Peace that is Provided

Sunday, December 22, 2024

Introduction

The season of Advent is a time to receive the arrival of Jesus, which is actually a past event, a future hope, and a present reality. Jesus has come. Jesus will return. Jesus is here right now. In the Advent season, we reflect on what He has already done, we look forward to what He has still promised to do, and we receive what He is doing in and among us right now. In this series on the four Sundays leading up to Christmas Day, we will go through four traditional themes of the Advent season: Hope, Faith, Joy, and Peace.

Core Idea for this Lesson

“We don’t have to work to find peace. It has already been provided to us in Jesus.”

Lesson

On the fourth Sunday of Advent we think about the Peace we have in Christ

The candle that represents this on the Advent wreath is sometimes called the “Angels Candle.” It represents the peace that was declared between God and humanity, by the Angels in Luke 2:14, which comes through Jesus.

In our world, peace is an endpoint - you get it when things "are over"

We expect peace to come when there is no more drama, no more worry, no more pain, and no more need

But in Christ, peace is the starting point

John 14:27 NLT

27 “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.

Because the Peace of Christ is a gift and not a result, it enables you to approach struggles from a place of peace. This looks like:

Being able to approach drama from a place of stability

Being able to process worry, without believing its lies

Feeling safe while allowing yourself to hurt and process grief

Feeling secure while your work to provide for daily needs

The Peace of Christ is something to be received, not something you must achieve

Jesus did all the work to provide the peace

Think of it gift wrapped and waiting to be opened

The Peace of Christ is known by those who trust in Him and humble themselves to receive it

Philippians 4:6–7 NLT

6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

Reflection

Take a moment to Pray:

Let’s ask the Holy Spirit to speak to us from what we have just heard - highlighting any points He wants us to focus on and apply this week.

Discussion and Application

Feel free to add your own question prompts as the teacher, or to create some on the fly as the discussion develops

How has Jesus already provided peace for you?

How does this compare to the kinds of peace you typically pursue?

What is your take away from this lesson (What is the Holy Spirit prompting in you?) and what will you do with it this week?

Where to Land the Plane

Jesus provides Peace before things “work out,” not after. By humbling ourselves and receiving the Peace that comes from Him, we can experience peace in any circumstance, and engage problems and struggles from a place of stability and security.