Peace on earth the Lord’s way!
Scriptures for this study: Lk.2:13-14, Matt.3:1-2, 4:17, 6:9-10, Ro.14:17-19, 2 Pet.3:8-13.
A. Peace on earth is supposed to be accomplished this way! Luke 2:13-14
1. 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.
Yes, when Jesus was born angels made this announcement!
2. The Lord’s way for peace on earth is by way of establishing a kingdom of God, the church of Christ!
a. In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the desert of Judea Matt 3:2 and saying: Repent,
for the kingdom of heaven is near." Matt.3:1-2
b. From that time on Jesus began to preach: Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near. Matt.4:17
c. Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may
come from the Lord, Acts 3:19
d. This, then, is how you should pray: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom
come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Matt.6:9-10
B. It is supposed to happen this way!
1. Jesus is to be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Is.9:6
2. In the last days the mountain of the LORD's temple will be established as chief among the mountains;
it will be raised above the hills, and all nations will stream to it. Many peoples will come and say: Come,
let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways,
so that we may walk in his paths. The law will go out from Zion, the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples. They will beat their swords
into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor
will they train for war anymore. Is.2:2-4
3. You looked, O king, and there before you stood a large statue-- an enormous, dazzling statue, awesome
in appearance. The head of the statue was made of pure gold, its chest and arms of silver, its belly and
thighs of bronze, Dan 2:33 its legs of iron, its feet partly of iron and partly of baked clay. While you
were watching, a rock was cut out, but not by human hands. It struck the statue on its feet of iron and
clay and smashed them. Then the iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver and the gold were broken to
pieces at the same time and became like chaff on a threshing floor in the summer. The wind swept
them away without leaving a trace. But the rock that struck the statue became a huge mountain and
filled the whole earth. Dan.2:31-35
Yes, this rock is to be the kingdom of heaven, the church of Christ!
The churches of Christ is supposed to be all over the world! Romans 16:16
C. Dispute is to be settled in the churches of Christ! 1 Cor.6:1-5
If any of you has a dispute with another, dare he take it before the ungodly for judgment instead of
before the saints? Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if you are to judge the
world, are you not competent to judge trivial cases? Do you not know that we will judge angels?
How much more the things of this life! Therefore, if you have disputes about such matters, appoint as
judges even men of little account in the church! I say this to shame you. Is it possible that there is
nobody among you wise enough to judge a dispute between believers? 1 Cor.6:1-5
D. Without these scriptures, Jesus’ mission to earth is a total failure! 2 Peter 3:8-13
But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a
thousand years are like a day.The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness.
He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. But the day of
the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed
by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare. Since everything will be destroyed in this
way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to
the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire,
and the elements will melt in the heat. But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new
heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness.
E. Conclusion: When all nations are in the churches of Christ, peace is on earth! Romans 14:17-19