Description

In this series, we've been talking about four names given to Jesus before He was born. In this message, Lead Pastor Jamie Nunnally shares the significance of the name: Prince of Peace. 

Isaiah 9:6 tells us that Messiah's name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Today we focus on Prince of Peace. In Hebrew, Sar Shalom.

Sar means Captain, Chief, General, Ruler. Jesus doesn't give sentimental peace—He establishes peace by enforcing the rule of the King.

So what is peace? In Hebrew, Shalom.

Shalom is an all-encompassing word that describes when everything is as it should be.

Calling the Messiah the Prince of Peace isn't a promise of fewer battles; it's God promising His presence through them. When your world is falling apart, God sent the One who holds all things together. He doesn't just have peace—He is peace.

Peace does not come from inactivity.

1 Peter 3:11 says to seek peace and pursue it. Peace won't come by doing nothing. If the world has to stop for you to have peace, you'll never have peace. Peace isn't the absence of problems; it's remaining resolute despite them.

Peace does not come from control.

Some people think peace comes when they get their own way. That's not peace—that's immaturity. Proverbs 3:5 reminds us to trust in the Lord and not lean on our own understanding. You cannot control your way into peace.

Three Things Jesus Does as the Prince of Peace

1. Jesus demonstrates how to live a life of peace.
    In Mark 4, Jesus sleeps during a storm while the disciples panic. A storm outside doesn't have to mean a storm inside. Fear responds to facts; faith responds to truth. Sometimes peace isn't God calming the storm as much as God calming His child.
2. Jesus secured the peace treaty between God and mankind.
    Colossians 1 tells us that through the cross, Jesus made peace between God and humanity. You can't experience the peace of God until you've made peace with God. Peace with God isn't earned—it's received.
3. Jesus offers us His peace.
    John 14:27 says Jesus gives us His peace, not the world's version. You can't have the peace of God while fighting the rule of God. Peace is a person you must yield to. Where Jesus is Lord, peace will rule; where He is not, chaos will rule.

Closing

Isaiah 26:3 says God keeps in perfect peace those whose minds are fixed on Him. 

Peace doesn't come from changing everything around you—it comes from fixing your focus. When your thoughts are fixed on fear, peace gets blurry. When they're fixed on the Prince of Peace, clarity comes.

A new year is right around the corner. What if we don't need a new year—we just need a new ruler? Where the Prince rules, His peace reigns.

Are you letting Jesus be your Prince of Peace?