Experiencing True Peace Through Fellowship with God

 

Summary

The peace that Jesus offers is not merely the absence of disturbances or conflict but the presence of genuine fellowship with God. This peace, which we celebrate during the Advent season, is a profound gift that transcends the superficial tranquility often associated with the Christmas season. The angels' proclamation of "peace on earth" during the birth of Jesus was not a mere affirmation of the Pax Romana, the Roman peace, but a declaration of a deeper, divine peace that comes from the kingdom of God. This peace is not about the absence of conflict but about the restoration of our relationship with God through Jesus Christ.

The peace of God is available to all, yet many struggle to experience it fully due to barriers such as anxiety, shame, and deferred grief. Anxiety can rob us of peace, as it narrows our vision and leads us to seek solutions that often fail. Jesus modeled how to handle anxiety by turning to God and seeking support from others. Shame, on the other hand, leads us to hide from God's peace, trapping us in a cycle of pride and self-isolation. Transparency and community can break the grip of shame, allowing us to engage with our struggles honestly and find healing.

Deferred grief is another barrier that blocks us from experiencing God's peace. Unprocessed loss can lead to hopelessness and despair, but bringing our honest emotions to God can lead to genuine fellowship and renewal. The peace of God is not about resolving all our troubles but about being in a deep relationship with Him, where we are seen, known, and loved.

As followers of Christ, we are called not only to experience this peace but to be peacemakers, reflecting the peace we receive in our relationships with others. This involves challenging the status quo and inviting others into the peace that only Jesus can provide. May the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus, and may we experience genuine fellowship with the Lord.

Key Takeaways

1. Peace Beyond Absence of Conflict: The peace Jesus offers is not merely the absence of disturbances but the presence of genuine fellowship with God. This divine peace transcends the superficial tranquility often associated with the Christmas season and is available to all through Jesus Christ. [03:22]

2. Anxiety as a Barrier to Peace: Anxiety can rob us of peace by narrowing our vision and leading us to seek solutions that often fail. Jesus modeled how to handle anxiety by turning to God and seeking support from others, reminding us that it's okay to feel overwhelmed and to bring our fears to God. [13:25]

3. Breaking the Cycle of Shame: Shame leads us to hide from God's peace, trapping us in a cycle of pride and self-isolation. Transparency and community can break the grip of shame, allowing us to engage with our struggles honestly and find healing. [17:41]

4. Deferred Grief and Its Impact: Unprocessed loss can lead to hopelessness and despair, blocking us from experiencing God's peace. Bringing our honest emotions to God can lead to genuine fellowship and renewal, even if our circumstances remain unchanged. [20:38]

5. Becoming Peacemakers: As followers of Christ, we are called not only to experience God's peace but to be peacemakers, reflecting the peace we receive in our relationships with others. This involves challenging the status quo and inviting others into the peace that only Jesus can provide. [28:31]

Youtube Chapters

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:59] - The True Meaning of Peace
- [02:25] - Misconceptions About Peace
- [03:22] - Peace Through Fellowship with God
- [04:37] - The Significance of Peace on Earth
- [05:45] - Pax Romana vs. Divine Peace
- [06:43] - The Birth of a Heavenly King
- [07:50] - Restoration Through Jesus
- [09:56] - Struggles with Experiencing Peace
- [11:07] - Anxiety as a Barrier
- [12:18] - Overcoming Anxiety with Faith
- [13:25] - Jesus' Example in Facing Anxiety
- [14:57] - The Grip of Shame
- [17:41] - Breaking Free from Shame
- [19:36] - Deferred Grief and Its Consequences
- [20:38] - Processing Grief with God
- [23:09] - Honest Emotions in Faith
- [26:20] - Pursuing Peace in Fellowship
- [28:31] - Becoming Peacemakers
- [29:15] - Closing Blessing

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Luke 2:10-14 - "But the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.' Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.'"
2. Mark 14:33-34 - "He took Peter, James and John along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled. 'My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death,' he said to them. 'Stay here and keep watch.'"
3. John 11:35 - "Jesus wept."

Observation Questions:
1. According to the sermon, how does the peace that Jesus offers differ from the peace of the Roman Empire, known as Pax Romana? [05:45]
2. What are the three barriers mentioned in the sermon that prevent us from experiencing God's peace? [09:56]
3. How did Jesus model handling anxiety according to the sermon, and what specific actions did he take? [13:25]
4. In the sermon, what role does transparency and community play in overcoming shame? [17:41]

Interpretation Questions:
1. Why might the angels have specifically announced "peace on earth" during the birth of Jesus, rather than other virtues like love or joy? [04:37]
2. How does the sermon suggest that unprocessed grief can impact one's relationship with God and others? [20:38]
3. What does the sermon imply about the relationship between anxiety and our perception of God's peace? [12:18]
4. How does the sermon describe the process of becoming a peacemaker in the context of Christian faith? [28:31]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when anxiety narrowed your vision and led you to seek ineffective solutions. How can you apply Jesus' example of handling anxiety in your life today? [13:25]
2. Consider a situation where shame has led you to hide from God's peace. What steps can you take to engage with your struggles honestly and find healing through transparency and community? [17:41]
3. Identify any deferred grief in your life that might be blocking you from experiencing God's peace. How can you begin to process this grief with God and in community? [20:38]
4. In what ways can you challenge the status quo and invite others into the peace that only Jesus can provide? How can you be a peacemaker in your relationships? [28:31]
5. Think of a specific relationship where you can reflect the peace you have received from God. What practical steps can you take to pursue peace in that relationship this week? [28:31]
6. How can you create space in your life to experience genuine fellowship with God, where you are seen, known, and loved? What changes might you need to make to prioritize this relationship? [26:20]
7. Reflect on the barriers of anxiety, shame, and deferred grief in your life. Which one do you feel most challenged by, and what is one specific action you can take this week to address it? [09:56]

Devotional

Day 1: Divine Peace Through Fellowship
The peace that Jesus offers is not simply the absence of conflict or disturbances but the presence of a profound and genuine fellowship with God. This divine peace transcends the superficial tranquility often associated with the Christmas season and is available to all through Jesus Christ. The angels' proclamation of "peace on earth" during the birth of Jesus was not a mere affirmation of the Pax Romana, the Roman peace, but a declaration of a deeper, divine peace that comes from the kingdom of God. This peace is about the restoration of our relationship with God through Jesus Christ, allowing us to experience a profound sense of being seen, known, and loved by our Creator. [03:22]

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid." (John 14:27, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you cultivate a deeper fellowship with God today, allowing His peace to permeate your life beyond the absence of conflict?


Day 2: Overcoming Anxiety with Faith
Anxiety can rob us of peace by narrowing our vision and leading us to seek solutions that often fail. Jesus modeled how to handle anxiety by turning to God and seeking support from others, reminding us that it's okay to feel overwhelmed and to bring our fears to God. When we are anxious, our focus becomes limited, and we may find ourselves trapped in a cycle of worry and ineffective solutions. However, by following Jesus' example, we can learn to bring our anxieties to God, trusting in His wisdom and seeking the support of our community to help us navigate our fears. [13:25]

"Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved." (Psalm 55:22, ESV)

Reflection: What specific anxieties are you facing today, and how can you bring them to God, trusting in His provision and seeking support from your community?


Day 3: Breaking Free from the Grip of Shame
Shame leads us to hide from God's peace, trapping us in a cycle of pride and self-isolation. Transparency and community can break the grip of shame, allowing us to engage with our struggles honestly and find healing. When we are caught in shame, we often isolate ourselves, believing that we must handle our struggles alone. However, by embracing transparency and seeking the support of a loving community, we can break free from the cycle of shame and experience the healing and peace that God offers. [17:41]

"Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working." (James 5:16, ESV)

Reflection: Is there an area of your life where shame is keeping you isolated? How can you take a step towards transparency and community today to experience God's healing peace?


Day 4: Processing Grief with God
Deferred grief can lead to hopelessness and despair, blocking us from experiencing God's peace. Unprocessed loss can weigh heavily on our hearts, but bringing our honest emotions to God can lead to genuine fellowship and renewal, even if our circumstances remain unchanged. By allowing ourselves to grieve and bringing our pain to God, we open the door to His comfort and the possibility of renewal, even in the midst of our sorrow. [20:38]

"The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit." (Psalm 34:18, ESV)

Reflection: What unprocessed grief are you carrying, and how can you bring your honest emotions to God today, inviting His comfort and renewal into your life?


Day 5: Becoming Peacemakers
As followers of Christ, we are called not only to experience God's peace but to be peacemakers, reflecting the peace we receive in our relationships with others. This involves challenging the status quo and inviting others into the peace that only Jesus can provide. By embodying the peace of Christ in our interactions, we can become agents of change, inviting others to experience the transformative power of His peace. [28:31]

"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God." (Matthew 5:9, ESV)

Reflection: How can you actively reflect the peace of Christ in your relationships today, inviting others to experience His transformative peace?

Quotes



The peace that is inspired by anxiety and gives birth to fear is no peace at all. In contrast, the peace of God is not the absence of conflict, but the presence of genuine fellowship with God. [00:07:50] (22 seconds)


Anxiety robs us of our peace in God. You see, I deeply fear failure because I have this persistent thought in my mind that failure means I am not good enough. Growing up in a culture and family environment where achievement meant affirmation and failure meant shame, this distorted belief became ingrained in me. Occasionally, this fear rears its ugly head and then I can spiral into anxiety. Frantically searching for solutions. Solutions to avoid failure. [00:11:07] (35 seconds)


Jesus modeled to us that it's okay to feel overwhelmed, to ask for help, and to bring our fears and anxiety to God. Even the intercessor of all humanity sought the prayers of his friends and laid his burdens before the Father. This means we have permission to be weak and vulnerable in moments of overwhelming anxiety. [00:14:48] (26 seconds)


Shame leads us to hide from the peace God offers. Now shame is a visceral feeling of being flawed or unwanted. It taps into our deepest insecurities, the fear that we are somehow fundamentally broken, dirty, or unworthy of acceptance. It is rooted in the brokenness of this world. Adam and Eve didn't feel shame until they sinned and disobeyed God, and this feeling continues to haunt us to this day. [00:15:27] (33 seconds)


Transparency broke shame's grip, allowing me to engage my story with honesty and grace. And that marked the start of my recovery journey with the Men in Support group. And this year marks my sixth year in sobriety. But every year passes, and my heart breaks for men and women who are struggling with the grip of unwanted sexual behaviors in their lives. [00:17:19] (27 seconds)


Yet there was enduring peace budding in her heart, being renewed in her genuine fellowship with God who sees her worth, knows her heart, and hears her pain. And that, my friends, truly is peace. The peace of God is not just absence of conflict, but a deep and genuine fellowship with Him. [00:25:43] (37 seconds)


His calling for our lives is not only to experience his peace, but to be peacemakers. Therefore, first receive this peace, but don't allow this peace to be simply personal and spiritual. Reflect the peace that you experience in Christ in others. Out of peace flowing out of your heart, pursue others' peace in fellowship. [00:28:22] (27 seconds)


May the peace that baby Jesus brought to us on Christmas Day break through in your heart and spirit. May you experience genuine fellowship with the Lord. And this peace will fill your heart, fill your home. [00:29:15] (17 seconds)


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Transcript
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