Embracing Shalom: Finding Peace Through Christ
Summary
The sermon explores the profound concept of Shalom, a Hebrew word that signifies peace, wholeness, and restoration. The speaker begins by highlighting the importance of seeking God for restoration and peace, rather than relying on our own strength and wisdom. They share the story of Tiffany Clark, who experienced the consequences of an overexposure to trauma and an underexposure to Jesus. The speaker then draws from Jesus' proclamation of Isaiah's prophecy, emphasizing that Jesus not only spoke of bringing good news to the poor, freedom for prisoners, and recovery of sight for the blind but also lived out these words. The congregation is invited to join Jesus in this mission, guided by the Holy Spirit, to experience true Shalom.
The speaker encourages the congregation to develop spiritual eyes to see beyond our reality's limitations, referencing Paul's second letter to the Corinthians and Psalm 46. Despite chaos and brokenness, God is constantly making new life within us, and His presence offers refuge and strength. The sermon connects the psalmist's affirmation of God's ever-present help with the hymn "It Is Well with My Soul," illustrating how Shalom can be found even amidst terrible circumstances.
Personal stories are shared to illustrate the sermon's message. The speaker recounts their own experience of finding peace in God during a difficult time, being led by the Holy Spirit to verses that reminded them of God's character. They testify to the peace of God that surpasses understanding, guarding their heart and mind, allowing them to love deeply again. Another personal story shared is that of Horatio Spafford, who, despite the tragic loss of his daughters, found strength in his faith and wrote the hymn "It Is Well with My Soul."
The sermon also addresses the presence of conflict and suffering, encouraging the audience to visualize Christ in their personal and global disasters. The speaker emphasizes the importance of focusing on Christ's presence and offering our longings back to Him in prayer. They remind the congregation to participate in God's work but not to carry burdens meant for God alone.
Finally, the speaker discusses the negative consequences of competition and division in society, arguing that humans were created for unity and peace, not competition and disunity. Shalom is explored as a state of wholeness, unity, and well-being that God desires for the world. The sermon concludes by emphasizing that Shalom can be experienced now by seeking the Lord's presence and participating in His plans for redemption and restoration.
Key Takeaways:
- Shalom is more than just the absence of conflict; it is a state of wholeness and restoration that we are invited to experience and participate in through the guidance of the Holy Spirit. By joining Jesus in His mission, we can be agents of peace and healing in a world that desperately needs it. [18:17]
- Spiritual vision allows us to perceive God's ongoing work of creating new life within us, even when external circumstances seem dire. This perspective is crucial for maintaining hope and finding peace amidst chaos, as it anchors us in the reality of God's presence and the promise of His refuge and strength. [22:14]
- Personal encounters with God's word can lead to profound experiences of peace, as demonstrated by the speaker's testimony and the story of Horatio Spafford. These stories remind us that God's peace can guard our hearts and minds, allowing us to overcome heartbreak and love again. [34:02]
- In the face of suffering and conflict, focusing on Christ's presence and offering our longings to Him can lead to a deeper connection with God's heart and the experience of Shalom. This practice helps us to engage with the world's pain without being overwhelmed by it. [38:44]
- The pursuit of competition and division is contrary to God's design for humanity. True peace, or Shalom, encompasses wholeness, unity, and well-being. By rejecting societal pressures to dominate and win, we can embrace the peace that God desires for us and the world. [07:18]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide: Experiencing Shalom
#### Bible Reading
1. Isaiah 61:1-2 - "The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor."
2. Psalm 46:1-3 - "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging."
3. Philippians 4:6-7 - "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
#### Observation Questions
1. What does the word "Shalom" encompass beyond just peace, according to the sermon? [07:18]
2. How did the speaker describe the experience of Horatio Spafford after the loss of his daughters? [24:01]
3. What does Psalm 46:1-3 say about God's role in our lives during times of trouble? [20:34]
4. How does the speaker relate their personal experience of finding peace in God to Philippians 4:6-7? [31:51]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the concept of Shalom as described in Isaiah 61:1-2 align with Jesus' mission on earth? [16:48]
2. In what ways does Psalm 46:1-3 provide a foundation for experiencing Shalom amidst chaos and trouble? [20:34]
3. How can the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, guard our hearts and minds according to Philippians 4:6-7? [31:51]
4. What does the speaker mean by developing "spiritual eyes" to see God's work in our lives? [12:46]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you experienced chaos or trouble. How did you seek God's presence as a refuge and strength during that time? [20:34]
2. The sermon mentions the importance of focusing on Christ's presence in personal and global disasters. How can you practice this in your daily life, especially when faced with overwhelming news or personal challenges? [38:44]
3. The speaker shared a personal story of finding peace through scripture during a difficult time. Is there a specific Bible verse or passage that has brought you peace in the past? How can you use it to encourage others? [31:51]
4. How can you actively participate in Jesus' mission of bringing Shalom to others, as described in Isaiah 61:1-2? Think of specific actions you can take in your community. [16:48]
5. The sermon discusses the negative consequences of competition and division. In what ways can you promote unity and peace in your relationships and community? [07:18]
6. Consider a current conflict or suffering you are facing. How can you visualize Christ in that situation and offer your longings to Him in prayer? [35:51]
7. The speaker emphasized the importance of not carrying burdens meant for God alone. What are some burdens you need to release to God, and how can you practically do that this week? [38:44]
This guide aims to help your small group delve deeper into the concept of Shalom, understand its biblical foundation, and apply its principles to their lives.
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing Wholeness Through Shalom
Shalom is the journey toward God's wholeness and peace. It is an active participation in the restoration of our lives and the world around us. This peace is not merely the absence of conflict but a deep sense of completeness that comes from aligning with the Holy Spirit's guidance. True Shalom is found in joining Jesus' mission to heal and reconcile. [18:17]
Isaiah 58:12 - "Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations; you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings."
Reflection: How can you be an agent of Shalom in your community today?
Day 2: Cultivating Spiritual Vision
Spiritual vision allows one to see God's hand at work even in the midst of turmoil. It is the ability to look beyond the chaos and recognize the new life God is nurturing within us. This vision is rooted in the understanding that God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble, offering us a peace that transcends our circumstances. [22:14]
2 Corinthians 4:17-18 - "For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."
Reflection: What unseen work of God in your life can you focus on today to help you through a difficult situation?
Day 3: Experiencing God's Peace Amidst Trials
The peace of God is a sanctuary for the heart and mind, especially during times of deep sorrow and loss. It is a peace that surpasses all understanding, capable of carrying one through the most heartbreaking moments. This divine peace allows us to love deeply again, even after experiencing great pain. [34:02]
Philippians 4:7 - "And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
Reflection: Recall a time when you felt God's peace in a challenging situation. How can you seek that peace again in current trials?
Day 4: Finding Christ in Our Calamities
In the midst of personal and global disasters, envisioning Christ's presence brings comfort and perspective. Offering our deepest longings back to Him in prayer connects us to God's heart and allows us to experience His Shalom. This practice helps us to carry the world's pain without being crushed by it. [38:44]
Colossians 3:15 - "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful."
Reflection: How can you visualize Christ's presence in a current struggle and offer your longings to Him today?
Day 5: Pursuing Unity Over Competition
God's design for humanity is unity and peace, not competition and division. Shalom encompasses a state of wholeness where relationships are restored, and well-being is pursued for all. Rejecting societal pressures to compete, we can embrace the peace that God desires for us and for the world. [07:18]
Ephesians 4:2-3 - "Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace."
Reflection: What is one step you can take to foster unity and peace in a relationship or community where there is currently division or competition?
Quotes
"Shalom is a powerful word and it denotes completeness, health, prosperity, soundness, and overall wellbeing and in its root meaning it describes a state of wholeness, unity restored relationship and not just a sense of tranquility." [07:18]
"Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without his unfolding grace." [19:07]
"God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the Earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea." [20:34]
"Visualize the person or situation on your heart until you can picture Christ there with them, with you." [34:54]
"Shalom peace is possible when apparent enemies connect, so making peace with God, with ourselves, with each other, and creation is more needed than ever in a world that seems to revolve around money and power." [03:23]
"God knew I needed to connect with him to reenter myself to be reminded of who God is and that he sees, he cares, he loves, and he will bring Justice and his ultimate plan is to bring Shalom wholeness." [30:57]
"Do not be anxious about anything... but in every situation by prayer and petition with Thanksgiving present your requests to God and the peace of God which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." [31:51]
"We were not made for competition disunity but we were originally created to enjoy Shalom peace where people can live United in spite of differences and most of all in Union with God and His creation." [04:13]
"Shalom happens when we draw closer to God... the Lord is peace." [08:05]
"Shalom is experienced now if we have eyes to see spiritual eyes, eyes to see the way in the wilderness that we find ourselves in, the streams in Wasteland when we are in a dry time." [13:39]
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