"Opposites Attract"
December 4, 2005

The Old Testament Lesson: Micah 4: 1 - 5
The New Testament Lesson: Luke 2: 8 - 14

To encourage people to find new ways to make peace in their lives

I.  Human being are not really known for their peaceful nature
   A. Many images we have for heroes are of people who use force
        1. The forms of entertainment of a culture say much about it.
        2. Here in America, it is safe to say movies are a primary form.
            a. Week after week people go to the movies.
            b. They rent videos
            c. They watch television shows.
        3. Think about the most popular movies.
            a. more often than not, they are filled with violence.
            b. The heroes are those who are able to use force the best.
            c. Often, it is in the service of good.  They destroy evil.
            d. But there are notable cases in which the good guys aren’t good.
        4. One example of such violence is War of the Worlds.
            a. That movie picture death and destruction on a huge scale.
            b. explosions, death rays and people disintegrated.
            c. Of course, in the end, all the aliens died—Killed by a cold!
            d. Why is it that we are attracted to such violent entertainment?
   B. It just may be that people often feel powerless in the face of force.
        1.  There are just so many things that are beyond our control.
            a. We listen to our politicians wrangle and wonder how to have effect
            b. We read stories about gov’t officials on the take.
            c. What power do we really have?
            d. The lack voting says that people don’t think they have impact.
        2. People are discontented with their lives and can’t change them.
            a. All around us are people giving up on their families and spouses
            b. People don’t like their living conditions, feeling cramped
            c. People dislike their jobs and their supervisors.
            d. A few years back a hot Christmas gifts was the “rip apart boss” (Velcro arms and legs that ripped off with a satisfying sound)
        3. Discontent is growing among us as we live with these pressures
            a. People are becoming angrier and angrier with little outlet.
            b. many around us are at the boiling point.
            c. frustrated and helpless, people feel cornered.
            d. Then violence erupts at home or in the workplace.

II.  The reality is that while people are full of rage, they long for peace.
   A. We want to feel peace, we can not find it.
        1. That might be because we have mis-defined what peace is.
        2. Many people define peace this way: I have everything I deserve and no body can take it away!
        3. Now, we actually know that is not accurate
            a. We see examples of people in privileged positions who lack peace.
            b. There are movie stars who can’t hold a relationship together.
            c. There are politicians who are caught in their lies.
            d. There are Athletes who run amuck making a mess of their life.
        4. The most recent example of that is Terrill Owens.
            a. He is an extremely talented football player.
            b. He is the kind of wide receiver that every team would want.
            c. But his pride and inner turmoil got the better of him.
            d. He disaffected his teammates and the owners of the Eagles to the point that they fired him.
            e. They are so angry, they are paying him millions so he can’t play!
        5. with these examples, people are still centered on material happiness
            a. To the extent that fighting broke out in Walmart over sale items
            b. People had to be taken to the hospital!
   B. God defines peace very differently.
        1. Peace in God’s terminology is wholeness and reconciliation.
            a. We are people who are complete in the way God made us.
            b. We have mature characters and reflect God’s image.
            c. we are able to be at peace with others.
        2. First, we are to find reconciliation with God.
            a. That only happens when we accept God’s Word as right.
            b. We recognize that God is Lord of our lives, not us.
            c. In a conflict between God’s will and ours, God must prevail.
        3. And secondly, real reconciliation with God provides reconciliation among people!
            a. The fight over scare resources is over.
            b. We begin to share fully the way God intends us to share.
            c. We work so that everyone’s needs are met.
        4. Admittedly, neither of these reconciliations comes easily.
        5. That’s why we have to receive this peace as a gift!

III.  This is the gift of Peace that was announced at Jesus’ birth!
    A. Jesus is our power for reconciliation.
        1. The peace we need is not something we can produce.
            a. Our human efforts will only lead us to different conflicts.
            b. Our damaged selves get in the way of peace.
        2. But the savior of the world brings wholeness.
            a. It is Christ who heals our brokenness.
            b. It is Christ who calms the inner turmoil that is the cause of conflict
        3. It is no mistake that this news came first to a group of outcasts.
   B. The Shepherds of Jesus’ day, the have reason to share our discontent.
        1. At one time, it was an honorable profession.
            a. They formed the backbone of the nomadic community.
            b. Remember that King David’s first job was shepherd, Moses too!
        2. But the profession had fallen on hard times into disrespect.
            a. As Israel became a settled agrarian society.
            b. Politicians, professionals and craftsman had passed them by.
            c. Caring for sheep became the unskilled labor position.
            d. They were considered irreligious and dirty.
        3. The life of a shepherd was full of struggle and frustration
        4. It is to this bunch of disaffected Israelites that the Angels appear.
            a. Of course they groveled in fear.
            b. But then comes the message this group so much needed
            c. Peace on Earth to those who have found God’s favor!
        5. When they recovered from shock, I can imaged their questions.
            a. Us?  Favored by God?
            b. The messiah had been born and these heavenly beings report to us?
            c. Peace On Earth!  Now that’s what I really need!

          Friends, that’s what we all really need!  Like the shepherds we are filled with broken parts.  We have fears about the future and our place in it. We are angry at the life we lead.  We may even be angry at the hand God dealt us.  But just like the shepherds the message comes to us: Peace on Earth for those whom God favors!  God has favored us with the tremendous gift of his only begotten Son.  The One and Only Son of God came to us as an expression of God’s love.  At this very moment, he is offering you peace.  Will you open your heart for the healing God wants to give?

And as you go from this place, may you walk in the way of Christ Jesus and May God always find you faithful!