{"id":1180,"date":"2019-12-01T14:26:21","date_gmt":"2019-12-01T22:26:21","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/?p=1180"},"modified":"2019-12-01T14:27:38","modified_gmt":"2019-12-01T22:27:38","slug":"isaiahs-advent-gift-of-peace","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/2019\/12\/01\/isaiahs-advent-gift-of-peace\/","title":{"rendered":"Isaiah&#8217;s Advent Gift of&#8211; Peace!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div style=\"color:black;font: 10pt arial;\"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>  <w:WordDocument>   <w:View>Normal<\/w:View>   <w:Zoom>0<\/w:Zoom>   <w:TrackMoves\/>   <w:TrackFormatting\/>   <w:PunctuationKerning\/>   <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas\/>   <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false<\/w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>   <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false<\/w:IgnoreMixedContent>   <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false<\/w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>   <w:DoNotPromoteQF\/>   <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US<\/w:LidThemeOther>   <w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE<\/w:LidThemeAsian>   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\tmso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; \tmso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; \tmso-fareast-font-family:\"Times New Roman\"; \tmso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; \tmso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; \tmso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; \tmso-bidi-font-family:\"Times New Roman\"; \tmso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} <\/style>\n\n <![endif]--><\/p>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;color:#212121\"><audio class=\"wp-audio-shortcode\" id=\"audio-1180-1\" preload=\"none\" style=\"width: 100%;\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"audio\/mpeg\" src=\"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Advent-1-12-01-19.mp3?_=1\" \/><source type=\"\" src=\"http:\/\/FILELINK?_=1\" \/><a href=\"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Advent-1-12-01-19.mp3\">http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Advent-1-12-01-19.mp3<\/a><\/audio>&nbsp;<\/span><span style=\"mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">The First Sunday in Advent <\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">December 1, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">Isaiah 2:1-5<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">Isaiah\u2019s Advent Gift of\u2014<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">Peace!<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-align:justify;tab-stops:13.5pt .5in 2.5in 238.5pt 337.5pt\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt\">This is what Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem:<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>In the last days the mountain of the L<\/span>ORD<span style=\"font-size:12.0pt\">&#8216;s temple will be established as chief among the mountains; it will be raised above the hills, and all nations will stream to it.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Many peoples will come and say, &#8220;Come, let us go up to the mountain of the L<\/span>ORD<span style=\"font-size:12.0pt\">, to the house of the God of Jacob.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths.&#8221;<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>The law will go out from Zion, the word of the L<\/span>ORD<span style=\"font-size:12.0pt\"> from Jerusalem.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Come, O house of Jacob, let us walk in the light of the L<\/span>ORD<span style=\"font-size:12.0pt\">.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>(NIV1984)<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">\u201cAll I want is a little bit of peace!\u201d<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Does that lament sound even vaguely familiar, my friends?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Have you ever been in a situation that has been so tense and so uncertain that you were almost afraid of what was going to happen next?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Have you ever been at a point in your life when there is so much turmoil and so much trouble that you wish you could just escape and find some peace?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Ironically, this is the time of the year when many people often feel more pressure than peace.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Between all the preparations that need to be made, all the obligations that need to be kept and all the expectations that we are striving to meet it is not very difficult at all to find ourselves saying\u2014 or at least thinking\u2014 \u201cAll I want is a little bit of peace\u2014 please!\u201d<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">During the season of Advent this year we are going to be focusing our attention on the Old Testament reading of the day, the reading from the prophet Isaiah.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>In an effort to connect these four Sunday\u2019s together we are going to follow a sermon series entitled:<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span><b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\"><i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">Isaiah\u2019s Advent Gift of\u2026.<\/i><\/b><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>On each of the four Sundays we will look at a special \u201cgift\u201d that the prophet Isaiah brings to us during the season of Advent.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>As you may have already guessed today we are going to look at:<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span><b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\"><i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">Isaiah\u2019s Advent Gift of\u2014 Peace!<\/i><\/b><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">Back in the days of the prophet Isaiah God\u2019s people were not exactly experiencing an excessive amount of peace.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>On the political front the Assyrian Empire was looming over both Israel and Judah like a giant cobra ready to strike.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>On the religious front the unfaithfulness of God\u2019s people to the covenant that the Lord had established with them brought warning after warning that God\u2019s justice would soon rain down upon God\u2019s people.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>And yet, in the midst of all that political unrest and in the midst of all that spiritual unfaithfulness the Lord God gives to his servant Isaiah a beautiful vision of\u2014 peace!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>As we study this vision let\u2019s first of all look at the source of this wonderful peace.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Isaiah writes, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cIn the last days the mountain of the L<\/i><\/span><i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\"><span style=\"layout-grid-mode:line\">ORD<\/span><\/i><i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">\u2019s temple will be established as chief among the mountains; it will be raised above the hills, and all nations will stream to it.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Many people will come and say, \u2018Come, let us go up to the mountain of the L<\/span><span style=\"layout-grid-mode:line\">ORD<\/span><\/i><i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">, to the house of the God of Jacob.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths.\u2019<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>The law will go out from Zion, the word of the L<\/span><span style=\"layout-grid-mode:line\">ORD<\/span><\/i><i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\"> from Jerusalem.\u201d<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\"><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">In order for us to grasp what the Lord is emphasizing here in our text we need to put ourselves into the sandals of God\u2019s people at the time these words were originally written.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>The beloved city of Jerusalem sat majestically on top of the hill called Zion.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>The focal point of the entire city was the magnificent Temple of the Lord\u2014 <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\"><i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">the<\/i><\/b> source of peace for God\u2019s Old Testament children.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Why?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Why was the Temple of the L<\/span><span style=\"layout-grid-mode:line\">ORD<\/span><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\"> <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\"><i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">the<\/i><\/b> source of peace?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Think about it, my friends.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>The Temple of the L<\/span><span style=\"layout-grid-mode:line\">ORD<\/span><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\"> was the place where the sacrifices were made so that the sins of God\u2019s people could be forgiven.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>The Temple of the L<\/span><span style=\"layout-grid-mode:line\">ORD<\/span><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\"> was the place where God\u2019s Word was taught to God\u2019s people.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>The Temple of the L<\/span><span style=\"layout-grid-mode:line\">ORD<\/span><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\"> was the place where the L<\/span><span style=\"layout-grid-mode:line\">ORD<\/span><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\"> Himself visibly dwelt among His people.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Recall how the <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cGlory of the L<\/i><\/span><i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\"><span style=\"layout-grid-mode:line\">ORD<\/span><\/i><i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">\u201d<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\"> appeared between the cherubim on the cover of the Ark in the Holy of Holies of the Temple of the L<\/span><span style=\"layout-grid-mode:line\">ORD<\/span><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">.<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">If the Temple of the L<\/span><span style=\"layout-grid-mode:line\">ORD<\/span><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\"> in the beloved city of Jerusalem was <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\"><i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">the<\/i><\/b> source of peace for God\u2019s Old Testament people what is our source of peace today?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Where do we\u2014 God\u2019s children who are living <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cin the last days\u201d<\/i> as Isaiah says here in our text\u2014 where do we find our source of peace?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>There is only <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\"><i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">one<\/i><\/b> place where we find an unending source of peace, my friends.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>It is right here\u2014 in the Christian church.<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">When Isaiah\u2019s vision describes the <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cmountain of the L<\/i><\/span><i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\"><span style=\"layout-grid-mode:line\">ORD<\/span><\/i><i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">\u2019s temple\u201d<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\"> as being <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cchief among the mountains,\u201d<\/i> when Isaiah\u2019s vision describes the <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cmountain of the L<\/i><\/span><i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\"><span style=\"layout-grid-mode:line\">ORD<\/span><\/i><i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">\u2019s temple\u201d<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\"> as being <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201craised above the hills\u201d<\/i> he is describing the preeminence that the Christian Church has <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cin the last days,\u201d<\/i> in the New Testament era.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>While there are many different kinds of \u201cchurches\u201d in our world today and while there is an entire smorgasbord of religions being offered to the people of this world the Christian Church \u201cranks\u201d far above them all!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Why?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Because like the Temple of the L<\/span><span style=\"layout-grid-mode:line\">ORD<\/span><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\"> in the Old Testament times in these <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201clast days\u201d<\/i> <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\"><i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">only<\/i><\/b> the Christian Church is able to serve as a source of true lasting peace!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>No other church and no other religion is \u201chigh\u201d enough to rescue people from the tsunami of their sins.<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">What sets the Christian Church above <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\"><i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">all<\/i><\/b> others?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>What places the Christian Church in the unique position of being <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\"><i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">the<\/i><\/b> only source of peace?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>The answer is simple:<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>God Himself has given to the Christian Church His precious Means of Grace\u2014 the Gospel of Jesus Christ as it comes to us in both Word and Sacrament.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Through the message of the Gospel you hear the risen Christ Himself say to you, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cPeace be with you!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>As the Father has sent me, I am sending you\u2026If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven\u201d<\/i> (John 19:21, 23).<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>In the Sacrament of Holy Communion you have an unending source of unparalleled peace.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Here at the Lord\u2019s Table you receive the very body and the very blood that was sacrificed on the cross (Pointing to the cross) so that you could be at peace with the God of heaven.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Since the Christian Church is the <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\"><i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">only<\/i><\/b> church that proclaims the sweet simple message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Christian Church is the <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\"><i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">only<\/i><\/b> Church that has the privilege of serving as a source of peace for all the people of this earth.<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">Does the peace which God\u2019s Church provides to you God\u2019s people have any practical application in your daily life, my friends?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>It most certainly does!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Look at the picture that Isaiah sees in verse four of our text, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cHe will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore.\u201d<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">Don\u2019t lose sight of the impact which these words undoubtedly had on God\u2019s people in the days of Isaiah.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>With the powerful Assyrian Empire looming on the northern horizon Isaiah\u2019s promise of peace must have been extremely comforting for God\u2019s people.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>But 2,700 years have gone by since Isaiah first wrote these words and as we look around in our world today there still is a tremendous need for peace!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>When and how will these words be fulfilled?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>There are three ways in which to answer that question.<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">First, the ultimate fulfillment of these words takes place each time one of God\u2019s children is brought Home to heaven. Heaven is most assuredly a place of perfect peace!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>The peace of heaven will then become the peace of earth when the Lord Jesus Christ returns to this world at the end of the age.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>That is the ultimate fulfillment of these words.<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">Secondly, the peace which Isaiah pictures here in our text, the peace that comes through the Gospel of Jesus Christ, is a peace that you already possess, my friends.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>While I don\u2019t know the specific details of your life the simple fact that we are all sinners living in a sinful world guarantees that we <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\"><i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">need<\/i><\/b> peace!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>That\u2019s why we come here to God\u2019s house on a regular basis!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>That\u2019s why we receive His holy Supper on a regular basis!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>That\u2019s why we read and study our Bibles both here at church and at home.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>We need that constant assurance that no matter what we have done when we kneel at the foot of Jesus\u2019 cross, ask Him to forgive us and hear Him say to us, \u201cI already have!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span><i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">It is finished!\u201d<\/i> (John 19:30)<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>We need the constant assurance that no matter what sins we have committed when we come at His altar to receive His true body and His true blood in His holy Supper we hear that blessed truth, \u201cDepart in the peace of knowing that your sins are forgiven!\u201d<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">The third point that cannot be overlooked here is that the peace which we will one day enjoy in heaven and the peace that we already enjoy with God right now is the peace that we are to share with each other.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Sometimes even God\u2019s people have disputes and disagreements.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Sometimes even God\u2019s people rise up against each other\u2014 not with swords and spears, but with angry words, sharp tongues and bitter remarks or with envy, jealousy and prejudice.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Whether it\u2019s here at church or in the privacy of your own homes the peace that we receive as a free gift from God is the peace that enables us to live in peace and harmony with each other.<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">\u201cAll I want is a little bit of peace.\u201d<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>If that lament sounds even vaguely familiar, my friends, I encourage you to remember <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\"><i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">Isaiah\u2019s Advent Gift of Peace<\/i><\/b>.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Remember that through the Means of Grace God Himself has provided you with an unending source of unparalleled peace right here in His Church.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Remember that the peace which the crucified and risen Christ (Pointing to the cross) has secured for you is not only a peace that you will enjoy in the perfection of heaven, but it is also a peace that you can both enjoy and share right now!<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">May God grant that Isaiah\u2019s Advent gift of peace will always be yours.<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">To God be the glory!<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">Amen<\/span><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"postie-attachments\">Download sermon audio ::  <a href=\"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Advent-1-12-01-19.mp3\">Advent-1-12-01-19.MP3<\/a><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; The First Sunday in Advent December 1, 2019 Isaiah 2:1-5 Isaiah\u2019s Advent Gift of\u2014 Peace! &nbsp; This is what Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem:&nbsp; In the last days the mountain of the LORD&#8216;s temple will be established as chief among the mountains; it will be raised above the hills, and all nations will [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1180","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-sermon"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1180","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1180"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1180\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1180"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1180"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1180"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}