Table of Contents
Date: SUN 11:30am 21st December 2025
Preacher: Rev. David McLaughlin
Bible Reference: 2 Thessalonians 3:16
Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all.
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Sermon Summary
On this Christmas Sunday, the preacher delivers a message centred on 2 Thessalonians 3:16: “Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all.” The sermon, prompted by a gift of a book titled The Missing Piece (spelt P-E-A-C-E), explores the theme of Christ as the Lord of Peace, asking the congregation: “Are you living in light of the Lord’s peace?”
The passage read is 2 Thessalonians 3:6–18, which addresses church discipline concerning disorderly members who refuse to work, becoming busybodies, alongside Paul’s final benediction. The preacher notes that this is the fourth prayer in the epistle for the Thessalonian believers, who were enduring persecution from without and internal strife from unruly members.
The sermon is structured around three main points drawn from verse 16:
1. Recognition of the Lord’s Person: “The Lord of Peace”
The preacher emphasises that true peace is not rooted in principles or circumstances but in a Person – the Lord Jesus Christ, explicitly titled here as “the Lord of peace.” This unique New Testament designation corresponds to Isaiah 9:6, where He is called the “Prince of Peace,” and aligns with references to “the God of peace” (pointing to the Father) in other epistles.
- Provider of Peace: Christ Himself is our peace (Ephesians 2:14). Peace resides in Him personally, not merely in rules.
- Purchaser of Peace: He secured peace through His sinless life and atoning death on the cross (Colossians 1:20), satisfying God’s justice and reconciling sinners to a holy God. Sin disrupted the original peace in Eden, leading to fear, conflict, and bloodshed; Christ restores it by the blood of His cross.
- Promissor of Peace: In John 14:27, Jesus declares, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth.” This peace is deep, durable, and independent of circumstances, unlike the world’s superficial and temporary version.
- Purpose of Peace: Quoting Jeremiah 29:11, God has “thoughts of peace” toward His people, offering an expected end even in dark times. The preacher urges listeners not to be misled by bleak circumstances but to trust God’s benevolent intentions.
The world’s restlessness, anxiety, and conflict stem from sin and enmity with God; only those reconciled through Christ know this true peace.
2. Revelation of the Lord’s Provision: “Give You Peace Always by All Means”
Christ actively gives this peace as a divine gift. Drawing on the Hebrew word shalom, the preacher explains that biblical peace has a threefold dimension: safety/security, certainty, and enjoyment/contentment – far more than mere absence of conflict.
- Security of Peace with God: An objective, legal peace through justification by faith (Romans 5:1). Sins are fully forgiven and remembered no more (Hebrews 10:17). The preacher warns against false peace arising from self-righteousness, ignorance of sin, overemphasis on God’s love without His holiness, reliance on good works, or universalism. Such illusions are dangerous, like sitting calmly in a burning house or before a tsunami.
- Speciality of the Peace of God: A subjective, inner wholeness that sustains believers amid trials (Philippians 4:7). This peace enables soundness of mind even in persecution, bereavement, illness, unemployment, or church discord. Sin robs this peace (as seen in David’s turmoil after his sin with Bathsheba); repentance and faith restore it.
- Spirituality of This Peace: Cultivated through prayer (Philippians 4:6–7) and sanctification by the Holy Spirit. It fosters unity among diverse believers, breaking down barriers (Ephesians 2:14; Colossians 3:11). In the Thessalonian context, Paul confronts disorderly idleness while praying for peace, showing that true peace addresses sin rather than ignoring it.
The entire Trinity is involved: the Father as the God of peace, the Son as the Lord/Prince of peace, and the Holy Spirit producing peace as fruit (Galatians 5:22).
3. Reception of the Lord’s Presence: “The Lord Be with You All”
The benediction assures Christ’s continual, pervasive presence – “God with us” (Emmanuel). This echoes the promise, “I will never leave thee nor forsake thee.”
- Believers can rely on, receive, and rejoice in His presence, which brings peace in every circumstance.
- The preacher applies this to church life (avoiding disorder and division), home life (reducing friction through surrender to Christ), and personal life (replacing turmoil with trust in the Lord of peace).
- Even though the promise is sure, believers should continually pray to experience His presence afresh.
