Read Matthew 1:18-25

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.” Luke 2:14

1. Why don’t we experience this kind of peace?

---A. We are overly confident.
“We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each one of us has turned to his own way.” Isaiah 53:6

“You made us for yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you.”
St. Augustine

---B. We try to gain God’s approval through our own efforts.
“For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from observing the law.” Romans 3:28
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23

---C. We have given up and feel hopeless.

2. We can receive the gift of peace with God

“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.” Romans 5:1-2