Sermon Tone Analysis

He Gives Peace for Frustration

The Gift Exchange

Focus:

The hope that I have as a pastor is that people will exchange their frustrations of life for the freedom that comes from Jesus.

He Gives Peace for Frustration

When I started preparing for this sermon I thought, “Oh no, Lord please don’t put something in my life this week that will provide a sermon illustration about frustration!

I’m working hard to avoid frustrations!”

Fast forward to Wednesday morning:

Phone call from TCEQ compliance

Dental appointment with $740 bill

Preschool teacher turns in a 2-week notice

…and more HELP!

Christmas time itself brings its own unique frustrations, but I remember the Apostle Paul who wrote in Hebrews:

I think he sums it up well with “everything that hinders and sin that entangles”.

I probably would have had a much longer list.

Now that I think about it, I probably would have created a list of complaints.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles.

And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us

I think he sums it up well with “everything that hinders and sin that entangles”.

I probably would have had a much longer list.

Now that I think about it, I probably would have created a list of complaints.

Frustrations Abound

Every Christmas season there seems to be certain gifts that are everywhere.

You can’t ignore them or get away from them.

When I was a kid, I could always count on several gifts whether I wanted them or not – heavy socks, pajamas, and a sled.

I was good with the sled but pajamas?!

It is like that today.

You go into a department store and gifts like these are everywhere – and now pajamas come in family packs!

Frustration is like those types of gifts.

You can’t get away from them.

Duke University did a study on "peace of mind."

Factors found to contribute greatly to frustration are:

1) Nursing a grudge was a major factor in unhappiness.

2) A preoccupation with old mistakes and failures leads to depression.

3) Wasting time and energy fighting conditions you cannot change.

4) Temptations to withdraw and become reclusive.

5) Indulging in self-pity when life hands you a raw deal.

6) Having too wide a gap between self-expectation and your ability to meet the goals you have set, feelings of inadequacy are inevitable.

8) Selfishness.

Self-centered egotistical people score lowest in any test for measuring happiness.

9) [Let me add another] Having a misconception about peace:

Long ago a man sought the perfect picture of peace.

Not finding one that satisfied, he announced a contest to produce this masterpiece.

The challenge stirred the imagination of artists everywhere, and paintings arrived from far and wide.

Finally, the great day of revelation arrived.

The judges uncovered one peaceful scene after another, while the viewers clapped and cheered.

The tensions grew.

Only two pictures remained veiled.

As a judge pulled the cover from one, a hush fell over the crowd.

A mirror-smooth lake reflected lacy, green birches under the soft blush of the evening sky.

Along the grassy shore, a flock of sheep grazed undisturbed.

Surely this was the winner.

The man with the vision uncovered the second painting himself, and the crowd gasped in surprise.

Could this be peace?

A tumultuous waterfall cascaded down a rocky precipice; the crowd could almost feel its cold, penetrating spray.

Stormy-gray clouds threatened to explode with lightning, wind and rain.

In the midst of the thundering noises and bitter chill, a spindly tree clung to the rocks at the edge of the falls.

One of its branches reached out in front of the torrential waters as if foolishly seeking to experience its full power.

A little bird had built a nest in the elbow of that branch.

Content and undisturbed in her stormy surroundings, she rested on her eggs.

With her eyes closed and her wings ready to cover her little ones, she manifested peace that transcends all earthly turmoil.

Berit Kjos, A Wardrobe from the King, pp.

45-46.

We live in the midst of a storm.

Life’s events bump and bang into us over and over again.

Frustrations are everywhere.

But, we don’t have to live frustrated because we can bring our frustrations to Jesus and He exchanges it for His peace.

Jesus, the Prince of Peace

Probably all of us have heard that Jesus is the Prince of Peace, but what does it mean to our lives?

In the Christmas story we learn that it is more than just a title, it is a lifestyle and characteristic of the new believer.

Luke 1:76-

Peace is a Gift of the Spirit

And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High;

for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him,

77 to give his people the knowledge of salvation

through the forgiveness of their sins,

78 because of the tender mercy of our God,

by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven

79 to shine on those living in darkness

and in the shadow of death,

to guide our feet into the path of peace.”

I would like for us to consider the practicality of what it means to serve Jesus as the Prince of Peace and how His peace impacts the Christian.

Peace is a Gift of the Spirit

What can we do to get peace?

Judging by commercials we just need some CBD oil.

Seriously though, we can’t create peace diplomatically or constitutionally.

We don’t always have it in our families, and (sadly) not even in our churches.

However, we know that Jesus is the Prince of Peace.

How do I get some?

Philippians 4:4-

John Calvin wrote that peace “does not depend on the present aspect of things, and does not bend itself to the various shiftings of the world, but is founded on the firm and immutable word of God.”

Rejoice in the Lord always.

I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all.

The Lord is near.

6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

John Calvin wrote that peace “does not depend on the present aspect of things, and does not bend itself to the various shiftings of the world, but is founded on the firm and immutable word of God.”

Rod Mattoon describes peace this way:

Peace possessed by one who has health, wealth, friends, and loved ones is understandable, but the peace of God in the midst of trials and tribulation is different.

The peace of God that passeth understanding is peace so precious, that man's mind, with his skill and knowledge, can never produce it.

It can never be of man's contriving.

It is only of God's giving.