Sermon Reflections from PEACE | ALEX HARDT | December 8, 2024
This Sunday was the second Sunday in Advent. The candle that was lit on our Advent wreath was the Bethlehem Candle or the Peace Candle. Pastor Alex focused on elements of Peace that can be applied to our daily lives- comfort of peace, pathway to that peace and the fulfillment peace brings. It was a very encouraging message.
Why would a message about peace be so encouraging? All one needs to do is look around and see rising prices, crime, prejudice towards others, unjust treatments, loss, hopelessness, etc. The nature of our sinful world is something that can and will bring us down if we do not lift our eyes and focus upon Jesus and the good He promises and delivers. Pastor started with Isaiah 40:1-2 “Comfort, comfort my people,”
says your God. 2 “Speak tenderly to Jerusalem.
Tell her that her sad days are gone and her sins are pardoned.”
God’s comfort begins with Jesus and the good news of our sins being pardoned. Why is that so important? Since Adam and Eve sinned in the garden and God cast them out of the garden because of their sin. Mankind has been separated from God ever since. Our sin is a barrier to God’s presence and keeps us from being able to commune and fellowship with Him. Jesus came to take away our sins and free us from the bondage of sin. Romans 3:24 “Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins.” Through faith in Christ, we can be reconciled to God and sin free. Jesus rescues us from the penalty of sin but not the presence. Through faith we are free from the influence of sin by the power of the Holy Spirit that lives within us but we still live in a sin-filled world and will only be free of sins presence in heaven.
How can we have peace on a daily basis? Once we know Jesus, we have the way to find the peace of God each day. Romans 15:13 points us to several important factors: “I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.” Paul is reminding us that prayer is essential and brings hope into our lives as we talk with God about our worries and praises. This communion with God will produce joy and peace as we walk in trust with Him. This is all made possible by the empowering of the Holy Spirit. Prayer helps to put the things in our lives in perspective as we relinquish them to God’s loving care. Consider these verses about God’s Sovereignty. 2 Chronicles 20:6 “O Lord, God of our ancestors, you alone are the God who is in heaven. You are ruler of all the kingdoms of the earth. You are powerful and mighty; no one can stand against you!” John 10:28-29 “I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me, 29 for my Father has given them to me, and he is more powerful than anyone else. No one can snatch them from the Father’s hand.“ and Acts 17:26 “From one man he created all the nations throughout the whole earth. He decided beforehand when they should rise and fall, and he determined their boundaries.” Praise God we are His!
Now that we can see what the peace of God brings into our lives and how to get it – now what? Will we be fulfilled? Will we be happy? It depends upon us and our daily walk with Him. Do we keep our focus upon God and off the world’s troubles and woes? Can we claim peace while the storms of conflict rage in our daily lives? It is a walk that brings great stress relief and freedom, but it is oh so easy to step off the pathway. Satan is ready and willing to lead us astray. Cling to these verses as you seek to walk with Him daily. James 4:7-8 gives us a recipe for success. “So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world.” God promises Satan will leave if we resist him. Micah 6:8 gives similar advice. “O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.” Advice from Jesus himself is in Matthew 22:37-39 “ Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
I pray that peace does not elude you this season. It is ours for having in abundance if we come to Him. Meditate on the promises of John 10:9-11 “ I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. 11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”
Linda
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