Peace in our Time

ADvent

Today we remember the hope that God gives through His Word and through His promises. Today we look to Him for our Hope. Lets pray.

Today, we also remember, the Peace that God brought through Jesus’s birth and death and Resurrection. WE stop and remember His peace. Lets pray.

Isaiah 9:1–6 ESV

But there will be no gloom for her who was in anguish. In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he has made glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations. The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone. You have multiplied the nation; you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as they are glad when they divide the spoil. For the yoke of his burden, and the staff for his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian. For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult and every garment rolled in blood will be burned as fuel for the fire. For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Intro

The Doctor comes in with a bad report. unexpected bills keep coming. your family is on the edge of shattering. Peace peace. yet there is no peace.

How is it that we can serve a God of Peace, yet have no peace? You these situations above yes they happen. This world is broken, but /the God we serve can anchor you and I in the midst of these storms and bring peace to our lives. No matter the circumstance.

Christs Peace is not peace from the storm but rather peace in the midst of the storm.

For so many Christians though, they have no peace. even when the storms cease they manage to to drum up some fear, some reason to be anxious. They can take a sunny day and ruin it for anyone. Why? Is it perhaps that they faith they have is anemic. Meaning it is shallow. It is hallow and it is useless. You see Christ came to set you free from fear. If you are not free then it is on you to pursue the king of glory until you take on His mind and His freedom becomes your freedom.

2 Timothy 1:7 ESV

for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

If we choose to not walk in that. that is on us.

Stop Breathe, Compose your thoughts and proceed

Peace Peace, but there is no Peace

Jeremiah 6:14 ESV

They have healed the wound of my people lightly, saying, ‘Peace, peace,’ when there is no peace.

They put a band-aid over their wound and said your ok. Go in peace. But then return to their fear.

at this moment in Israels history, Babylon is breaking down the gates and there is a seige on Jerusalem, yet many still proclaimed, all is well. Gods peace is here.

Many Christians in this day and age, do the same. The family falls, the health falls, the finances dry up, the world crumbles around them. Yet they muster, God is peace, I am at peace. But deep within their hearts they ache because they know something is deeply wrong. But they go to church, put on a smile, and say i am well. I am at peace.

Well, maybe you shouldn’t be?

So many bury their wounds, and say all is fine, God is alive.

I’m not debating that. That is true. Their statement is true. God is alive. He is on the throne. He has overcome death and Hell.

But we have so often pretended all is fine when the enemy is at the gate. Al isn’t fine. Nebuchadnezzar's sword is at your throat. Nothing is fine. You need a miracle.

No don’t misunderstand me, I am not arguing for fear, I am arguing for honesty. Transparency. Openness before God and your Church family.

Openness, not for sake of gossip, but for sake of healing. Opening your heart to the healing balm of the almighty.

I am not ok. I am scared for my life. I need Jesus! For when you call on Jesus, and you open your your life to Him. He can begin to move.

For most though, they will cling to old saying, and faint hope of peace they never intend on attaining.

I will tell you this Church. If this season of life has taught me anything. It is that if I do not walk in authentic blood bought, Spirit empowered ;life, I will not make it.

You can keep the worthless American gospel peace. Just confess it and you have it. No.

Lay down your broken life upon a Cross and rise in new life with Jesus! Then Peace shall be yours.

It is time we walk with Christ seeking an true and deep. An authentic and complete peace.

Stop Breathe, Compose your thoughts and proceed

Is your Peace Anemic?

Humanity is starving for Peace. True Peace. Everlasting peace. Christs peace. 20% of the American people are diagnosed with Anxiety disorder. This world cries for peace.

What are we offering? A service? Come and sing with me, and let your troubles fade. Is that Christianity? Is that the essence of your peace? My peace? Is that the Rock on which we stand? Sing some songs and hope it works out? Now don’t get me wrong, You need church. this is critical to healthy Christianity. But if this is your Christianity, then your Christianity will end up on life support.

Romans 1:25 ESV

because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.

When you exchange the Gospel, for convenience or for control, you desecrate the Work of God. Then we wonder, God why is there no power?

Because we have substituted:

The Gospel, for our Truth

the Peace of God for a cheap knockoff

The Joy of Lord for Entertainment

We have diluted the peace of the living God down to a few sayings and some songs. When it doesn’t work we say, go to the doctor, you need medication.

Sometimes that's true.

Perhaps they don’t need medication, as much as they need the Power of the Living God?

True Peace is found in Christ. The Power of God, was not found in a fortress, but in a Manger. Not amongst royalty. But amongst the poor.

Stop Breathe, Compose your thoughts and proceed

True Peace is found in Christ.

Isaiah 9:6 ESV

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

When God saw the need for peace. He didn’t send a doctor or a politician, He sent Christ. Here is my Son. He will bring you peace. He will bring you wholeness. completeness. Healing and restoration.

Here is my Shalom.

WE are conditioned in American Christianity to seek God for 15 min, then go to google. Solve it yourself.

Here is the sad truth though. You cannot change the world. I cannot change the world. Only Jesus can. Yet we take on the world. As though we can change it. But you cant.

I cannot rescue my family. It is in Gods hands to keep my children in Him. I cannot worry myself out of a seizure. I have to give it over to Him. I have to learn to cast my cares upon him. I have to mature beyond anemic Christianity. I have to move past Shallow faith. I have to leave the boat. I must learn to cast my life into the hands of the living God.

If you cannot move beyond fears and anxiety, perhaps you need to deepen your walk. Perhaps it time to deepen the faith. Call me deeper Lord Jesus! Call me further. I want your Peace.

I want the Peace that surpasses all understanding. I want everything God has for me this season.

Stop Breathe, Compose your thoughts and proceed

Cast Your Burdens on the Lord

Psalm 55:22 ESV

Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.

If you want a peace that deepens your faith. A peace that seems elusive. You may say, I have tried for years to be rid of this fear, but I cannot shake it.

I will ask:

Do you read your Bible daily?

Do you pray Daily?

If you do not do those two things, you cannot expect to mature with Christ.

You cannot expect to overcome these tougher vices.

How do you overcome anxiety?

By immersing yourself in the Joy of the Lord. You do that by spending time with Him. This can be your year! You can overcome any vice. Any struggle with Jesus. But you must deepen you faith.

This season can be very tough. Especially if you are struggling with fear. If you are here and you say pastor, I am dealing with fear, and have no peace. I need help. I don’t deep faith, or anything.

I good news for you. I am here to tell you. that the child that was born in that manger, grew up, lived a perfect life. A sinless life. Was crucified, and resurrected 3 days later. He currently sits with the Father in heaven, and ready today, to begin restoring your broken heart and mind.

There is hope today for the fearful one. there is so much hope for the one who lacks peace. For the marriage that lacks peace, the family that lacks peace. There hope for you today. Jesus is here today. to restore your life and bring your faith into maturity.

If that is you today. As we worship.

Cast your burden onto the Lord.

Lets pray!

This Advent Season,

Whenever you see a manger, just stop, just for a moment. and say Lord I worship you.

2-3 Times a day, read your Bible, just a few verses, then meditate on them for a few minutes.

then go back to doing whatever you were doing.

Lets Worship the Lord.