WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:07.100 Good morning, and I just want to express my joy and my happiness to be here with you guys. 00:00:08.400 --> 00:00:12.780 ! Advent season really does minister a lot to my heart every year. 00:00:12.780 --> 00:00:21.059 And as a special blessing to me getting a chance to come and share and preach God's Word to you this morning. 00:00:22.059 --> 00:00:29.980 You know, as we've already defined, I hope most of you can walk away from the Advent season knowing what Advent actually is. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:40.179 But just, if you're new in the scene, just know that Advent is just a Latin word for meaning either the coming or the arrival of an important person or an important event. 00:00:40.579 --> 00:00:54.379 And in our context, there's no greater person than Christ the Messiah, no greater event than Him coming to the earth to come and dwell, walk among us, and to be our Savior. 00:00:54.380 --> 00:01:01.400 So, as Nathan already pointed out, today's focus is focused on the Advent of peace. 00:01:01.520 --> 00:01:03.940 So, peace that is coming to us. 00:01:04.620 --> 00:01:07.020 But also, Advent also has another meaning. 00:01:07.100 --> 00:01:14.379 It's not just we look back at Christ's first arrival when He came and came among us, baby in the manger. 00:01:14.379 --> 00:01:27.359 But also, the coming or the arrival of Him coming back again to rescue us and to finally bring this dark world to an end and usher in the new heaven and the new earth coming to rescue us. 00:01:28.219 --> 00:01:30.359 So, that's kind of a double meaning there. 00:01:30.439 --> 00:01:35.519 We have a coming that we look back at and a coming that we are looking forward to in Advent. 00:01:35.519 --> 00:01:41.280 But just by way of introduction, today we're talking about peace. 00:01:42.219 --> 00:01:49.179 And in my own life, this has been a quest, a looking for what can I find peace in. 00:01:49.899 --> 00:01:54.500 So, just know that this is a very personal message for me as well. 00:01:54.699 --> 00:01:56.099 This ministered a lot to my heart. 00:01:56.879 --> 00:01:58.519 Well, let's just go to the Lord one more time. 00:01:58.519 --> 00:02:13.240 And I just want to just ask Him, Father, please, this morning, I pray that You would use me, a man with many flaws, many sins, imperfect. 00:02:13.939 --> 00:02:22.960 I pray that You would be delighted to work through this broken vessel to minister to Your people this morning. 00:02:22.960 --> 00:02:31.340 And God, I pray that Your Spirit would communicate the Word to our hearts, to our souls, to our minds, Lord. 00:02:32.159 --> 00:02:37.120 That people here would be moved to greater love for You. 00:02:37.280 --> 00:02:41.740 That they would know the peace of Christ that He has brought us. 00:02:42.500 --> 00:02:43.920 In Christ's name, amen. 00:02:43.919 --> 00:02:54.219 So, as you look around the world and you see the people in it, your friends, your co-workers, on the news, wherever it is, 00:02:54.299 --> 00:03:01.439 and just stop and just look even at your own life, you'll see that there is a search for peace. 00:03:01.799 --> 00:03:03.500 And no one can find it. 00:03:04.579 --> 00:03:09.060 It's peace, you know, how we define things sometimes by looking at the opposite. 00:03:09.060 --> 00:03:17.780 So, if we wanted to say the opposite of joy is sorrow or sadness, so the opposite of peace is anxiety. 00:03:18.979 --> 00:03:22.640 And the word, at least, is used a lot in the Scripture for the word anxiety. 00:03:22.840 --> 00:03:31.159 It means to be like inwardly torn apart, shredded apart by outward things that are happening or inward, 00:03:31.159 --> 00:03:39.599 that are causing you just to be devastated in your soul, to be torn and ripped to shreds by circumstances that are around you. 00:03:40.060 --> 00:03:45.960 It's a suffering of your soul and your heart that when you go through things in life and you can't cope with it, 00:03:45.979 --> 00:03:49.800 you can't deal with it, you're feeling crushed and you're feeling ripped apart. 00:03:50.979 --> 00:03:57.599 And I have been there even this week, and I know that you also have experienced that. 00:03:57.599 --> 00:04:05.340 So, the people around us, and even you, you may have, people search for peace in all sorts of different things. 00:04:06.539 --> 00:04:11.979 A big one, people search for peace in money and financial security. 00:04:12.099 --> 00:04:16.579 They think, if I have enough money, I can deal with any kind of problem that comes my way. 00:04:17.459 --> 00:04:20.420 But, as we know, that's not certain. 00:04:20.759 --> 00:04:24.040 Things can happen where you can lose pretty much everything you have. 00:04:24.040 --> 00:04:27.600 You never can have enough to feel safe and secure. 00:04:28.700 --> 00:04:34.939 And another thing people look to is relationships, whether good or bad relationships, 00:04:35.660 --> 00:04:43.420 thinking that this man or this woman or this friend can help me deal with anything going on in my life, 00:04:43.460 --> 00:04:47.680 and I'm going to look to them to give me the peace that I need. 00:04:47.680 --> 00:04:52.259 But, as we know, we're all broken, and we let each other down. 00:04:52.819 --> 00:04:54.319 I can't give anybody peace. 00:04:55.079 --> 00:04:57.699 We're not a reliable source of peace at all. 00:04:58.360 --> 00:05:02.680 People will fail because people are broken and people have sinned. 00:05:03.620 --> 00:05:08.360 And others look for peace, like just in vacations, escapes. 00:05:08.579 --> 00:05:11.519 I used to have a habit of doing this many years ago. 00:05:11.519 --> 00:05:15.759 So, just think, if I just go here, leave this physical location, and go somewhere I want, 00:05:16.399 --> 00:05:18.899 my son and my stuff won't follow me there. 00:05:19.539 --> 00:05:20.899 Not true at all. 00:05:21.939 --> 00:05:23.519 You are you wherever you go. 00:05:23.859 --> 00:05:28.319 And so, the stuff that you bring there continues to eat at you and gnaw at you, 00:05:28.359 --> 00:05:30.299 even while you're in a different location. 00:05:31.019 --> 00:05:33.839 And then you come back, and you're more stressed out than when you left 00:05:33.839 --> 00:05:36.279 because you've been looking for it in the wrong place. 00:05:37.379 --> 00:05:38.919 Other people look for it in health. 00:05:38.920 --> 00:05:40.740 They want to take care of their bodies. 00:05:40.840 --> 00:05:41.620 They want to look good. 00:05:41.840 --> 00:05:45.720 They either just want to say, if I think that people can look at me and say, 00:05:46.000 --> 00:05:50.340 I look good, we get approval from man, I'll have peace. 00:05:50.420 --> 00:05:54.180 Or just, I want to take care of myself because I'm scared of getting sick. 00:05:54.240 --> 00:05:55.100 I'm scared of dying. 00:05:55.879 --> 00:05:57.000 But, you know what? 00:05:57.660 --> 00:05:59.160 You can't maintain it forever. 00:05:59.620 --> 00:06:00.900 And things happen. 00:06:01.000 --> 00:06:02.300 You can do whatever you want to do. 00:06:02.460 --> 00:06:05.120 But, eventually, we all are wearing out. 00:06:05.240 --> 00:06:06.080 We all are fading. 00:06:06.079 --> 00:06:11.899 And I think a big one that a lot of people look to is this idea of, 00:06:12.699 --> 00:06:19.139 I can have peace if I can get in a routine, if I can plan well enough, 00:06:19.659 --> 00:06:23.459 where I know everything is coming at me, nothing is going to catch me off guard, 00:06:24.159 --> 00:06:27.019 and if something is just kind of thrown in the middle of that, 00:06:27.099 --> 00:06:30.599 and your routine or your schedule is thrown off, you're thrown off. 00:06:30.600 --> 00:06:33.000 And you don't even know how to cope with change. 00:06:33.400 --> 00:06:38.780 And knowing that, like, nothing, plans aren't certain, life catches us off guard. 00:06:39.480 --> 00:06:44.439 So true spiritual peace is just lost for many of us. 00:06:44.640 --> 00:06:46.580 We can't grasp it no matter what we do. 00:06:46.640 --> 00:06:47.640 It just eludes us. 00:06:48.560 --> 00:06:52.200 So, why can't we be at peace with ourselves? 00:06:52.199 --> 00:06:55.479 Why can't we be at peace with those around us? 00:06:56.300 --> 00:07:01.819 Why is it always something going on in here that's, like, tearing us apart, ripping us to shreds? 00:07:02.539 --> 00:07:05.779 And you may find that to be the case with you this morning. 00:07:06.199 --> 00:07:07.480 So, what's burdening your soul? 00:07:07.560 --> 00:07:13.500 What is it that you're anxious about that's tearing you apart? 00:07:13.500 --> 00:07:23.279 So, Christmas time, the holiday season, is a time for a lot of people to try to regain that peace. 00:07:24.540 --> 00:07:28.300 And it can be done in a good way, which is what we're trying to do, 00:07:28.339 --> 00:07:31.139 but also, for most people who are without Christ and in the world, 00:07:31.660 --> 00:07:39.680 they do it in a lot of false, superficial, shallow ways that never, ever actually bring peace. 00:07:39.680 --> 00:07:44.000 It's the whole, you know, it's the Christmas spirit. 00:07:44.959 --> 00:07:45.480 Cheer up. 00:07:45.540 --> 00:07:46.360 It'll all be okay. 00:07:46.459 --> 00:07:46.980 Be happy. 00:07:48.340 --> 00:07:51.660 You know, this is the time when we just, usually we're mean and cool to each other, 00:07:51.699 --> 00:07:55.699 but it's Christmas time, so let's be nice to each other and let's have peace together. 00:07:56.920 --> 00:08:00.480 And it's sort of, you know, epitomized a lot of the stuff you see on TV, 00:08:01.019 --> 00:08:05.600 in the movies you watch that are very, you know, warm, cuddly, cozy. 00:08:05.980 --> 00:08:07.439 But, you know what? 00:08:07.439 --> 00:08:10.660 Like, that stuff may be, you know, I'm not trying to hate on that, 00:08:10.959 --> 00:08:14.819 but at the same time, what I'm saying is, that's not reality. 00:08:15.019 --> 00:08:19.500 Like, we live in an awful, broken, sinful world. 00:08:20.800 --> 00:08:23.800 And to kind of look to the world and say, 00:08:23.920 --> 00:08:30.180 with this this shallow, warm, sentimental, you know, cheer up, it's Christmas, it's time to be happy, 00:08:30.180 --> 00:08:35.759 it's about absurd as like sending a Hallmark card to a starving village in Asia 00:08:35.759 --> 00:08:37.960 and saying, we hope you feel better because it's Christmas. 00:08:38.500 --> 00:08:40.560 You know, it doesn't fix anything. 00:08:41.580 --> 00:08:42.519 It's not real. 00:08:42.720 --> 00:08:46.060 We have to have something that's not man-made and superficial 00:08:46.060 --> 00:08:49.120 that can heal the broken world that we live in. 00:08:49.120 --> 00:08:53.580 And so, we can't look to just what the world looks to at Christmastime. 00:08:54.340 --> 00:08:57.399 More junk, more gifts, more party, more whatever. 00:08:57.580 --> 00:09:02.440 It's not going to bring the peace that we need. 00:09:03.779 --> 00:09:06.860 And so, but on the other hand, we can use this time, 00:09:07.820 --> 00:09:09.440 the holiday time, the Christmastime, 00:09:09.440 --> 00:09:12.280 to elevate our thoughts to a higher place 00:09:12.280 --> 00:09:15.780 for the real meaning of what Christmas is. 00:09:16.740 --> 00:09:18.220 But let's kind of create the problem. 00:09:18.380 --> 00:09:19.640 So, we're starting to create the problem, 00:09:19.760 --> 00:09:20.940 and then we're going to solve it, hopefully. 00:09:21.120 --> 00:09:22.520 God's going to solve it through His Word. 00:09:23.540 --> 00:09:25.060 But why do we have no peace? 00:09:25.960 --> 00:09:27.940 Why don't any of those things work, right? 00:09:28.800 --> 00:09:30.100 Why don't they work? 00:09:31.480 --> 00:09:34.820 Well, the simple answer is that 00:09:34.820 --> 00:09:39.140 we can't have any spiritual peace within ourselves or in the world 00:09:39.139 --> 00:09:43.580 because we have a spiritual problem, 00:09:43.759 --> 00:09:44.939 a spiritual condition. 00:09:45.860 --> 00:09:47.819 And the reality is that we have sinned 00:09:47.819 --> 00:09:50.159 and turned away against the God of peace. 00:09:50.819 --> 00:09:53.699 And because of that, you will never have peace in yourself. 00:09:53.699 --> 00:09:56.139 Because we are at odds with God Himself, 00:09:56.480 --> 00:09:59.139 we'll never, ever have peace. 00:09:59.799 --> 00:10:02.360 You can't have peace when God is your enemy, 00:10:02.480 --> 00:10:04.399 when you have set yourself up against Him. 00:10:05.460 --> 00:10:06.539 And the Scripture says 00:10:06.539 --> 00:10:09.759 that all of us have sinned against God. 00:10:09.879 --> 00:10:10.639 Every one of us. 00:10:10.719 --> 00:10:12.699 We have chosen to love, 00:10:13.379 --> 00:10:15.699 to give our lives to things that aren't worthy. 00:10:15.819 --> 00:10:17.939 We have kind of either directly or indirectly 00:10:17.939 --> 00:10:19.500 said to God, 00:10:20.199 --> 00:10:22.459 You're not worthy of us loving. 00:10:23.019 --> 00:10:25.399 You're not worthy of our obedience in our lives. 00:10:25.480 --> 00:10:27.419 And we're going to do what we want to do 00:10:27.419 --> 00:10:30.899 and try to find what only You can give us 00:10:30.899 --> 00:10:32.500 through all these things that You have created 00:10:32.500 --> 00:10:33.980 in the world. 00:10:33.980 --> 00:10:36.259 And that's what it is. 00:10:36.300 --> 00:10:37.120 All of us have fallen. 00:10:37.259 --> 00:10:39.720 Our souls were meant to know God, 00:10:39.800 --> 00:10:40.580 to worship Him, 00:10:41.019 --> 00:10:43.539 to have a relationship with the God of peace. 00:10:44.340 --> 00:10:44.759 Right? 00:10:45.759 --> 00:10:47.039 The peace of God. 00:10:47.899 --> 00:10:50.360 But sin has turned us against Him. 00:10:51.440 --> 00:10:54.440 In James 4, verses 4-5, 00:10:54.480 --> 00:10:55.379 I'll just read this to you. 00:10:55.899 --> 00:10:56.399 James says, 00:10:56.399 --> 00:10:57.500 You adulterous people, 00:10:57.659 --> 00:10:59.100 do you not know that friendship 00:10:59.100 --> 00:11:02.120 with the world is enmity with God? 00:11:03.159 --> 00:11:05.659 Therefore, whoever wishes to be a friend of this world 00:11:05.659 --> 00:11:07.699 makes himself an enemy of God. 00:11:08.600 --> 00:11:10.959 Or do you not suppose that it is no purpose? 00:11:11.059 --> 00:11:12.039 The Scripture says, 00:11:12.559 --> 00:11:14.659 He yearns jealously over the Spirit 00:11:14.659 --> 00:11:16.299 that He has made to dwell in us. 00:11:16.860 --> 00:11:20.059 So this is just a picture of spiritual unfaithfulness to God, 00:11:20.159 --> 00:11:22.340 having these strong affections 00:11:22.340 --> 00:11:23.679 for the things in the creation 00:11:23.679 --> 00:11:25.519 and not the Creator. 00:11:26.899 --> 00:11:27.719 Paul says, 00:11:27.879 --> 00:11:29.919 Because they, like being mankind, 00:11:30.239 --> 00:11:32.559 exchanged the truth about God for a lie. 00:11:33.479 --> 00:11:34.279 They exchanged it. 00:11:34.399 --> 00:11:36.299 And we worshiped and served the creature 00:11:36.299 --> 00:11:38.139 rather than the Creator 00:11:38.139 --> 00:11:39.359 who is blessed forever. 00:11:40.679 --> 00:11:42.500 And this word that he talks about, 00:11:42.719 --> 00:11:44.039 don't love the world here, 00:11:44.139 --> 00:11:45.159 like if you love the world, 00:11:45.239 --> 00:11:47.059 you make yourself an enemy of God, 00:11:47.059 --> 00:11:49.079 it means like a very strong 00:11:49.079 --> 00:11:50.859 or immodest attachment to something. 00:11:51.419 --> 00:11:52.159 And that's what we've done. 00:11:52.239 --> 00:11:53.919 We've taken things in this world 00:11:53.919 --> 00:11:56.279 and we've like loved them far more than they deserve. 00:11:57.059 --> 00:11:59.759 And we haven't given that love to the Creator. 00:12:00.719 --> 00:12:01.679 And so that's why, 00:12:02.359 --> 00:12:03.639 and God deserves it. 00:12:03.779 --> 00:12:04.679 He deserves it. 00:12:04.719 --> 00:12:05.459 He is the Creator. 00:12:05.959 --> 00:12:06.779 He made you. 00:12:06.879 --> 00:12:08.879 He even sustains you at this very moment. 00:12:09.059 --> 00:12:10.419 Every good thing you have 00:12:10.419 --> 00:12:12.979 is from Him and Him alone. 00:12:12.980 --> 00:12:12.980 00:12:13.860 --> 00:12:14.460 your health, 00:12:15.000 --> 00:12:15.440 your money, 00:12:15.580 --> 00:12:16.139 your clothes, 00:12:16.259 --> 00:12:17.200 everything you have 00:12:17.200 --> 00:12:18.420 is a gift from God 00:12:18.420 --> 00:12:20.580 to help you see that He is good. 00:12:21.279 --> 00:12:21.639 But still, 00:12:21.779 --> 00:12:23.360 we credit that to ourselves. 00:12:23.840 --> 00:12:26.060 And we think that it's us sustaining us. 00:12:26.500 --> 00:12:27.240 And we ignore 00:12:27.240 --> 00:12:29.920 or either blatantly push Him away. 00:12:31.019 --> 00:12:31.420 And so, 00:12:31.539 --> 00:12:33.940 because sin has made us at war with God, 00:12:34.560 --> 00:12:36.080 we will never have peace. 00:12:37.100 --> 00:12:38.659 You cannot ever have 00:12:38.659 --> 00:12:40.240 any inward spiritual peace 00:12:40.240 --> 00:12:41.740 when God is set against you. 00:12:42.980 --> 00:12:43.500 Isaiah, 00:12:44.500 --> 00:12:46.740 57, 20-21, 00:12:46.940 --> 00:12:48.240 you just might want to write this down, 00:12:48.320 --> 00:12:49.019 but listen to this. 00:12:51.039 --> 00:12:51.560 It says, 00:12:51.800 --> 00:12:52.180 The wicked 00:12:52.180 --> 00:12:54.980 are like the tossing of the sea, 00:12:55.379 --> 00:12:57.440 for it cannot be quiet, 00:12:58.220 --> 00:13:00.659 and its waters toss up mire and dirt. 00:13:01.519 --> 00:13:02.779 There is no peace, 00:13:03.000 --> 00:13:03.940 says my God, 00:13:04.019 --> 00:13:04.539 for the wicked. 00:13:05.820 --> 00:13:07.379 That's a picture of the world. 00:13:07.460 --> 00:13:08.860 It's being tossed and tossed 00:13:08.860 --> 00:13:10.240 and no quiet, 00:13:10.399 --> 00:13:11.080 no peace. 00:13:11.080 --> 00:13:12.440 And it says, 00:13:12.540 --> 00:13:13.300 there's no peace. 00:13:13.980 --> 00:13:14.560 God says, 00:13:14.660 --> 00:13:15.759 there's no peace for the wicked, 00:13:15.900 --> 00:13:16.800 no peace for those 00:13:16.800 --> 00:13:18.000 who are set against Him. 00:13:19.440 --> 00:13:20.200 You can't. 00:13:21.700 --> 00:13:22.180 So, 00:13:22.560 --> 00:13:23.940 that's creating the problem. 00:13:24.100 --> 00:13:25.620 We don't have peace 00:13:25.620 --> 00:13:27.020 because we are at war with God. 00:13:27.680 --> 00:13:28.480 And mankind 00:13:28.480 --> 00:13:29.620 who has set himself 00:13:29.620 --> 00:13:30.379 against God. 00:13:30.379 --> 00:13:31.980 But, 00:13:32.059 --> 00:13:33.639 what we can do 00:13:33.639 --> 00:13:35.299 at this Christmas time 00:13:35.299 --> 00:13:35.799 is, 00:13:35.899 --> 00:13:37.299 is use this 00:13:37.299 --> 00:13:38.539 as a chance 00:13:38.539 --> 00:13:39.799 just to elevate our souls 00:13:39.799 --> 00:13:40.840 to a higher place. 00:13:41.379 --> 00:13:42.279 If we use this 00:13:42.279 --> 00:13:43.500 to focus on the true meaning 00:13:43.500 --> 00:13:43.960 of Christmas 00:13:43.960 --> 00:13:44.620 and, I guess, 00:13:44.700 --> 00:13:45.480 rediscover it, 00:13:46.059 --> 00:13:47.059 refresh it, 00:13:47.840 --> 00:13:48.899 and allow it to play out 00:13:48.899 --> 00:13:49.980 into the rest of our life, 00:13:50.019 --> 00:13:50.820 not just Christmas, 00:13:50.980 --> 00:13:52.360 but this is an opportunity 00:13:52.360 --> 00:13:53.279 to hit reset. 00:13:53.279 --> 00:13:53.959 But, 00:13:53.959 --> 00:13:55.659 throughout the ages, 00:13:55.779 --> 00:13:56.899 we celebrate that God 00:13:56.899 --> 00:13:58.039 is a God of salvation, 00:13:58.199 --> 00:13:58.980 that He has worked 00:13:58.980 --> 00:14:00.659 through the ages 00:14:00.659 --> 00:14:03.059 to bring salvation 00:14:03.059 --> 00:14:03.939 to us. 00:14:04.639 --> 00:14:05.699 Thousands of years 00:14:05.699 --> 00:14:07.240 before it actually 00:14:07.240 --> 00:14:08.299 came to us. 00:14:09.159 --> 00:14:09.919 It was spoken 00:14:09.919 --> 00:14:11.439 by the prophet Isaiah 00:14:11.439 --> 00:14:12.959 700 years or so 00:14:12.959 --> 00:14:14.980 before Christ came. 00:14:15.940 --> 00:14:16.920 He told of the Prince 00:14:16.920 --> 00:14:17.460 of Peace 00:14:17.460 --> 00:14:18.120 that would come, 00:14:18.700 --> 00:14:19.600 first bringing peace 00:14:19.600 --> 00:14:20.300 to individuals 00:14:20.300 --> 00:14:21.460 and then to the nations, 00:14:22.200 --> 00:14:23.320 that His government 00:14:23.320 --> 00:14:24.320 would be established 00:14:24.320 --> 00:14:25.360 forever. 00:14:26.080 --> 00:14:26.620 It says, 00:14:27.240 --> 00:14:28.420 Isaiah 9, 00:14:28.519 --> 00:14:29.220 6-7, 00:14:29.779 --> 00:14:30.920 For to us a child 00:14:30.920 --> 00:14:31.460 is born, 00:14:31.600 --> 00:14:32.600 to us a son 00:14:32.600 --> 00:14:33.159 is given, 00:14:33.759 --> 00:14:34.440 and the government 00:14:34.440 --> 00:14:35.779 shall be on His shoulders, 00:14:36.440 --> 00:14:37.159 and His name 00:14:37.159 --> 00:14:37.740 shall be called 00:14:37.740 --> 00:14:39.000 Wonderful Counselor, 00:14:39.600 --> 00:14:40.300 Mighty God, 00:14:40.539 --> 00:14:41.580 Everlasting Father, 00:14:42.320 --> 00:14:43.480 Prince of Peace. 00:14:43.480 --> 00:14:45.680 And that's what we celebrate, 00:14:45.800 --> 00:14:46.860 is the first coming 00:14:46.860 --> 00:14:48.100 of the Prince of Peace, 00:14:48.860 --> 00:14:49.960 and how He would bring 00:14:49.960 --> 00:14:51.060 peace to our souls 00:14:51.060 --> 00:14:52.740 and then to the nations. 00:14:53.759 --> 00:14:54.039 So, 00:14:54.379 --> 00:14:55.220 what is it? 00:14:55.279 --> 00:14:55.500 I mean, 00:14:55.539 --> 00:14:56.560 just stop and pause. 00:14:56.639 --> 00:14:57.519 What is it that's making 00:14:57.519 --> 00:14:58.399 you anxious today? 00:14:59.180 --> 00:15:00.659 It could be several things. 00:15:01.480 --> 00:15:01.879 Guys, 00:15:02.000 --> 00:15:02.519 don't lie. 00:15:03.080 --> 00:15:03.659 You're anxious 00:15:03.659 --> 00:15:04.460 about stuff too. 00:15:05.580 --> 00:15:06.399 Being stoic 00:15:06.399 --> 00:15:07.279 and acting like you're tough 00:15:07.279 --> 00:15:08.060 doesn't change it. 00:15:08.700 --> 00:15:09.820 You still are being 00:15:09.820 --> 00:15:10.639 torn apart in here 00:15:10.639 --> 00:15:11.659 whether you show it or not. 00:15:11.659 --> 00:15:14.120 And there are some things 00:15:14.120 --> 00:15:15.500 you can have no control over. 00:15:16.279 --> 00:15:16.559 So, 00:15:16.659 --> 00:15:17.500 I beg you this morning 00:15:17.500 --> 00:15:19.000 just to really let God's Word 00:15:19.000 --> 00:15:21.439 just minister to your soul 00:15:21.439 --> 00:15:23.759 that we would find that peace. 00:15:24.059 --> 00:15:24.240 So, 00:15:24.659 --> 00:15:25.639 let's just start with 00:15:25.639 --> 00:15:26.459 a good definition 00:15:26.459 --> 00:15:28.000 of peace. 00:15:28.879 --> 00:15:30.100 I guess when we're talking 00:15:30.100 --> 00:15:31.240 about it just biblically, 00:15:32.120 --> 00:15:33.519 it does mean like 00:15:33.519 --> 00:15:34.059 just the word 00:15:34.059 --> 00:15:34.879 an inner calm 00:15:34.879 --> 00:15:36.839 or an inner tranquility 00:15:36.839 --> 00:15:37.419 of the soul, 00:15:37.519 --> 00:15:38.879 a quietness of the soul. 00:15:38.879 --> 00:15:40.899 and 00:15:40.899 --> 00:15:43.159 I'll give you 00:15:43.159 --> 00:15:44.139 just a definition 00:15:44.139 --> 00:15:45.240 of what that looks like. 00:15:46.179 --> 00:15:46.740 But here's 00:15:46.740 --> 00:15:47.500 our definition. 00:15:49.039 --> 00:15:50.939 Peace is the inner confidence 00:15:50.939 --> 00:15:52.679 and trust 00:15:52.679 --> 00:15:54.980 in God's wise, 00:15:55.240 --> 00:15:55.980 sovereign control 00:15:55.980 --> 00:15:56.759 of our lives 00:15:56.759 --> 00:15:59.039 resulting from being 00:15:59.039 --> 00:15:59.919 restored to Him 00:15:59.919 --> 00:16:00.899 through Jesus Christ. 00:16:01.860 --> 00:16:03.700 Peace is the inner confidence 00:16:03.700 --> 00:16:04.460 and trust 00:16:04.460 --> 00:16:05.720 in God's wise, 00:16:06.259 --> 00:16:07.000 sovereign control 00:16:07.000 --> 00:16:07.740 of our lives 00:16:07.740 --> 00:16:09.659 resulting from being 00:16:09.659 --> 00:16:10.860 restored to Him 00:16:10.860 --> 00:16:11.899 through Jesus Christ. 00:16:12.879 --> 00:16:13.259 So, 00:16:13.779 --> 00:16:15.019 we can have peace 00:16:15.019 --> 00:16:16.279 through Jesus Christ. 00:16:16.899 --> 00:16:17.580 And that's kind of 00:16:17.580 --> 00:16:18.460 where we're going today. 00:16:19.360 --> 00:16:20.620 The Old Testament word 00:16:20.620 --> 00:16:21.259 for that is just 00:16:21.259 --> 00:16:21.820 shalom, 00:16:22.000 --> 00:16:22.259 meaning 00:16:22.259 --> 00:16:23.960 a complete peace, 00:16:24.080 --> 00:16:25.600 an inner contentment, 00:16:25.700 --> 00:16:26.379 completeness, 00:16:26.639 --> 00:16:27.139 wholeness, 00:16:28.100 --> 00:16:28.480 harmony. 00:16:29.620 --> 00:16:30.000 So, 00:16:30.220 --> 00:16:31.019 three things 00:16:31.019 --> 00:16:32.080 we're going to look at today. 00:16:32.559 --> 00:16:33.320 Now I invite you 00:16:33.320 --> 00:16:34.320 just to open your Bibles 00:16:34.320 --> 00:16:36.060 to a well-known passage, 00:16:36.220 --> 00:16:37.420 Luke chapter 2. 00:16:42.040 --> 00:16:42.920 Very familiar 00:16:42.920 --> 00:16:43.700 just in the, 00:16:44.040 --> 00:16:45.200 what we would refer to 00:16:45.200 --> 00:16:46.000 in some ways 00:16:46.000 --> 00:16:47.020 as the Christmas story. 00:16:48.240 --> 00:16:48.860 Luke 2. 00:16:50.500 --> 00:16:51.800 Let's go to verse 8. 00:16:54.280 --> 00:16:54.700 So, 00:16:54.780 --> 00:16:55.300 the three things 00:16:55.300 --> 00:16:56.160 that we're going to look at. 00:16:57.379 --> 00:16:58.140 Number one, 00:16:58.240 --> 00:16:59.220 because God brought 00:16:59.220 --> 00:17:00.780 peace to us. 00:17:01.780 --> 00:17:02.700 These are reasons 00:17:02.700 --> 00:17:03.580 we can have peace. 00:17:03.680 --> 00:17:04.100 Excuse me. 00:17:04.200 --> 00:17:04.340 Like, 00:17:04.400 --> 00:17:05.340 why can we have peace? 00:17:05.440 --> 00:17:05.660 Okay. 00:17:06.140 --> 00:17:07.380 Because God brought 00:17:07.380 --> 00:17:08.400 peace to us. 00:17:08.880 --> 00:17:09.740 That's number one. 00:17:09.880 --> 00:17:10.799 Because God brought 00:17:10.799 --> 00:17:11.620 peace to us. 00:17:12.799 --> 00:17:14.140 Look at Luke 2, 00:17:14.200 --> 00:17:14.700 verse 8. 00:17:15.600 --> 00:17:16.860 And in the same region 00:17:16.860 --> 00:17:17.640 there were shepherds 00:17:17.640 --> 00:17:18.220 out in the field 00:17:18.220 --> 00:17:19.000 keeping watch 00:17:19.000 --> 00:17:19.720 over their flocks 00:17:19.720 --> 00:17:20.279 by night. 00:17:20.799 --> 00:17:21.380 And an angel 00:17:21.380 --> 00:17:21.860 of the Lord 00:17:21.860 --> 00:17:22.660 appeared to them 00:17:22.660 --> 00:17:23.319 and the glory 00:17:23.319 --> 00:17:24.000 of the Lord 00:17:24.000 --> 00:17:25.180 shone around them. 00:17:25.920 --> 00:17:26.759 And they were filled 00:17:26.759 --> 00:17:27.620 with great fear. 00:17:28.340 --> 00:17:28.940 And the angel 00:17:28.940 --> 00:17:29.480 said to them, 00:17:29.559 --> 00:17:30.120 Fear not, 00:17:30.240 --> 00:17:30.920 for behold, 00:17:30.920 --> 00:17:32.279 I bring you 00:17:32.279 --> 00:17:33.180 good news, 00:17:33.860 --> 00:17:34.640 gospel, 00:17:34.940 --> 00:17:35.200 right, 00:17:35.320 --> 00:17:36.400 of great joy 00:17:36.400 --> 00:17:37.320 that will be 00:17:37.320 --> 00:17:38.180 for all people. 00:17:38.940 --> 00:17:39.660 For unto you 00:17:39.660 --> 00:17:40.860 is born this day 00:17:40.860 --> 00:17:41.980 in the city of David 00:17:41.980 --> 00:17:42.640 a Savior 00:17:42.640 --> 00:17:44.340 who is Christ the Lord. 00:17:45.019 --> 00:17:45.660 And this will be 00:17:45.660 --> 00:17:46.539 a sign for you. 00:17:47.300 --> 00:17:48.300 You will find a baby 00:17:48.300 --> 00:17:49.940 wrapped in swallowing clothes 00:17:49.940 --> 00:17:51.140 and lying in a manger. 00:17:52.000 --> 00:17:52.680 And suddenly 00:17:52.680 --> 00:17:54.100 there was with the angel 00:17:54.100 --> 00:17:54.779 a multitude 00:17:54.779 --> 00:17:56.720 of the heavenly hosts 00:17:56.720 --> 00:17:57.660 praising God 00:17:57.660 --> 00:17:58.360 and saying, 00:17:59.140 --> 00:17:59.920 Glory to God 00:17:59.920 --> 00:18:00.700 and the highest 00:18:00.700 --> 00:18:02.120 and on earth 00:18:02.120 --> 00:18:04.220 peace among those 00:18:04.220 --> 00:18:04.840 with whom 00:18:04.840 --> 00:18:05.680 He is pleased. 00:18:07.440 --> 00:18:08.820 So there are some, 00:18:09.019 --> 00:18:09.259 you know, 00:18:09.340 --> 00:18:11.340 this is kind of 00:18:11.340 --> 00:18:11.779 one of those 00:18:11.779 --> 00:18:12.740 cliche phrases 00:18:12.740 --> 00:18:13.300 that you hear 00:18:13.300 --> 00:18:13.720 at Christmas 00:18:13.720 --> 00:18:14.279 and most people 00:18:14.279 --> 00:18:14.960 don't even know 00:18:14.960 --> 00:18:16.539 where it comes from 00:18:16.539 --> 00:18:17.240 or what it means 00:18:17.240 --> 00:18:17.759 but it's like, 00:18:17.860 --> 00:18:18.420 hey man, 00:18:18.600 --> 00:18:19.500 it's peace on earth, 00:18:19.640 --> 00:18:20.840 good will toward men. 00:18:21.320 --> 00:18:22.580 And it's, 00:18:23.779 --> 00:18:24.539 that's true 00:18:24.539 --> 00:18:25.720 but look what the verse says, 00:18:25.779 --> 00:18:26.640 among those 00:18:26.640 --> 00:18:28.740 with whom He is pleased. 00:18:28.740 --> 00:18:30.480 So this idea 00:18:30.480 --> 00:18:30.880 that like, 00:18:30.960 --> 00:18:31.779 it's not just this, 00:18:32.160 --> 00:18:33.019 this weird, 00:18:33.160 --> 00:18:33.599 you know, 00:18:34.200 --> 00:18:35.220 peace floating out there 00:18:35.220 --> 00:18:36.120 that we lay hold of, 00:18:36.160 --> 00:18:37.059 it's come to us 00:18:37.059 --> 00:18:38.259 only by God. 00:18:38.740 --> 00:18:39.759 And it is going to be 00:18:39.759 --> 00:18:40.299 on those 00:18:40.299 --> 00:18:41.480 with whom He is pleased. 00:18:41.940 --> 00:18:42.799 Those who will come 00:18:42.799 --> 00:18:44.039 to know the Messiah. 00:18:45.019 --> 00:18:45.920 So this is like 00:18:45.920 --> 00:18:47.279 the dawning of peace. 00:18:47.660 --> 00:18:47.819 Okay? 00:18:48.259 --> 00:18:49.400 So if I said a minute ago, 00:18:49.480 --> 00:18:50.079 God was our, 00:18:50.620 --> 00:18:51.900 if you're without Christ, 00:18:52.019 --> 00:18:52.839 like God is our, 00:18:53.019 --> 00:18:53.720 He is your enemy. 00:18:53.720 --> 00:18:56.019 But He has brought 00:18:56.019 --> 00:18:57.000 peace to us. 00:18:58.200 --> 00:18:58.620 And so, 00:18:58.880 --> 00:18:59.680 you should know 00:18:59.680 --> 00:19:00.240 like a really, 00:19:00.799 --> 00:19:01.019 you know, 00:19:01.039 --> 00:19:01.500 the well-known 00:19:01.500 --> 00:19:02.360 Christmas tradition 00:19:02.360 --> 00:19:03.880 of kissing 00:19:03.880 --> 00:19:04.940 under the mistletoe 00:19:04.940 --> 00:19:07.160 comes from the old, 00:19:07.220 --> 00:19:07.480 you know, 00:19:07.839 --> 00:19:08.779 ancient Celtic, 00:19:08.880 --> 00:19:09.180 Scottish, 00:19:09.319 --> 00:19:10.680 Irish tradition 00:19:10.680 --> 00:19:11.200 of when 00:19:11.200 --> 00:19:12.640 they would come together 00:19:12.640 --> 00:19:13.779 under the mistletoe 00:19:13.779 --> 00:19:14.860 to make peace. 00:19:14.900 --> 00:19:15.400 Like enemies 00:19:15.400 --> 00:19:16.059 would come over 00:19:16.059 --> 00:19:17.480 and be together 00:19:17.480 --> 00:19:18.220 and make peace 00:19:18.220 --> 00:19:19.180 under the mistletoe. 00:19:19.860 --> 00:19:21.000 And they would lay down 00:19:21.000 --> 00:19:21.539 their weapons 00:19:21.539 --> 00:19:22.039 and they would come 00:19:22.039 --> 00:19:23.539 to talk about peace. 00:19:24.099 --> 00:19:24.619 So that's why 00:19:24.619 --> 00:19:26.079 it's kind of a symbol of that. 00:19:26.700 --> 00:19:27.700 But God 00:19:27.700 --> 00:19:29.859 has brought peace to us 00:19:29.859 --> 00:19:30.819 by meeting under 00:19:30.819 --> 00:19:31.700 a different tree 00:19:31.700 --> 00:19:32.779 and saying, 00:19:32.940 --> 00:19:34.339 come and meet with me 00:19:34.339 --> 00:19:35.819 here to have peace 00:19:35.819 --> 00:19:36.399 with me. 00:19:37.420 --> 00:19:38.279 It says 00:19:38.279 --> 00:19:40.539 in Colossians 00:19:40.539 --> 00:19:41.920 chapter 1, 00:19:41.980 --> 00:19:42.500 verse 20, 00:19:43.259 --> 00:19:44.000 through Him, 00:19:44.299 --> 00:19:44.659 Christ, 00:19:45.399 --> 00:19:46.259 He reconciled 00:19:46.259 --> 00:19:47.599 all things to Himself, 00:19:47.799 --> 00:19:48.460 whether on earth 00:19:48.460 --> 00:19:49.159 or in heaven, 00:19:49.819 --> 00:19:50.659 making peace 00:19:50.660 --> 00:19:51.500 by the blood 00:19:51.500 --> 00:19:52.300 of His cross. 00:19:53.340 --> 00:19:53.580 Alright? 00:19:53.740 --> 00:19:54.820 So His offer is, 00:19:55.400 --> 00:19:56.300 though you have 00:19:56.300 --> 00:19:57.100 rejected Me, 00:19:57.560 --> 00:19:58.759 though you have 00:19:58.759 --> 00:19:59.759 rebelled against Me, 00:19:59.940 --> 00:20:00.600 though you have 00:20:00.600 --> 00:20:01.259 loved things 00:20:01.259 --> 00:20:01.880 that are not 00:20:01.880 --> 00:20:02.900 even worthy 00:20:02.900 --> 00:20:04.080 to be compared to Me, 00:20:04.660 --> 00:20:06.000 I am offering you, 00:20:06.140 --> 00:20:07.500 I am offering a chance 00:20:07.500 --> 00:20:10.120 with this arriving Messiah, 00:20:10.279 --> 00:20:10.880 this King, 00:20:11.420 --> 00:20:12.220 to have peace. 00:20:13.400 --> 00:20:14.400 So glory to God 00:20:14.400 --> 00:20:15.080 on the highest 00:20:15.080 --> 00:20:15.880 and on earth, 00:20:16.000 --> 00:20:16.980 peace among those 00:20:16.980 --> 00:20:17.720 who He has pleased. 00:20:17.720 --> 00:20:17.759 Christ. 00:20:18.480 --> 00:20:18.960 So, 00:20:19.079 --> 00:20:19.700 it's not just 00:20:19.700 --> 00:20:20.600 this random thing, 00:20:20.680 --> 00:20:22.279 it is an offer, 00:20:22.440 --> 00:20:22.620 like, 00:20:22.680 --> 00:20:23.539 you want peace with Me? 00:20:23.640 --> 00:20:24.180 You come 00:20:24.180 --> 00:20:25.539 through My Son. 00:20:26.480 --> 00:20:27.400 He is the Messiah, 00:20:27.519 --> 00:20:28.079 I am sending 00:20:28.079 --> 00:20:28.799 to save you 00:20:28.799 --> 00:20:29.600 from your sin 00:20:29.600 --> 00:20:31.019 and restore 00:20:31.019 --> 00:20:32.400 peace 00:20:32.400 --> 00:20:33.700 between us. 00:20:34.700 --> 00:20:35.019 So, 00:20:35.160 --> 00:20:36.400 there's like this offer 00:20:36.400 --> 00:20:38.100 in Psalm 2, 00:20:38.700 --> 00:20:40.019 is a messianic prophecy 00:20:40.019 --> 00:20:40.980 about the Messiah. 00:20:41.779 --> 00:20:42.579 It's about the coming 00:20:42.579 --> 00:20:43.140 of Christ 00:20:43.140 --> 00:20:44.920 and it's this idea 00:20:44.920 --> 00:20:45.360 that Christ 00:20:45.360 --> 00:20:46.440 is coming to the earth 00:20:46.440 --> 00:20:47.860 and this is what it says 00:20:47.860 --> 00:20:48.560 in verse 12. 00:20:49.220 --> 00:20:50.280 It's saying to the kings 00:20:50.280 --> 00:20:50.600 of the earth, 00:20:50.660 --> 00:20:50.900 it says, 00:20:51.020 --> 00:20:51.800 kiss the Son, 00:20:52.680 --> 00:20:53.620 lest He be angry 00:20:53.620 --> 00:20:54.560 and you perish 00:20:54.560 --> 00:20:55.180 in the way, 00:20:55.780 --> 00:20:56.580 for His wrath 00:20:56.580 --> 00:20:57.580 is quickly kindled, 00:20:58.100 --> 00:20:59.220 but blessed are those 00:20:59.220 --> 00:21:00.440 who take refuge in Him. 00:21:00.980 --> 00:21:01.420 So, 00:21:01.560 --> 00:21:02.460 this is the offer. 00:21:02.700 --> 00:21:03.560 God has brought peace 00:21:03.560 --> 00:21:04.020 to us, 00:21:04.600 --> 00:21:05.740 we celebrate that 00:21:05.740 --> 00:21:06.560 at Christmas 00:21:06.560 --> 00:21:07.820 that He came 00:21:07.820 --> 00:21:08.680 and condescended 00:21:08.680 --> 00:21:09.640 to be with us. 00:21:10.240 --> 00:21:10.560 So, 00:21:10.600 --> 00:21:11.420 that is good news. 00:21:11.620 --> 00:21:12.320 That's good news 00:21:12.319 --> 00:21:13.379 because God 00:21:13.379 --> 00:21:14.339 has brought peace 00:21:14.339 --> 00:21:14.939 to us. 00:21:15.879 --> 00:21:16.379 And secondly, 00:21:16.559 --> 00:21:17.659 the Bible talks about 00:21:17.659 --> 00:21:20.099 peace with God. 00:21:20.240 --> 00:21:20.379 Okay, 00:21:20.480 --> 00:21:20.720 so, 00:21:21.099 --> 00:21:21.899 we can have peace, 00:21:22.240 --> 00:21:22.779 number two, 00:21:22.960 --> 00:21:23.879 because we can have 00:21:23.879 --> 00:21:24.939 peace with God. 00:21:25.819 --> 00:21:26.759 Because we can have 00:21:26.759 --> 00:21:27.480 peace with God. 00:21:27.539 --> 00:21:29.379 Look at Romans chapter 5. 00:21:30.899 --> 00:21:31.639 There's just a couple 00:21:31.639 --> 00:21:32.139 more places 00:21:32.139 --> 00:21:32.720 for you to look, 00:21:32.839 --> 00:21:33.019 so, 00:21:34.259 --> 00:21:35.799 it's more topical today. 00:21:36.659 --> 00:21:37.519 Romans 5, 00:21:37.619 --> 00:21:38.200 go to verse, 00:21:39.720 --> 00:21:40.339 let's see, 00:21:40.419 --> 00:21:41.200 go to verse 1. 00:21:42.319 --> 00:21:49.879 So, 00:21:49.939 --> 00:21:50.639 why can we have 00:21:50.639 --> 00:21:51.079 peace? 00:21:55.519 --> 00:21:56.439 Because we can have 00:21:56.439 --> 00:21:57.179 peace with God. 00:21:58.460 --> 00:22:00.039 Look at Romans 5, 00:22:00.099 --> 00:22:00.659 verse 1, 00:22:01.319 --> 00:22:01.659 it says, 00:22:01.659 --> 00:22:02.039 therefore, 00:22:02.939 --> 00:22:04.079 since we have been 00:22:04.079 --> 00:22:05.659 justified by faith, 00:22:06.359 --> 00:22:07.379 we have peace 00:22:07.379 --> 00:22:08.179 with God 00:22:08.179 --> 00:22:09.079 through 00:22:09.079 --> 00:22:10.559 our Lord Jesus. 00:22:10.559 --> 00:22:13.740 go down to verse 6. 00:22:13.899 --> 00:22:14.319 I've let you do 00:22:14.319 --> 00:22:14.919 the whole section, 00:22:15.039 --> 00:22:15.619 but we don't have time. 00:22:15.700 --> 00:22:16.440 Look at verse 6. 00:22:17.480 --> 00:22:17.819 It says, 00:22:17.899 --> 00:22:18.539 for while we were 00:22:18.539 --> 00:22:19.279 still weak, 00:22:19.679 --> 00:22:20.859 at the right time, 00:22:20.980 --> 00:22:21.799 Christ died 00:22:21.799 --> 00:22:22.759 for the ungodly. 00:22:23.480 --> 00:22:24.500 For one will scarcely 00:22:24.500 --> 00:22:25.579 die for a righteous 00:22:25.579 --> 00:22:26.139 person, 00:22:26.639 --> 00:22:27.399 though perhaps 00:22:27.399 --> 00:22:28.279 for a good person 00:22:28.279 --> 00:22:29.099 one might dare 00:22:29.099 --> 00:22:29.919 even to die. 00:22:30.919 --> 00:22:31.899 But God shows 00:22:31.899 --> 00:22:32.759 His love for us 00:22:32.759 --> 00:22:33.480 in that while we were 00:22:33.480 --> 00:22:34.460 still sinners, 00:22:35.059 --> 00:22:35.839 Christ died 00:22:35.839 --> 00:22:36.740 for us. 00:22:36.740 --> 00:22:38.480 since therefore 00:22:38.480 --> 00:22:39.200 we have now 00:22:39.200 --> 00:22:39.960 been justified 00:22:39.960 --> 00:22:41.140 by His blood, 00:22:41.839 --> 00:22:42.680 much more 00:22:42.680 --> 00:22:43.779 shall we be saved 00:22:43.779 --> 00:22:45.160 by Him 00:22:45.160 --> 00:22:45.900 from the wrath 00:22:45.900 --> 00:22:46.559 of God. 00:22:47.400 --> 00:22:48.140 For if while 00:22:48.140 --> 00:22:48.920 we were enemies, 00:22:49.220 --> 00:22:50.259 we were reconciled 00:22:50.259 --> 00:22:50.759 to God 00:22:50.759 --> 00:22:51.740 by the death 00:22:51.740 --> 00:22:52.359 of His Son, 00:22:53.039 --> 00:22:53.839 much more 00:22:53.839 --> 00:22:55.079 now that we are 00:22:55.079 --> 00:22:55.920 reconciled 00:22:55.920 --> 00:22:56.960 shall we be saved 00:22:56.960 --> 00:22:57.799 by His life. 00:22:58.480 --> 00:22:59.539 More than that, 00:23:00.039 --> 00:23:01.120 we also rejoice 00:23:01.120 --> 00:23:01.660 in God 00:23:01.660 --> 00:23:02.259 through our Lord 00:23:02.259 --> 00:23:03.059 Jesus Christ 00:23:03.059 --> 00:23:03.620 through whom 00:23:03.620 --> 00:23:04.640 we have now 00:23:04.640 --> 00:23:05.980 received reconciliation. 00:23:06.740 --> 00:23:09.180 Ah, man. 00:23:11.660 --> 00:23:12.759 This is so good. 00:23:12.859 --> 00:23:13.920 Don't let this passage 00:23:13.920 --> 00:23:14.920 be familiar to you. 00:23:17.079 --> 00:23:18.000 So the Bible 00:23:18.000 --> 00:23:18.839 uses words 00:23:18.839 --> 00:23:19.599 in this passage 00:23:19.599 --> 00:23:20.819 that describe us 00:23:20.819 --> 00:23:22.940 before we were 00:23:22.940 --> 00:23:23.579 in Christ. 00:23:24.259 --> 00:23:24.519 Okay? 00:23:25.220 --> 00:23:26.279 So God does not 00:23:26.279 --> 00:23:26.980 help those 00:23:26.980 --> 00:23:27.799 who help themselves. 00:23:28.599 --> 00:23:29.420 This says 00:23:29.420 --> 00:23:30.220 you were weak 00:23:30.220 --> 00:23:31.220 and you were helpless. 00:23:31.980 --> 00:23:32.620 You couldn't do 00:23:32.620 --> 00:23:33.140 anything 00:23:33.140 --> 00:23:33.940 to improve 00:23:33.940 --> 00:23:34.640 your condition. 00:23:35.740 --> 00:23:36.680 It used these 00:23:36.680 --> 00:23:36.980 words. 00:23:37.100 --> 00:23:37.480 Weak, 00:23:38.120 --> 00:23:38.580 helpless, 00:23:39.720 --> 00:23:40.380 ungodly, 00:23:41.519 --> 00:23:41.860 sinners, 00:23:42.880 --> 00:23:43.279 enemies. 00:23:43.680 --> 00:23:44.420 Those are 00:23:44.420 --> 00:23:45.400 descriptions of us 00:23:45.400 --> 00:23:46.560 before we are 00:23:46.560 --> 00:23:47.160 in Christ. 00:23:48.000 --> 00:23:48.740 And you see 00:23:48.740 --> 00:23:49.740 how Christ 00:23:49.740 --> 00:23:50.200 came 00:23:50.200 --> 00:23:51.320 and brought a 00:23:51.320 --> 00:23:51.620 remedy 00:23:51.620 --> 00:23:52.600 to each one 00:23:52.600 --> 00:23:53.460 of those things. 00:23:54.000 --> 00:23:55.019 Each one of them. 00:23:55.019 --> 00:23:56.960 so it's a chance 00:23:56.960 --> 00:23:57.799 to celebrate 00:23:57.799 --> 00:23:58.819 that God 00:23:58.819 --> 00:23:59.279 has sent 00:23:59.279 --> 00:23:59.960 His Son 00:23:59.960 --> 00:24:01.220 in order 00:24:01.220 --> 00:24:01.779 that we might 00:24:01.779 --> 00:24:02.160 not have 00:24:02.160 --> 00:24:03.059 strife with Him 00:24:03.059 --> 00:24:03.940 but have 00:24:03.940 --> 00:24:04.639 peace with Him. 00:24:05.299 --> 00:24:06.259 So our souls 00:24:06.259 --> 00:24:07.279 can have peace 00:24:07.279 --> 00:24:07.759 if you look 00:24:07.759 --> 00:24:08.400 in this passage 00:24:08.400 --> 00:24:09.240 knowing that 00:24:09.240 --> 00:24:11.079 His sacrifice 00:24:11.079 --> 00:24:12.000 and His shedding 00:24:12.000 --> 00:24:13.299 of His blood 00:24:13.299 --> 00:24:13.960 on the cross 00:24:13.960 --> 00:24:15.299 would save us 00:24:15.299 --> 00:24:15.799 from the wrath 00:24:15.799 --> 00:24:16.279 of God. 00:24:16.960 --> 00:24:17.819 That should bring 00:24:17.819 --> 00:24:18.680 peace to your soul 00:24:18.680 --> 00:24:19.359 knowing that the 00:24:19.359 --> 00:24:19.680 Savior 00:24:19.680 --> 00:24:20.940 has come 00:24:20.940 --> 00:24:22.500 to take away 00:24:22.500 --> 00:24:23.500 the wrath of God 00:24:23.500 --> 00:24:24.559 on your behalf 00:24:24.559 --> 00:24:25.820 so we can have 00:24:25.820 --> 00:24:26.340 peace 00:24:26.340 --> 00:24:28.559 because of faith 00:24:28.559 --> 00:24:29.200 and trust 00:24:29.200 --> 00:24:29.820 and confidence 00:24:29.820 --> 00:24:30.740 in His blood 00:24:30.740 --> 00:24:32.320 we can be 00:24:32.320 --> 00:24:33.059 justified, 00:24:33.519 --> 00:24:34.420 made right 00:24:34.420 --> 00:24:34.920 with God. 00:24:35.019 --> 00:24:35.640 Because right now 00:24:35.640 --> 00:24:36.460 in God's eyes 00:24:36.460 --> 00:24:37.600 like in a legal sense 00:24:37.600 --> 00:24:38.820 we are guilty, 00:24:39.539 --> 00:24:40.660 we are unrighteous 00:24:40.660 --> 00:24:42.220 but because of 00:24:42.220 --> 00:24:42.880 Christ now 00:24:42.880 --> 00:24:44.460 He can look at us 00:24:44.460 --> 00:24:45.259 and see the perfect 00:24:45.259 --> 00:24:46.220 life of His Son 00:24:46.220 --> 00:24:46.779 on us 00:24:46.779 --> 00:24:47.460 and He can say 00:24:47.460 --> 00:24:48.340 righteous, 00:24:49.300 --> 00:24:49.880 justified. 00:24:50.540 --> 00:24:51.300 We can be made 00:24:51.300 --> 00:24:52.480 right with God 00:24:52.480 --> 00:24:53.740 in that sense 00:24:53.740 --> 00:24:54.400 because of what 00:24:54.400 --> 00:24:55.160 Christ has done. 00:24:56.259 --> 00:24:57.080 We can have 00:24:57.080 --> 00:24:58.220 that inner serenity 00:24:58.220 --> 00:24:58.960 of the soul 00:24:58.960 --> 00:25:00.519 that comes from 00:25:00.519 --> 00:25:01.200 being justified 00:25:01.200 --> 00:25:02.080 in God's sight 00:25:02.080 --> 00:25:03.560 and that 00:25:03.560 --> 00:25:04.580 because we were 00:25:04.580 --> 00:25:05.080 separated, 00:25:05.160 --> 00:25:05.759 we were enemies 00:25:05.759 --> 00:25:06.180 of God, 00:25:06.259 --> 00:25:06.800 now we can have 00:25:06.800 --> 00:25:07.759 fellowship with God 00:25:07.759 --> 00:25:09.100 instead of like 00:25:09.100 --> 00:25:09.759 being at odds 00:25:09.759 --> 00:25:10.200 with Him 00:25:10.200 --> 00:25:11.759 we can be 00:25:11.759 --> 00:25:13.880 sons and daughters 00:25:13.880 --> 00:25:14.640 we can have 00:25:14.640 --> 00:25:15.759 a restored 00:25:15.759 --> 00:25:16.580 relationship 00:25:16.580 --> 00:25:17.460 with Him 00:25:17.460 --> 00:25:18.519 reconciled 00:25:18.519 --> 00:25:19.299 completely 00:25:19.299 --> 00:25:20.819 by the blood 00:25:20.819 --> 00:25:21.400 of His Son 00:25:21.400 --> 00:25:22.920 and we can have 00:25:22.920 --> 00:25:23.200 that. 00:25:23.960 --> 00:25:24.819 So real spiritual 00:25:24.819 --> 00:25:25.759 peace comes 00:25:25.759 --> 00:25:27.940 with the reality 00:25:27.940 --> 00:25:28.799 of knowing 00:25:28.799 --> 00:25:29.620 that we've experienced 00:25:29.620 --> 00:25:30.600 a divine pardon 00:25:30.600 --> 00:25:31.180 from God 00:25:31.180 --> 00:25:31.779 that He has 00:25:31.779 --> 00:25:33.299 paid for our sins 00:25:33.299 --> 00:25:34.019 in Christ 00:25:34.019 --> 00:25:35.500 and that because of that 00:25:35.500 --> 00:25:36.140 we can now be 00:25:36.140 --> 00:25:36.759 reconciled, 00:25:36.860 --> 00:25:37.779 restored back 00:25:37.779 --> 00:25:38.299 to God. 00:25:39.120 --> 00:25:40.000 We can know 00:25:40.000 --> 00:25:40.880 again the God 00:25:40.880 --> 00:25:41.660 of peace. 00:25:42.559 --> 00:25:43.079 Alright? 00:25:43.279 --> 00:25:44.019 That quietness 00:25:44.019 --> 00:25:44.539 of the soul. 00:25:45.220 --> 00:25:46.039 So the first question 00:25:46.039 --> 00:25:46.740 is if you're looking 00:25:46.740 --> 00:25:47.559 for peace today 00:25:47.559 --> 00:25:49.400 and you don't have 00:25:49.400 --> 00:25:49.960 the Messiah 00:25:49.960 --> 00:25:50.660 in your life, 00:25:50.720 --> 00:25:51.619 you don't have Christ, 00:25:52.160 --> 00:25:52.940 know that it's just 00:25:52.940 --> 00:25:53.660 going to be a vain 00:25:53.660 --> 00:25:54.660 pursuit until you 00:25:54.660 --> 00:25:55.420 reach this point 00:25:55.420 --> 00:25:56.799 to where you come 00:25:56.799 --> 00:25:57.599 to Christ 00:25:57.599 --> 00:25:58.339 to be your 00:25:58.339 --> 00:25:58.779 Savior, 00:25:59.000 --> 00:25:59.519 your Savior 00:25:59.519 --> 00:26:00.240 and your Messiah. 00:26:01.980 --> 00:26:02.539 Alright? 00:26:02.680 --> 00:26:03.140 So that's 00:26:03.140 --> 00:26:04.579 the third thing. 00:26:04.900 --> 00:26:06.140 It has to start there. 00:26:06.140 --> 00:26:07.520 But the Bible 00:26:07.520 --> 00:26:08.400 talks about peace 00:26:08.400 --> 00:26:08.960 with God 00:26:08.960 --> 00:26:09.380 but the Bible 00:26:09.380 --> 00:26:10.220 also talks about 00:26:10.220 --> 00:26:10.759 the peace 00:26:10.759 --> 00:26:11.480 of God. 00:26:12.259 --> 00:26:13.360 So this is 00:26:13.360 --> 00:26:14.080 the third thing. 00:26:17.060 --> 00:26:18.060 Because we can 00:26:18.060 --> 00:26:19.000 have the peace 00:26:19.000 --> 00:26:19.759 of God. 00:26:20.300 --> 00:26:21.040 Number three, 00:26:21.120 --> 00:26:21.700 because we can 00:26:21.700 --> 00:26:22.259 have the peace 00:26:22.259 --> 00:26:22.660 of God. 00:26:23.200 --> 00:26:23.960 So go to this 00:26:23.960 --> 00:26:25.120 very familiar passage, 00:26:25.320 --> 00:26:27.200 Philippians chapter 4. 00:26:28.360 --> 00:26:29.120 This is going to 00:26:29.120 --> 00:26:29.980 start working out 00:26:29.980 --> 00:26:30.500 a little bit, 00:26:30.560 --> 00:26:31.580 at least practically, 00:26:32.080 --> 00:26:33.380 how this comes about. 00:26:33.380 --> 00:26:35.000 Philippians chapter 4. 00:26:35.780 --> 00:26:38.120 Go to verse 4. 00:26:43.180 --> 00:26:44.000 So I just kind of 00:26:44.000 --> 00:26:44.340 want to, 00:26:44.840 --> 00:26:45.660 as a side note, 00:26:45.720 --> 00:26:46.160 I kind of want 00:26:46.160 --> 00:26:46.800 to say this. 00:26:46.940 --> 00:26:47.320 I think it would 00:26:47.320 --> 00:26:47.800 be helpful, 00:26:48.020 --> 00:26:48.260 maybe, 00:26:49.180 --> 00:26:50.400 to have a right 00:26:50.400 --> 00:26:51.200 understanding of 00:26:51.200 --> 00:26:51.740 God here. 00:26:52.660 --> 00:26:54.500 Because when God 00:26:54.500 --> 00:26:55.460 gives us something, 00:26:56.540 --> 00:26:57.380 He doesn't just 00:26:57.380 --> 00:26:58.640 dispense it to us. 00:26:59.460 --> 00:27:00.400 Meaning that He 00:27:00.400 --> 00:27:01.860 has a lot of peace 00:27:01.860 --> 00:27:02.360 and then He just 00:27:02.360 --> 00:27:02.620 says, 00:27:02.840 --> 00:27:03.360 here's some peace. 00:27:03.380 --> 00:27:04.460 He kind of 00:27:04.460 --> 00:27:05.340 gives it to us. 00:27:05.960 --> 00:27:06.920 Or here's some love 00:27:06.920 --> 00:27:07.820 and He's going to 00:27:07.820 --> 00:27:08.440 dish it out, 00:27:08.660 --> 00:27:08.880 you know, 00:27:09.020 --> 00:27:09.660 dispense it. 00:27:10.700 --> 00:27:11.960 It's not that. 00:27:12.380 --> 00:27:13.680 It's God gives us 00:27:13.680 --> 00:27:14.300 Himself. 00:27:15.420 --> 00:27:16.220 He gives us 00:27:16.220 --> 00:27:17.820 not just things, 00:27:17.880 --> 00:27:18.400 but He gives us 00:27:18.400 --> 00:27:18.940 Himself. 00:27:19.480 --> 00:27:19.960 And when He gives us 00:27:19.960 --> 00:27:20.380 Himself, 00:27:20.560 --> 00:27:21.200 like in Him 00:27:21.200 --> 00:27:22.200 is all the grace 00:27:22.200 --> 00:27:22.740 we need, 00:27:23.180 --> 00:27:23.940 all the peace 00:27:23.940 --> 00:27:24.460 we need. 00:27:24.840 --> 00:27:25.760 It's His presence. 00:27:25.880 --> 00:27:26.860 He doesn't give us 00:27:26.860 --> 00:27:27.520 something outside 00:27:27.520 --> 00:27:28.360 of Him. 00:27:29.220 --> 00:27:29.500 So, 00:27:30.260 --> 00:27:31.160 just know that. 00:27:31.240 --> 00:27:31.880 It's not like He's 00:27:31.880 --> 00:27:32.980 up there just 00:27:32.980 --> 00:27:33.680 dishing out pie 00:27:33.680 --> 00:27:34.340 from the sky. 00:27:34.460 --> 00:27:34.560 So, 00:27:34.620 --> 00:27:35.760 He gives us Himself 00:27:35.760 --> 00:27:37.300 in the Gospel. 00:27:38.560 --> 00:27:38.940 So, 00:27:39.000 --> 00:27:40.100 look at Philippians 4 00:27:40.100 --> 00:27:40.740 and we're talking 00:27:40.740 --> 00:27:42.060 about because we 00:27:42.060 --> 00:27:42.780 can have the peace 00:27:42.780 --> 00:27:43.420 of God. 00:27:44.900 --> 00:27:45.700 Verse 4, 00:27:45.700 --> 00:27:46.779 Paul says, 00:27:46.860 --> 00:27:47.819 rejoice in the Lord 00:27:47.819 --> 00:27:48.380 always. 00:27:48.559 --> 00:27:48.900 Again, 00:27:49.019 --> 00:27:50.140 I will say rejoice. 00:27:51.180 --> 00:27:53.080 Let your reasonableness 00:27:53.080 --> 00:27:54.519 be known to everyone. 00:27:55.299 --> 00:27:56.860 The Lord is at hand. 00:27:57.759 --> 00:27:59.080 Do not be anxious 00:27:59.080 --> 00:28:00.279 about anything, 00:28:01.180 --> 00:28:02.279 but in everything 00:28:02.279 --> 00:28:03.420 by prayer 00:28:03.420 --> 00:28:04.539 and supplication 00:28:04.539 --> 00:28:05.920 with thanksgiving. 00:28:06.580 --> 00:28:07.420 Let your requests 00:28:07.420 --> 00:28:08.660 be made known to God 00:28:08.660 --> 00:28:10.880 and the peace of God 00:28:10.880 --> 00:28:12.539 which surpasses 00:28:12.539 --> 00:28:13.519 all understanding 00:28:13.519 --> 00:28:15.400 will guard your hearts 00:28:15.400 --> 00:28:16.220 and minds 00:28:16.220 --> 00:28:17.079 in Christ Jesus. 00:28:18.700 --> 00:28:19.259 So, 00:28:19.339 --> 00:28:19.879 if you look at that, 00:28:19.940 --> 00:28:20.559 we see this idea 00:28:20.559 --> 00:28:21.619 of the peace of God, 00:28:22.319 --> 00:28:23.480 this inner calm 00:28:23.480 --> 00:28:24.460 quietness 00:28:24.460 --> 00:28:25.819 of the soul 00:28:25.819 --> 00:28:27.639 that Christ has promised 00:28:27.639 --> 00:28:28.319 to believers. 00:28:29.359 --> 00:28:29.539 Right? 00:28:30.220 --> 00:28:31.740 If you'd all 00:28:31.740 --> 00:28:32.779 looked on your bulletin, 00:28:33.779 --> 00:28:35.000 there's a quote 00:28:35.000 --> 00:28:37.000 by a Puritan. 00:28:37.259 --> 00:28:37.700 One of my, 00:28:37.839 --> 00:28:38.980 one of the ones I think 00:28:38.980 --> 00:28:40.079 is one of my favorite 00:28:40.079 --> 00:28:40.519 to read, 00:28:40.639 --> 00:28:41.339 Thomas Watson. 00:28:41.339 --> 00:28:44.639 They have a way 00:28:44.639 --> 00:28:45.619 of saying things 00:28:45.619 --> 00:28:47.199 that are so profound 00:28:47.199 --> 00:28:48.399 in a very simple way, 00:28:48.519 --> 00:28:51.019 in a very like deep way. 00:28:51.480 --> 00:28:52.699 Thomas Watson said, 00:28:52.839 --> 00:28:54.699 God sweetens outward pain 00:28:54.699 --> 00:28:56.240 with inward peace. 00:28:57.279 --> 00:28:58.339 It's true. 00:28:59.439 --> 00:29:00.299 Very true. 00:29:01.699 --> 00:29:02.500 And let's talk about 00:29:02.500 --> 00:29:03.720 this peace of God now. 00:29:04.319 --> 00:29:05.379 That inner confidence, 00:29:05.539 --> 00:29:05.699 right? 00:29:05.779 --> 00:29:07.819 This inner tranquility 00:29:07.819 --> 00:29:08.599 we can have. 00:29:08.599 --> 00:29:10.899 If you look at this, 00:29:11.559 --> 00:29:12.379 we can talk about 00:29:12.379 --> 00:29:13.199 the peace of God 00:29:13.199 --> 00:29:14.059 and that comes again 00:29:14.059 --> 00:29:14.879 through Christ. 00:29:15.439 --> 00:29:16.299 Christ promised 00:29:16.299 --> 00:29:17.240 that His presence 00:29:17.240 --> 00:29:17.699 with us 00:29:17.699 --> 00:29:18.859 would bring peace. 00:29:19.539 --> 00:29:20.539 Many times 00:29:20.539 --> 00:29:21.859 throughout the life 00:29:21.859 --> 00:29:22.279 of Christ, 00:29:22.379 --> 00:29:22.719 He would look 00:29:22.719 --> 00:29:23.359 to His followers 00:29:23.359 --> 00:29:24.139 and He would say 00:29:24.139 --> 00:29:25.819 stuff like this, 00:29:25.859 --> 00:29:27.000 like in John 14, 00:29:27.119 --> 00:29:27.819 verse 25. 00:29:28.579 --> 00:29:28.859 He's like, 00:29:28.939 --> 00:29:29.759 these things I've said 00:29:29.759 --> 00:29:30.159 to you 00:29:30.159 --> 00:29:30.819 while I've still 00:29:30.819 --> 00:29:31.439 been with you, 00:29:32.000 --> 00:29:32.939 but the Helper, 00:29:33.119 --> 00:29:34.019 the Holy Spirit, 00:29:34.639 --> 00:29:35.199 whom the Father 00:29:35.199 --> 00:29:36.259 will send in My name, 00:29:36.319 --> 00:29:37.000 He will teach you 00:29:37.000 --> 00:29:37.819 all these things 00:29:37.819 --> 00:29:38.720 and bring to remembrance 00:29:38.720 --> 00:29:39.920 all that I have said 00:29:39.920 --> 00:29:40.279 to you. 00:29:40.819 --> 00:29:41.420 And this is what He says. 00:29:41.480 --> 00:29:41.819 He's like, 00:29:42.200 --> 00:29:43.859 peace I leave you. 00:29:44.740 --> 00:29:46.279 My peace I give to you. 00:29:46.920 --> 00:29:48.559 Not as the world gives 00:29:48.559 --> 00:29:49.240 do I give. 00:29:50.140 --> 00:29:51.119 Let not your hearts 00:29:51.119 --> 00:29:51.700 be troubled, 00:29:52.039 --> 00:29:52.619 neither let them 00:29:52.619 --> 00:29:53.220 be afraid. 00:29:53.839 --> 00:29:54.200 He's like, 00:29:54.220 --> 00:29:54.880 I'm going to give you 00:29:54.880 --> 00:29:55.859 this peace that is 00:29:55.859 --> 00:29:56.779 unlike anything 00:29:56.779 --> 00:29:57.559 this world has 00:29:57.559 --> 00:29:58.220 to offer you. 00:29:58.779 --> 00:29:59.640 And I'm giving it 00:29:59.640 --> 00:30:00.019 to you. 00:30:01.579 --> 00:30:01.839 So, 00:30:02.839 --> 00:30:04.079 I just, 00:30:05.079 --> 00:30:05.740 this is one of my 00:30:05.740 --> 00:30:06.000 favorites. 00:30:06.000 --> 00:30:06.539 This is kind of 00:30:06.539 --> 00:30:07.200 looking into this 00:30:07.200 --> 00:30:08.460 passage in terms 00:30:08.460 --> 00:30:08.720 of like, 00:30:08.779 --> 00:30:09.539 what is the peace 00:30:09.539 --> 00:30:10.059 of God? 00:30:10.819 --> 00:30:11.440 What is it? 00:30:13.059 --> 00:30:13.779 Jonathan Edwards, 00:30:14.980 --> 00:30:16.460 another early 00:30:16.460 --> 00:30:17.380 American Puritan. 00:30:18.240 --> 00:30:18.779 I used to have 00:30:18.779 --> 00:30:19.339 a shirt that said 00:30:19.339 --> 00:30:19.980 Jonathan Edwards 00:30:19.980 --> 00:30:20.759 is my homeboy 00:30:20.759 --> 00:30:22.680 that someone 00:30:22.680 --> 00:30:23.339 bought for me. 00:30:24.460 --> 00:30:25.319 Jesus can't be 00:30:25.319 --> 00:30:25.859 the homeboy, 00:30:25.960 --> 00:30:26.720 but Jonathan Edwards 00:30:26.720 --> 00:30:27.019 is like, 00:30:27.079 --> 00:30:27.579 that's okay. 00:30:29.759 --> 00:30:30.160 So, 00:30:30.460 --> 00:30:31.920 this is what he said 00:30:31.920 --> 00:30:32.559 about the peace 00:30:32.559 --> 00:30:32.960 of Christ. 00:30:33.059 --> 00:30:33.619 Listen to this. 00:30:34.079 --> 00:30:34.900 Christ's peace 00:30:34.900 --> 00:30:35.800 is a virtuous 00:30:35.800 --> 00:30:36.720 peace, 00:30:37.160 --> 00:30:37.940 and a holy 00:30:37.940 --> 00:30:38.519 peace. 00:30:39.460 --> 00:30:40.040 The peace 00:30:40.040 --> 00:30:40.660 that the saints 00:30:40.660 --> 00:30:41.980 enjoy in Christ 00:30:41.980 --> 00:30:43.500 is not only 00:30:43.500 --> 00:30:44.280 their comfort, 00:30:44.940 --> 00:30:45.620 but it also 00:30:45.620 --> 00:30:46.240 is a part of 00:30:46.240 --> 00:30:46.800 their beauty 00:30:46.800 --> 00:30:47.720 and their dignity. 00:30:49.000 --> 00:30:49.960 They are virtues 00:30:49.960 --> 00:30:50.940 of graces 00:30:50.940 --> 00:30:52.440 that God has 00:30:52.440 --> 00:30:53.019 given to us 00:30:53.019 --> 00:30:53.800 by his spirit. 00:30:54.780 --> 00:30:55.440 Christ's peace 00:30:55.440 --> 00:30:56.380 is an unfailing 00:30:56.380 --> 00:30:57.060 and eternal 00:30:57.060 --> 00:30:57.620 peace. 00:30:58.280 --> 00:30:59.240 It is everlasting, 00:30:59.240 --> 00:30:59.359 everlasting, 00:31:00.039 --> 00:31:01.140 is what no time 00:31:01.140 --> 00:31:01.759 or change 00:31:01.759 --> 00:31:02.460 can destroy. 00:31:03.200 --> 00:31:03.799 The fountain 00:31:03.799 --> 00:31:04.700 of his comfort 00:31:04.700 --> 00:31:05.359 shall never 00:31:05.359 --> 00:31:06.200 be diminished. 00:31:07.019 --> 00:31:07.660 His comfort 00:31:07.660 --> 00:31:08.279 and joy 00:31:08.279 --> 00:31:09.200 is a living 00:31:09.200 --> 00:31:10.380 spring to the soul. 00:31:11.920 --> 00:31:12.400 And that's 00:31:12.400 --> 00:31:13.440 what we're talking 00:31:13.440 --> 00:31:13.620 about. 00:31:13.660 --> 00:31:14.200 The peace 00:31:14.200 --> 00:31:14.720 of God 00:31:14.720 --> 00:31:15.440 that surpasses 00:31:15.440 --> 00:31:17.140 all understanding. 00:31:17.279 --> 00:31:17.380 So, 00:31:17.440 --> 00:31:17.859 let's look at 00:31:17.859 --> 00:31:18.460 this passage. 00:31:19.019 --> 00:31:19.460 He's saying, 00:31:19.680 --> 00:31:20.339 don't be anxious. 00:31:22.120 --> 00:31:22.559 Why? 00:31:24.440 --> 00:31:25.380 How do we deal 00:31:25.380 --> 00:31:25.599 with it? 00:31:25.620 --> 00:31:26.160 When you face 00:31:26.160 --> 00:31:26.660 anxiety, 00:31:26.779 --> 00:31:27.340 what do you do? 00:31:29.640 --> 00:31:30.759 A lot of people 00:31:30.759 --> 00:31:32.660 try to block it out 00:31:32.660 --> 00:31:33.400 and they try to 00:31:33.400 --> 00:31:34.560 focus on this idea 00:31:34.560 --> 00:31:35.820 that if I can just 00:31:35.820 --> 00:31:36.880 expel these negative 00:31:36.880 --> 00:31:38.480 thoughts and just 00:31:38.480 --> 00:31:39.259 think positively 00:31:39.259 --> 00:31:40.259 about things, 00:31:40.700 --> 00:31:41.880 it'll just be okay. 00:31:42.580 --> 00:31:43.360 But the problem 00:31:43.360 --> 00:31:43.900 there is, 00:31:43.940 --> 00:31:44.040 like, 00:31:44.060 --> 00:31:44.640 you're not facing 00:31:44.640 --> 00:31:45.220 the reality. 00:31:45.360 --> 00:31:45.460 Like, 00:31:45.480 --> 00:31:46.759 there is hard 00:31:46.759 --> 00:31:47.519 stuff going on 00:31:47.519 --> 00:31:47.980 around you. 00:31:48.100 --> 00:31:48.960 You can't ignore it. 00:31:49.300 --> 00:31:50.160 You can't just say, 00:31:50.740 --> 00:31:51.360 I'm just not going 00:31:51.360 --> 00:31:52.060 to think about it now. 00:31:52.060 --> 00:31:52.680 I'm going to put 00:31:52.680 --> 00:31:53.340 my mind here 00:31:53.340 --> 00:31:55.519 on these other things. 00:31:55.519 --> 00:31:56.819 because those 00:31:56.819 --> 00:31:58.279 overcoming facts 00:31:58.279 --> 00:31:58.700 are going to be 00:31:58.700 --> 00:31:59.220 there when you 00:31:59.220 --> 00:31:59.879 come out of that. 00:32:01.099 --> 00:32:02.039 And Paul is saying, 00:32:02.099 --> 00:32:02.220 like, 00:32:02.259 --> 00:32:02.859 I've learned, 00:32:02.920 --> 00:32:03.900 I've learned this, 00:32:04.059 --> 00:32:05.559 that when this 00:32:05.559 --> 00:32:06.160 stuff happens, 00:32:06.220 --> 00:32:07.059 I can look at it 00:32:07.059 --> 00:32:07.940 and I can smile 00:32:07.940 --> 00:32:09.619 because of what 00:32:09.619 --> 00:32:10.139 he's going to teach 00:32:10.139 --> 00:32:10.519 us here. 00:32:11.660 --> 00:32:12.359 Here's some things 00:32:12.359 --> 00:32:12.960 in this passage. 00:32:13.079 --> 00:32:13.500 If you look, 00:32:13.539 --> 00:32:13.960 it says, 00:32:15.299 --> 00:32:16.160 rejoice in the Lord 00:32:16.160 --> 00:32:16.619 always. 00:32:16.900 --> 00:32:17.700 I will say again, 00:32:17.740 --> 00:32:18.099 rejoice. 00:32:18.099 --> 00:32:20.579 Let your reasonableness 00:32:20.579 --> 00:32:22.460 be known to everyone. 00:32:22.460 --> 00:32:23.720 All right, 00:32:23.799 --> 00:32:24.559 so anxiety 00:32:24.559 --> 00:32:25.200 causes you 00:32:25.200 --> 00:32:26.079 to be unreasonable. 00:32:26.900 --> 00:32:27.600 You ever notice that? 00:32:27.680 --> 00:32:27.860 Like, 00:32:27.880 --> 00:32:28.319 you can't even, 00:32:28.400 --> 00:32:28.519 like, 00:32:28.559 --> 00:32:29.079 think straight. 00:32:29.240 --> 00:32:30.059 Your logic's gone. 00:32:30.880 --> 00:32:31.440 And he's saying, 00:32:31.500 --> 00:32:31.980 it shouldn't be 00:32:31.980 --> 00:32:32.700 this way with you. 00:32:33.640 --> 00:32:34.799 Let your reasonableness 00:32:34.799 --> 00:32:36.259 be known to everyone 00:32:36.259 --> 00:32:37.019 around you. 00:32:37.460 --> 00:32:37.920 Why? 00:32:39.019 --> 00:32:40.600 The Lord is at hand, 00:32:41.559 --> 00:32:42.079 meaning that 00:32:42.079 --> 00:32:43.039 he is near you. 00:32:43.160 --> 00:32:43.819 His presence 00:32:43.819 --> 00:32:45.039 is with you 00:32:45.039 --> 00:32:46.220 and in you. 00:32:47.240 --> 00:32:48.660 He's not far away. 00:32:49.880 --> 00:32:50.980 Allow his presence 00:32:50.980 --> 00:32:51.920 to come and bring you 00:32:51.920 --> 00:32:52.480 this peace. 00:32:52.539 --> 00:32:52.839 And he says, 00:32:52.920 --> 00:32:53.759 don't be anxious 00:32:53.759 --> 00:32:55.319 about anything, 00:32:56.180 --> 00:32:57.360 but in everything, 00:32:58.120 --> 00:32:58.839 by prayer 00:32:58.839 --> 00:32:59.860 and supplication 00:32:59.860 --> 00:33:00.660 with thanksgiving, 00:33:01.539 --> 00:33:02.319 let your request 00:33:02.319 --> 00:33:02.960 be made known 00:33:02.960 --> 00:33:03.579 to God. 00:33:04.480 --> 00:33:04.839 So, 00:33:04.980 --> 00:33:05.839 going to God, 00:33:06.000 --> 00:33:06.660 pouring out 00:33:06.660 --> 00:33:08.099 your anxieties 00:33:08.099 --> 00:33:09.000 and your burdens, 00:33:09.220 --> 00:33:10.380 casting those on him 00:33:10.380 --> 00:33:11.299 because he cares 00:33:11.299 --> 00:33:12.500 for you. 00:33:14.640 --> 00:33:15.460 And then, 00:33:16.079 --> 00:33:16.860 this is a very 00:33:16.860 --> 00:33:17.660 practical thing, 00:33:17.759 --> 00:33:18.059 guys. 00:33:18.059 --> 00:33:19.899 you have to put 00:33:19.899 --> 00:33:20.419 your mind 00:33:20.419 --> 00:33:21.059 on the truth. 00:33:22.279 --> 00:33:23.059 You have to put 00:33:23.059 --> 00:33:23.960 your mind on, 00:33:24.319 --> 00:33:25.399 if we say we believe 00:33:25.399 --> 00:33:25.919 these things 00:33:25.919 --> 00:33:26.500 theologically, 00:33:26.700 --> 00:33:27.279 you need to know 00:33:27.279 --> 00:33:28.200 they actually affect 00:33:28.200 --> 00:33:28.839 how you live, 00:33:28.919 --> 00:33:30.059 if it's what you believe. 00:33:30.720 --> 00:33:31.539 Like this idea 00:33:31.539 --> 00:33:32.220 of the sovereignty 00:33:32.220 --> 00:33:32.740 of God 00:33:32.740 --> 00:33:33.259 and the goodness 00:33:33.259 --> 00:33:33.859 of God, 00:33:34.659 --> 00:33:35.159 like those aren't 00:33:35.159 --> 00:33:35.559 just cool, 00:33:35.659 --> 00:33:36.480 nerdy theological 00:33:36.480 --> 00:33:36.980 topics. 00:33:37.059 --> 00:33:37.460 They're supposed 00:33:37.460 --> 00:33:38.460 to like penetrate 00:33:38.460 --> 00:33:39.440 how you think 00:33:39.440 --> 00:33:40.279 and how you live. 00:33:40.940 --> 00:33:41.799 Years ago, 00:33:42.000 --> 00:33:43.240 when I was going 00:33:43.240 --> 00:33:45.440 through all my 00:33:45.440 --> 00:33:46.339 physical stuff 00:33:46.339 --> 00:33:47.079 with the transplant 00:33:47.079 --> 00:33:48.539 and I wasn't 00:33:48.539 --> 00:33:49.079 doing good, 00:33:49.199 --> 00:33:49.480 I think, 00:33:49.599 --> 00:33:50.199 I don't remember 00:33:50.199 --> 00:33:50.619 this time, 00:33:50.679 --> 00:33:51.039 I think I was 00:33:51.039 --> 00:33:51.759 on life support, 00:33:52.480 --> 00:33:53.619 wasn't doing good 00:33:53.619 --> 00:33:54.459 in my recovery. 00:33:56.720 --> 00:33:57.839 I had a very 00:33:57.839 --> 00:33:58.859 dear friend of mine 00:33:58.859 --> 00:33:59.679 who's a good 00:33:59.679 --> 00:34:00.439 brother in the Lord, 00:34:00.959 --> 00:34:01.639 but at the time, 00:34:01.779 --> 00:34:02.039 I think, 00:34:02.039 --> 00:34:02.579 at the time, 00:34:02.659 --> 00:34:03.419 I think the sovereignty 00:34:03.419 --> 00:34:04.159 of God was just 00:34:04.159 --> 00:34:04.759 kind of a nerdy 00:34:04.759 --> 00:34:05.519 topic for him. 00:34:07.939 --> 00:34:08.299 So, 00:34:08.400 --> 00:34:08.699 when this was 00:34:08.699 --> 00:34:09.420 going on with me, 00:34:09.460 --> 00:34:10.279 he was in panic. 00:34:10.719 --> 00:34:11.279 He was like 00:34:11.279 --> 00:34:12.199 freaking out, 00:34:12.819 --> 00:34:13.400 like Clay's 00:34:13.400 --> 00:34:13.860 going to die, 00:34:13.960 --> 00:34:14.719 Clay's going to die, 00:34:14.980 --> 00:34:15.259 you know. 00:34:16.340 --> 00:34:16.820 But, 00:34:17.500 --> 00:34:20.440 men like Nathan 00:34:20.440 --> 00:34:21.180 and Wes, 00:34:22.079 --> 00:34:23.320 who also were 00:34:23.320 --> 00:34:24.300 grieved by what 00:34:24.300 --> 00:34:24.880 was going on 00:34:24.880 --> 00:34:25.260 with me, 00:34:26.519 --> 00:34:27.079 they had a 00:34:27.079 --> 00:34:27.840 greater confidence 00:34:27.840 --> 00:34:28.539 that God was 00:34:28.539 --> 00:34:29.120 in control. 00:34:29.559 --> 00:34:29.900 Like they 00:34:29.900 --> 00:34:31.519 allowed that truth 00:34:31.519 --> 00:34:32.360 to work itself 00:34:32.360 --> 00:34:33.280 into the reality 00:34:33.280 --> 00:34:34.380 of what was 00:34:34.380 --> 00:34:35.039 going on. 00:34:36.320 --> 00:34:36.760 And so, 00:34:37.380 --> 00:34:38.300 you have to put 00:34:38.300 --> 00:34:39.000 your mind on the truth. 00:34:39.100 --> 00:34:39.480 If you look, 00:34:39.960 --> 00:34:40.240 you know, 00:34:40.280 --> 00:34:41.059 look later in 00:34:41.059 --> 00:34:41.440 Philippians, 00:34:41.500 --> 00:34:41.720 he says, 00:34:41.780 --> 00:34:42.380 whatever is good, 00:34:42.480 --> 00:34:43.280 whatever is true, 00:34:43.960 --> 00:34:45.340 whatever is praiseworthy, 00:34:45.340 --> 00:34:46.280 they put your mind 00:34:46.280 --> 00:34:47.360 on these things, 00:34:47.440 --> 00:34:47.680 right? 00:34:47.980 --> 00:34:49.120 And the God of peace 00:34:49.120 --> 00:34:49.880 will be with you. 00:34:50.840 --> 00:34:51.120 Right? 00:34:51.200 --> 00:34:51.400 So, 00:34:51.460 --> 00:34:51.960 we have to 00:34:51.960 --> 00:34:53.620 stop looking at lies 00:34:53.620 --> 00:34:54.260 and stop looking 00:34:54.260 --> 00:34:55.000 at circumstances 00:34:55.000 --> 00:34:56.500 and look to the truth 00:34:56.500 --> 00:34:58.220 and allow God 00:34:58.220 --> 00:34:59.019 to use that 00:34:59.019 --> 00:34:59.640 to minister 00:34:59.640 --> 00:35:01.240 to our hearts 00:35:01.240 --> 00:35:02.920 to believe. 00:35:03.920 --> 00:35:04.240 Right? 00:35:04.620 --> 00:35:04.880 So, 00:35:04.880 --> 00:35:05.460 what we believe 00:35:05.460 --> 00:35:06.640 has practical implications 00:35:06.640 --> 00:35:07.420 for how we live. 00:35:08.120 --> 00:35:08.740 Even the greatest 00:35:08.740 --> 00:35:09.579 doctrines in the Bible 00:35:09.579 --> 00:35:11.000 affect how you live. 00:35:11.000 --> 00:35:12.860 right? 00:35:13.760 --> 00:35:14.179 So, 00:35:14.219 --> 00:35:15.039 that's how we get it. 00:35:15.119 --> 00:35:15.219 We, 00:35:15.760 --> 00:35:16.340 if you look, 00:35:16.480 --> 00:35:17.360 go on at this passage, 00:35:17.440 --> 00:35:17.760 it says, 00:35:17.840 --> 00:35:18.820 the peace of God 00:35:18.820 --> 00:35:20.559 which surpasses 00:35:20.559 --> 00:35:21.619 all understanding 00:35:21.619 --> 00:35:23.320 will guard 00:35:23.320 --> 00:35:24.159 your hearts 00:35:24.159 --> 00:35:25.639 and your minds 00:35:25.639 --> 00:35:26.420 in Christ Jesus. 00:35:27.679 --> 00:35:28.099 So, 00:35:28.139 --> 00:35:28.800 you don't just get 00:35:28.800 --> 00:35:30.119 peace by 00:35:30.119 --> 00:35:31.639 ignoring circumstances. 00:35:33.260 --> 00:35:34.340 You get peace 00:35:34.340 --> 00:35:35.099 by knowing 00:35:35.099 --> 00:35:36.820 and having this 00:35:36.820 --> 00:35:38.960 awesome feeling 00:35:38.960 --> 00:35:39.960 of being protected. 00:35:41.000 --> 00:35:41.300 right? 00:35:42.400 --> 00:35:42.900 If, 00:35:42.940 --> 00:35:43.500 if there's something 00:35:43.500 --> 00:35:44.460 going on in your life 00:35:44.460 --> 00:35:45.599 and you know 00:35:45.599 --> 00:35:46.820 that like the sovereign God 00:35:46.820 --> 00:35:47.320 of the universe 00:35:47.320 --> 00:35:48.239 is with you 00:35:48.239 --> 00:35:49.619 and for you 00:35:49.619 --> 00:35:50.659 and you feel protected 00:35:50.659 --> 00:35:52.380 even if there's 00:35:52.380 --> 00:35:52.920 crazy things 00:35:52.920 --> 00:35:53.840 going on around you. 00:35:54.659 --> 00:35:55.780 That's just how it is. 00:35:55.820 --> 00:35:56.719 That's how peace works. 00:35:56.880 --> 00:35:57.039 Peace, 00:35:57.039 --> 00:35:58.000 peace flourishes 00:35:58.000 --> 00:35:57.440 ! 00:35:57.440 --> 00:35:58.019 Peace flourishes 00:35:58.019 --> 00:35:59.179 in the midst of 00:35:59.179 --> 00:36:00.920 suffering and chaos. 00:36:01.480 --> 00:36:02.460 It's not in the absence 00:36:02.460 --> 00:36:03.239 of suffering 00:36:03.239 --> 00:36:04.039 and chaos. 00:36:04.679 --> 00:36:05.159 It, 00:36:05.179 --> 00:36:05.800 it comes up. 00:36:05.840 --> 00:36:05.920 So, 00:36:05.960 --> 00:36:06.400 this word 00:36:06.400 --> 00:36:07.139 says right here, 00:36:07.199 --> 00:36:07.400 it says, 00:36:07.739 --> 00:36:08.219 guard your hearts 00:36:08.219 --> 00:36:08.739 and minds. 00:36:09.579 --> 00:36:10.400 It's a great, 00:36:11.000 --> 00:36:12.460 military term 00:36:12.460 --> 00:36:14.000 used in this context 00:36:14.000 --> 00:36:14.840 for the Roman army 00:36:14.840 --> 00:36:15.500 and other things, 00:36:15.619 --> 00:36:16.940 but it means 00:36:16.940 --> 00:36:17.940 to set a watch over, 00:36:18.039 --> 00:36:18.820 to garrison over, 00:36:18.900 --> 00:36:19.480 to guard. 00:36:20.619 --> 00:36:21.179 And he's saying 00:36:21.179 --> 00:36:22.159 the peace of God 00:36:22.159 --> 00:36:23.440 will guard 00:36:23.440 --> 00:36:24.039 your heart 00:36:24.039 --> 00:36:25.579 and your mind 00:36:25.579 --> 00:36:27.400 from anxiety, 00:36:27.739 --> 00:36:28.340 from fear, 00:36:28.780 --> 00:36:29.639 from worry. 00:36:30.019 --> 00:36:31.099 It's setting a watch 00:36:31.099 --> 00:36:31.840 over your mind 00:36:31.840 --> 00:36:32.400 and your heart. 00:36:33.059 --> 00:36:33.960 That's what the peace 00:36:33.960 --> 00:36:34.699 of God does. 00:36:34.699 --> 00:36:37.599 Isaiah chapter 26, 00:36:37.679 --> 00:36:38.199 verse 3. 00:36:39.439 --> 00:36:40.339 This is what he says 00:36:40.339 --> 00:36:40.839 about God. 00:36:40.960 --> 00:36:41.059 He says, 00:36:41.139 --> 00:36:41.859 you keep him 00:36:41.859 --> 00:36:43.019 in perfect peace 00:36:43.019 --> 00:36:44.299 whose mind 00:36:44.299 --> 00:36:45.480 is stayed on you 00:36:45.480 --> 00:36:47.619 because he trusts in you. 00:36:48.159 --> 00:36:49.019 Trust in the Lord 00:36:49.019 --> 00:36:49.460 forever, 00:36:49.659 --> 00:36:50.279 for the God 00:36:50.279 --> 00:36:51.759 is an everlasting rock. 00:36:53.099 --> 00:36:53.519 So, 00:36:54.159 --> 00:36:55.439 trials and suffering 00:36:55.439 --> 00:36:55.960 and loss, 00:36:56.079 --> 00:36:56.960 they're the breeding ground 00:36:56.960 --> 00:36:57.439 of peace. 00:36:58.079 --> 00:36:58.980 That's where peace happens. 00:37:00.079 --> 00:37:00.779 That inner peace 00:37:00.779 --> 00:37:01.579 happens knowing 00:37:01.579 --> 00:37:02.880 that Christ is with you 00:37:02.880 --> 00:37:03.860 and that he is in you. 00:37:04.400 --> 00:37:04.840 Right? 00:37:04.960 --> 00:37:05.920 And he's going to guard 00:37:05.920 --> 00:37:06.440 your heart 00:37:06.440 --> 00:37:07.179 and your mind. 00:37:07.940 --> 00:37:08.139 So, 00:37:08.299 --> 00:37:09.079 the truth is, 00:37:09.460 --> 00:37:09.840 though we, 00:37:10.659 --> 00:37:11.860 our souls can be 00:37:11.860 --> 00:37:12.599 healthy as ever 00:37:12.599 --> 00:37:13.900 in the midst of 00:37:13.900 --> 00:37:15.279 crazy circumstances. 00:37:16.039 --> 00:37:17.099 Almost simultaneously, 00:37:17.380 --> 00:37:17.599 right? 00:37:18.299 --> 00:37:19.239 A friend of mine said, 00:37:19.460 --> 00:37:20.460 if you're going 00:37:20.460 --> 00:37:21.119 through a storm 00:37:21.119 --> 00:37:21.880 in life, 00:37:22.819 --> 00:37:24.840 if God doesn't 00:37:24.840 --> 00:37:25.679 calm the storm, 00:37:25.779 --> 00:37:26.480 he'll calm you 00:37:26.480 --> 00:37:26.920 in the middle 00:37:26.920 --> 00:37:27.480 of the storm. 00:37:28.480 --> 00:37:28.699 You know? 00:37:28.819 --> 00:37:30.019 And that's very true. 00:37:30.739 --> 00:37:31.380 Not just nice 00:37:31.380 --> 00:37:31.840 and poetic, 00:37:31.940 --> 00:37:32.340 but true. 00:37:32.480 --> 00:37:32.640 Like, 00:37:32.680 --> 00:37:33.619 I've been there. 00:37:34.940 --> 00:37:35.300 You know, 00:37:35.360 --> 00:37:36.480 so many opportunities. 00:37:37.160 --> 00:37:37.960 I don't want to just 00:37:37.960 --> 00:37:38.480 kind of give you 00:37:38.480 --> 00:37:39.360 an extreme example, 00:37:39.559 --> 00:37:39.720 but, 00:37:40.180 --> 00:37:40.420 I mean, 00:37:40.440 --> 00:37:40.940 I can have 00:37:40.940 --> 00:37:41.800 the peace of God 00:37:41.800 --> 00:37:42.740 riding down the road 00:37:42.740 --> 00:37:43.700 feeling stressed out 00:37:43.700 --> 00:37:44.280 by life. 00:37:45.019 --> 00:37:46.480 Just normal circumstances. 00:37:47.740 --> 00:37:47.940 But, 00:37:48.079 --> 00:37:49.200 but just so you know, 00:37:50.160 --> 00:37:51.079 when fear 00:37:51.079 --> 00:37:51.599 and death 00:37:51.599 --> 00:37:52.260 and things like that 00:37:52.260 --> 00:37:52.880 are knocking, 00:37:53.079 --> 00:37:54.039 it can also be there. 00:37:56.960 --> 00:37:57.720 Third night 00:37:57.720 --> 00:37:58.640 into my transplant, 00:37:59.680 --> 00:38:00.400 I remember going 00:38:00.400 --> 00:38:01.320 to a different unit 00:38:01.320 --> 00:38:03.559 that's on my mind 00:38:03.559 --> 00:38:04.120 because we're in 00:38:04.120 --> 00:38:04.620 touch with somebody 00:38:04.620 --> 00:38:04.980 right now, 00:38:05.059 --> 00:38:05.700 going through this 00:38:05.700 --> 00:38:06.280 at a hospital, 00:38:06.400 --> 00:38:07.000 a lung transplant 00:38:07.000 --> 00:38:08.039 patient. 00:38:09.240 --> 00:38:10.180 But I was there 00:38:10.180 --> 00:38:12.600 and in a dark room 00:38:12.600 --> 00:38:13.600 kind of glassed 00:38:13.600 --> 00:38:14.120 around me 00:38:14.120 --> 00:38:15.820 and I wasn't allowed 00:38:15.820 --> 00:38:16.700 to have any visitors, 00:38:16.840 --> 00:38:17.559 no one I knew 00:38:17.559 --> 00:38:18.220 at the time. 00:38:18.620 --> 00:38:19.580 And all the medicine 00:38:19.580 --> 00:38:20.559 was kind of hitting me 00:38:20.559 --> 00:38:21.760 and I was just 00:38:21.760 --> 00:38:22.880 a little delirious 00:38:22.880 --> 00:38:24.840 and very, 00:38:24.980 --> 00:38:25.480 very anxious 00:38:25.480 --> 00:38:26.059 about what was 00:38:26.059 --> 00:38:26.940 going on around me 00:38:26.940 --> 00:38:28.380 and just kind of 00:38:28.380 --> 00:38:29.159 like moved around, 00:38:29.320 --> 00:38:30.400 tossed around a lot 00:38:30.400 --> 00:38:31.519 for those couple of days. 00:38:32.480 --> 00:38:33.440 And in this room 00:38:33.440 --> 00:38:34.059 just like around 00:38:34.059 --> 00:38:35.039 maybe two in the morning, 00:38:35.119 --> 00:38:35.659 I just kind of 00:38:35.659 --> 00:38:36.179 was just watching 00:38:36.179 --> 00:38:36.700 the clock, 00:38:36.900 --> 00:38:37.639 couldn't go to sleep, 00:38:38.320 --> 00:38:38.880 just had like 00:38:38.880 --> 00:38:39.539 18 different 00:38:39.539 --> 00:38:40.260 like attachments 00:38:40.260 --> 00:38:41.159 on my body 00:38:41.159 --> 00:38:42.179 and I just remember 00:38:42.179 --> 00:38:44.260 quoting this scripture 00:38:44.260 --> 00:38:44.920 to myself 00:38:44.920 --> 00:38:50.940 and the peace of God 00:38:50.940 --> 00:38:51.500 is real 00:38:51.500 --> 00:38:53.220 not because I experienced it 00:38:53.220 --> 00:38:54.700 but I experienced it 00:38:54.700 --> 00:38:55.700 because it was real. 00:38:56.780 --> 00:38:57.059 Alright? 00:38:57.980 --> 00:38:59.019 And He met me there 00:38:59.019 --> 00:39:00.099 and He guarded my heart 00:39:00.099 --> 00:39:00.780 and my mind 00:39:00.780 --> 00:39:02.460 in the midst of that. 00:39:03.519 --> 00:39:04.599 And He gave me peace 00:39:04.599 --> 00:39:05.220 in the midst of 00:39:05.220 --> 00:39:06.380 when nothing good 00:39:06.380 --> 00:39:07.280 was going on around me 00:39:07.280 --> 00:39:08.079 at all, you know. 00:39:09.260 --> 00:39:10.539 You can have that. 00:39:11.980 --> 00:39:13.360 Christ being with us. 00:39:14.200 --> 00:39:15.180 He's come to us 00:39:15.180 --> 00:39:16.300 and He's coming again. 00:39:17.460 --> 00:39:19.200 And 2 Timothy 3 00:39:19.200 --> 00:39:20.019 Paul says, 00:39:20.099 --> 00:39:20.800 Now may the Lord 00:39:20.800 --> 00:39:21.780 of peace Himself 00:39:21.780 --> 00:39:23.820 continually grant you 00:39:23.820 --> 00:39:25.620 peace in every circumstance. 00:39:26.500 --> 00:39:27.680 The Lord be with you. 00:39:28.480 --> 00:39:29.840 So when His Spirit 00:39:29.840 --> 00:39:30.519 is within us 00:39:30.519 --> 00:39:31.160 like He promised, 00:39:31.680 --> 00:39:32.460 the Helper, 00:39:32.539 --> 00:39:33.079 the Holy Spirit 00:39:33.079 --> 00:39:33.660 will come. 00:39:34.400 --> 00:39:35.260 He will work in you 00:39:35.260 --> 00:39:36.280 and He will remind you 00:39:36.280 --> 00:39:37.019 of the truth 00:39:37.019 --> 00:39:38.160 in those circumstances. 00:39:38.680 --> 00:39:39.620 And He'll apply that 00:39:39.620 --> 00:39:40.260 to your heart, 00:39:40.760 --> 00:39:41.420 to your mind, 00:39:41.539 --> 00:39:42.079 to your soul. 00:39:42.079 --> 00:39:43.480 So look, 00:39:43.519 --> 00:39:44.440 it's not going to be easy. 00:39:44.500 --> 00:39:45.279 This life's going to 00:39:45.279 --> 00:39:46.920 get harder and harder. 00:39:49.079 --> 00:39:49.880 Harder and harder. 00:39:55.799 --> 00:39:57.019 John 15, 00:39:57.799 --> 00:39:58.799 verse 33. 00:39:58.920 --> 00:39:59.699 I just want you to hear 00:39:59.699 --> 00:40:01.619 the promise of God. 00:40:02.619 --> 00:40:04.039 This is something Jesus said. 00:40:05.000 --> 00:40:05.960 I just think it sums up 00:40:05.960 --> 00:40:06.619 so much. 00:40:06.619 --> 00:40:10.199 but I'm begging you 00:40:10.199 --> 00:40:11.460 to lay hold of Christ. 00:40:11.599 --> 00:40:12.319 He'll give you this 00:40:12.319 --> 00:40:13.159 in the midst of everything 00:40:13.159 --> 00:40:14.000 going on around you. 00:40:15.619 --> 00:40:16.319 I've just seen 00:40:16.319 --> 00:40:17.139 a very dear brother 00:40:17.139 --> 00:40:18.000 and a very dear sister 00:40:18.000 --> 00:40:19.219 walk through a hard time. 00:40:19.759 --> 00:40:20.739 This is ministered 00:40:20.739 --> 00:40:21.319 to their heart. 00:40:23.460 --> 00:40:24.380 John 15, 00:40:24.480 --> 00:40:25.179 verse 33. 00:40:26.759 --> 00:40:27.460 He says, 00:40:27.519 --> 00:40:28.219 this is what Jesus says, 00:40:28.219 --> 00:40:29.579 I've said these things 00:40:29.579 --> 00:40:29.980 to you 00:40:29.980 --> 00:40:31.839 that in me 00:40:31.839 --> 00:40:33.399 you may have peace. 00:40:34.339 --> 00:40:35.339 In the world 00:40:35.339 --> 00:40:36.659 you will have 00:40:36.659 --> 00:40:37.459 tribulation. 00:40:38.619 --> 00:40:39.539 But take heart, 00:40:39.980 --> 00:40:41.079 I have overcome 00:40:41.079 --> 00:40:41.939 the world. 00:40:43.619 --> 00:40:44.959 So go to the Savior 00:40:44.959 --> 00:40:46.980 and experience 00:40:46.980 --> 00:40:48.000 the peace of God 00:40:48.000 --> 00:40:49.659 that surpasses 00:40:49.659 --> 00:40:50.500 all understanding. 00:40:50.779 --> 00:40:51.519 And use this 00:40:51.519 --> 00:40:52.919 Christmas season 00:40:52.919 --> 00:40:53.759 as a chance 00:40:53.760 --> 00:40:55.580 to refresh your mind 00:40:55.580 --> 00:40:56.600 and refresh your heart. 00:40:57.420 --> 00:40:57.900 Ask Him 00:40:57.900 --> 00:40:59.080 to kick out 00:40:59.080 --> 00:41:00.180 all these stupid things 00:41:00.180 --> 00:41:00.720 that you're trying 00:41:00.720 --> 00:41:01.720 to find peace in 00:41:01.720 --> 00:41:02.600 that are not 00:41:02.600 --> 00:41:03.920 going to let you down. 00:41:04.900 --> 00:41:06.100 And ask that Christ 00:41:06.100 --> 00:41:07.220 replace those things. 00:41:08.920 --> 00:41:09.120 So, 00:41:09.680 --> 00:41:10.540 let's pray together.