Advent mid-week 1

December 1, 2004

Isaiah 2:1-5 

Peace in our Time

INTRODUCTION: The world is ever in pursuit of peace. Each successive decade makes peace an even greater necessity because of the sophistication and proliferation of weapons. Now in the age of terror the world longs for peace so much so that the words of verse 3 are carved on the outside wall of the United Nations building in New York City “and they will hammer their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not lift up sword against nation and never again will they learn ware.” Yet, this dream of world peace has not yet been realized.

Our test for tonight gives the conditions of peace, a price the world has yet failed to pay. Is peace in our time possible?

1.                  Not now but in the last days – “Now it shall come about in the last day, the mountain of the house of the Lord will be established as a chief of the mountains and I will be raised about the hills; and all nations will stream to it.”

A.      Peace is for the time when Christ returns.

1.      A time in the future.

2.      Yet set only by the Father.

B.      This text does not promise peace for the world today.

1.      There will be wars and rumors of wars.

2.      Because of distress in the world the end will have to come.

Transition: Peace will come in the later days. It will come by the Father’s directive.

2.                  Peace will come when God is considered to be the true God.

A.      God is the highest of the mountains.

B.      God is considered at the center of the world.

C.     God is considered the hub of the universe.

Transition: Peace will come when God directs it, when He is at the center of man’s thoughts, when the nations seek Him.

3.                  Peace will happen when all the nations come to God.

A.      When people make peace with God.

1.      Done in time @ Jesus’ 1st Advent.

2.      Done in eternity @ Jesus’ 2nd Advent.

B.      Then they will have peace among themselves.

1.       Because God is at peace with what Christ has accomplished at the bloody cross and empty tomb.

2.       Because of His name; the prince of peace.

CONCLUSION: Peace in our time, can it be realized? Yes, when Christ descends from the clouds of heaven and then every eye shall see Him. Come Lord Jesus, come even today. Amen.