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Another Sermon for the Starving Bible Believing Christians All Over the World Wide Web
2006 - Touchet Baptist Church, Touchet, Washington - Pastor Mike Paulson - 2006
Expounding the way of God more perfectly - Acts 18:26 - with the Scriptures Rightly Divided - II Timothy 2:15
On Earth Peace, Good Will Toward Men?
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
Luke 2:13,14

1) Jesus was born to bring peace on earth - really?
Matthew 10:34 - Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.
Luke 12:51 - Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division:

Not yet!
John 18:36 - Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.

His peace was a peace for His own people!
Folks just miss the fact that the Gospels were TO the Jews!
John 14:27 -  Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
John 16:33 - These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

Tribulation application
I am sure glad II Peter 3:14-17 isn't TO me!

2)  Good will toward men?
Modern versions:
'on whom God's favor rests!'
Calvinist design...

'on men who please Him.'
Great Commission design - live to please him to receive him - or to obey the gospels pleases God, etc.

"Toward" versus "to."
It is offered, but do they want it, do they 'receive' it?
Romans 5:8 -  But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
II Corinthians 9:8 - And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:
Ephesians 1:8 - Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;
Ephesians 2:7 - That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
Titus 3:4 - But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,

Toward one another...
I Thessalonians 3:12 - And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you:
II Thessalonians 1:3 - We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth;

Toward them that are without
I Thessalonians 4:12 - That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing.

Toward all men
I Thessalonians 5:14 - Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.


Peace on earth today must come from Paul's teachings...
not the gospels; not even Hebrews to Revelation, etc.
It is a different kind of peace - for now...

"Good will toward men" must also come from Paul's teachings
TO the Gentiles / lost world / heathen / Jews as well.

Christ makes the peace in our lives, etc.
Colossians 1:20 - And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.
Ephesians 2:14,15 - For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;

Peace with God
Romans 5:1 - Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:


It is a spiritually minded peace...
...an inner peace as we live amidst a world that is gaining in perilous and troubled times.
Romans 8:6 - For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

Peace of God
Philippians 4:7: And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

It can & should rule in our hearts!
Colossians 3:15 - And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

It is the peace that we are to preach and live!
Romans 10:15 - And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
Ephesians 6:15 - And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

Kingdom of God - a spiritual peace that carries us through the earthly kingdom of heaven.
Romans 14:17 - For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.

From believing!
Romans 15:13 - Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.
and trusting...
Ephesians 1:13 -  In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
and doing!
Philippians 4:9 - Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

Live this peace as preached and taught by Paul!
Romans 12:18 - If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
Romans 14:19 - Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.
II Corinthians 13:11 - Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.

As a new creature
Galatians 6:15,16 -  For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature. And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.

You can even have this peace among yourself with your pastor
I Thessalonians 5:12,13 - And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves.


Pray for this peace in your home and in your life...
I Timothy 2:2, I Corinthians 7:15...
...then get up and do something about it!