Advent Lesson "Joy" December 21, 2014

The Joy of God
vs
The World’s Happiness

"Happiness lies in the joy of achievement and the thrill of creative effort."

-Franklin Roosevelt 

I. Defining Joy

This is the fourth week of Advent, when we light the Joy candle. Today we’ll be contrasting the difference between the world’s counterfeit happiness versus the joy of God.

Every time we turn on the television, pick up a magazine or listen to the radio; we’re promised true and lasting happiness. We’re encouraged to buy this and upgrade that. There’s always something new we need to finally be happy and fulfilled. 

The world promises joy because of our circumstances.

God promises us joy despite our circumstances. 

“I have spoken these things to you so that My joy may be in you and your joy may be complete. This is My command: Love one another as I have loved you.” John 15: 11-12 (HCSB)

Therefore, since we also have such a large cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily ensnares us. Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us, keeping our eyes on Jesus, the source and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that lay before Him endured a cross and despised the shame and has sat down at the right hand of God’s throne. Hebrews 12:1-3 (HCSB)

Though princes sit together speaking against me, Your servant will think about Your statutes; Your decrees are my delight and my counselors. Psalm 119:23-24 (HCSB)

Read these three Scriptures and list the circumstances described above:

When have you had a foundation of joy despite your circumstances?

How long is the world’s promised happiness likely to last?

II. The Power of Joy

Joy is a powerful thing. It can help us rise above our circumstances, and gives us strength when we need it. More importantly, it connects us more closely to God.

Then he said to them, "Go and eat what is rich, drink what is sweet, and send portions to those who have nothing prepared, since today is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, because the joy of the LORD is your stronghold." Nehemiah 8:10 (HCSB)

Rejoice always! Pray constantly. Give thanks in everything, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. I Thessalonians 5:16-18 (HCSB)

Contrast the joy that God has to offer with the happiness found in following the world’s path and we can see why so many are coming to know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

Look at the verses above and list the joy found there:

Don’t you know that ever since antiquity, from the time man was placed on earth, the joy of the wicked has been brief and the happiness of the godless has lasted only a moment? Job 20:4-5 (HCSB)

Now consider the aspects of this Christmas season that the world says is joy. Things like just the right gift, or the right clothes to wear to a party, or even the invitation to the right party.

How does the quest for these things, and others like them, set us up for fleeting happiness instead of lasting joy?

How does our joy, or lack of joy, affect others around us?

Joy can also replace fear with courage. We see that on the night of Jesus’ birth when the shepherds are witness to the multitude of angels:

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about." So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. Luke 2:15-16 (HCSB)

How can joy help us, and others replace fear with courage?

III. The Gift of Joy

Joy is a gift, and it comes from many sources. It’s a gift from God, from those around us, and it’s a gift we give ourselves when we choose to have that perspective on our circumstances. But this gift of joy isn’t available to us unless we know God.

…for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. Romans 14:17 (HCSB)

What are the things listed above as being part of the kingdom of God?

You could say that the first part of that verse describes happiness: eating and drinking - outward, natural pleasures. The second part describes the elements of spiritual fulfillment: righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

How do you think this verse applies specifically to the Christmas season?

Most people confuse joy with happiness. But there is a vast difference. Happiness is grounded in favorable circumstances. When everything goes well, the camper is happy. Joy on the other hand is rooted in the spirit. It is an attitude of life. It remains present as an undercurrent even when things aren't exactly dandy.

And that brings us back to the reason for the season, the birth of Jesus. Apart from Him, there is

• No foundation of hope

• No sacrificial love

• No everlasting peace

• No deep and abiding joy

Everything about this season comes back to that baby in the manger. Not the stylized, sanitized version the world presents. NO. Jesus is the ultimate gift of His Father in Heaven.

I’ve heard it said He was born to die, but I vehemently disagree. Jesus was born to live—and to share that gift of life with all who would accept it. 


Our Lesson This Morning:


 
                           The Joy of God vs The World’s Counterfeit Happiness 

How do you define happiness?

Thoreau said, "Happiness is like a butterfly: the more you chase it, the more it will elude you, but if you turn your attention to other things, it will come and sit softly on your shoulder."

Psychologists disagree with Thoreau in that they believe that you can choose to be happy!

How do you define happiness?



I. Defining Joy
This is the fourth week of Advent, when we light the Joy candle. Today we’ll be contrasting the difference between the world’s counterfeit happiness versus the joy of God.



What are some ways the world promises happiness?

• Every time we turn on the television, pick up a magazine or listen to the radio; we’re promised true and lasting happiness. We’re encouraged to buy this and upgrade that. There’s always something new we need to finally be happy and fulfilled.

What is happiness? What makes you happy?

• Happiness is a feeling of contentment and satisfaction. A simple definition of happiness can be described as a pleasurable feeling, joy and contentment. An outward sign of being happy is a big beautiful smile.
• People look for happiness in family life, in ones career, etc. We sometimes believe that a change of circumstances will make us happy: restoration of our health, winning a lottery, an improved financial situation, a better job or perhaps a new romance.
• It is natural for us to spend a lifetime search for happiness, hoping to fill the emptiness, incompleteness or sadness we have deep within. The problem is sometimes we do not know where to find real happiness.

Our lesson says this morning that: 


                       The world promises joy because of our circumstances.

                                God promises us joy despite our circumstances.



Someone read John 15:11-12 and think about what God wants us to understand from these two verses about joy.



“I have spoken these things to you so that My joy may be in you and your joy may be complete. This is My command: Love one another as I have loved you.” (HCSB)

• Jesus teaches about the vine and the branches - Abiding
• When things are going well, we feel elated. When hardships come, we sink into depression. True joy transcends the rolling waves of circumstance. Joy comes from a consistent relationship with Jesus Christ. When our lives are intertwined with His, He will help us walk through adversity without sinking into debilitating lows and manage prosperity without moving into deceptive highs. The joy of living with Jesus Christ daily will keep us level headed, no matter how high or low our circumstances.

Someone read Hebrews 12:1-3 and think about what God wants us to understand from these three verses about joy.


Therefore, since we also have such a large cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily ensnares us. Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us, keeping our eyes on Jesus, the source and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that lay before Him endured a cross and despised the shame and has sat down at the right hand of God’s throne. Hebrews 12:1-3 (HCSB)

• The Christian life involves hard work. It requires us to give up whatever endangers our relationship with God, to run patiently, and to struggle against sin with the power of the Holy Spirit. To live effectively, we must keep our eyes on Jesus. We will stumble if we look away from Him to stare at ourselves or at the circumstances surrounding us. We should be running for Christ, not ourselves, and we must always keep Him in sight.
• When we face hardship or discouragement, it is easy to lose sight of the big picture. But we’re not alone; there is help. Many have already made it through life, enduring far more difficult circumstances than we have experienced. Suffering is the training ground for Christian maturity; it develops patience and makes our final victory sweet.

Someone read Psalm 119:23-24 and think about what God wants us to understand from these two verses about joy.



Though princes sit together speaking against me, Your servant will think about Your statutes; Your decrees are my delight and my counselors. Psalm 119:23-24 (HCSB)

• Our lives are cluttered with rule books, but the authors never come with us to help us follow the rules. But God does. That is the uniqueness of our Bible. God not only provides the rules and guidelines, but comes with us personally each day to strengthen us so that we can live according to those rules. All we must do is invite Him and respond to His direction.

When have you had a joy that transcended your circumstances?



What way of happiness are we following: the way of the World, or the way of Jesus?

• Jesus is telling us today, that a happy person is the person for whom God is the most important thing in life – whether one is poor or rich, popular or not, powerful or weak. If our first thought in the morning and the last thought in the evening are of how to desire God, then we are happy.
• Joy, on the other hand, is from God and runs deeper — it can be present even during unhappy times.

There are two ways to achieve happiness: one is the way of the World, and the second way is the way of Jesus. The way of the World to achieve happiness is the accumulation of the 4 P’s namely, power, prestige, possessions and popularity. The way of the World promises us that these 4 P’s are keys to be happy. But in reality they are not, and we see this based on tragic experience of many people we’ve known who had achieved power, prestige, possessions and popularity. The second way to achieve happiness is the way of Jesus. Contrary to the way of the world, Jesus gives us a prescription for real and genuine happiness in a number of short sayings which we call the Beatitudes.


The word beatitude comes from the Latin root word beati (beatitude, happiness) means blessed but a more literal translation of beatitude into contemporary English is “happy.” The Beatitudes imply that people not normally considered blessed (happy) on Earth are in fact blessed by God and will experience the Kingdom of Heaven, where there is eternal and real happiness.


Jesus' way of happiness, does not require accumulation of material things, however, demands a transformation from within — a conversion of heart and mind – the search for happiness begins from within.





II. The Power of Joy

Joy is a powerful thing. It can help us rise above our circumstances, and gives us strength when we need it. More importantly, it connects us more closely to God.



Someone read Nehemiah 8:10 and list the joy found there.



Then he said to them, "Go and eat what is rich, drink what is sweet, and send portions to those who have nothing prepared, since today is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, because the joy of the LORD is your stronghold." Nehemiah 8:10 (HCSB)

• The people wept openly when they heard God’s laws and realized how far they were from obeying them. But Ezra told them they should be filled with joy because the day was holy. It was time to celebrate and to give gifts to those in need. Celebration is not to be self-centered. Ezra connected celebration with giving. This gave those in need an opportunity to celebrate as well. Often when we celebrate and give to others (even when we don’t feel like it), we are strengthened spiritually and filled with joy. Enter into celebrations that honor God, and allow Him to fill you with His joy.
• Joy is defined as "cheerfulness or calm delight;" however, it has nothing to do with your emotions. Joy is something that is manifested in the spiritual realm; it is a supernatural joy that gives spiritual strength (Nehemiah 8:10).

Someone read 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 and list the joy found there.



Rejoice always! Pray constantly. Give thanks in everything, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. I Thessalonians 5:16-18 (HCSB)

• Our joy, prayers, and thankfulness should not fluctuate with our circumstances or feelings. Obeying these three commands – be joyful, pray continually, and give thanks – often goes against our natural inclinations. When we make a conscious decision to do what God says, however, we will begin to see people in a new perspective. When we do God’s will, we will find it easier to be joyful and thankful.
• We cannot spend all our time on our knees, but it is possible to have a prayerful attitude at all times. This attitude is built upon acknowledging our dependence on God, realizing His presence within us, and determining to obey Him fully. Then we will find it natural to pray frequent, spontaneous, short prayers. A prayerful attitude is not a substitute for regular times of prayer but should be an outgrowth of those times.

Contrast the joy that God has to offer with the happiness found in following the world’s path and we can see why so many are coming to know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

Don’t you know that ever since antiquity, from the time man was placed on earth, the joy of the wicked has been brief and the happiness of the godless has lasted only a moment? Job 20:4-5 (HCSB)

• At first, sin seems enjoyable and attractive. Lying, stealing or oppressing others often brings temporary gain to those who practice these sins. Some live a long time with ill-gotten gain. But in the end, God’s justice will prevail. Judgment for these sins may not come in the lifetime of the sinner. Punishment may be deferred until the last judgment, when sinners will be eternally cut off from God. We should not be impressed with the success and power of evil people. God’s judgment on them is certain.

Now consider the aspects of this Christmas season that the world says is joy. Things like just the right gift, or the right clothes to wear to a party, or even the invitation to the right party.



How does the quest for these things, and others like them, set us up for fleeting happiness instead of lasting joy?



How does our joy, or lack of joy, affect others around us?



Joy can also replace fear with courage. We see that on the night of Jesus’ birth when the shepherds are witness to the multitude of angels:



When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about." So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. Luke 2:15-16 (HCSB)



How can joy help us, and others replace fear with courage?



Joy is a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22) “but the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long sufferance, gentleness, goodness, faith”; and as we stay connected these fruit will develop in our lives. One may ask, how can we be joyful when things are in the natural falling apart? The answer is that we can rejoice because our names are written in the Lamb’s book of life. And also if we need wisdom to come out of any situation, we can ask God and He will give it to us. There is a word of God that can answer any problem we can have.



III. The Gift of Joy

Joy is a gift, and it comes from many sources. It’s a gift from God, from those around us, and it’s a gift we give ourselves when we choose to have that perspective on our circumstances. But this gift of joy isn’t available to us unless we know God.



…for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. Romans 14:17 (HCSB)


What are the things listed above as being part of the kingdom of God?

• Righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit
• You could say that the first part of that verse describes happiness: eating and drinking - outward, natural pleasures. The second part describes the elements of spiritual fulfillment: righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

How do you think this verse applies specifically to the things we face during the Christmas season?

• Most people confuse joy with happiness. But there is a vast difference. Happiness is grounded in favorable circumstances. When everything goes well, the camper is happy. Joy on the other hand is rooted in the spirit. It is an attitude of life. It remains present as an undercurrent even when things aren't exactly dandy.

And that brings us back to the reason for the season, the birth of Jesus. Apart from Him, there is

• No foundation of hope
• No sacrificial love
• No everlasting peace
• No deep and abiding joy

We’ll be faced with a lot of watered down versions of baby Jesus this Christmas season. I’m committing right now, to present Him completely through the life I live. I will choose

• A foundation of hope, found only in Jesus
• A sacrificial love, possible only through His power at work in me
• An everlasting peace that doesn’t depend on outside circumstances
• A deep and abiding joy as I choose to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas

 
Heaven's joy is rooted in the sure knowledge that all is in God's hand (that goes for earthly Christians too.) Paul could rejoice because he knew that he lived in the will of God for his life. He had a good conscience. That brought peace. And it reinforced the undercurrent of joy in his life. He knew: I can't lose.


The dominant mood in Paul was his joy in his own salvation.


We need to do the same. Look away from the problems in your life. Remember the awesome testimonies that you have. Remember God's intervention on numerous occasions for you. He is faithful and just. He will not forget you. He will come through for you. Just serve Him. Worship Him. Give Him offerings. He won't let you down.




First Four Beatitudes: The first set of four beatitudes: Happiness of the poor in spirit, the gentle, the mourners and the righteous.


Humility, being poor in spirit, is the fundamental condition of a relationship with God. Poverty in spirit is the first condition for real happiness. Being poor in spirit is not trusting in ourselves but trusting in God instead. We are poor in spirit when we surrender our plans to God asking for his help. Poverty in spirit makes us free to seek God alone not on material things or prestigious titles that we have.



If we are to be happy we are to be gentle, to be gentle means to self controlled and God controlled. To be gentle does not mean being soft or quiet, rather it also has the ability to be angry with the right people about the right things at the right time to the right degree.


Jesus says that we will be happy when we mourn for our sins and the sins of others.


We will be happy when we hunger and thirst for what is right. A righteous person is someone who only desires the will of God and one who has a profound respect for others and wants to treat others with equal dignity. So when we see other people abused in one way or another, we hunger and thirst that their dignity will be respected.


The Second Set of Beatitudes
The second set of beatitudes: The happiness of the merciful, pure of heart, peace makers and the persecuted. All the second set of four beatitudes is best interpreted as the ability to give unconditional forgiveness and the generosity to ask pardon for our offences against others.


Jesus gave the example of the forgiving love of a merciful heart from the cross by praying for His executioners. As long as we hold something in our hearts against somebody we are not free, we are not happy.



Purity of heart makes one happy. The pure in heart are morally pure, in body, speech and in mind. 

 Prayer of Commitment

"Lord, increase my hunger for You and show me the way that leads to everlasting happiness and peace. May I desire You above all else and find perfect joy in doing Your will."

Hope to see you this Sunday!

In His Love,

David & Susan

Merry Christmas

 

 

Advent Lesson "Peace" December 14, 2014

Worldly Peace vs the Peace of God

A doctor examined his patient and concluded that nothing physical was wrong with him. He said, "You probably have some business or social problem that you should talk over with a good counselor. I dealt with a case very similar to yours only a few weeks ago. This patient of mine had a $5,000 debt that he could not pay. Because of his financial problem he had worried himself into a state of nervous exhaustion." 

"And did you cure him?" asked the patient."Yes," said the doctor. "I told him just to stop worrying, that life is too short to make himself sick over a silly little scrap of paper. Now he's back to normal; he stopped worrying." 

"I know," said the patient, "I'm the one he owes the $5,000 to, and that's what I'm worried about."

It seems that everybody's worried about something. Do you, like me, need to be reminded that Jesus came to bring us peace? The Bible says that when we allow His Spirit to fill us one of the results of that spiritual experience is peace; the fruit of the Spirit is peace (Galatians 5:22).

I. Defining Peace

This is the third week of Advent, when we light the Peace candle. Today we’ll be contrasting the difference between what the world says brings peace and what God says brings peace.

Many people would suggest that war is the opposite of peace. And while there is certain validity to that line of thought, I would argue that the opposite of peace is more often busyness.

Yes, there are wars and conflicts are all around us. And yes, sometimes I do worry about what the future holds. But the enemy of peace in my life isn’t war. It’s the stress that comes from having too much to do and too little time in which to accomplish it. If I wanted to render Christians ineffective, especially during the celebration of Jesus’ birth, I’d keep them too busy to act and too tired to care.

“Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Your heart must not be troubled or fearful.” John 14:27 (HCSB)

Where do we get this need to accomplish so much? I believe this is the lie that the world is selling us. Everywhere we look—especially this time of year—we’re bombarded with the expectation of doing more, getting more and even giving more. We’re told that acquisition brings peace. When we attain this thing, or this status, or even this income; we will be able to rest. We’ve forgotten that a relationship with God is all about abiding and being. And that’s never more true than at Christmas.

So this leads me to ask, why do we have all this pressure—this need to do so much? Jesus has given us peace, but we can’t seem to hold onto it. Share some things that keep you from having peace during the Christmas season:

A lot of things keep this elusive peace just beyond reach. For many it can all be summed up in a single word—expectations.

What expectations do you battle this time of year?

Our lesson mentions these:

• Those expectations whispering that I’m the one who must orchestrate special gatherings for my family and friends.

• Those whispers that tell me I’m expected to have a perfectly clean and decorated home.

• Those whispers that tell me I must have the perfect gift for everyone or risk ruining Christmas for them.

The list can go on and on and on. But the truth is:

True peace is not driven by outside circumstances, but by internal truth.

So why have we bought into fulfilling these expectations—become so distracted by the shiny objects of accomplishments we believe will give our lives purpose?

Instead of answering that, I’d like to share a parable.

The Perfect Gifts

A small child walked along the seashore with her father. It was a safe place, and she ran here and there, always within sight of daddy. The damp sand was dotted with shells of all shapes, sizes and colors—still wet from the morning tide. They were sparkling temptations for one so young. As she darted from one distraction after another, she squealed with delight at the shells she saw. Each seemed more beautiful than the last, and she loaded her pockets with the treasures she found.

Occasionally, her father called to her, handing her a perfect shell he’d chosen just for her. She added those treasures to the ones she already carried. But in a short time, she began to slow, weighed down with the burdens of all she carried. Her pockets stuck out awkwardly. Many of those treasures she’d thought so precious began to poke and stab at her. When she tried to rearrange her burden, she noticed that several of the shells her daddy had given her were broken, shattered under the weight of all the others. She finally plopped down in the sand, sobbing with frustration and unable to understand why that beautiful walk had turned so miserable.

Daddy came over and gathered her into his arms. “My Child, you can’t carry every pretty thing you see. Empty your pockets and I’ll help you decide which ones are best for you to keep.” She emptied out her pockets, only to discover that most of the shells—now that they were dry—were dull and ugly. Only the ones her father had chosen for her kept their initial luster and beauty. “What happened to all my pretty shells?” He rocked her in his arms. “The shells you chose for yourself were meant for someone else. Only they can see the true beauty in them.”

She considered his word for a moment, then nodded as she finally understood. He helped her gather up the gifts he’d given her, watching as she tucked each one into her pockets. She smiled as she realized that only her daddy had the perspective of what would be beautiful for her and what she could carry. Each of the perfect shells fit back into her pockets with ease. Her father gathered up the ones she discarded and together they returned them to the sand.

Share your thoughts about this parable and be ready to discuss your answers.

II. The Culture Clash of Christmas, Taking back the Peace

Each year, Christmas becomes a race to more. And with each more we chase after, we lose something precious.

• With more activities, we have less room for time spent abiding

• With more stress, we have less room for the peace God promises

• With more presents, we have less room for God’s Presence

But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you. Matthew 6:33 (HCSB)

So how do we redirect our focus back to Christ and back to peace? The first thing we need to do is make sure Jesus is present in our daily lives and not an afterthought.

There are dozens of ideas of how to keep Christmas Christ-centered. And if you run out of ideas, check the Internet. But for now, be prepared to share some of the ways you keep your focus on Jesus during this hectic season.

What happens if your biggest distraction at Christmas isn’t the usually stressful hustle and bustle? What happens if you have a loved one who is ill, or have lost someone close to you in the past year? Those things can rob us of our peace as quickly as busyness. No matter what we’re facing, our God is able.

I love You, Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer, my God, my mountain where I seek refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I called to the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and I was saved from my enemies. Psalm 18:1-3 (HCSB)

Make a list of all the things that God is for us.

• First He is described as my strength. That means He is the power in my life, without Him I am weak.

• Next God is described as my rock. He is my foundation.

• God is described as my fortress. He is the safe place in which I can hide.

• He is my deliverer. In all ways and in all instances, He is my Savior.

• The psalm goes on to say He is my shield. He is my defender.

• He is the horn of my salvation. He is the announcer of my salvation.

• He is my stronghold. He is my support in all things.

III. The Peace that Passes All Understanding

God’s peace is beyond the world’s understanding.

• It supports us when we lack the strength to continue.

• It gives us a foundation to work from.

• Most of all, the presence of God’s peace is detectible to all those we come in contact with. 

This verse in Philippians covers a lot. What are the things we’re supposed to do—and not do?

Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses every thought, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7 (HCSB)

What are the things God promises to do?

I think the hardest part of this verse is the very first line. Don’t worry about anything. Is that even possible? Of course, if it weren’t, God wouldn’t have included it in the Bible.

What tips would you share to help others not worry?

Having the Peace of God only begins when we have a Peace with God.

How do we receive this?

Step One
God's Purpose: Peace and Life

God loves you and wants you to experience peace and life--abundant and eternal.

The Bible says...

"We have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." Romans 5:1

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." John 3:16

"I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." John 10:10

Why don't most people have this peace and abundant life that God planned for us to have?

Step Two
The Problem: Our Separation

God created us in His own image to have an abundant life. He did not make us as robots to automatically love and obey Him. God gave us a will and a freedom of choice.

We chose to disobey God and go our own willful way. We still make this choice today. This results in separation from God.

The Bible says...

"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Romans 3:23

"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 6:23

Our Attempts to Reach God

People have tried in many ways to bridge this gap between themselves and God...

The Bible says...

"There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death." Proverbs 14:12

"But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear." Isaiah 59:2

 

No bridge reaches God...except one. 

Step Three
God's Bridge: The Cross

Jesus Christ died on the Cross and rose from the grave. He paid the penalty for our sin and bridged the gap between God and people.

The Bible says...

"For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Jesus Christ." 1 Timothy 2:5

"For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God." 1 Peter 3:18

"But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8

God has provided the only way. Each person must make a choice.

Step Four
Our Response: Receive Christ

 

We must trust Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and receive Him by personal invitation.

The Bible says...

"Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with Me." Revelation 3:20

"Yet to all who received Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God." John 1:12

"That if you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." Romans 10:9

Where are you?

Will you receive Jesus Christ right now?

Here is how you can receive Christ:

1. Admit your need (I am a sinner).
2. Be willing to turn from your sins (repent).
3. Believe that Jesus Christ died for you on the Cross and rose from the grave.
4. Through prayer, invite Jesus Christ to come in and control your life through the Holy Spirit. (Receive Him as Lord and Savior.)

How to Pray:

Dear Lord Jesus,

I know that I am a sinner and need Your forgiveness. I believe that You died for my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I now invite You to come into my heart and life. I want to trust and follow You as Lord and Savior.

In Jesus' name. Amen.

 
The Bible says...
 
"Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." Romans 10:13

Click Here to Here This Truth

God Loves You

God loves you and wants you to experience peace and life--abundant and eternal.

If you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior then you have a Peace with God and His peace "which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds" and is available to you right this very moment.


Our lesson today:

Peace on Earth - Can it be?

 

Click Here to Watch

 

Worldly Peace vs the Peace of God

I. Defining Peace

This is the third week of Advent, when we light the Peace candle. Today we’ll be contrasting the difference between what the world says brings peace and what God says brings peace.

How would you define the world’s peace?

• The world’s peace depends on having favorable circumstances: if things are going well, then we feel peaceful; when things go awry, the peace quickly dissipates.

True peace is not driven by outside circumstances, but by internal truth.


“Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Your heart must not be troubled or fearful.” John 14:27 (HCSB)

What does it mean to have the peace of God?

• Too often the peace of God is thought of as if it were essentially a feeling of inner tranquility, happy and carefree, springing from knowledge that God will shield one from life’s hardest knocks. But this is a misrepresentation, for on the one hand, God does not featherbed His children in this way, and anyone who thinks He does is in for a shock, and on the other hand, that which is basic and essential to the real peace of God does not come into this concept at all.
• The peace of God is first and foremost peace with God; it is the state of affairs in which God, instead of being against us, is for us. No account of God’s peace which does not start here can do other than mislead.
• Think about when we pray for people. How many times have you prayed for someone who is not even a Christian, “Lord, give them peace.” What kind of peace are we praying for, in a situation, or with a friend? It’s impossible for them to experience any kind of peace, unless they have peace with God Himself.
• The only way for anyone to have that peace is to receive Jesus as their Lord and Savior — the one who took their place on the cross in order to satisfy God’s wrath against sin. When sin, condemnation, and guilt are out of the way, a river of peace will rush in and overwhelm the weariest of souls.

II. The Culture Clash of Christmas, Taking back the Peace
What are some ways you have found to keep Christmas Christ-centered?

But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you. Matthew 6:33 (HCSB)

Focus on God. Make sure Jesus is present in our daily lives and not an afterthought.

Listen to how David kept his focus on God:

I love You, Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer, my God, my mountain where I seek refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I called to the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and I was saved from my enemies. Psalm 18:1-3 (HCSB)


Make a list of all the things that God is for us.

1. He is described as my strength. That means He is the power in my life.
2. God is described as my rock. He is my foundation.
3. God is described as my fortress. He is the safe place in which I can hide.
4. He is my deliverer. In all ways and in all instances, He is my Savior.
5. The psalm goes on to say He is my shield. He is my defender.
6. He is the horn of my salvation. He is the announcer of my salvation.
7. He is my stronghold. He is my support in all things.

III. The Peace that Passes All Understanding
We read about this peace in Philippians 4:6-9. What does this mean to you?

• God’s peace is beyond understanding, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist.
• It supports us when we lack the strength to continue.
• It gives us a foundation to work from.
• Most of all, the presence of God’s peace is detectible to all those we come in contact with.

What is the peace that passes all understanding?

In Philippians 4:7 we have a wonderful promise: “The peace of God, which passes all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” It is important to note the context of this promise, because that’s where we find the condition: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God” (verse 6). God’s peace is promised to guard those who pray—with thanksgiving—about everything. This peace will transcend our ability to understand it.

The believer who places his or her full confidence in a loving God and is thankful in every circumstance will possess a supernatural peace. An inner calm will dominate the heart. The faithful believer will know peace—his heart and mind are “guarded” by it—despite the tempest raging without. No one, especially those outside of Christ, will be able to fathom that peace. To most, it will remain a mystery how someone can be so serene in the midst of turmoil.

The peace that comes from being in a right relationship with God is not the peace of this world. The world’s peace depends on having favorable circumstances: if things are going well, then we feel peaceful; when things go awry, the peace quickly dissipates. Jesus made the distinction between His peace and the world’s vacillating peace: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives” (John 14:27).

God’s supernatural peace surpasses natural understanding. A cancer patient who experiences a remission of the disease may proclaim, “I am so thankful to God!” That is praise. A cancer patient who is dying and in pain may calmly say, “Everything is all right. I claim Romans 8:28, and I have peace in my heart.” That is “the peace that passes all understanding.”





Read Philippians 4:6-9 and discuss the following questions:

6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 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. 9 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. (NIV)

What are the things we’re supposed to do—and not do?


What are the things God promises to do?


I think the hardest part of this verse is the very first line. Don’t worry about anything. Is that even possible? Of course, if it weren’t, God wouldn’t have included it in the Bible.





I’m going to give you 4 truths that God wants you to have true peace by from Philippians 4:6-9.

1. God wants you to have true peace by having you not worry--about anything.

• Worry is sin. It means you are not trusting in God. God says in verse 6, "Do not be anxious about anything." That means don't worry. The word for "anxious" in the Greek here means to be troubled with cares.
• He hasn't given you that command without you being able to carry it out. He said to the man with the withered hand, "Stretch forth your hand" (Mark 3:5) But the man could not--yet He obeyed and did it! Because the Holy Spirit is in you, you are able to live by faith and not worry . . . no matter what happens. Because the Spirit empowers you to be faithful, to trust, to yield to the Lord's will. With the Spirit you are able to trust God beyond your ability to know what will happen in your life.
• Matthew 6:25, 27, 31-34: 25 "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 27 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? 31 So do not worry, saying, `What shall we eat?' or `What shall we drink?' or `What shall we wear?' 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."
• 1 Peter 5:7: "Cast all your anxiety (same word) on him because he cares for you." (NIV)
• John 14:1: "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me." (NIV)
• God doesn't want you to worry because worry means you do not trust God--that you are not taking Him fully at His word. God has been providing for you all along--look at the cross.

2. God wants you to have true peace by praying--about everything.

• v. 6 "But in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God." All things in your life are of concern to God. The big and the small: where to move, who to marry, what job to get--even your hobbies, and leisure times.
• The peace that God gives you will guard your minds.
• The peace that God gives you will strengthen you.
• Because of the cross, you have access to the throne of God. Which is why it says "with thanksgiving," because of the cross, the proof of God's faithfulness.
• In the presence of God there is peace. Romans 15:13: "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Psalm 16:11: "You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand."
• Practice the presence of God - pray! In prayer you are transformed.
• By praying you will intern want to think about holy things. That is why . . . (next point)

3. God wants you to have true peace by meditating on what is holy.

• Your minds have been set free from slavery to sin.
• Romans 8:6: "The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace." (NIV)
• Phil. 4:8: "whatever is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, of good repute, excellent worthy of praise. Let your mind dwell on these things." (NASB)
• God wants you to think, to meditate on truth, purity, and excellence.
• Psalm 119:78: " . . . I will meditate on your precepts." The precepts of God, the Word of God, is truth, purity, and excellence.
• Meditate on the Word of God so that you might be transformed by the renewing of your mind.

4. God wants you to have true peace by putting into practice what you have learned.
He wants you to . . .

1. Trust Him for everything

• Philippians 4:6a: "Don't be anxious for anything."

2. Pray to Him for anything

• Philippians 4:6b: "but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." (NIV)

3. Meditate on what is holy

• Philippians 4:8 "Finally, brothers, 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." (NIV)

Conclusion

These things are written to you so that the God of peace will be with you. Not simply peace - but the God of peace will be with you. Ultimately this is about God dwelling with you. He wants you to be holy, pure, and right. Will you trust Him and not worry? Will you pray about everything in your life? Will you meditate on the Word of God? And finally, will you practice, will you do, what God calls you to do?

Prayer for Peace

Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace; where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; and where there is sadness, joy. O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood, as to understand; to be loved, as to love; for it is in giving that we receive, it is in pardoning that we are pardoned, and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen. --St. Francis of Assisi (1181-1226) 


This season is full of opportunities to worry and stress. Let's make a concerted effort to follow God’s command and choose not to worry. When the struggles come, whether it’s something as simple as traffic or as big as tragedy, let's pray and choose to believe He has everything well in hand. Because He does! 

Hope to see you this Sunday!

In His Love & Peace,

David & Susan