gift of PEACE

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.”

– Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Philippians 4:6-7 (NLT) – Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

PEACE is found in JESUS?

Matthew 1:18-25 (NLT) – This is how Jesus the Messiah was born. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. But before the marriage took place, while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit. Joseph, to whom she was engaged, was a righteous man and did not want to disgrace her publicly, so he decided to break the engagement quietly.

As he considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. “Joseph, son of David,” the angel said, “do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit. And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”

All of this occurred to fulfill the Lord’s message through his prophet: “Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means ‘God is with us.’”

When Joseph woke up, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded and took Mary as his wife…

And Joseph named him Jesus.

Joseph was a REAL PERSON.

Matthew 1:20 (NLT) – “Joseph, son of David,” the angel said, “do not be afraid…

Joseph had REAL PAINS.

Matthew 1:18 (NLT) – His (Jesus’) mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. But before the marriage took place, while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant.

Joseph had REAL PLANS.

Matthew 1:19 (NLT) – Joseph, to whom she was engaged, was a righteous man and did not want to disgrace her publicly, so he decided to break the engagement quietly.

Joseph had a REAL PURPOSE.

Matthew 1:24 (NLT) – When Joseph woke up, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded…

Joseph found REAL PEACE.

Matthew 1:21 (NLT) – …you (Joseph) are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”

Matthew 1:25 (NLT) – And Joseph named him Jesus.

Numbers 6:24-26 (NLT) - ‘May the Lord bless you and protect you. May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord show you his favor and give you his peace.’