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Second Sunday of Advent: PEACE

Sermon: Isaiah Mast

Sunday, Dec. 10th, 2023

 

"God has something for you to hear this morning and none of us are here by accident!"

What are you battling right now?

  • fear
  • chaos
  • anxiety
  • relationships
  • finances

We have conflict with God because of the comfort we have with sin!

 

What is the PEACE we Celebrate at Christmas?

We have to address the conflict with God in our hearts first...

We have peace with God because Jesus took our punishment - Now, we are no longer separated from God!

 

Ephesians 2:1-10

"As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. 4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."

Thank you, Lord!!

Peace is determined by the relationship we have with a faithful God - not our circumstances.

God carries us through our circumstances.  (Israelites went through the Red Sea, not over or around...but through!)

 

John 16:33

 “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.”

Matthew 10:32-33

“Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. 33 But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven."

Anyone who values their own comfort more than Jesus is not worthy to follow Him 

  • Take up your sword = swords separate
  • Take a firm stand
  • Don't chase the comfort of this world
  • Jesus needs to be #1 in your life

 

Matthew 5:9

"Blessed are the peacemakers,
    for they will be called children of God."

  • Children of God are peacemakers, not compromisers, avoiders or comfort seekers...

Peacemakers:                                                Peacekeepers:

-go in and have hard conversations           -afraid to confront ("door mat")

-stand firm on the word of God                 

-forgive eachother

-speak the truth in love

 

*Next, click here to watch the full replay of this sermon from Isaiah Mast: 2nd Sunday of Advent: Peace