A Promised Peace

Introduction

How the Grinch Stole Christmas.

Original vs. Live Action vs. Newest Cartoon - Poll

The message of the Live Action version, how they all get so obsessed with the surface of the holiday.

This is what the Grinch is rejecting!

We probably all feel a bit of this turmoil at this time of the year.

Stress of shopping (financial strain), busy schedule, grief, decorating…

These are the sources of turmoil. Last week we saw how strive and hope fought against each other.

Peace overcomes turmoil.

Patience Brings Peace

vv. 7-8

Be patient! And do it right now!

The irony of patience. The danger of prayers for patience.

We find how patience and peace are related.

And this is how James concludes this letter: “Therefore.”

We are called not just to wait, but to have patience. To not feel turmoil until He comes.

We exist between the two advents.

We have a model of waiting - the farmer.

The importance of “precious fruit.”

How do we find peace in this world?

“Establish your hearts.”

Establish = Strengthen, set in a place. Used to describe mountains.

Establish in hope, not wishful thinking.

Hope is rooted in expectation.

“The Lord is at hand.”

Peace Beats Turmoil

vv. 9-10

The complainer. That’s what this word is…sigh, complain.

Spend so much time focusing on what other people are doing, forget what God is doing.

Keep your eyes on Jesus.

Judged / condemned, because of what you might miss out on.

So busy thinking about the things that annoy you that you don’t see the beauty that exists.

And the consequence of judgment. The Judge is watching.

The language of Santa Claus is coming to town - You better not cry, Better not pout, I'm telling you why: Santa Claus is comin' to town. He's making a list And checking it twice, Gonna find out  Who's naughty and nice. Santa Claus is comin' to town. He sees you when you're sleepin', He knows when you're awake, he knows if you've been bad or good, So be good for goodness sake.

For the audience of James, he can point them to the Prophets.

Rejected, and by the world’s standards, mostly failures.

But, what determines success in the eyes of God?

Faithfulness is the standard of success.

A successful prophet was obedient to God’s calling.

Hebrews 11:36–38 ESV

Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated— of whom the world was not worthy—wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.

While they suffered, they still had patience.

Setting their sights on Jesus.

Conclusion

Peace does not require peaceful circumstances.

The difference between a thermometer and a thermostat.

Despite persecution, hardships, or turmoil…

Be a peacemaker.

We find that by allowing the peace of the King of peace to flow into us and out of us.