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LUKE 2:8-14

"PEACE ON EARTH"  DID THE ANGEL LIE?

I. SOUNDS LIKE AN ANNOUNCEMENT OF WORLD PEACE.
        A. A lot of talk about peace today.
                1. Peace Corps.
                2. U.N.
        B. World peace something long envisioned by prophets, philosophers, idealist.
        C. Yet the truth is -
                1. 13 years of war to every 1 of peace.
                2. 1961 years after announcement world on crime of a war that threatens to
                   end civilization.
        D. Was the angel deceived? or lying?

II. THE TRUE MESSAGE OF THE ANGEL. "ON EARTH PEACE TO MEN  APPROVED BY GOD."
        A. Not an announcement of universal peace.
                1. Announcement of individual peace.
                        a. Not peace to the world of man.
                        b. But peace to certain men in the world.
        B. Not announcing peace among nations nor of peace of man with man.
        C. Announcement of only real peace and basis of all peace.
                1. Peace with God.
                        a. Man waring with God because of sin.
                        b. Now God was offering peace to man.
                Listen to God's Word -
                "God was in Christ reconciling world to Himself."
                "Having made peace by the blood of His Cross.

III. THIS ANNOUNCEMENT INEXTRICABLY UNITED TO CHRIST COMING.
        A. It is made not to all men, but only to those approved by God.
                1. Look at Christmas shoppers this year.
                2. Search faces for glimmer of peace.
        B. How are we approved by God?
                1. Rom. 5:1 "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God,
                   through our Lord Jesus Christ."
                2. Our approval by God dependent upon our total commitment of ourselves to His
                   Son.
        C. Jesus said "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you."