Peace on Earth, Good Will Toward
Men
Introduction
A few weeks ago, I came across an article titled
The Truth About the Babe in the
Manger. It was eye-opening and challenged me to think carefully
about what the world believes about Jesus’ birth. Each December,
nativity scenes, religious programs, and seasonal traditions portray
the baby in the manger as a symbol of universal peace and goodwill.
Yet the Bible presents a much deeper and more serious reality. While
many view this as a season of goodwill for all, the Word of God
teaches us that the birth of Christ was not good news for everyone.
The angels’ announcement of “peace on earth, goodwill toward men” in
Luke 2:14 must be understood in its proper context. Peace is not
automatically given to every person on earth—it is only granted to
those who believe in Christ and submit to Him in obedience. For
others, His coming means exposure, conviction, and judgment.
Tonight, I want us to see the truth about the babe in the manger:
why His coming was both good news and bad news depending on our
response.
The Promise
of Peace and Goodwill
When the angels declared peace and goodwill in Luke 2:13–14, they
were not proclaiming a blanket statement for all humanity. Peace is
not universal, but conditional. Paul tells us in Romans 5:1 that
peace with God comes only through being justified by faith. Christ’s
mission was to reconcile Jew and Gentile to God through His blood,
breaking down the wall of separation (Ephesians 2:14–16). Those
outside of Christ remain without peace, for Isaiah 57:21 says,
“There is no peace,” says my God, “for the wicked.” The good news is
truly good only for those who submit to Christ. For others, His
coming exposes their sin and leaves them condemned.
The Child
Who Reveals Hearts
When Simeon held the infant Jesus in the temple, he spoke a prophecy
that shatters shallow interpretations of His coming. In Luke 2:34–35
he said, “Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rising of
many in Israel… that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”
Jesus’ coming divides people based on how they respond to Him. Some
rise through faith, becoming children of God (John 1:12). Others
fall through rejection and unbelief (John 3:18–19). His presence
forces us to decide: Will we submit or resist? Simeon was
clear—Christ would reveal the true condition of men’s hearts.
The Coming
That Brings Division
Jesus Himself corrected the false idea that His coming was about
earthly peace for everyone. In Luke 12:49–53, He said, “Do you
suppose that I came to give peace on earth? I tell you, not at all,
but rather division.” Families would be split, father against son,
mother against daughter, even households divided over Him. He came
to kindle fire and to call men to decision. Peace is real and
eternal for those who obey, but His coming inevitably divides
between the faithful and the faithless. This is far different than
the world’s seasonal slogan of unity. His message was never about
temporary niceness—it was always about eternal allegiance.
The Gospel
That Judges and Saves
Jesus is the only way to salvation (John 14:6). The apostles boldly
declared in Acts 4:12 that “there is no other name under heaven
given among men by which we must be saved.” The gospel divides
humanity into two groups. In Matthew 7:13–14, Jesus contrasted the
broad road leading to destruction with the narrow road leading to
life. The broad road is crowded; the narrow road is chosen by few.
The gospel is the best news ever for those who submit, but it is the
worst news possible for those who refuse. His coming both saves and
judges, and the difference is determined by our response to Him.
The Certain
Return and Final Judgment
Christ’s coming in the manger was the beginning, not the end. The
Bible declares He is coming again, and this time it will not be as a
baby in Bethlehem but as the Judge of all the earth. Paul says in 2
Corinthians 5:10 that “we must all appear before the judgment seat
of Christ.” John describes the great white throne in Revelation
20:11–12 where the dead are judged by the things written in the
books. Paul told the Athenians in Acts 17:31 that God “has appointed
a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man
whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by
raising Him from the dead.” For the faithful, this return will mean
eternal life with the Lord (1 Thessalonians 4:16–17). For the
unfaithful, it will mean eternal separation from God.
Conclusion
The truth about the babe in the manger is sobering. His birth was
necessary, but it was not the central event of human history. The
cross, the resurrection, and the final judgment are the true climax.
His birth set in motion the plan of salvation, but His death and
resurrection secured it. His return will finalize it. For those who
believe, repent, and obey, His coming is the greatest news ever
announced. For those who reject Him, it is the worst news they will
ever face. Tonight, the invitation is yours. If you need to obey the
gospel through repentance and baptism, or if you need to return to
Christ in faithfulness, now is the time to respond while the good
news is still good news.
Peace on
Earth, Good Will Toward Men Sermon Outline:
Introduction
-
Angels
declared peace and goodwill at Christ’s birth (Luke 2:14).
-
The world
misinterprets this as universal peace.
-
True peace
is reconciliation with God through obedience (Romans 5:1).
-
Aim: To
understand what the angels’ message really means.
I. The Promise
of Peace and Goodwill
-
Angelic
announcement (Luke 2:13–14).
-
Peace is
conditional, not universal (Romans 5:1).
-
Christ
reconciles Jew and Gentile (Ephesians 2:14–16).
-
No peace for
the wicked (Isaiah 57:21).
II. The Child
Who Reveals Hearts
-
Simeon’s
prophecy (Luke 2:34–35).
-
Jesus
destined for fall and rising of many.
-
Hearts
exposed through Him.
-
Some rise
through faith (John 1:12).
-
Others fall
in unbelief (John 3:18–19).
III. The Coming
That Brings Division
-
Jesus
declares His mission brings fire and division (Luke 12:49–53).
-
Families
divided over Him.
-
Peace only
for the obedient.
-
Worldly
ideas of peace contrast with His real mission.
IV. The Gospel
That Judges and Saves
-
Jesus is the
only way (John 14:6).
-
No salvation
outside His name (Acts 4:12).
-
Two paths:
broad and narrow (Matthew 7:13–14).
-
Gospel is
good news for the obedient, bad news for the rebellious.
V. The Certain
Return and Final Judgment
-
All must
stand before Christ (2 Corinthians 5:10).
-
Great white
throne judgment (Revelation 20:11–12).
-
Judgment day
appointed by God (Acts 17:31).
-
Faithful
will be with Christ forever (1 Thessalonians 4:16–17).
Conclusion
-
His birth
began the story, but the cross and resurrection are the climax.
-
His return
will complete the story.
-
Good news
remains good for those who obey; bad news for those who reject.
-
Invitation
extended to believe, repent, and obey.
Call to
Action
Do not let the good news of Christ turn into bad news for your soul.
His coming calls you to decision, not sentiment. The baby in the
manger grew up to be the Savior on the cross and the Judge at the
last day. You must choose today to obey Him fully, repent of sin,
and live faithfully so that peace and goodwill will belong to you
forever.
Key
Takeaways
-
Peace comes
only through justification in Christ (Romans 5:1).
-
Jesus
exposes the true condition of every heart (Luke 2:34–35).
-
His coming
divides households because of allegiance (Luke 12:49–53).
-
The gospel
is good news for the obedient and bad news for the rebellious
(Acts 4:12).
-
Every person
will stand before Christ in judgment (2 Corinthians 5:10).
-
The faithful
will reign with Him eternally (1 Thessalonians 4:16–17).
Scripture
Reference List
-
Luke
2:13–14: Angelic announcement of peace and goodwill.
-
Romans 5:1:
Peace through justification by faith.
-
Ephesians
2:14–16: Christ reconciles Jew and Gentile.
-
Isaiah
57:21: No peace for the wicked.
-
Luke
2:34–35: Simeon’s prophecy of division and exposure of hearts.
-
John 1:12;
John 3:18–19: Responses to Christ—acceptance or rejection.
-
Luke
12:49–53: Christ brings division, not automatic peace.
-
John 14:6:
Jesus is the only way to the Father.
-
Acts 4:12:
Salvation is in no other name.
-
Matthew
7:13–14: Broad and narrow paths.
-
2
Corinthians 5:10: All must appear before the judgment seat of
Christ.
-
Revelation
20:11–12: Great white throne judgment.
-
Acts 17:31:
Judgment day appointed by God.
-
1
Thessalonians 4:16–17: The faithful will be with Christ forever.
Prepared by
Bobby Stafford of the church of Christ at Granby, MO
|
The
church of Christ
