Part 4: Peace
Sermon Notes
The problems around you are no match for the God within you.
“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”
John 14:27
“Shalom”
Wholeness. A deep sense of calm that permeates all of life.
Who is shaking your snow globe?
Stress, anxiety and worry are an invitation to give God the things you cannot handle.
3 myths we believe about peace:
It is found “out there.”
It is determined by circumstances.
It magically happens.
But Moses protested to God, “Who am I to appear before Pharaoh? Who am I to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt?” God answered, “I will be with you.”
Exodus 3:11-12 (NLT)
We experience heavenly peace when we move from “me-focused” to “we-focused.”
Heavenly peace is found in a heavenly partnership with God where God does the heavy lifting.
But Moses protested again, “What if “they” won’t believe me or listen to me? What if “they” say, ‘The Lord never appeared to you’?” Then the Lord asked him, “What is that in your hand?” “A shepherd’s staff,” Moses replied. “Throw it down on the ground.” (Turns to a snake)
Exodus 4:1-3 (NLT)
People pleasing will destroy your heavenly peace.
To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
But Moses again pleaded, “Lord, please! Send anyone else.” Then the Lord became angry with Moses. “All right,” he said. “What about your brother, Aaron the Levite? I know he speaks well. And look! He is on his way to meet you now. He will be delighted to see you.”
Exodus 4:13-14 (NLT)
God is already working on the thing that has you worried.
Table Group Resources
Mixer
What was something new for you/your family this Christmas 2020?
Neighborly - Daily Devotional
1. In Middle School Director Cristina Schmitter’s Monday 12/21 entry, Baby Please Come Home, she shares that homesickness is cured because home found its way to earth. God arrived that first Christmas - Immanuel - and brought home with Him. What have you been homesick for? What do you see in the Christmas Story that sounds like God saying, “Baby, please come home”? What does His home have for you?
2. In Pastor Pam Ingold’s Christmas Eve 12/24 entry, Treasure, she shared Luke 2:19 - ‘But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.’ Mary’s life looked different than what she ever imagined, but she embraced those differences... why? How did you see things through the promises of God this year? What did you treasure about this Christmas?
Advent Series
Advent means “Arrival”. In this series, Christmas is the celebration of the arrival of Jesus into our world - and the looking forward to his coming again. And he brings four gifts:
Sunday 12/13/20: HOPE
Scripture: Zechariah 2:1-5, 10-11; Matthew 1:22-23; Revelation 21:3, 15-16, 25-26
Pastor Jared concluded this message with the statement: “One day God gets the last word over humanity. You are participating in a great plan.” The arrival of Jesus Christ that first Christmas had a purpose and Jesus kept his eyes fixed on it... all the way to the cross. What is God’s great plan? How does that plan give you hope for a future? How will you live with this great plan in mind in 2021, and be a picture of Advent HOPE to the world?Sunday 12/20/20: LOVE
Scripture: Genesis 2:8-9; Isaiah 54:10; Isaiah 55:11; Matthew 1:22-23; John 3:16
Pastor Jared shared about the breadcrumbs that Hansel and Gretel dropped to find their way home again - back to the Woodcutter’s house. We long for home - what is real home to you? What are you longing for? How can living with your eyes on your future home fill those homesick spaces in you? And if He could love you all the way home, how can you point others to the home that they are longing for but maybe don’t know yet?Christmas Eve 12/24/20: JOY
Scripture: Matthew 1:22; Exodus 33:20; Isaiah 6:1-5
Pastor Jared said that Jesus’ arrival into our world was “...shockingly personal - that God would come close enough that we could hear Him breathe.” How have you been like the OT audience, terrified of an encounter with God? Now, as you stare into the baby face of God and hear Him breathe, what draws you in? How is this unexpected encounter with the God of the universe transforming you from ‘golf clap...nice sentiment...great inspiration’ to the truth that brings you to your knees in worship? Pastor Jared said: “No one gets away from Jesus.” What is true for you? What will you do with this Christmas 2020?Sunday 12/27/20: PEACE
Scripture: John 14:27; Exodus 3:11-12, 13-14
Mike Foster said: “Heavenly peace is found in a heavenly partnership with God where God does the heavy lifting.” What are the things that you are worried about for 2021? Mike gave three myths about peace - how can you reframe your worries with the truth of Advent Peace? What if you turned from expecting peace to come from the external and instead expected it to come from the internal? God has already been at work in your life this year and has brought you moments of His peace. Where has He done the heavy lifting? When has He sent you an “Aaron” to help you?
