Finding Lasting Peace Through Christ's Lordship
Summary
In today's gathering, we explored the profound concept of peace, a gift that only God can provide. While many of us may feel the weight of conflict, hopelessness, anger, emptiness, and loneliness, especially during the holiday season, there is a promise of peace that surpasses all understanding. This peace is not a fleeting emotion but a lasting state that comes from God. We delved into the scriptures, particularly Isaiah 9 and John 14, to understand how this peace is accessible to us.
Isaiah prophesied about the coming of Jesus, calling Him the "Prince of Peace" or "Sar Shalom" in Hebrew. This title signifies Jesus as the Lord of Peace, emphasizing His authority and ability to provide true peace. The Bible makes it clear that Jesus is the only way to God, and through Him, we can have peace with God. This peace is not just about the absence of conflict but a deep, abiding sense of wholeness and contentment that comes from being in right relationship with God.
We also discussed the difference between having peace with God and experiencing the peace of God. The former is a reconciliation made possible through Jesus' sacrifice, while the latter is the ongoing experience of peace in our lives as we submit to His lordship. Many of us desire a Savior but struggle with making Jesus the Lord of our lives. Yet, it is in surrendering to His lordship that we find true peace.
Jesus bought our peace through His death and resurrection, bridging the gap between sinful humanity and a holy God. He is the source of peace, and we must remain connected to Him, like branches to a vine, to experience the fruit of His peace in our lives. This requires daily time with God, surrendering our will to His, and trusting Him through life's challenges.
Key Takeaways:
- The Necessity of Community: While online church is a valuable resource, it cannot replace the experience of gathering with the body of Christ. Being part of a community is essential for spiritual growth and experiencing the fullness of being the church. [02:19]
- True Peace Comes from God: The peace that surpasses understanding is not a temporary feeling but a lasting state that only God can provide. It is available to us through Jesus, the Prince of Peace, and is rooted in a relationship with Him. [05:39]
- Jesus as Lord and Savior: While many desire Jesus as Savior, true peace comes when we also make Him Lord of our lives. This involves surrendering our will to His and living in obedience to His commands. [15:07]
- The Source of Peace: Jesus is the source of peace, and we must remain connected to Him to experience it. This requires daily time with God, prayer, and surrendering our lives to His lordship. [30:16]
- Growth Through Struggles: Difficult times often draw us closer to God and teach us valuable lessons. In our struggles, we learn to depend on God and experience His peace in ways we might not during easier times. [33:13]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[02:19] - The Importance of Community
[03:47] - Headlines and Emotions
[05:39] - The Promise of Peace
[07:02] - Scripture Reading: Isaiah 9
[08:51] - Understanding Sar Shalom
[10:08] - Jesus as Lord of Peace
[11:46] - The Need for a Savior
[15:07] - Surrendering to His Lordship
[17:21] - The Role of the Holy Spirit
[19:35] - Peace in a Troubled World
[21:19] - Jesus Bought Our Peace
[22:04] - Peace with God vs. Peace of God
[24:54] - The Gift of New Life
[26:19] - Why God Forgives
[27:53] - Justification and Righteousness
[30:16] - Abiding in Christ for Peace
[31:43] - The Importance of Time with God
[33:13] - Growth Through Struggles
[34:07] - Choosing Christ as Lord
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Isaiah 9:6-7
- John 14:25-27
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Observation Questions:
1. What are the different titles given to Jesus in Isaiah 9:6, and what do they signify about His role? [08:51]
2. According to John 14:27, how does Jesus describe the peace He gives compared to the peace the world offers? [17:21]
3. In the sermon, what distinction is made between having peace with God and experiencing the peace of God? [22:04]
4. How does the sermon describe the role of community in experiencing the fullness of being the church? [02:19]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. Why might the title "Prince of Peace" be significant in understanding Jesus' mission and character? How does this title relate to the concept of peace in the sermon? [10:08]
2. What does it mean to make Jesus the Lord of one's life, and how is this connected to experiencing true peace according to the sermon? [15:07]
3. How does the sermon explain the necessity of remaining connected to Jesus, like branches to a vine, to experience His peace? [30:16]
4. In what ways does the sermon suggest that struggles and difficult times can lead to spiritual growth and a deeper experience of God's peace? [33:13]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current relationship with Jesus. Is He more of a Savior or a Lord in your life? What steps can you take to surrender more fully to His lordship? [15:07]
2. How can you prioritize daily time with God to ensure you remain connected to the source of peace? What changes might you need to make in your daily routine? [31:43]
3. Think about a recent conflict or struggle in your life. How did it affect your sense of peace? How can you approach similar situations in the future with a mindset of surrender to God's will? [33:13]
4. The sermon emphasizes the importance of community. How can you become more actively involved in your church community to experience the fullness of being the church? [02:19]
5. Identify an area in your life where you feel a lack of peace. What practical steps can you take to invite God's peace into that situation?
6. Consider the difference between the world's peace and the peace Jesus offers. How can you cultivate a deeper understanding and experience of Jesus' peace in your daily life? [17:21]
7. Reflect on a time when you felt distant from God. What brought you back to a place of peace and connection with Him? How can you use that experience to help others who might be struggling?
Devotional
Day 1: The Power of Community in Spiritual Growth
In a world where digital connections are prevalent, the necessity of physical community remains vital for spiritual growth. While online church services offer convenience, they cannot replace the profound experience of gathering with fellow believers. Being part of a community allows individuals to share their burdens, celebrate victories, and grow together in faith. It is within this community that believers can experience the fullness of being the church, supporting one another in their spiritual journeys. The act of coming together fosters accountability, encouragement, and a deeper understanding of God's love through shared experiences. [02:19]
Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV): "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."
Reflection: Who in your church community can you reach out to this week to encourage or support in their spiritual journey?
Day 2: Experiencing God's Peace Beyond Understanding
True peace is a profound gift from God, transcending human understanding and circumstances. This peace is not merely the absence of conflict but a deep, abiding sense of wholeness and contentment that comes from a relationship with Jesus, the Prince of Peace. It is a state of being that remains steadfast even amidst life's challenges and uncertainties. By anchoring oneself in Christ, believers can access this divine peace, which guards their hearts and minds, providing comfort and assurance in every situation. [05:39]
Colossians 3:15 (ESV): "And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful."
Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to invite God's peace to rule over your heart and mind today?
Day 3: Surrendering to Jesus as Lord
While many desire Jesus as their Savior, true peace and fulfillment come when He is also made Lord of their lives. This involves a conscious decision to surrender one's will to His, living in obedience to His commands. It is in this surrender that believers find true freedom and peace, as they align their lives with God's purpose and direction. By submitting to His lordship, individuals experience a transformation that leads to a deeper relationship with God and a more profound sense of peace. [15:07]
Luke 6:46-48 (ESV): "Why do you call me 'Lord, Lord,' and not do what I tell you? Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and does them, I will show you what he is like: he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself holding back from surrendering to Jesus? What would surrendering this area to Him actually look like in terms of daily habits?
Day 4: Staying Connected to the Source of Peace
Jesus is the source of true peace, and believers must remain connected to Him to experience it fully. This connection is akin to branches abiding in the vine, drawing life and sustenance from the source. Daily time with God, through prayer and meditation on His Word, is essential for maintaining this connection. By surrendering their lives to His lordship and trusting Him through life's challenges, believers can experience the fruit of His peace in their lives, even in the midst of trials. [30:16]
John 15:4-5 (ESV): "Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing."
Reflection: How can you intentionally create space in your daily routine to connect with Jesus and draw from His peace?
Day 5: Growth Through Life's Struggles
Difficult times often serve as catalysts for spiritual growth, drawing believers closer to God and teaching valuable lessons. In the midst of struggles, individuals learn to depend on God, experiencing His peace and presence in ways they might not during easier times. These challenges refine faith, build character, and deepen one's relationship with God. By embracing struggles as opportunities for growth, believers can find strength and peace, knowing that God is with them every step of the way. [33:13]
James 1:2-4 (ESV): "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."
Reflection: Reflect on a recent struggle you faced. How did it draw you closer to God, and what lessons did you learn from it?
Quotes
"Well, I want to tell you this today, and this is the truth, and I'm glad you're here, is that you can have peace. You can have it. This is absolutely something that you can have, but it only comes from God, and the Word of God will show us how you can have peace. And it's not some fleeting emotion. It's not this thing that's here today and gone tomorrow. It's something that lasts." [00:05:28] (26 seconds)
"The Bible says it very expressly, very explicitly. Jesus, when he says, I am the way, the truth, and the life, and no man comes to the Father except through me, he is saying that he is the only door for us to have a relationship with God. There is no other way, and friend, if you've been told by someone else that there are many ways to God outside of Jesus Christ, you have been deceived." [00:10:59] (23 seconds)
"If you are just being crushed under this weight of stress, if you're going through things right now where you're just like, I can't push this rock off of me, everything's just hard, I would ask you the question, what does your time with God look like? This is where I want to start. Are you taking time at some point in the first moments of your day to say, this belongs to God and God alone?" [00:31:29] (23 seconds)
"Do the easy times draw you near to God? Do the easy times cause you to grow the most, or is it the difficult times? Is it the times where you're reminded, of your desperate need for God and your need for a savior that draw you nearer to him? Or is it the times where, you know, you got a fat wallet, everything's easy and your kids are actually behaving?" [00:33:22] (22 seconds)
"Jesus came to bring sinful, alienated, wicked people into a relationship with God. And when you trust Jesus as your savior, you get to experience then peace with God. As a result of that, you will abide in the peace of God. And that's good news for someone today. Maybe you've never had it before. You can do that. You can do that. You can do that. You can do that. You can do that. You can have it today." [00:25:25] (26 seconds)
"Why is Jesus the Prince of Peace? Here's the first thing I would tell you. It's because Jesus bought our peace. Because what he did for you and for me is something we could not do for ourselves. He paid an ultimate price, and he is the guarantor of the peace that only he can give. Through his becoming the payment for our sin by his death on the cross." [00:21:52] (23 seconds)
"Jesus pays our sin debt fully. He makes it possible for God then to forgive our sins and declare us as not just forgiven, but to go from us being his enemy to declaring us as his children, as his sons and his daughters. And this is the best news that we can hear at Christmastime, all because of what Christ did. He is the prince of peace." [00:28:47] (29 seconds)
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