Sermon Recap+ Dic 7, 2025

Peace isn't what most of us think it is. We often imagine peace as quiet moments with a cup of coffee, empty houses where we can read without interruption, or picturesque villages where nothing disturbs our tranquility. But what if peace is something entirely different—something more active, purposeful, and transformative?

When Fear Meets Faith: A Lesson from 30,000 Feet

Back in February 2017, I was on a plane caught in a snowstorm. The turbulence was so bad the lights went out, emergency strips came on, and the flight attendants were strapped in telling everyone to brace. No word from the pilot. In that tense silence, a stranger reached over and asked to hold my hand. She noticed the little Jesus figure on my backpack… and then something unexpected happened. Someone started singing “Joy to the World”—in February. Others joined in. The fear in the cabin shifted into something calmer, steadier.

That moment taught me this:Peace isn’t the absence of chaos. Peace is God’s presence in the middle of it.

Is Peace Just the Absence of Problems?

We need to reconsider what peace actually means. Is it simply when there's no war? When everything is quiet and calm? Or is there something deeper?

Consider a room full of thirty children during a church event. One child is about to jump off a table, two girls are fighting over the last pink Lego piece, and another child is about to spill pink lemonade everywhere. This doesn't sound peaceful by conventional standards. Yet when everyone is safe, loved, and cared for—when their best interests are being protected—there's a different kind of peace present.

The Story of Zechariah: When Silence Brings Understanding

The Gospel of Luke tells us about Zechariah, a priest who encountered the angel Gabriel while serving in the temple. Gabriel announced that Zechariah's elderly wife Elizabeth would have a child. Instead of rejoicing, Zechariah questioned this promise, and as a consequence, he lost his ability to speak until the child was born.

Was Losing His Voice Really a Punishment?

Many interpret Zechariah's silence as punishment for his doubt. But what if it was actually a gift? What if God needed Zechariah to be quiet so he could truly hear what God was doing?

Sometimes we need silence to understand the deeper meaning of peace. In our noisy world, we might miss the subtle movements of God's Spirit if we're always talking, always questioning, always trying to control the narrative.

Playing by Different Rules: A Match That Changed Everything

There's a powerful example of this different kind of peace in a wrestling match between two young athletes. One wrestler, wearing blue, made a decision that defied conventional competition rules. Instead of trying to win, he helped his opponent—a child with severe health challenges—experience victory. And nobody lost. They both won! See video here

Choosing Character Over Victory

The blue wrestler didn't just lie down and let his opponent win easily. For over two minutes, he guided his opponent through proper wrestling techniques, making sure the victory was earned while providing the support needed. The referee understood the assignment too, allowing this beautiful moment to unfold. This illustrates a profound truth: while we all live under the same physical rules of this world, we don't have to aim for the same goals as everyone else.

John the Baptist: Living by Different Goals

Zechariah and Elizabeth's son, John the Baptist, grew up to embody this principle. He lived in the wilderness, wore camel hair clothing, and ate locusts and wild honey. Why? Because he was operating by a different set of goals than the world around him.

John's mission was to prepare the way for Jesus, the Prince of Peace. But here's something challenging to consider: when Jesus was born, it didn't bring immediate peace. In fact, King Herod's response was to massacre innocent children in an attempt to kill the newborn king.

How Can Jesus Be the Prince of Peace?

Jesus brings a different kind of peace—not the absence of conflict, but the presence of purpose even in the midst of struggle. This peace isn't passive; it's active. It's not about pretending everything is fine; it's about knowing that Christ has already chosen you and that everything can be purposeful, even when it's not perfect.

The Church's Challenge: From Cruise Ship to Choir

One of the biggest challenges facing the church today is that it's become too good at creating church attenders rather than disciples. We've turned church into a cruise ship experience where people pay their fee, sit down, and let everyone else do the work.

But the church should function more like a choir, where everyone has a part to play, a tune to contribute to the greater symphony of God's work in the world.

Peace as a Verb: Active and Purposeful

True peace isn't a destination—it's a journey. Peace is a verb, a moving target that requires us to constantly readjust our position and perspective. It doesn't matter if you're five years old or Elizabeth's age; we all need to reposition ourselves to better understand what peace brings. Peace is not passive. Peace is not pretending everything is okay. Peace is knowing that Christ has already chosen you, and even though not everything will be perfect, everything can be purposeful.

Life Application

This week, challenge yourself to operate by different goals than the world around you. Instead of defaulting to the world's definition of success and peace, consider these choices:

• Choose character over victory in your daily interactions

• Choose loving others over protecting your ego

• Choose faithfulness over seeking recognition

• Choose Jesus over your busy schedule

Ask yourself these questions:

1. Where in my life am I prioritizing the world's goals over God's purposes?

2. How can I bring active, purposeful peace into chaotic situations this week?

3. What would it look like for me to "assist someone else in winning" rather than just competing?

4. Where might God be asking me to be silent so I can better hear what He's doing?

Remember, peace isn't about having a perfect, quiet life. It's about finding purpose and God's presence even in the midst of life's storms, knowing that you've been chosen and loved by the Prince of Peace himself.