Advent Peace

We wait expectantly, but how? How do we await the coming of Christ?

Should we huddle at house churches and lock the doors? Should we get out in protest against any and all enemies foreign and domestic? Should we pray without ceasing? Are we to be longsuffering, or fighters? Rebels against the government and those who love tyranny? Are we to stand, or sit in protest? Do we go on a hunger strike, form groups of militia?

Peter, what are we to do? They persecute us. They treat us a dogs.

Can you hear the first century church?

Peter gives us some advice! Yes Peter. The same Peter who was also explosive in his younger years. Peter who:

I. Lived a life of full commotion

a. Spoke first, thought second

Got out of the boat, nearly drowned

b. Acted harshly, cut off a guards ear

c. Called out the Christ, “you are the son of the living God.”

d. Denied Christ three times

e. Jumped out of the boat and swam to Jesus, but didn’t embrace Him but sat at breakfast with one eye on Jesus waiting for the hammer to fall for those denials

f. Who also learned to love all men whether in pain or peril, in joy or suffering

II. But Peter knows the way of the world. Our world, his world is chaotic

a. He wasn’t always a disciple, he made a living fishing. Catch fish, sell fish at the market. Go through ups and downs

Lived under tough Roman rule, soldiers, unfair practices

Experienced times of drought and times of abundance

b. Here today, sirens can wail by on their way to a world in need

c. George Herbert Walker Bush passed Friday and so did an employee of Sean’s. Grabbed a ladies luggage to assist her on the bus at the airport, turned and dropped dead: families in morning

Angela and Lauren Force were headed to San Antonio early Saturday morning and we held up at Dallas and San Antonio for the former presidents family

d. Turmoil in your business, stock market, investments. Broken car, water pipe, knee, neck.

e. We climb, we scratch, we work to get ahead and make ends meet: our world is tough

f. Many say, where is God?

III. Our World has Needs

a. Bell ringers for the Salvation Army; money for , the homeless, hungry and thirsty

b. Clothing for the cold

c. Clean water

d. For the guy standing on the corner with his sign

IV. Our World has Causes

a. Let the caravan in, keep them out

b. Take in the children, keep them out

c. Keep the illegal, kick them out

d. Fight for the Afgans against ISIS, stay out of it

e. Stop the genocide in Rwanda, fight for them

f. Stand against the persecution of Christians

g. Feed the children in Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, all of Africa for that matter

h. Ban plastic straws, stop coal power, never allow LGBT in the church, open the doors to all so all can experience the grace of God

V. Chaos is nothing new, neither is judgement; not even to Peter

a. 2:1-4

b. Even in the ages before man 2:4 Angels have sinned

Satan was chief among them

c. Certainly since man has fallen 2:6 man has sinned

d. Peter knows the ways of man 2:22 man likes his sin

We believe sin is our friend

We are so ensnared by sin we think it is freedom

True freedom comes through longsuffering

VI. Peter also knows the way

a. First a reminder: The Flood 3:5-7

b. The Word exists and is holding all this together

c. Verse 6 the word world is the same word Kosmos, as in

John 3:16 NKJV

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

d. God is doing something. He is doing a ton. He continues to ask you and I, He waits on you and I, He longsuffers with you and I to fall out of love with the world and fall in love with Him in a manner according to the gifts He has provided

Romans 12:2 NKJV

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

e. Second reminder: verse 7 FIRE

VII. What does Peter say we should do?

a. Get out your guns and fight!

b. Survive at all costs, use your animal instincts

c. Make a deal

d

no

VIII. He Establishes the Principals to Live by

a. 3:11-15a.

IV. Resist, Rest, Renew, and then Go Again

a. In a world that is hurting, It seems irresponsible for us to pull back for a time

b. There are so many causes calling for us to get involved

c. 24 hour media hype, now, me, go, fight, send: plenty of endless outrage

d. At times we need to find the peace in the midst of chaos

e. We, the church need to be the stable, holy in conduct, Godly, peaceable among men, righteous, meek, gentle, full of self control people the world needs to see. Through our confidence, many should seek Christ.

f. We do this by seeking God and asking Him to strengthen us, grow us, build in us...

Galatians 5:22–25 NKJV

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

Peter says it well in verse 14

Galatians 5:22-2

2 Peter 3:14 NKJV

Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless;

That day will come as a thief in the night,

2 Peter 3:9 NKJV

The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

2 Peter 3:

Last week we reviewed our theology of sin. All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.

We asked that we be people of prayer, praying for all men.

We ask today, during this advent season, we search our hearts and find peace; peace that passes all understanding. A peace that brings rest that renews, and refreshes.

“Sometimes, recommitting ourselves to the quiet season of Advent can feel like doing too little in a world that needs so much.”

A refreshed you, will be better at all you do, than an exhausted you.

Find time to get in your prayer closet. Ask God to renew a steadfast spirit in you.

Today, remember that - in the midst of the chaos, judgment, and destruction - there is another way.

Make every effort to be found living peaceable lives that are pure and blameless in His sight. Be of pure and holy conduct and godly.

And may the peace that passes all understanding consume you, until you are Holy as He is Holy.