Welcome to Ontario Community Church, where we are encouraging, equipping, and engaging lives for Christ.
! I'm Pastor Patrick Daly, and you're listening to week two of our Advent series for 2025.
Before we jump into today's message, I want to give you a little context.
Last week, we kicked off Advent with Revelation 21, exploring God's promise to make all things new.
We talked about hope, hope that isn't just wishful thinking, but a confident expectation that God is restoring what has been broken.
Today, we're continuing that theme, but we're shifting from hope to peace.
And I've got to tell you, this passage that is found in Revelation 22 is remarkable.
John receives this vision of a river, the river of the water of life, that is bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb.
And beside that river stands the tree of life, bringing healing to the nations.
What I want you to listen for as you hear this message is how peace flows.
It is not static. It is not something that we manufacture.
Peace flows from God's throne, through Christ, into our chaos, and then through us to others.
We're also going to connect this vision to the entire biblical story,
from Genesis, where the world begins with chaos over the deep,
to Jesus standing in the boat saying,
Peace, be still.
And then finally, to this final vision in Revelation, where the sea of chaos is no more.
It is all connected, and it's beautiful.
One more thing before we start.
My wife Amber created these incredible Advent devotionals that go along with each week's sermon.
Week two focuses on peace, and it includes daily reflections, art, contemplation, and even practical ways to be a peacemaker in your community.
You can download it for free on our website at OntarioCommunityChurch.org.
So let's settle in.
Let's dive into this message together.
Here is Peace That Flows, From Chaos to New Creation.
All right.
Well, good morning, everyone.
What a special time it is for us to partake of communion, the bread and the cup.
I think it's been so common for us to get so used to when COVID-19 was around, going into the little packets of everything,
and how beautiful it is for us to be able to have bread and for us to share in the cup together,
a time of remembrance and a time of reflection on the hope that is found in Christ,
the peace that surpasses all understanding.
We think of all of this and this love that the Lord has for us in sending his son down to change the course of history.
We think of how there is a peace that flows like a river.
And I gave you this idea, this notion of a river from the chaotic sea
into when Christ enters the scene saying,
Peace, be still.
We think of Advent.
We think of this time of reflection,
this time where things slow down
in our busy lives.
I don't know about you, but
how many of you go to see Christmas lights?
I went into,
my family and I went into Eagle,
and there's this really famous
light show that they have.
And
when you film it,
you take pictures of it,
the amount of lights and decorations that are on there,
it's about as much as you'd get on a street and packed into one house.
And the funny part is,
the neighbor next door has lights that say,
I give up.
You can't compete with this guy.
But we think about it.
We think of the,
this time,
we think of slowing down.
Right?
Where the sun's not out as much.
And it gets darker earlier,
and a lot of us just want to
cuddle up with a blanket
and some hot chocolate,
or whatever it may be.
We think about it,
I have put on here,
tying in our Revelation series
with Advent.
What a peculiar thing to do.
And I actually want us to turn
to Revelation.
Revelation.
And you'll see
in here
the connection.
Revelation 22,
verses 1 through 5.
We will see in here
something
really remarkable.
That's good.
It's going to be on page
1,234
in your ESV Pew Bible.
Revelation 22,
verses 1 through 5.
Let's read it together, church.
Ready?
Then the angel
showed me the river
of the water of life,
bright as crystal,
flowing from the throne of God
and of the Lamb,
through the middle
of the street
of the city,
also on either side
of the river,
the tree of life
with its twelve kinds
of fruit,
yielding its fruit
each month.
The leaves of the tree
were for what?
Healing of the nations.
No longer will there
be anything accursed,
but the throne of God
and of the Lamb
will be in it,
and his servants
will worship him.
They will see his face,
and his name
will be on their foreheads,
and night will be
no more.
They will need
no lamp,
light of lamp,
or sun,
for the God
will be their light,
and they will reign
forever and ever.
We think about this
and this notion
of the water of life,
right?
Something that is bright
as crystal.
And I don't know
about you,
how many of you
have gone to a river
and you know
how peaceful
it can be,
right?
And then,
you might go further
down that river
and you see how chaotic
it can be
with all the rocks
and all the things
going on,
right?
And we can see
this real-life imagery
of water.
The strength
and the power
of water.
We think of storms,
hurricanes,
we think of all
of the forces
of nature
and then how peace
and calm
it can be.
This description
then, right,
is the water of life,
there's the tree of life
and the healing
of the nations,
and what's beautiful
about this language
is the Lord God
will be their light.
So it's how it's all
tied into here.
Let us think
for a moment
about how this
is tied in
with our very typical
Advent verses
from Isaiah,
right?
The shoot
from the stump
of Jesse
and the spirit
resting upon him,
right?
We think about that
and how he judges
with righteousness
and defends the poor
and the language
of the wolf
and the lamb
dwelling together.
Things that were
prophesied
that get fulfilled
within Revelation.
And it's wonderful
imagery
to show
the consistency
of our God
and that he
does not fail.
Everlasting
to everlasting,
our God
remains the same.
and he calls
for each of us
into not only
that hope
but also
that peace
as well.
We think of how
in our scripture
reading
there was the verse
of Romans 15
talking about
welcoming one another
just as Christ
has welcomed you.
We think of how
important it is
just as Christ
gives us
peace
that surpasses
all understanding.
We need to
exhibit that peace
to other people.
Let God
work in and
through our lives
and transform us.
We have to think
how important it is
not only to come
and know Jesus Christ
and to have that
relationship with him
but to let it expand.
Let God
be your foundation
and build your house
upon that foundation.
And just as God
has given you peace
may you give peace
to other people.
It's so very important
and even when we think
of John the Baptist
in Matthew chapter 3
preparing the way
of the Lord.
Preparing for
the peace
that surpasses
all understanding.
Right?
So we see
the river
of the water of life
flowing from
the throne of God
the tree of life
standing on both sides
bearing fruit
each month.
It's kind of interesting
right?
Each month you're going
to have some new fruits
and the leaves
are bringing healing
to the nations.
What beautiful imagery.
Beautiful description
of what the new heaven
and the new earth
will be like.
You know
as a dad
sometimes
I'm imperfect.
I am imperfect.
We're all imperfect.
Sometimes children
can be very frustrating.
Amen?
When I read this
no more curse
no more darkness
right?
I think
oh there will be
no more weeping
right?
Just as children
get worked up
at times
throwing tantrums
right?
We can think of that
for children
but we can also
expand that
into our own
adult life.
Pain
suffering
no more sin
restoration.
you want it
to bring home
and to hit home
think of the
imperfection
that exists
on the earth
today.
Imagine waking
up one day
and there's
no bad news.
What a day
that would be
right?
Imagine for a
moment where
there's no more
darkness
or there's no
more curse.
We think of
the fallen
nature
right?
How so many
of us are in
darkness
and entering
into light
but let's
think about
us dwelling
with the
Lord forever
and what that
will be like.
It's actually
very hard
for us to
fathom
because we
get so used
to brokenness.
We get so
used to
darkness.
We get so
used to
people who
live in
sin.
We get used
to hearing
about evil
and what
evil does.
When you go
through the
Psalms,
for example,
a common
theme that you
see throughout
Scripture,
particularly in
the Psalms,
is it seems
like the
wicked are
doing well.
And why
is that,
right?
Well, the
thing is, it
may appear
that they're
doing well,
but God
has the
final say.
And we
have to keep
that in mind
and how
everything is
connected.
I want to go
to this next
slide.
That should
be the
image on
here.
And we
have, I
put this
image together
of Christ
as the
Prince of
Peace.
Now, for
many of
you, you
know, when
we talk about
controversy,
there's debate
on how old
and how long
did it take
for the
universe to
be made.
I don't
want to go
there.
I do want
to go into
Genesis.
If you want
to turn there,
you're welcome
to.
If not,
that's okay
too.
Because there's
something that
a lot of
people miss
in Genesis,
where it
says, in
the beginning,
some of you
can quote it
verbatim,
right?
God created
the heavens
and what?
And the
earth, right?
Verse 2,
the earth
was without
form and
void, and
darkness was
over the
face of
the what?
Of the
deep, right?
And the
Spirit of
God was
hovering over
the face
of the
waters.
An
imagery
of
darkness,
an
imagery of
the earth
without
form.
It's
talking about
this sense
of a
void that
is existing.
So
interesting
that then
you have
the scene
where God
says,
let there
be light
and there
was light.
It's
actually the
entire story
of Christ
within the
first two,
three verses
of Scripture.
I don't know
about you,
but that is
far more
powerful
than
debating
on
how old
is the
universe.
Talking about
the earth
being full
of darkness
and the
chaos of
the sea
representing
sin,
representing
brokenness,
and then
God saying,
let there be
light, and
there was
light.
How powerful
is that?
And that's
why I put
it on the
first one,
the darkness
over the
face of
the deep,
this
representation.
we think
of hurricanes
and storms
and how
powerful it
can be.
Some of
us may
have been
in a
storm.
I remember
in the
time that
my wife
and I
were in
Hawaii,
the tropical
storms that
would happen
all the
time,
and they
would just
come really
quick,
it would
be very
chaotic,
and then
gone.
And usually
it would
come out
of nowhere.
It's like,
what happened?
We can
watch movies,
recordings,
about how
powerful the
ocean or
the sea
is.
So much
so that
there's a
verse in
scripture,
I don't have
it off the
top of my
head,
but it
talks about
how in
scripture,
how God
had to
restrict the
power of
water in
creation.
That is
wild.
Knowing how
powerful the
ocean and how
powerful water
already is,
what do you
mean God
had to
restrict the
power of
it?
You mean it
was more
powerful than
it already
is?
Wrap your
mind around
that for a
second here.
But we
think of
literally the
chaos of
the sea,
but also
this
representation
of chaos,
brokenness,
and sin.
And then we
have within
the middle
of scripture
this idea
of Christ
standing out
on the boat
and saying
those three
words,
let's say it
together,
peace,
be still.
Right?
Just like
how the
Lord said,
let there be
light,
and there
was light.
Right?
Light entering
the scene,
much like how
Christ enters
the scene into
the dark and
broken world.
Christ is
showing the
power that
he has,
literally over
water,
but also
showing that
same kind
of power
that can be
commanded in
our own
lives.
The same
God that
calms the
sea can
calm our
own hearts.
peace and
how chaotic
our very
lives can
be.
And how
there is
that peace
that when
it says
surpasses
all understanding,
do you realize
what that
means?
It is beyond
comprehension.
Much like
the love of
God,
much like
the hope
of Christ,
it is beyond
our understanding
and that's
okay.
It's okay
that it's
beyond our
understanding.
Just understand
that Christ,
our Lord and
our God,
has the
final say
and can
command the
sea.
Now,
you can
raise your
hand if you
want to.
How many of
you have
been in a
storm,
like a
literal storm,
right?
I know we
have storms
in life,
right?
Wouldn't it
be amazing
if Christ
was there
and just
said,
peace be
still in
that moment,
right?
When you're
out in a
boat and
it's all
shaky and
you feel
like you're
going to
throw up
because,
you know,
you're being
tossed to
and throw.
And you
think that
has to
take a
lot of
power to
be able to
completely calm
it.
I love the
old little
cartoons from
like the
70s and
80s,
right?
Where Jesus
goes out and
then it just
completely,
you have this
storm and
the thunder and
lightning and
the waves and
then it's like a
calm and serene
scene,
right?
Where the
birds are
chirping again and
the disciples are
like,
whoa,
right?
And that's
okay.
Think of
that.
And how
that transforms
your own
very life,
right?
So Christ
out on the
boat saying,
peace be
still.
And then
finally,
how God
makes all
things new
where there
is no
more sea.
And that's
found in
Revelation 21
1.
Now,
when you
read that,
we read from
Revelation 22,
but when you
read Revelation
21,
it's such a
weird verse.
I saw the
new heaven and
the new
earth and
the sea was
no more.
And you're
like,
well,
excuse me,
where's the
sea,
right?
But we're
talking about
that sense
of chaos.
Not that there
won't be any
water,
but the
chaos that
happens from
it.
The
brokenness as
represented by
the sea will
be calm because
we have this
notion of
streams of
living water.
Just like how
Christ says in
his own
teachings about
how drinking
of his water
and never
thirsting.
Do you see
how beautifully
connected when
we talk about
water, but we
also talk about
the peace of
Christ.
And so I
show that as
a good
representation for
us to understand
that peace that
flows from
chaos, from
sin, from
brokenness, to
the new
creation.
And that is
remarkable.
So let's go to
that next slide
then.
So what can we
learn from these
passages?
Well, the first
one, church, is
that peace
begins where
God enters the
chaos, right?
We can think of
the storms,
literal storms,
but we can also
think of the
chaos that exists
in our own
lives, let
alone the
chaos that
exists in
our society,
in our very
world.
There's
brokenness within
us, but
there's also
brokenness in
the world that
we live in.
And I don't
know about
you, I need
some peace in
my life.
We all need
peace that
Christ provides
for us.
That peace that
surpasses all
understanding,
people will see
that, they will
recognize it.
And so in
this, I gave
this example of
the new
creation replacing
the sea of
chaos, right?
It's a good
description of
that.
The chaos of
the sea, or
when you hear
about people
who are lost
at sea, right?
Representing how
chaotic it is
and how dangerous
it can be.
We think of
calm, living,
refreshing,
rejuvenating water
and how beautiful
that imagery is.
I don't know
about you, but the
next time I'm on
a boat, I don't
want to be out in
a chaotic sea.
I want to be out
when it's nice and
calm, maybe a
couple waves, but
nothing to the
point where I'll
flip over.
And so we think
about that, right?
That first thing is
peace begins where
when God enters
the chaos.
The second thing
then is that peace
heals what sin
has broken.
Right?
We think of this
idea that God is
the God of
restoration.
The river of
life, it waters
the tree whose
leaves bring
healing to the
nation.
We think of how
this water is
helping the tree
and its healing
ability.
We also have to
think of how the
living water and
the peace that
comes from our
Lord and our
God, how it
heals us, how it
transforms us, and
how important it is
for us.
We all need
healing.
Do we all need
healing?
We certainly do.
We need healing
and restoration that
comes from the
Lord.
Now, what healing
looks like is
obviously going to
differ from each
person.
Some of us have
had certain
experiences, whether
it's bad
situations, people
doing evil things,
traumatic events,
the list can go on
and on about things
that we experience.
But when we think
of our God being
the restorer, the
one that transforms
us, it is
remarkable.
And even when we
talk about the
common reading in
Advent 2 is Isaiah's
vision of the wolf
and the lamb.
This also is
prophetically talking
about a time where
there will be peace.
Thinking of a wolf
and a lamb together
is quite the sight,
right?
You think about that,
you don't want to put
a wolf and a lamb
together nowadays.
Why is that?
Well, we know the
answer, right?
The wolf's going to
eat the sheep and
have a good meal out
of there, right?
But the imagery of
them being together,
dwelling together,
is a remarkable one
at that.
And peace in
Scripture, it is the
presence of God and
the presence of
wholeness.
Complete restoration.
salvation.
Now God is going to
work in and through
us every single day
to make us more like
him.
And that is a
beautiful process.
When you're thinking
of this imagery of
the tree that is
bearing fruit every
month, well that tree
is going to take a lot
of nourishment from
the water.
It's going to require
sunshine and all the
things that a tree
requires.
Much like how for us,
when the seed of the
word gets planted,
we are called to
grow for us to take
root in our faith and
for us to bear fruit.
It's kind of remarkable
when you think of what
the parables teach and
how that's connected
with the tree of life.
It's like it's all, it
starts making your head
go, wow, this is, this
is really incredible.
And so let us remember
that peace is something
that God gives to us.
And for many of us, we
search for peace.
Now I know for a lot of
us, you know, when we
have children or we have
constantly phone calls and
knocks at the door, we
think for a moment, well
can't I just have a little
bit of peace?
Peace and quiet, right?
Sometimes it's, you just
want to lock yourself in
your office, right?
Not that I ever do that,
right?
Or other times you just
want to lock yourself
away.
Can I have five minutes
here?
You guys are too loud.
What's going on here,
right?
I'm not talking about
that kind of peace.
Although that peace is
really cool too, right?
I'm talking about a peace
that is beyond that.
A peace that is
rejuvenating.
Right?
And it's kind of, it can
be difficult for us to
wrap our minds around
that.
That's okay.
That's the kind of peace
that I want.
A peace that I may not
even fully understand and
comprehend.
That's okay.
And finally, the third
one is peace prepares us
to welcome others just
as Christ has welcomed us.
I mentioned the idea of
Romans 15, right?
When we had our scripture
reading about how we are
called to welcome one
another just as Christ has
welcomed us.
We also think of how
there's the call for us to
bear fruit, real change and
transformation.
Peace then is relational.
We are to give the peace
of Christ to other people.
And we do that by the
words that we speak and
the actions that we do.
And we think for a moment
that peace will make room.
It will build bridges
instead of walls.
We think of how the peace
of Christ can very much
transform our minds and
our hearts.
And so,
ask yourself that question.
Who is someone
that you can welcome
to know Christ?
Who is someone
that God may be calling
you to welcome
or to share that peace
with?
These are the kind of
questions.
Let's go to the application
and the final piece here.
How should we,
what should we do
because of this?
it's very unusual
and peculiar
to look at revelation
from the sense of peace.
But then again,
it isn't
because it's connected
about the peace
that we will receive
in the future.
Just as we anticipate
and we wait for the arrival
of baby Jesus
in the manger,
in the first coming,
we await for
the second coming
of Christ.
It's that same kind
of anticipation
and it's that same
kind of preparation.
And so,
in all of this,
let Christ speak
peace
over your chaos.
Right?
We think of how
there are storms
literally in the world
that we live in,
but let's also think
of the storms
that exist
in our own minds
and in our own hearts.
peace.
And how powerful
is it that we should
even pray,
Jesus,
speak peace
over this place,
over this area
in my life.
Lord,
I have a storm.
I've got a stormy sea
in this area
of my life,
right?
Don't raise your hand
on what that is,
but we all got
a stormy sea.
And we ask Christ
who commands,
who has command
over the sea
to bring peace
into our lives
and to bring peace
into certain areas
in our life.
And how important it is,
think of that one area
and ask Jesus
to intervene
and to bring peace
into your life,
whatever that may be.
It could be a family member.
It could be a relationship
with a friend.
It could be your own battles.
Don't we have battles
that we face every day?
We certainly do.
And we ask God
to help us
to bring peace
in our life.
We think of strength
that comes from the Lord
and how God provides
for us.
We certainly should seek Him
and ask for help.
The second thing then
is to let God's peace
flow into your relationships
just as God transforms
our lives.
We have to be
those ambassadors
for Christ.
In what we say
and in what we do,
we don't just hide
the light of God,
right?
Hide it under a bushel.
No,
I'm going to let it shine,
right?
In the same way,
when God gives you peace,
share that with other people.
And it will.
it will fundamentally change
your life
to where how you interact
with people is different.
To where how friends
or family would be like,
dude,
you're not the same guy
I knew.
What's going on with you?
What's gotten into you,
right?
You have those kind of
conversations
about transformation,
about the peace.
peace.
And people recognize
that kind of peace.
Why are you so calm
when X, Y, and Z
is going on?
How can you withstand
this kind of pressure
when other people
would crumble
or they would fall
or they would go crazy
in this situation?
But yet,
that peace that surpasses
all understanding
will carry you through.
It'll certainly carry you
through any situation
that you go through.
Why do you think
it's written in the Psalms,
even though I walk
through the valley
of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil
for you are with me.
Why do you think
that's written in there?
It's for us
to recognize
that God is with us
as we journey
through life,
as we go through
storms in this life,
as we go through
situations in here.
And so,
a challenge for you
is to choose
practice
an act of peace.
Perhaps
it is a gentle word.
Words of encouragement.
Our words
have such gravity
to them, right?
You can think of
famous speeches, right?
Ones that give life
and ones that give what?
Death.
Evil.
Think of how powerful
our tongue is, right?
How many of you
had a parent say,
hold your tongue?
Because you didn't know
how to control it, right?
And certainly,
I wish I could tell
some people,
you gotta hold your tongue,
right?
But certainly,
it even says in Scripture
that death and life
are in the power
of the tongue.
We've got to be mindful
of what we speak
to people.
a gentle word,
the ministry of presence,
being present with people,
showing up.
Showing up is the first thing
that we can do.
Sometimes there are situations
in our life
where just showing up
and not even know
what to say.
Just you being there
is enough
for so many people.
There have been times
where I have
visited someone
and I did not have
the words to say,
if you can believe that.
I'm a man of many words.
But there are times
I don't know what to say.
And I'm just there
in that moment.
Do you know
that kind of action
can speak volumes
to people?
Being there for someone,
giving them a phone call,
sending a text,
or just showing up,
hey,
I heard this happened.
I'm here for you.
That's it.
Because we all need,
it's like that famous saying,
we all need a shoulder
to cry on, amen?
We all need someone.
And I think of this church
and I think of how
this church has been seen
as a hospital
for those that are hurting.
And I think that's something
I think a lot of churches
should be known for.
a place where
you think of a hospital
or you think of
this sense of nourishment.
If you broke your leg,
you certainly want to make sure
you take care
of the immediate pain,
right?
I think anyone with common sense
would want to make sure
they get relief.
But to be able
to strengthen the leg,
to be able to have
physical recovery,
physical therapy
to where
now I can work
with the leg
completely.
Now,
not all of us
are going to break
our legs here,
but I'm using this
as an example
of why it's so important
for us to have
spiritual nourishment
and spiritual healing.
We have to think
of how
when we're out
in the field
or when we're out
in our own
everyday life,
sometimes
we get hurt.
And it's important
for us to come
to the body of Christ,
the community of believers
for prayer,
support,
and encouragement
for each other.
I was reading a book
one time
that was saying
that for every
rebuke
that a pastor
must give,
there's about
10 different
opportunities
for that pastor
to speak encouragement
to people.
Because more often
than not,
rebuke
is not as common
as someone
who needs help
and assistance
or someone
who needs prayer
and encouragement.
That was a very,
I don't remember
the name of the book
and if you ask
we'll talk after,
I'll see if I can find it.
But I remember
that that struck
a chord with me
because there are
some people
that all they are
is focused on
rebuking and correcting
and making sure
people are on the
straight and narrow.
Certainly,
by all means
that's important.
But what about
people that are hurting?
What about people
that need presence,
words of encouragement,
these kind of things
are so critical.
They are crucial
for us.
Finally,
our last thing
is to bear
the fruit
of transformation
this Advent season.
Identify
a pattern.
Maybe there is
something that you
need to address
in your life.
Maybe it's sin.
Maybe it's having
a conversation
with a friend
or a family member.
Instead of
defensiveness,
offer understanding.
You know how hard
it is to talk
with someone
you don't agree with?
Right?
They're making
life choices.
That doesn't mean
we're not standing
on the word.
We certainly
stand strong
in our convictions
and we deal
in love
with other people.
Instead of avoidance,
offer presence.
sometimes
it's difficult
to have difficult
conversations.
That's why they're
called difficult
conversations.
Right?
But sometimes
it's better
to just be present
in those moments.
Offering
to build that
bridge
with another
person.
And instead
of fear,
offer trust.
And certainly
we have to think
of what is
appropriate
and what is not.
We have to use
discernment
in these kind
of things.
But I want you
to think
nonetheless
of how peace
is not passive.
It is the path
that leads
to life.
And how important
having that peace
of Christ is.
And how it
transforms us
and transforms
other people.
And I want to go
to that slide,
the three images,
Matteo,
if that's alright.
The image
with Christ,
the Prince of Peace.
And I kind of want
to close with this.
That the biblical
story talks
about the chaos
of the waters,
the chaos
of the sea,
and how
Christ
enters the sea
standing
on the chaotic
water.
Right?
Not afraid.
And how
the disciples
and how even
us can be afraid
of standing
on a boat,
right?
When there's chaos
going on.
God's
But how Christ
stands with
such authority
and presence
and power
to command
the sea
and the sea
obeys.
And it ends
with the river
of life.
let us think
of Christ
as the Prince
of Peace,
the one
who can
calm storms,
literally,
but also
the storms
in our life.
How Christ
will heal
our wounds
and he's
preparing
a new heaven
and a new earth.
And so
this Advent,
may you hear
Christ speaking
peace
over your
chaos,
over the storms
of your life
and may
the river
of life
flow through
the broken
places
in your life.
May there be
healing,
restoration,
transformation
and renewal.
And whether we
got that broken
leg
or we're
strengthening it,
may we be
on a path
of healing,
renewal
and strength
from Christ.
May his
healing peace
move through
you and
to others.
Let's pray
together.
And Father,
we thank you
for this time
and this
opportunity for
us to go
over this
wonderful Advent
theme of
peace.
And in going
over Revelation
and this scene
of what the
new heaven
and new earth
will be like,
may we take
away from
this sermon
how your
son,
Jesus Christ,
commands
the storm
and how
he has
the power
and the
authority
to speak
the words
peace,
be still.
And I
pray for
every person
here.
If they're
experiencing
chaos in a
certain area,
a stormy sea
or a stormy
situation,
that you
will intervene
and let there
be peace
in their life.
I pray for
the people
that are
watching online,
the people
that will be
listening to
the podcast
recording of
this,
that they
will know
God calls
them to
receive his
grace.
God also
calls them
to receive
his peace.
May we
never forget
that.
May we
never lose
sight of
that,
knowing that
Christ is
the Prince
of Peace.
We love
you,
we praise
you,
we glorify
you,
and we
honor you.
we're so
in awe
of who
you are,
just as
that song
says,
great are
you,
Lord,
and may
we pour
out our
praise to
you.
It is in
the name
of Jesus
Christ,
the Prince
of Peace,
that we
pray,
and we
all say
together,
amen,
church.
Amen.
Thank you
for listening
to today's
message.
I hope
that this
sermon
encouraged
you.
You know,
when I was
preparing this
message,
I kept
thinking about
this imagery
of that
which is
chaotic
to the
river
of life,
the river
that is
flowing
from God's
throne.
It is
something
that is
remarkable,
it is
something
that is
abundant,
powerful,
and life-giving,
and that
is what
God's peace
is like.
It flows
like a river.
But here's
another thing
that really
struck me.
Peace
isn't just
something that
we receive,
it flows
through us,
from the
throne,
to the
river,
to us,
and to
others.
It's this
constant movement
of peace
that is found
in Scripture.
And that's
what this
message teaches
us,
that peace
begins where
God enters
the chaos.
Peace
heals
what sin
has broken,
and peace
prepares us
to welcome
others the
way that
Christ has
welcomed us.
I want
to challenge
you this
week with
something that
is practical.
Think of
one area
where chaos
is loud
in your
life.
Maybe
it's a
relationship.
Maybe
it's anxiety.
Maybe
it's just
something
internal
that you're
wrestling
with.
And I
want you
to begin
each day
with this
simple
prayer that
I mentioned
in the
sermon
today.
Jesus,
speak
peace
over this
place in
my life.
Just
that.
Name
that area,
identify it,
and trust
it to the
one who
calms the
storms.
See what
happens when
you invite
Christ to
speak peace
over the
chaos,
even in
your own
life.
The great
thing is,
you do
not have
to manufacture
peace.
You don't
have to
fix
everything.
You just
have to
let God's
peace flow
through you.
All of
our resources
from today,
the devotional,
the notes,
the slides,
all of the
things,
they are
available for
free on
our
website
at
ontariocommunitychurch.org.
Everything is
also in our
sermon archive,
so you can
go back and
review or
even share it
with someone
else.
That is
very much
encouraged.
Next week,
we continue
our Advent
series with
week three,
focusing on
joy.
But until
then,
let us
think of
that image
of how
Christ will
calm the
storms,
the literal
storms,
but also
the storms
in our
life.
May the
river of
peace flow
through you
this week.
May Christ
speak calm
over every
chaos in
your life,
and may
you be a
carrier of
peace to
those around
you.
God bless
you.
We will
see you
next week
as we
continue
through
Advent.
Thank you.
up.
up up
Thank you.