Finding True Peace in God's Presence
Summary
The pastor's sermon delves into the concept of peace, emphasizing that it is not contingent on perfect circumstances but on the presence of God. He highlights the spiritual battle for peace that occurs in the mind, urging the congregation to fix their thoughts on God as per Isaiah 26:3. The pastor also discusses the necessity of being born again through Jesus, outlining the steps of admitting one's sinfulness, believing in Jesus' sacrifice, and confessing Him as Lord. He rejoices over the individuals who made peace with God during the service.
The sermon further addresses the joy in heaven and the church when individuals accept Jesus, emphasizing that an abundant life begins now, not just in the afterlife. The pastor speaks about the universal desire for peace, which he believes can only be fulfilled by divine peace from God. He references Isaiah's prophecy of a future filled with worship, praise, and peace, and the anticipation of a song that will be sung in that day.
Personal experiences are shared, including the pastor's role as a grief counselor and the internal and external storms faced by individuals. He uses the story of Jesus calming the storm to illustrate how Jesus, being peace, can impart peace to others. The pastor encourages the congregation to focus their minds on Jesus and positive things, as advised in Philippians 4:8-9, to experience God's peace.
The sermon also touches on the importance of peace with God, others, oneself, and one's circumstances. It suggests that peace with God allows for a proper view of self-worth and dignity in others, and that peace with oneself comes from God's forgiveness. The pastor stresses that peace is not the absence of problems but is found in God's presence.
The pastor announces the "Missing Peace" sermon series and the Christmas Eve services, reflecting on the angel's message of peace on Earth at Christ's birth. He acknowledges the difficulty of experiencing perfect peace and explains that peace, or "shalom," means wholeness and completeness. The pastor expresses his hope that everyone knows they have made peace with God.
Lastly, the pastor shares a personal story of emotional turmoil during the holidays, expressing gratitude for the support received during the hospitalization of his babies and the loss of his sister. He reflects on the complexity of emotions experienced while celebrating life and mourning death simultaneously.
Key Takeaways:
- Peace is a state of being that transcends circumstances and is rooted in the presence of God. It is a spiritual condition that is achieved by focusing one's mind on God and His promises, as illustrated in Isaiah 26:3. This peace is not dependent on external factors but is a result of an internal alignment with the divine. [22:14]
- Being born again is a transformative process that involves recognizing one's sinfulness, believing in the redemptive work of Jesus Christ, and confessing Him as Lord. This spiritual rebirth is essential for making peace with God and is celebrated both in the church and in heaven, as it marks the beginning of an abundant life that extends beyond the earthly realm. [42:33]
- Divine peace, as described in the sermon, is a unique form of tranquility that originates from God. It is not equivalent to worldly success or material wealth and is especially sought after during times of celebration and reflection, such as the Christmas season. The biblical prophecy from Isaiah envisions a future where peace is abundant, highlighting its eternal significance. [12:04]
- The concept of peace encompasses various relationships, including peace with God, others, oneself, and one's circumstances. True peace with God allows individuals to view themselves and others with dignity and worth, and to find forgiveness for past mistakes. Peace with circumstances is about maintaining faith and trust in God's perspective, even amidst life's challenges. [18:37]
- The pursuit of perfect peace, or "shalom," is a common human endeavor, yet it often feels elusive. The pastor's personal reflections reveal that peace is a dynamic state that requires continual faith and trust in God's presence and promises. The assurance of peace with God is foundational to experiencing peace in all other aspects of life. [15:53]
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Isaiah 26:3-4 (NIV)
> "You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord himself, is the Rock eternal."
2. Philippians 4:8-9 (NIV)
> "Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you."
3. John 16:33 (NIV)
> "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
### Observation Questions
1. According to Isaiah 26:3, what is the condition for experiencing perfect peace?
2. In Philippians 4:8-9, what are the things Paul advises believers to focus their thoughts on?
3. What does Jesus promise in John 16:33 about the nature of peace and the reality of troubles in this world?
4. How does the pastor describe the concept of "shalom" in the sermon? ([17:14])
### Interpretation Questions
1. What does it mean to have a mind that is "steadfast" as described in Isaiah 26:3? How does this relate to trusting in God?
2. How can focusing on the qualities listed in Philippians 4:8-9 lead to experiencing God's peace? ([26:42])
3. Jesus mentions that we will have trouble in this world but also offers peace. How can believers reconcile these two seemingly contradictory statements? ([20:43])
4. The pastor mentioned that peace is not the absence of problems but the presence of God. How does this perspective change the way we view our circumstances? ([22:54])
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you experienced God's peace despite difficult circumstances. What was your mind focused on during that time? ([15:53])
2. The pastor shared a personal story of emotional turmoil during the holidays. How can you support someone in your life who is going through a similar experience? ([28:17])
3. What are some practical ways you can fix your thoughts on what is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and admirable as advised in Philippians 4:8-9? ([26:42])
4. Identify an area in your life where you struggle to find peace. How can you apply the principle of trusting in God as described in Isaiah 26:3 to that area? ([15:03])
5. The pastor emphasized the importance of making peace with God, others, oneself, and one's circumstances. Which of these areas do you find most challenging, and what steps can you take to improve? ([18:37])
6. How can you be a "roadblock" for someone heading towards spiritual destruction, as the pastor described using the invite card analogy? ([07:05])
7. The pastor mentioned that peace is a dynamic state requiring continual faith and trust in God's presence and promises. What specific promise of God can you hold onto this week to help maintain your peace? ([15:53])
Devotional
Day 1: Peace Beyond Circumstances
True peace is found in God's presence, not in the absence of trouble. It is an inner serenity that persists regardless of life's storms, anchored in the divine rather than the temporal. This peace is cultivated by directing one's focus towards God and His eternal promises, allowing the mind to rest in His sovereignty and love. [22:14]
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 shift your focus to God's presence in a situation where you're currently seeking peace?
Day 2: The Journey of Rebirth
Being born again is the gateway to peace with God and the inception of a life filled with His abundance. This spiritual rebirth is a conscious choice to turn from sin, embrace the sacrifice of Jesus, and acknowledge Him as the sovereign Lord of one's life. It is a cause for celestial celebration and the start of an eternal relationship with the Creator. [42:33]
1 Peter 1:23 - "For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God."
Reflection: What does being 'born again' mean to you, and how does it shape your understanding of peace with God?
Day 3: The Essence of Divine Peace
Divine peace is a profound tranquility that comes exclusively from a relationship with God. It is not tied to worldly achievements or possessions but is a deep-seated contentment that endures through all of life's highs and lows. This peace is prophesied to fill the earth in a future of worship and praise, a vision that offers hope and anticipation for believers. [12:04]
Isaiah 54:10 - "Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says the Lord, who has compassion on you."
Reflection: In what ways can you seek and cultivate divine peace in your life, especially during times of celebration or reflection?
Day 4: Peace in All Relationships
Peace with God is the cornerstone for peace in all other areas of life. It allows for a healthy self-view and fosters dignity and worth in relationships with others. This peace also brings forgiveness and reconciliation with oneself, enabling a person to navigate life's challenges with grace and faith. [18:37]
Ephesians 2:14 - "For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility."
Reflection: How does your peace with God influence your relationships with others and your view of yourself?
Day 5: The Quest for Shalom
The pursuit of shalom, or wholeness, is a lifelong journey that intertwines with the complexities of life. It is about finding completeness in God amidst the emotional ebbs and flows of joy and sorrow. This quest for perfect peace is a testament to the human heart's yearning for the divine, a yearning that can only be satisfied in God's embrace. [15:53]
Jeremiah 29:11 - "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
Reflection: Can you identify an area of your life where you are seeking shalom, and how can you actively trust God to bring wholeness in that area?
Quotes
"Peace is not found in the absence of problems; peace is found in the presence of God." [33:32] (Download)
"The battle for peace always starts and ends in the mind. Peace that we're fighting for, the battle that we're fighting, is a spiritual battle that's taking place in our minds." [23:39] (Download)
"I believe that what is in the hearts of every human being today is peace, not just any peace but real peace, Divine peace, peace that comes from Heaven, peace that can only come from God." [12:04] (Download)
"When you have peace with God, you just see everybody as worthy and that they have dignity and that they are created in the image of God." [18:37] (Download)
"Perfect peace means peace not only with yourself, with the world, with your circumstances, but the most important peace that some of you need this morning is peace with God." [40:22] (Download)
"The perfect peace of God—I need that promise, I want that promise, I love this promise that you will keep us in perfect peace, the peace that can only come from God." [15:53] (Download)
"Shalom was a greeting that you gave to one another in the Jewish time... it means wholeness, completeness, fullness of Peace. It's peace in every way possible, it's complete and perfect peace." [17:14] (Download)
"Have you made peace with God? Do you know that your sins have been forgiven, do you know that your name is written in the book of Heaven, do you know that when you take your last breath here on Earth, the next breath will be in heaven with God?" [17:58] (Download)
"Jesus when he would encounter someone often times he would say peace be with you and when there was a traumatic event in someone's life and Jesus was there he would say now go in peace." [11:17] (Download)
"The Apostle Paul when he wrote his letters he began with a salutation, a greeting, and he how did he start his letters he would go Grace and peace be to you." [11:17] (Download)
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