In his sermon, Pastor Josh reflects on the concept of peace as presented in the Bible, particularly in the context of the Christmas season. He begins with a light-hearted acknowledgment of the festive decorations and the joy they bring, but quickly shifts to discuss the deeper meaning of peace that Jesus brings, as heralded by the angels in Luke 2:14. While the Bible promises “peace on Earth,” Josh acknowledges the apparent tension between this promise and the reality of a world filled with conflict, division, and personal struggles.
Josh explores the Hebrew and Greek roots of the word “peace” (Shalom and Eirene), emphasising that biblical peace is not merely the absence of conflict but the presence of wholeness, harmony, and security. He then identifies three dimensions of the peace brought by Jesus: peace within, peace with others, and peace with God.
The first, peace within, is rooted in the presence of Jesus in our lives. Josh explains that while this peace is a gift, we must “clear the runway” by casting our anxieties onto God, allowing His peace to settle in our hearts. He likens this to the work of an air traffic controller, whose role is to create space for peace to land, rather than creating it themselves.
The second dimension, peace with one another, involves breaking down barriers of hostility, as highlighted in Ephesians 2. Josh discusses the racial tensions in the early church and explains that Jesus’ sacrifice creates unity, making believers “one new man” in place of division.
Thirdly, Josh shares that true peace is found in the person of Jesus Christ. As society drifts away from Him, it also moves further from lasting peace. He invites us to embrace this transformative peace by trusting and welcoming Jesus into their lives.
He concludes by celebrating the transformative power of God’s love and urging us to praise God for their salvation, regardless of life’s challenges.