PEACE IN THE MIDST OF AN ANXIOUS AND TROUBLED WORLD.

INTRODUCTION

Good morning Life church

Psalm 42:1–11 NET

As a deer longs for streams of water, so I long for you, O God! I thirst for God, for the living God. I say, “When will I be able to go and appear in God’s presence?” I cannot eat, I weep day and night; all day long they say to me, “Where is your God?” I will remember and weep! For I was once walking along with the great throng to the temple of God, shouting and giving thanks along with the crowd as we celebrated the holy festival. Why are you depressed, O my soul? Why are you upset? Wait for God! For I will again give thanks to my God for his saving intervention. I am depressed, so I will pray to you while I am trapped here in the region of the upper Jordan, from Hermon, from Mount Mizar. One deep stream calls out to another at the sound of your waterfalls; all your billows and waves overwhelm me. By day the Lord decrees his loyal love, and by night he gives me a song, a prayer to the living God. I will pray to God, my high ridge: “Why do you ignore me? Why must I walk around mourning because my enemies oppress me?” My enemies’ taunts cut into me to the bone, as they say to me all day long, “Where is your God?” Why are you depressed, O my soul? Why are you upset? Wait for God! For I will again give thanks to my God for his saving intervention.

Today we end 2023 and I thought what what better way to end this year than to book end the message that started 2023.

One year ago, I challenged this church

calling us to repent from our consumeristic faith and to become priests.

Consumer comes to get from God

Priest comes to worship worship the fearfully awesome and Holy God.

The Promise of Scripture is -

If I be lifted up - draw all men unto me.

God dwells int he praises of His people.

It is He who heals, delivers, and saves not us, not our programs, not a consumable good.

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TODAYS MESSAGE IS A BOOKEND

HOW DO WE FIND PEACE IN THE MIDST OF AN ANXIOUS AND TROUBLED WORLD?

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MAYBE SOME OF YOU ARE LIKE ME

Anxious - pulls my attention from God to my problem.

I hyper focus on the issue trying to solve it.

Lose focus on God.

Anxiety increases and peace decreases.

I begin to see despair everywhere.

EXAMPLE -

ROLLER COASTER WITH ACACIA -

DON’T LIKE HEIGHTS

OVERLY PROTECTIVE OF MY GIRL

DID NOT FEEL LIKE WE WERE SECURE.

SIGN - DANGER: IF YOU ARE NOT SECURE DO NOT MOVE PAST THIS POINT.

What it really said, Danger: keep your hands inside the cart at all times.

My anxiousness tricked my mind into seeing a false narrative.

I forget his promises, I forget all the ways he has rescued, delivered, healed, and saved me.

But maybe most troubling is I tend to forget the future He has created for His people and hyper focus on the problems of today.

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TODAY, I WANT TO SHARE THREE STORIES

2 FROM SCRIPTURE

1 FROM MY PERSONAL LIFE.

My hope: Even if you are going through hell, you will leave here today with peace and hope.

Today I cannot change the circumstance of your life, but the Word of God can change your perspective and give you faith in His promises, leaving you with peace.

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Story one - Anxious over our position in life.

3 Shepherds.

One of the lowest position jobs in Jewish society.

Shepherds were hired hands.

Night shifts / not your own flock / protect animals with your own life / lonely

Luke 2:8–14 NASB95

In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. “This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.”

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STORY 2 - WHEN THE CREATIVE ORDER IS OUT OF ORDER AND THREATENS HARM.

PETER WALKING ON WATER

Matthew 14:22–33 NET

Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go ahead of him to the other side, while he dispersed the crowds. And after he sent the crowds away, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone. Meanwhile the boat, already far from land, was taking a beating from the waves because the wind was against it. As the night was ending, Jesus came to them walking on the sea.When the disciples saw him walking on the water they were terrified and said, “It’s a ghost!” and cried out with fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them: “Have courage! It is I. Do not be afraid.” Peter said to him, “Lord, if it is you, order me to come to you on the water.” So he said, “Come.” Peter got out of the boat, walked on the water, and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the strong wind he became afraid. And starting to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” When they went up into the boat, the wind ceased. Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

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Story 3 - The Faith of a Child

Branden Praying over Aaron

Child like faith - Humble, trusting that God is bigger than my problem.

Simple prayer of faith, “Fadder, heal my bubby.”

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JESUS DOES NOT PROMISE US SMOOTH ROADS, EXACTLY THE OPPOSITE BUT HE DOES PROMISE US PEACE IN THE MIDST OF SUFFERING.

John 16:31–33 NASB95

Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe? “Behold, an hour is coming, and has already come, for you to be scattered, each to his own home, and to leave Me alone; and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me. “These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”

We can have peace in all circumstances because, Jesus has conquered the world.

He conquered the sin that separated us from God.

He has conquered the powers and Satan that entice us away from God.

He has conquered the grave and given us the promise of eternal, physical, resurrected life.

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HOW DO WE FIND PEACE WHEN OUR HEART IS FILLED WITH ANXIETY?

We must remember that our Father is the most glorious one who reigns over all creation.

We must keep our eyes on Jesus and not the troubled waters around us.

Even in the midst of the storm, He deserves our praise and worship.

Finally, we need a simple, child-like faith in the faithfulness of our loving Father.

Philippians 4:6–7 NET

Do not be anxious about anything. Instead, in every situation, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, tell your requests to God. And the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

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ALTAR CALL

TODAY IF YOU ARE IN THE MIDST OF ANXIETY AND PEACE HAS VANISHED

I INVITE YOU TO THE ALTAR TO RECIEVE FROM THE FATHER, HIS PEACE, HIS SECURITY, AND HIS LOVE.

LET US WORSHIP HIM IN THE MIDST OF THE STORM - KNOWING HE IS THE ONE WHO CALMS ALL STORMS.