Embracing Peace: A Christmas Journey of Harmony
Summary
In today's gathering, we explored the profound theme of peace, especially during this Christmas season. We began by acknowledging that peace often feels elusive in our chaotic world, where conflict, anxiety, and fear seem to dominate. Yet, the message of peace is central to the Christmas story, as the angels proclaimed, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men." This peace is not just the absence of conflict but a deep, abiding presence that Jesus brought into the world.
We delved into Billy Graham's insightful quote that Christ alone can bring lasting peace—peace with God, peace among men and nations, and peace within our hearts. This serves as a roadmap for our lives. First, peace with God is foundational. Without it, nothing else matters. Romans 5:1 reminds us that we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. This peace is not about temporary relief but a lasting relationship with Jesus.
Second, we discussed peace with others. Romans 12:18 encourages us to live peaceably with all, as much as it depends on us. This requires intentionality and effort, as human nature often runs counter to peace. We must pursue peace actively, avoiding drama and secrets that disrupt harmony. Being a peacemaker sometimes means giving up our right to be right and embracing humility.
Lastly, we focused on peace within our hearts. Jesus offers us His peace, not as the world gives, but a peace that calms troubled hearts and dispels fear. Isaiah 26:3 assures us that perfect peace comes to those whose minds are steadfast because they trust in God. Living a life of holiness aligns us with God's ways, ensuring that our problems become His to handle.
As we navigate this season, let us commit to being peacemakers, both in our relationships and within ourselves. May we find our rhythm in God's word and His presence, allowing His peace to guide us through life's challenges.
Key Takeaways:
- Peace with God is Foundational: True peace begins with a relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Without this foundation, nothing else can bring lasting peace. Romans 5:1 emphasizes that we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, highlighting the importance of knowing God to experience true peace. [49:52]
- Pursuing Peace with Others: Living peaceably with others requires intentional effort. Romans 12:18 encourages us to pursue peace actively, avoiding drama and secrets that disrupt harmony. Being a peacemaker often means giving up our right to be right and embracing humility. [55:26]
- Peace Within Our Hearts: Jesus offers us His peace, which calms troubled hearts and dispels fear. Isaiah 26:3 assures us that perfect peace comes to those whose minds are steadfast because they trust in God. Living a life of holiness aligns us with God's ways, ensuring that our problems become His to handle. [01:18:12]
- The Role of Humility in Peace: Humility is not about thinking less of ourselves but thinking of ourselves less. It involves celebrating others' abilities and victories without comparison. This mindset fosters peace in relationships and within ourselves. [01:15:31]
- The Importance of a Spiritual Metronome: Just as a metronome keeps musicians in rhythm, God's word and a relationship with Him keep us in the rhythm of peace. Without this guidance, we risk speeding up into anxiety or slowing down into depression. [01:28:41]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [41:21] - The Power of God's Word
- [42:24] - Advent and the Theme of Peace
- [44:31] - Understanding Peace in a Chaotic World
- [46:15] - The Path to Peace
- [48:18] - Billy Graham's Insight on Peace
- [48:55] - Peace with God
- [49:52] - The Necessity of Knowing Jesus
- [52:28] - Sharing the Gospel
- [53:30] - Personal Testimony of Peace
- [54:22] - Peace with Man
- [55:26] - Pursuing Peace Actively
- [59:34] - Avoiding Drama and Secrets
- [01:10:08] - The Role of Peacemakers
- [01:18:12] - Peace Within Our Hearts
- [01:28:41] - The Spiritual Metronome
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: The Peace of Christmas
Bible Reading:
1. Romans 5:1 - "Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ."
2. Romans 12:18 - "If it is possible, as much as it depends on you, live peaceably with all men."
3. Isaiah 26:3 - "You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you."
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Observation Questions:
1. According to Romans 5:1, what is the source of our peace with God? How does this peace differ from temporary relief? [49:52]
2. In Romans 12:18, what does Paul suggest is necessary for living peaceably with others? How does this align with the sermon’s emphasis on intentionality in pursuing peace? [55:26]
3. How does Isaiah 26:3 describe the condition for receiving perfect peace? What role does trust play in this process? [01:18:12]
4. What examples from the sermon illustrate the challenges of maintaining peace in a chaotic world? [44:31]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the sermon explain the concept of peace as more than just the absence of conflict? What does it mean for peace to be a "deep, abiding presence"? [46:15]
2. The sermon mentions the role of humility in fostering peace. How does humility contribute to being a peacemaker, according to the pastor's message? [01:15:31]
3. What does the sermon suggest about the relationship between living a life of holiness and experiencing peace within our hearts? How does this relate to the idea of God handling our problems? [01:19:22]
4. How does the sermon use Billy Graham's quote to outline the different dimensions of peace that Christ brings? [48:18]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current relationship with God. Do you feel at peace with Him? If not, what steps can you take to deepen your relationship with Jesus and experience this foundational peace? [49:52]
2. Consider a relationship in your life where peace is lacking. What practical steps can you take to pursue peace actively, even if it means giving up your right to be right? [55:26]
3. Identify a situation where you have been holding onto fear or anxiety. How can you apply Isaiah 26:3 to trust God more and receive His perfect peace? [01:18:12]
4. The sermon discusses avoiding drama and secrets to maintain peace. Are there areas in your life where you are unintentionally inviting drama? How can you change your behavior to foster peace? [01:00:36]
5. Think about the concept of a "spiritual metronome" mentioned in the sermon. What practices can you implement to keep your life in rhythm with God's peace? [01:28:41]
6. The pastor emphasized the importance of being a peacemaker. How can you commit to being a peacemaker in your community or family this week? What specific actions will you take? [01:24:28]
7. Reflect on the role of humility in your life. How can you practice thinking of yourself less and celebrating others more to promote peace in your relationships? [01:15:31]
Devotional
Day 1: The Foundation of True Peace
True peace begins with a relationship with God through Jesus Christ. This foundational peace is not merely the absence of conflict but a profound sense of wholeness and well-being that comes from being reconciled with God. Romans 5:1 reminds us that we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, emphasizing the importance of knowing God to experience true peace. This peace is not about temporary relief but a lasting relationship with Jesus. It is the cornerstone upon which all other forms of peace are built, providing a stable and enduring foundation for our lives. [49:52]
"For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility." (Ephesians 2:14, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways can you deepen your relationship with God today to experience His peace more fully in your life?
Day 2: Actively Pursuing Peace with Others
Living peaceably with others requires intentional effort and a commitment to harmony. Romans 12:18 encourages us to pursue peace actively, avoiding drama and secrets that disrupt relationships. Being a peacemaker often means giving up our right to be right and embracing humility. This pursuit of peace is not passive but requires us to take deliberate steps to foster understanding and reconciliation in our interactions with others. It challenges us to prioritize relationships over being right and to seek common ground even in the midst of disagreement. [55:26]
"Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord." (Hebrews 12:14, ESV)
Reflection: Who in your life do you need to make peace with today, and what steps can you take to initiate reconciliation?
Day 3: Cultivating Inner Peace
Jesus offers us His peace, which calms troubled hearts and dispels fear. This peace is not as the world gives but is a deep, abiding presence that sustains us through life's challenges. Isaiah 26:3 assures us that perfect peace comes to those whose minds are steadfast because they trust in God. Living a life of holiness aligns us with God's ways, ensuring that our problems become His to handle. This inner peace is a gift from God, available to all who trust in Him and seek to live according to His will. [01:18:12]
"And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful." (Colossians 3:15, ESV)
Reflection: What fears or anxieties do you need to surrender to Jesus today to experience His peace in your heart?
Day 4: Embracing Humility for Peace
Humility is not about thinking less of ourselves but thinking of ourselves less. It involves celebrating others' abilities and victories without comparison. This mindset fosters peace in relationships and within ourselves. By embracing humility, we open ourselves to the possibility of deeper connections with others and a more profound sense of inner peace. It allows us to let go of pride and ego, making room for understanding, compassion, and genuine love. [01:15:31]
"Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves." (Philippians 2:3, ESV)
Reflection: How can you practice humility in your interactions today to promote peace in your relationships?
Day 5: Finding Rhythm in God's Word
Just as a metronome keeps musicians in rhythm, God's word and a relationship with Him keep us in the rhythm of peace. Without this guidance, we risk speeding up into anxiety or slowing down into depression. By aligning our lives with God's word, we find a steady rhythm that sustains us through life's ups and downs. This spiritual metronome helps us maintain balance and perspective, allowing us to navigate challenges with grace and confidence. [01:28:41]
"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." (Psalm 119:105, ESV)
Reflection: How can you incorporate God's word into your daily routine to maintain a steady rhythm of peace in your life?
Quotes
"Because every time you come into the house of God, whether it's here or if you're visiting, you have another church, or if you've never been to church today in your life, let me prepare you. God's got something for you right now. And the word is fresh. And the word is powerful. And it's not because of me, because I'm a flawed human being. I'm just a vessel that God has given the opportunity to use." [00:41:27] (22 seconds)
"Jesus came to bring hope to the world. And he is our hope. God is our hope. He's our source. Went through all that. Missed it. Go online and watch it. And this week, we're on peace. We're on peace. And Pastor Veronica really loves me because somehow in the communications, she thought we were on joy. And she had joy built and ready to hang. And she had to walk away in joy and rebuild peace and hang it instead." [00:43:18] (22 seconds)
"Christ alone can bring lasting peace. Peace with God. Peace among men and nations. And peace within our hearts. You got that? Peace with God. Peace among men and nations. And peace within our hearts. Jesus brought us peace when he came to this earth. But why don't we always have it?" [00:48:18] (22 seconds)
"If you get stuck in the middle of other people's drama, or even if you find yourself a character in your own dramatic situation in life, your pursuit of peace switches from the defensive state of avoiding drama and avoiding secrecy and all that to an offensive state of making peace. Purposefully making peace." [01:10:08] (22 seconds)
"Sometimes to be a peacemaker, you have to give up your right to be right. I was taught this years ago at a young adults group, and then shortly after I started applying it to my life, I realized I was really bad at it. Because when I'm right, you're wrong. Anybody? Anybody in that boat with me?" [01:10:23] (21 seconds)
"It's that when you're living a life of holiness, when you're doing life the way God says you should do life, when there are problems, they're not your problems. They're his problems. You get that? Don't make me break it down and teach it. We don't have time. But if we're not living God's way." [01:19:47] (23 seconds)
"We have to be holy. We have to chase him. Finances. That's one of the number one reasons that Angela and I tithe and give in offerings. It's because if we live our life according to God's word and we handle our finances according to God's word and have biblical finances in our life, if we come upon a money crunch, I ain't got to worry about it. God's going to take care of it." [01:20:22] (20 seconds)
"So you need a metronome in your life, a dear friend, best one you can have is God's word, and a constant relationship with him, friends, loved ones, someone who will care enough, because I promise you, she won't shut up. I mean, every now and then, the MD, the music director has to dump the track and get us back on because we ignored her. The track isn't wrong. The track is never wrong. The tempo is never wrong. God's peace is never wrong, and the path to find it is never wrong, but if you don't take that path, you will get ahead or get behind, and you'll lose your peace." [01:28:41] (41 seconds)
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