1 00:00:00,280 --> 00:00:03,569 Hello and welcome to the Middletown Baptist Church Podcast, 2 00:00:03,697 --> 00:00:06,593 where we are proclaiming the truth to the world. 3 00:00:06,689 --> 00:00:09,657 My name is Pastor Josh, and I want to thank you for listening to 4 00:00:09,681 --> 00:00:10,685 this podcast. 5 00:00:10,985 --> 00:00:14,625 I hope that this podcast can be a blessing to you and strengthen 6 00:00:14,665 --> 00:00:16,245 you in the word of God. 7 00:00:16,745 --> 00:00:20,145 Now come along, let's look into the Bible and see what God has 8 00:00:20,185 --> 00:00:21,765 for us here today. 9 00:00:23,505 --> 00:00:25,081 Welcome to Middletown Baptist Church. 10 00:00:25,113 --> 00:00:27,337 We're so glad that you're here to worship the Lord together with 11 00:00:27,361 --> 00:00:31,929 us on this special Sunday that we are going to be celebrating Christmas 12 00:00:31,977 --> 00:00:32,473 here. 13 00:00:32,609 --> 00:00:35,185 And this is our special service where we're going to have 14 00:00:35,225 --> 00:00:37,041 music from all different ages. 15 00:00:37,073 --> 00:00:40,217 We're going to have our young people singing to you and our adult 16 00:00:40,281 --> 00:00:43,921 choir, and we're so excited to hear from them. 17 00:00:44,033 --> 00:00:48,289 We're also excited to hear from the Word of God at Christmastime. 18 00:00:48,377 --> 00:00:51,745 One of the most popular passages, the most popular passage 19 00:00:51,785 --> 00:00:53,207 is Luke chapter two. 20 00:00:53,361 --> 00:00:55,667 And I want to go ahead and read a portion of Luke Chapter two 21 00:00:55,691 --> 00:00:57,455 here this morning as we get started. 22 00:00:57,955 --> 00:01:02,995 All of you know that Jesus was born in Bethlehem in a manger. 23 00:01:03,115 --> 00:01:06,275 And that's what we celebrated last night at our live Nativity scene. 24 00:01:06,315 --> 00:01:10,827 And verse number seven says in Luke 2, and she brought forth her 25 00:01:10,851 --> 00:01:13,299 firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him 26 00:01:13,307 --> 00:01:16,555 in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. 27 00:01:16,675 --> 00:01:19,027 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the 28 00:01:19,051 --> 00:01:21,099 field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 29 00:01:21,227 --> 00:01:24,219 And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of 30 00:01:24,227 --> 00:01:27,067 the Lord shone round about them, and they were sore afraid. 31 00:01:27,211 --> 00:01:29,295 And the angel said unto them, fear not. 32 00:01:29,595 --> 00:01:33,315 For behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall 33 00:01:33,355 --> 00:01:34,339 be to all people. 34 00:01:34,427 --> 00:01:38,323 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a savior which 35 00:01:38,339 --> 00:01:39,379 is Christ the Lord. 36 00:01:39,507 --> 00:01:40,891 And this shall be a sign unto you. 37 00:01:40,923 --> 00:01:43,635 You shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying 38 00:01:43,675 --> 00:01:44,483 in a manger. 39 00:01:44,619 --> 00:01:47,451 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of heavenly 40 00:01:47,483 --> 00:01:51,059 hosts praising God and saying, glory to God in the highest and on 41 00:01:51,107 --> 00:01:51,555 earth. 42 00:01:51,675 --> 00:01:54,055 Peace, goodwill toward men. 43 00:01:54,875 --> 00:01:57,255 I want you to think about that last phrase there. 44 00:01:57,755 --> 00:01:59,155 Peace, goodwill toward men. 45 00:01:59,195 --> 00:02:01,891 Today we're going to be talking about the gift of peace. 46 00:02:02,003 --> 00:02:03,907 We're going to go ahead and open up with a word of prayer. 47 00:02:04,011 --> 00:02:05,763 And then after that, we're going to sing some congregational 48 00:02:05,819 --> 00:02:06,859 songs praising our Savior. 49 00:02:06,907 --> 00:02:09,275 Then we'll go ahead and start our program here today. 50 00:02:09,315 --> 00:02:10,147 Let's pray. 51 00:02:10,331 --> 00:02:13,139 Lord, we do thank you for this opportunity today to worship you 52 00:02:13,227 --> 00:02:15,715 to celebrate this season of Christmas. 53 00:02:15,755 --> 00:02:18,567 Lord, we know that it's more than just receiving presents from 54 00:02:18,591 --> 00:02:22,791 our loved ones and getting around the dinner table and just 55 00:02:22,823 --> 00:02:23,535 having a great time. 56 00:02:23,575 --> 00:02:28,007 Lord, it's about celebrating the love that you showed us through 57 00:02:28,031 --> 00:02:29,303 your son, Jesus Christ. 58 00:02:29,439 --> 00:02:33,223 Or the fact that we know that we have an issue and that issue is 59 00:02:33,239 --> 00:02:34,127 the issue of sin, Lord. 60 00:02:34,151 --> 00:02:37,479 And you, out of love for us, sent your only begotten son so that 61 00:02:37,567 --> 00:02:39,127 we might have life through him. 62 00:02:39,231 --> 00:02:41,583 So, Lord, I pray that we can understand what that means to have 63 00:02:41,599 --> 00:02:43,103 that gift of peace here. 64 00:02:43,279 --> 00:02:45,207 Lord, I pray that you be with all the folks that are going to be 65 00:02:45,231 --> 00:02:48,679 singing, conducting, playing instruments. 66 00:02:48,727 --> 00:02:51,423 Lord, I pray that you calm their nerves, allow them to be able 67 00:02:51,559 --> 00:02:53,895 to glorify you through these ways. 68 00:02:53,975 --> 00:02:56,807 And I pray that everyone here today can leave with the understanding 69 00:02:56,831 --> 00:02:58,919 of who Jesus is and what he has done for us. 70 00:02:59,007 --> 00:03:00,647 Lord, I pray that you bless us in this time. 71 00:03:00,671 --> 00:03:03,035 We thank you and we love you in Jesus name, Amen. 72 00:03:06,455 --> 00:03:07,263 Well, good morning. 73 00:03:07,319 --> 00:03:10,255 This morning, if you're all able, will you please stand and worship 74 00:03:10,295 --> 00:03:12,119 the Lord together with us as we sing. 75 00:03:12,167 --> 00:03:12,699 Hark. 76 00:03:12,807 --> 00:03:24,011 The herald angels sing Hark. 77 00:03:24,083 --> 00:03:33,803 The herald angels sing Glory to the newborn King Peace on earth 78 00:03:33,939 --> 00:03:43,859 and mercy mild God and sinners reconciled Joyful all ye nations 79 00:03:43,947 --> 00:03:53,035 rise Join the triumph of the skies with angelic hosts proclaim 80 00:03:53,455 --> 00:03:58,623 Christ is born in Bethlehem Hark. 81 00:03:58,679 --> 00:04:09,831 The herald angels sing Glory to the newborn King Christ by highest 82 00:04:09,903 --> 00:04:19,531 heaven adored Christ the everlasting Lord in time behold him 83 00:04:19,643 --> 00:04:28,163 come Offspring of a virgin's womb Veiled in flesh the godhead 84 00:04:28,259 --> 00:04:37,535 see Hail the incarnate deity Pleased as man with men to dwell 85 00:04:37,875 --> 00:04:49,855 Jesus our Emmanuel Hark, the herald angels sing Glory to the newborn 86 00:04:49,935 --> 00:05:00,155 king Hail the heaven born Prince of Peace Hail the Son of righteousness 87 00:05:00,735 --> 00:05:08,271 Light and life to all he brings Risen with healing in his 88 00:05:08,343 --> 00:05:17,755 wings Mild he lays his glory by Born that man no more may die 89 00:05:18,055 --> 00:05:27,403 Born to raise the Son of earth Born to give them second birth Hark, 90 00:05:27,459 --> 00:05:37,531 the herald angels sing Glory to the newborn King let's continue 91 00:05:37,603 --> 00:05:38,675 worshiping as we sing. 92 00:05:38,715 --> 00:05:59,407 O come all ye faithful O come O all ye faithful Joyful and triumphant 93 00:05:59,551 --> 00:06:13,951 O come ye O come ye to Bethlehem Come and behold him Born 94 00:06:14,023 --> 00:06:24,039 the King of angels O come let us adore him O come let us adore 95 00:06:24,047 --> 00:06:37,499 him Adore him O come let us adore him Praise the Lord Sing choirs 96 00:06:37,547 --> 00:06:50,379 of angels Sing in exaltation O sing all ye bride in the highest 97 00:06:50,507 --> 00:07:02,795 O come let us adore him O come let us adore him O come let us adore 98 00:07:03,255 --> 00:07:16,355 him Christ the Lord Yea, Lord, we Greet thee for this happy morning 99 00:07:17,815 --> 00:07:25,075 Jesus to thee be all glory again. 100 00:07:26,615 --> 00:07:34,843 Word of of the Father now in flesh appearing. 101 00:07:34,979 --> 00:07:39,275 O come let us adore him. 102 00:07:39,395 --> 00:07:43,755 O come let us adore him. 103 00:07:43,875 --> 00:07:48,455 O come let us adore him. 104 00:07:48,915 --> 00:07:52,295 Christ the Lord. 105 00:08:05,245 --> 00:08:11,877 And bring the good news so that all can I hear the bell song? 106 00:08:11,981 --> 00:08:15,989 The time has come, the people are gathered. 107 00:08:16,077 --> 00:08:18,065 We welcome everyone. 108 00:08:25,845 --> 00:08:28,185 The Christmas bells are shining. 109 00:08:29,525 --> 00:08:32,145 The chases are shining. 110 00:08:33,245 --> 00:08:39,545 As the excitement is growing as the killers are going. 111 00:08:43,525 --> 00:08:45,293 Christ the Lord is here. 112 00:08:45,469 --> 00:08:46,813 He's done. 113 00:08:46,989 --> 00:08:49,133 Can you hear the bell? 114 00:08:49,309 --> 00:08:50,221 He's done. 115 00:08:50,333 --> 00:09:28,545 Earth, can you hear the mouth? 116 00:09:57,185 --> 00:09:58,925 You are king. 117 00:10:01,185 --> 00:10:05,057 Hail the Heaven Prince of Peace. 118 00:10:05,241 --> 00:10:08,805 Hail the son of righteousness. 119 00:10:09,265 --> 00:10:13,001 Light and light to all degrees. 120 00:10:13,193 --> 00:10:20,885 Prison healing in his wings how he raises glory high. 121 00:10:21,265 --> 00:10:29,733 For that man no more may die for to raise the sons of earth born 122 00:10:29,789 --> 00:10:39,333 to give a second birth for their old angels sing glory to the 123 00:10:39,389 --> 00:10:41,945 new Lord day. 124 00:10:49,645 --> 00:10:56,465 Sing choirs of angels sing in exultation. 125 00:10:57,245 --> 00:11:04,405 O sing all ye bright of heaven above. 126 00:11:05,865 --> 00:11:08,617 Glory to God. 127 00:11:08,801 --> 00:11:13,177 O glory in the highest. 128 00:11:13,321 --> 00:11:17,193 O come let us adore you. 129 00:11:17,329 --> 00:11:21,225 Oh come let us adore him. 130 00:11:21,345 --> 00:11:25,577 O come let us adore him. 131 00:11:25,761 --> 00:11:28,485 Christ alone. 132 00:11:31,265 --> 00:11:34,505 Rejoice, rejoice. 133 00:12:11,415 --> 00:12:14,115 Reach through the darkness. 134 00:12:14,655 --> 00:12:17,115 Shine across the earth. 135 00:12:17,455 --> 00:12:20,515 Send the shadows to flood. 136 00:12:26,465 --> 00:12:36,169 Light of the world from the beginning the tragedies of time were 137 00:12:36,217 --> 00:12:38,645 no match for your love. 138 00:12:39,425 --> 00:12:48,209 From great heights of glory you saw my story, God you entered 139 00:12:48,257 --> 00:12:52,125 in and became one of us. 140 00:12:58,085 --> 00:13:00,745 Sing hallelujah. 141 00:13:01,405 --> 00:13:04,105 Sing hallelujah. 142 00:13:04,765 --> 00:13:10,425 Sing hallelujah for the things he has done. 143 00:13:11,525 --> 00:13:14,345 Come and adore him. 144 00:13:14,685 --> 00:13:17,625 Bow down before him. 145 00:13:18,085 --> 00:13:23,705 Sing hallelujah to the light of the world. 146 00:13:34,585 --> 00:13:40,285 Crowning an angel torn for the clock. 147 00:13:40,745 --> 00:13:52,473 To suffer to say our king of heaven that is the forever we are 148 00:13:52,569 --> 00:13:57,075 the river for the price that he paid. 149 00:13:58,015 --> 00:14:02,475 Oh, sing hallelujah. 150 00:14:03,095 --> 00:14:05,795 Sing hallelujah. 151 00:14:06,415 --> 00:14:12,035 Sing hallelujah for the things he has done. 152 00:14:13,095 --> 00:14:15,955 Come and adore him. 153 00:14:16,335 --> 00:14:19,235 Bow down before him. 154 00:14:19,775 --> 00:14:25,275 Sing hallelujah to the light of the world. 155 00:14:28,895 --> 00:14:31,875 You are the light of the world. 156 00:14:39,815 --> 00:14:42,115 Light of the world. 157 00:14:43,015 --> 00:14:45,875 Soon we come again. 158 00:14:46,055 --> 00:14:54,187 With fire in his eyes he will ransom his own through clouds he 159 00:14:54,331 --> 00:15:05,215 will lead us straight into glory and day we shall reign forevermore 160 00:15:07,755 --> 00:15:09,215 Forever more. 161 00:15:11,445 --> 00:15:14,105 Sing Hallelujah. 162 00:15:14,725 --> 00:15:17,425 Sing hallelujah. 163 00:15:18,085 --> 00:15:23,745 Sing hallelujah for the things he has done. 164 00:15:24,805 --> 00:15:27,625 Come and adore him. 165 00:15:28,005 --> 00:15:30,985 Bow down before him. 166 00:15:31,405 --> 00:15:36,905 Sing hallelujah for the things of the world. 167 00:15:40,805 --> 00:15:42,985 Hear the light of the world. 168 00:15:43,045 --> 00:15:43,645 World. 169 00:15:48,105 --> 00:15:50,365 Light of the world. 170 00:15:59,345 --> 00:16:02,565 Traded a crown for a cross. 171 00:16:04,385 --> 00:16:11,363 Laid down your life for a stranger and forever you are broken 172 00:16:11,459 --> 00:16:12,415 and lost. 173 00:16:14,195 --> 00:16:25,939 You came down from the heavens so we would know how deep, how high 174 00:16:26,107 --> 00:16:32,335 how long and how wide and how far love goes. 175 00:16:36,045 --> 00:16:43,629 You went through the darkest of places, Walked down the loneliest 176 00:16:43,717 --> 00:16:44,665 throes. 177 00:16:45,885 --> 00:16:54,345 You looked into lost empty faces and told us we're never alone. 178 00:16:56,205 --> 00:17:06,671 You who came down from the heavens so we would know how deep, 179 00:17:06,783 --> 00:17:14,395 how high, how long and how wide and how far love goes. 180 00:17:15,135 --> 00:17:20,471 To the end of the earth you have been, you have searched for 181 00:17:20,543 --> 00:17:23,955 the ones so far from home. 182 00:17:24,935 --> 00:17:27,319 Jesus, you paid the price. 183 00:17:27,487 --> 00:17:33,915 What a great satisfice you have made to call us your own. 184 00:17:38,215 --> 00:17:49,815 You came down from the heavens so we would know how deep, how high, 185 00:17:49,975 --> 00:17:56,185 how long and how wide and how, how far love goes. 186 00:17:57,845 --> 00:18:09,525 You came down from the heavens so we would know how deep, how high, 187 00:18:09,685 --> 00:18:15,985 how long and how wide and how far love grows. 188 00:18:17,205 --> 00:18:20,745 How deep, how high, how long and. 189 00:18:20,785 --> 00:18:21,925 How won. 190 00:18:24,025 --> 00:18:27,805 And how far love. 191 00:18:29,665 --> 00:18:30,193 Go. 192 00:18:30,289 --> 00:18:37,805 Glided, breaking in a stable for a throne. 193 00:18:38,865 --> 00:18:45,445 And he shall reign forevermore, forevermore. 194 00:18:46,545 --> 00:18:53,285 And he shall reign forevermore, forevermore. 195 00:18:54,785 --> 00:19:02,177 Unto us a child is born, the King of kings and Lord of lords. 196 00:19:02,321 --> 00:19:09,005 And he shall reign forevermore, forevermore. 197 00:19:18,545 --> 00:19:25,045 If I were a wise man, I would travel far. 198 00:19:26,425 --> 00:19:32,833 If I were a shepherd I would do my part. 199 00:19:32,969 --> 00:19:40,565 But poor as I am, I will give to him my heart. 200 00:19:41,655 --> 00:19:48,355 And he shall reign forevermore, forevermore. 201 00:19:49,495 --> 00:19:56,235 And he shall reign forevermore, forevermore. 202 00:19:57,775 --> 00:20:05,087 Unto us a child is born, the King of kings and Lord of lords. 203 00:20:05,231 --> 00:20:11,975 And he shall reign forever more, forever more. 204 00:20:13,475 --> 00:20:20,923 Here within a manger lies the one who made the starry skies. 205 00:20:21,099 --> 00:20:27,935 The baby born for sacrifice Christ the Messiah. 206 00:20:28,755 --> 00:20:37,067 Into our hopes, into our fears the Savior of the world appears the 207 00:20:37,131 --> 00:20:43,735 promise of eternal years Christ the Messiah. 208 00:20:44,995 --> 00:20:51,335 He shall reign forever more, Forever more. 209 00:20:52,395 --> 00:20:59,215 And he shall reign forever more, forever more. 210 00:21:00,765 --> 00:21:07,065 He shall reign forevermore, forevermore. 211 00:21:08,165 --> 00:21:14,985 And he shall reign forevermore, Forevermore. 212 00:21:16,525 --> 00:21:23,813 Unto us a child is born, the King of kings and Lord of lords. 213 00:21:23,949 --> 00:21:30,635 And he shall reign forevermore, forevermore. 214 00:21:35,015 --> 00:21:46,435 He shall reign, he shall reign and he shall reign forevermore forevermore. 215 00:21:57,425 --> 00:22:00,245 Lord is home. 216 00:22:01,225 --> 00:22:21,435 Let us receive our and heaven and nature sing. 217 00:22:22,455 --> 00:22:25,675 And heaven and nature sing. 218 00:22:26,735 --> 00:22:34,195 And heaven and nature sing. 219 00:22:37,855 --> 00:22:50,547 He rules the world with truth and praise and makes the nation's 220 00:22:50,611 --> 00:23:05,291 growth the glories of his righteousness and wonders of his 221 00:23:05,363 --> 00:23:49,903 love and wonders of his love and wonders, wonders of Worthy of 222 00:23:49,959 --> 00:23:52,555 all our praises. 223 00:23:53,735 --> 00:23:54,875 Amen. 224 00:23:55,815 --> 00:23:59,195 You will Amen. 225 00:23:59,935 --> 00:24:01,235 You will. 226 00:24:01,655 --> 00:24:05,315 Come, have your way among us. 227 00:24:05,655 --> 00:24:09,475 We welcome you here, Lord Jesus. 228 00:24:10,175 --> 00:24:13,795 Come, have your way among us. 229 00:24:14,135 --> 00:24:17,915 We welcome you here, Lord Jesus. 230 00:24:46,285 --> 00:24:49,813 God is with us even now. 231 00:24:49,949 --> 00:24:51,985 His love is here. 232 00:24:54,805 --> 00:24:56,749 Come and worship. 233 00:24:56,917 --> 00:25:00,585 Worship Christ the newborn King. 234 00:25:03,285 --> 00:25:06,797 God is with us even now. 235 00:25:06,941 --> 00:25:09,065 His love is here. 236 00:25:09,365 --> 00:25:11,225 His love is here. 237 00:25:12,365 --> 00:25:15,145 Emmanuel. 238 00:25:16,565 --> 00:25:17,257 Emanuel. 239 00:25:17,301 --> 00:25:19,685 And you will. 240 00:25:20,185 --> 00:25:28,045 You are the God who saves us, worthy of all our praises. 241 00:25:29,305 --> 00:25:30,445 Amen. 242 00:25:31,345 --> 00:25:32,645 You will. 243 00:25:33,585 --> 00:25:34,765 Amen. 244 00:25:35,465 --> 00:25:36,725 You will. 245 00:25:37,185 --> 00:25:40,845 Come have your way among us. 246 00:25:41,225 --> 00:25:45,005 We welcome you here, Lord Jesus. 247 00:25:45,705 --> 00:25:49,325 Come have your way among us. 248 00:25:49,725 --> 00:25:53,545 We welcome you here, Lord Jesus. 249 00:25:56,965 --> 00:25:58,105 Amen. 250 00:25:59,005 --> 00:26:00,265 You well. 251 00:26:01,165 --> 00:26:02,345 Amen. 252 00:26:03,205 --> 00:26:08,745 You out. 253 00:26:09,725 --> 00:26:10,825 Amen. 254 00:26:11,685 --> 00:26:12,945 You well? 255 00:26:16,565 --> 00:26:18,505 Joy to the world. 256 00:26:30,315 --> 00:26:32,867 As you've been hearing these songs about our Savior who came to 257 00:26:32,891 --> 00:26:36,571 this earth to live that perfect life for us and to give his 258 00:26:36,603 --> 00:26:40,323 life for us so that we might have life, we've been given a lot 259 00:26:40,339 --> 00:26:42,963 of gifts as believers in Jesus Christ. 260 00:26:43,059 --> 00:26:46,633 And the Bible tells us that one of those amazing gifts is the 261 00:26:46,649 --> 00:26:47,605 gift of peace. 262 00:26:48,025 --> 00:26:51,905 The Bible said there in Luke chapter two, when the angels are 263 00:26:52,065 --> 00:26:56,065 giving their praise to the Lord as we read this morning, that 264 00:26:56,225 --> 00:27:01,725 God is a God of love, but he's also a God of peace. 265 00:27:02,145 --> 00:27:04,617 And I think that's important for us to understand when we live 266 00:27:04,641 --> 00:27:06,965 in this world that is seeking after peace. 267 00:27:07,945 --> 00:27:11,017 Certainly there are people that want peace in their life. 268 00:27:11,081 --> 00:27:11,761 But you know what? 269 00:27:11,793 --> 00:27:14,457 The truth is that many people are looking for peace in all of the 270 00:27:14,481 --> 00:27:15,405 wrong places. 271 00:27:16,135 --> 00:27:19,543 They're looking for some peace and quiet in the midst of circumstances 272 00:27:19,599 --> 00:27:22,391 in our world that, you know, certainly we can't get rid of. 273 00:27:22,463 --> 00:27:24,543 There are a lot of things in our world that we wish we could get 274 00:27:24,559 --> 00:27:24,991 rid of. 275 00:27:25,063 --> 00:27:27,143 But the truth is that it's out of our control. 276 00:27:27,279 --> 00:27:31,839 And Luke chapter two tells us that Jesus comes to be that tiding 277 00:27:31,887 --> 00:27:35,727 or that news of peace, says in verse 13. 278 00:27:35,791 --> 00:27:38,687 And suddenly there was with an angel, a multitude of heavenly hosts 279 00:27:38,711 --> 00:27:42,631 praising God and saying, glory to God in the highest and on earth, 280 00:27:42,783 --> 00:27:45,035 peace, goodwill toward men. 281 00:27:45,935 --> 00:27:48,135 The Bible tells us that Jesus brings peace. 282 00:27:48,175 --> 00:27:51,103 But if we look out into this world today, we might say, well, 283 00:27:51,239 --> 00:27:52,455 what's Jesus doing? 284 00:27:52,575 --> 00:27:53,679 Why isn't there peace? 285 00:27:53,727 --> 00:27:56,887 And I want to challenge you today with the understanding that 286 00:27:56,911 --> 00:27:59,759 there is peace to be found in Jesus Christ. 287 00:27:59,927 --> 00:28:03,159 Maybe not the peace that we're expecting here and now, but what 288 00:28:03,207 --> 00:28:06,023 we can know is that the Bible tells us that he is the Prince of 289 00:28:06,039 --> 00:28:06,623 Peace. 290 00:28:06,799 --> 00:28:10,567 Centuries before Jesus came to this earth and was born in a manger. 291 00:28:10,631 --> 00:28:16,039 Isaiah chapter 9, verse 6 describes who the Messiah would be. 292 00:28:16,207 --> 00:28:18,871 It describes his character, it describes his work. 293 00:28:18,903 --> 00:28:23,607 And it says, for unto us a child is born, and unto us a son 294 00:28:23,671 --> 00:28:24,423 is given. 295 00:28:24,559 --> 00:28:26,431 And the government shall be upon his shoulder. 296 00:28:26,463 --> 00:28:31,855 And his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, the Mighty God, 297 00:28:32,015 --> 00:28:35,995 the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. 298 00:28:36,435 --> 00:28:40,195 We know that when we refer to Jesus, we can refer to him in many 299 00:28:40,235 --> 00:28:41,875 names because of his character. 300 00:28:41,955 --> 00:28:43,747 We know that Jesus is wonderful. 301 00:28:43,811 --> 00:28:45,235 We know that he is the counselor. 302 00:28:45,275 --> 00:28:48,575 But what we see here is that he is the Prince of peace. 303 00:28:49,195 --> 00:28:53,499 Now, you that are sitting out there today, me as I'm up here, anyone 304 00:28:53,547 --> 00:28:55,235 in this world can understand this peace. 305 00:28:55,275 --> 00:28:56,731 The Bible actually says that. 306 00:28:56,763 --> 00:29:03,291 Can we as human beings can be at peace with now, with that being 307 00:29:03,323 --> 00:29:06,955 said, the Bible actually says that when we are born into this world, 308 00:29:07,075 --> 00:29:12,295 we are born into sin and we are enemies with God. 309 00:29:12,915 --> 00:29:13,251 So. 310 00:29:13,283 --> 00:29:16,923 So we're not at peace with God until we come to him in faith. 311 00:29:17,019 --> 00:29:19,491 A wonderful passage of scripture that describes that is 312 00:29:19,523 --> 00:29:20,931 Romans, chapter five. 313 00:29:21,123 --> 00:29:24,571 We're going to spend our time, the rest of our time in the New Testament. 314 00:29:24,603 --> 00:29:27,179 We're going to look at Romans chapter five, and we're going to 315 00:29:27,187 --> 00:29:28,355 look at Philippians, chapter four. 316 00:29:28,395 --> 00:29:30,787 We're going to look at two different elements of the peace of 317 00:29:30,811 --> 00:29:33,435 God that's extended to all mankind. 318 00:29:33,975 --> 00:29:36,983 Number one, we're gonna talk about the peace with God, which is 319 00:29:36,999 --> 00:29:38,995 the most important peace that we could ever have. 320 00:29:39,335 --> 00:29:41,623 Because before that, we are not at peace. 321 00:29:41,679 --> 00:29:43,599 We are not at one with God. 322 00:29:43,647 --> 00:29:45,415 We are enemies of God. 323 00:29:45,535 --> 00:29:50,023 But there is a result that comes after the peace with God, and 324 00:29:50,039 --> 00:29:51,719 that is the peace of God. 325 00:29:51,887 --> 00:29:53,735 I want you to think about those two things here this morning. 326 00:29:53,775 --> 00:29:56,447 The peace with God and the peace of God. 327 00:29:56,591 --> 00:30:01,063 In Romans chapter 5, verse 1, it says, Therefore, being justified 328 00:30:01,159 --> 00:30:04,915 by faith, that word justify means to be declared righteous. 329 00:30:05,415 --> 00:30:08,255 We as Christians are saved by faith. 330 00:30:08,295 --> 00:30:11,015 When we put our faith and trust in, as it's going to say here, 331 00:30:11,055 --> 00:30:14,515 Jesus Christ, we are justified, we are declared righteous. 332 00:30:14,975 --> 00:30:21,035 And the result of that is this, we have peace with God. 333 00:30:21,495 --> 00:30:24,183 Now, I don't know about you, but if there's one person in this 334 00:30:24,199 --> 00:30:26,263 world that we want to have peace with, that is the creator of 335 00:30:26,279 --> 00:30:30,119 this universe, the Bible says that that is the most important decision 336 00:30:30,167 --> 00:30:34,035 that we could ever make to have peace with God. 337 00:30:34,655 --> 00:30:38,343 And so I want you to see the necessity of this gift of peace that 338 00:30:38,359 --> 00:30:38,951 is this. 339 00:30:39,063 --> 00:30:41,015 We need God for salvation. 340 00:30:41,095 --> 00:30:43,735 We need God for everlasting life. 341 00:30:43,775 --> 00:30:46,063 It's not just something that we add on to our lives. 342 00:30:46,199 --> 00:30:48,607 It's not just something that we sing about at Christmastime. 343 00:30:48,711 --> 00:30:50,751 It's not just something that we do on Sunday mornings. 344 00:30:50,823 --> 00:30:52,791 We need peace with God. 345 00:30:52,823 --> 00:30:54,617 We are in desperate need of that. 346 00:30:54,761 --> 00:30:57,257 The Bible says that all have sinned and come short of the glory 347 00:30:57,281 --> 00:30:58,049 of God. 348 00:30:58,217 --> 00:31:02,121 The Bible says that we cannot have access to God outside of a relationship 349 00:31:02,153 --> 00:31:02,825 with Jesus Christ. 350 00:31:02,865 --> 00:31:06,945 So it says, therefore, being justified by faith, we have peace 351 00:31:07,105 --> 00:31:10,165 with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 352 00:31:10,665 --> 00:31:12,577 That's why we celebrate Christmas. 353 00:31:12,761 --> 00:31:15,257 That's why we celebrate that baby in the manger. 354 00:31:15,321 --> 00:31:17,505 Because we know that baby didn't stay in the manger. 355 00:31:17,625 --> 00:31:19,409 We know that baby grew up. 356 00:31:19,577 --> 00:31:24,263 We know that baby grew in the knowledge and in physical nature. 357 00:31:24,359 --> 00:31:26,919 But we know that Jesus didn't just stop there in Bethlehem. 358 00:31:26,967 --> 00:31:29,511 We know that he continued on to live that perfect life. 359 00:31:29,543 --> 00:31:32,983 As the Bible says, the one who knew no sin became sin for us. 360 00:31:33,159 --> 00:31:34,431 He did not sin. 361 00:31:34,543 --> 00:31:39,335 And that is why he was able to offer that peace of God to a lost 362 00:31:39,375 --> 00:31:40,515 and dying world. 363 00:31:41,535 --> 00:31:43,639 So I hope that that's something that you first and foremost 364 00:31:43,687 --> 00:31:46,715 can understand as a person here today, that you have peace. 365 00:31:47,105 --> 00:31:50,473 And the only way that you can find peace with God is by what John 366 00:31:50,529 --> 00:31:51,657 14:6 says. 367 00:31:51,761 --> 00:31:55,473 Jesus says, I am the way, I am the truth, I am the life. 368 00:31:55,529 --> 00:31:57,657 No man cometh unto the Father but by me. 369 00:31:57,801 --> 00:32:00,601 Folks, the greatest decision that we can make in our lives is 370 00:32:00,633 --> 00:32:04,481 to come to the understanding of who Jesus is and what he has done 371 00:32:04,513 --> 00:32:08,289 for us so that we might have peace with God. 372 00:32:08,457 --> 00:32:12,625 Now the peace with God stems out into other elements of peace 373 00:32:12,665 --> 00:32:13,651 in our life. 374 00:32:13,803 --> 00:32:16,507 And so we have the peace with God. 375 00:32:16,691 --> 00:32:20,587 And it says in verse number two, by whom also we have access 376 00:32:20,691 --> 00:32:22,695 by faith into this grace. 377 00:32:23,475 --> 00:32:27,027 So the Bible says that when we have peace with God, we now have 378 00:32:27,091 --> 00:32:29,123 access to him as our Heavenly Father. 379 00:32:29,299 --> 00:32:30,611 What an amazing truth that is. 380 00:32:30,643 --> 00:32:33,971 Hebrews chapter four tells us that we can come to him boldly or 381 00:32:34,043 --> 00:32:34,739 confidently. 382 00:32:34,827 --> 00:32:36,775 We can come before the throne of grace. 383 00:32:37,395 --> 00:32:37,995 You know what? 384 00:32:38,035 --> 00:32:41,011 Before we were saved, before we came to know Christ and have a 385 00:32:41,043 --> 00:32:43,945 relationship with him, we did not have that access. 386 00:32:44,565 --> 00:32:49,453 We did not have that way to find peace and to find comfort and 387 00:32:49,469 --> 00:32:50,117 to find hope. 388 00:32:50,141 --> 00:32:53,717 And the Bible says that through this relationship with Christ, 389 00:32:53,861 --> 00:32:58,797 through this reconciliation of God and man, we can now have access 390 00:32:58,861 --> 00:33:02,181 to him by faith into this grace wherein we stand. 391 00:33:02,373 --> 00:33:05,765 Folks, if you are a believer this morning, we can stand in the 392 00:33:05,805 --> 00:33:08,709 truth that you have access to the Father because of the peace with 393 00:33:08,757 --> 00:33:09,385 God. 394 00:33:09,955 --> 00:33:11,499 And then what can we do from that? 395 00:33:11,547 --> 00:33:15,291 Well, we can rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 396 00:33:15,323 --> 00:33:19,115 The Bible says that that peace with God brings joy. 397 00:33:19,155 --> 00:33:22,855 So it brings us access to God, but it brings us joy. 398 00:33:23,155 --> 00:33:25,771 Folks, there's many reasons for us to complain in this world. 399 00:33:25,803 --> 00:33:27,723 There's a lot of reasons for us to be upset. 400 00:33:27,819 --> 00:33:30,731 But there's one reason for us to have joy, and that is the fact 401 00:33:30,763 --> 00:33:33,555 that we can have access to the Father we can know what it means 402 00:33:33,635 --> 00:33:36,917 to have everlasting life through faith in Jesus Christ and 403 00:33:36,941 --> 00:33:38,589 so we can have peace with God. 404 00:33:38,637 --> 00:33:42,677 That brings access, grace and joy. 405 00:33:42,781 --> 00:33:46,797 And it says that that joy brings hope, that that hope is an 406 00:33:46,821 --> 00:33:48,085 important thing to have in our lives. 407 00:33:48,125 --> 00:33:50,105 Folks, if we lose hope, we lose everything. 408 00:33:50,405 --> 00:33:51,109 What is hope? 409 00:33:51,157 --> 00:33:54,357 Biblical hope is this confidence in knowing that God is 410 00:33:54,381 --> 00:33:55,745 going to keep his word. 411 00:33:56,325 --> 00:34:00,211 Confidence in knowing that when God says something, he is truthful. 412 00:34:00,373 --> 00:34:01,639 He says he loves us. 413 00:34:01,767 --> 00:34:02,839 He proves his love. 414 00:34:02,927 --> 00:34:05,895 Romans chapter 5 tells us just in a few verses in verse 8. 415 00:34:05,975 --> 00:34:08,695 But God commendeth or demonstrated his love towards us 416 00:34:08,815 --> 00:34:11,831 in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 417 00:34:12,023 --> 00:34:13,055 God says, I love you. 418 00:34:13,095 --> 00:34:14,279 He proves his love. 419 00:34:14,447 --> 00:34:16,519 God says he's going to hold us fast. 420 00:34:16,567 --> 00:34:17,855 He's going to be with us. 421 00:34:17,895 --> 00:34:19,591 He's never going to leave us nor forsake us. 422 00:34:19,623 --> 00:34:23,155 He means that his presence is with us, even if we don't feel that. 423 00:34:23,535 --> 00:34:25,967 I know that sometimes in the Christmas season, it can be a time 424 00:34:25,991 --> 00:34:26,375 of joy. 425 00:34:26,415 --> 00:34:29,692 But for others, it could be a time of pain because of a lost loved 426 00:34:29,708 --> 00:34:32,380 one or maybe because of difficulty in your life that you're 427 00:34:32,412 --> 00:34:32,764 facing. 428 00:34:32,844 --> 00:34:33,236 You know what? 429 00:34:33,260 --> 00:34:36,024 The truth is that we are going to face difficult circumstances. 430 00:34:36,724 --> 00:34:38,404 There are going to be some things in our life that are going 431 00:34:38,404 --> 00:34:41,964 to tempt us not to have joy, not to have peace, not to have that 432 00:34:42,004 --> 00:34:43,532 comfort and hope in Jesus Christ. 433 00:34:43,628 --> 00:34:46,316 But what we have to do is we have to go back to what we know about 434 00:34:46,380 --> 00:34:48,700 him, that he is a God who loves us. 435 00:34:48,812 --> 00:34:51,292 And it says that we have access and we can have joy and we 436 00:34:51,308 --> 00:34:55,461 can have hope in knowing that he is good, knowing that he is with 437 00:34:55,493 --> 00:34:57,701 us, knowing that we have Emmanuel. 438 00:34:57,813 --> 00:35:00,069 The word Emmanuel means God with us. 439 00:35:00,237 --> 00:35:03,381 We have a God who wants a personal relationship with us. 440 00:35:03,493 --> 00:35:05,877 There's gonna be a lot of people that teach you that God, he 441 00:35:05,901 --> 00:35:07,733 might be real, but he is personal. 442 00:35:07,789 --> 00:35:08,981 He's not gonna want to be in your life. 443 00:35:09,013 --> 00:35:12,341 Folks, God wants to have that personal relationship with you. 444 00:35:12,413 --> 00:35:13,421 And that's where it starts. 445 00:35:13,453 --> 00:35:14,621 But where does it go? 446 00:35:14,773 --> 00:35:17,541 I want you to turn over to Philippians chapter four. 447 00:35:17,733 --> 00:35:20,477 Because we have the peace with God, which is exciting. 448 00:35:20,541 --> 00:35:20,917 That's. 449 00:35:20,981 --> 00:35:22,057 That's our salvation. 450 00:35:22,181 --> 00:35:24,765 Salvation brings us peace with God. 451 00:35:25,105 --> 00:35:28,113 We are no longer partners with the enemy. 452 00:35:28,169 --> 00:35:30,681 We are now on the side of victory. 453 00:35:30,873 --> 00:35:33,201 And so the Bible says that that is an amazing thing. 454 00:35:33,233 --> 00:35:36,921 From darkness to light, from hopelessness to hope, from death 455 00:35:36,993 --> 00:35:37,641 to life. 456 00:35:37,753 --> 00:35:38,857 And so we are saved. 457 00:35:38,921 --> 00:35:43,489 And we are equipped with good works so that we can serve our Savior. 458 00:35:43,537 --> 00:35:46,649 But then Philippians chapter four tells us the product of this 459 00:35:46,697 --> 00:35:48,005 peace with God. 460 00:35:48,795 --> 00:35:53,251 And folks, I want to challenge you this morning if you have experienced 461 00:35:53,283 --> 00:35:57,875 the peace with God in salvation, the challenge sometimes 462 00:35:57,915 --> 00:36:00,575 is to live with the peace of God in your life. 463 00:36:01,315 --> 00:36:02,699 Philippians chapter four. 464 00:36:02,747 --> 00:36:03,267 We're going to start. 465 00:36:03,291 --> 00:36:08,691 In verse number four, Paul reminds us the importance of rejoicing. 466 00:36:08,803 --> 00:36:14,637 We just sing joy to the world and sometimes we sing joy to the 467 00:36:14,661 --> 00:36:15,541 world and mean it. 468 00:36:15,573 --> 00:36:19,693 When things are going well, yes, we've got joy in this world. 469 00:36:19,749 --> 00:36:21,869 Yes, we're excited for what God's doing for us. 470 00:36:21,957 --> 00:36:25,933 But the challenge is, are we going to rejoice when things are 471 00:36:25,989 --> 00:36:28,185 not the way that we expect them to be? 472 00:36:28,725 --> 00:36:31,709 By the way, most of you know in context what's going on with Paul. 473 00:36:31,837 --> 00:36:34,093 Paul is in prison for doing right. 474 00:36:34,229 --> 00:36:37,145 And he says, rejoice in the Lord alway. 475 00:36:37,445 --> 00:36:39,505 And again, I say rejoice. 476 00:36:40,665 --> 00:36:44,057 Folks, I don't know about you, but in this Christmas season we have 477 00:36:44,081 --> 00:36:45,113 a reason to be joyful. 478 00:36:45,169 --> 00:36:47,065 We have a reason to praise him. 479 00:36:47,225 --> 00:36:50,929 I'm going to say, even after Christmas, when it gets to the doldrums 480 00:36:50,977 --> 00:36:54,857 of February and January and it's cold outside and you might have, 481 00:36:54,921 --> 00:36:56,617 you know, a lot of difficulties going on in your life, 482 00:36:56,641 --> 00:36:57,769 you have a reason to rejoice. 483 00:36:57,857 --> 00:36:59,785 When you're in the summertime, you have a reason to rejoice. 484 00:36:59,825 --> 00:37:02,497 It's not just Christmas that we need to celebrate the joy of the 485 00:37:02,521 --> 00:37:03,057 Lord. 486 00:37:03,201 --> 00:37:05,889 It's year round, 24, 7, 365. 487 00:37:05,937 --> 00:37:07,825 The Bible says that we have a reason to rejoice. 488 00:37:07,865 --> 00:37:10,147 And Paul says, you have a reason to rejoice. 489 00:37:10,251 --> 00:37:13,363 Verse 5, Let your moderation be known unto all men. 490 00:37:13,419 --> 00:37:14,595 The Lord is at hand. 491 00:37:14,715 --> 00:37:17,539 Allow yourself to live in such a way that people can see what the 492 00:37:17,547 --> 00:37:18,895 Lord has done in your life. 493 00:37:19,275 --> 00:37:21,707 Folks, Christmas time is a wonderful time to point people to 494 00:37:21,731 --> 00:37:22,203 Christ. 495 00:37:22,339 --> 00:37:25,403 You hear Christmas carols, Most of the Christmas carols, at 496 00:37:25,419 --> 00:37:27,531 least the traditional Christmas carols, have the message 497 00:37:27,563 --> 00:37:28,843 of the gospel right in them. 498 00:37:28,939 --> 00:37:31,255 It's an opportunity to point people to Jesus Christ. 499 00:37:31,875 --> 00:37:33,587 It was an amazing thing to see last night. 500 00:37:33,611 --> 00:37:36,415 As we were having the live nativity scene, the cars would come 501 00:37:36,455 --> 00:37:39,351 and Blair was out there in her angel costume and she says, follow 502 00:37:39,383 --> 00:37:40,839 the star to see baby Jesus. 503 00:37:40,887 --> 00:37:43,519 And then, you know, some of the other kids were calling out and 504 00:37:43,567 --> 00:37:47,311 it just warmed my heart to see the young people, not, they were 505 00:37:47,343 --> 00:37:48,079 unashamed. 506 00:37:48,127 --> 00:37:50,015 Some of us adults are probably like, oh, we don't want to offend 507 00:37:50,055 --> 00:37:50,503 these people. 508 00:37:50,559 --> 00:37:53,711 You know, the truth is these children were so Excited to let people 509 00:37:53,743 --> 00:37:54,751 know about baby Jesus. 510 00:37:54,783 --> 00:37:57,087 And the truth is, as Christians, we should be excited 511 00:37:57,191 --> 00:37:59,515 to tell people about what Jesus does for our life. 512 00:37:59,975 --> 00:38:03,035 He doesn't just make our life better, he saves our life. 513 00:38:03,155 --> 00:38:03,995 He gives us hope. 514 00:38:04,035 --> 00:38:06,307 He gives us peace with God. 515 00:38:06,491 --> 00:38:09,027 And so the Bible says here, let your moderation be known unto 516 00:38:09,051 --> 00:38:09,355 all men. 517 00:38:09,395 --> 00:38:10,291 The Lord is at hand. 518 00:38:10,363 --> 00:38:13,055 And then it says, be careful or anxious for nothing. 519 00:38:13,595 --> 00:38:18,643 Some of us, including myself, if we're not careful, can be plagued 520 00:38:18,699 --> 00:38:20,443 by anxiety in our life. 521 00:38:20,579 --> 00:38:23,335 We can be plagued with the concerns of this world. 522 00:38:24,035 --> 00:38:27,275 And the Bible says, don't allow that anxiety, don't allow that 523 00:38:27,315 --> 00:38:27,867 anxiousness. 524 00:38:27,931 --> 00:38:30,081 Don't allow the cares of this world to weigh you down. 525 00:38:30,203 --> 00:38:33,061 Says, this is what you do when you feel that coming on, when you 526 00:38:33,213 --> 00:38:35,149 can recognize that pressure. 527 00:38:35,277 --> 00:38:40,893 But in everything, everything in prayer and supplication, with 528 00:38:40,989 --> 00:38:44,945 thanksgiving, let your request be made known unto God. 529 00:38:45,525 --> 00:38:46,789 What is it saying here? 530 00:38:46,917 --> 00:38:49,421 Says this, turn your cares over to God first. 531 00:38:49,453 --> 00:38:52,197 Peter, chapter five tells us, cast your care upon him, for he cares 532 00:38:52,221 --> 00:38:54,797 for you, he loves you. 533 00:38:54,861 --> 00:38:57,013 He wants to hear your burdens. 534 00:38:57,109 --> 00:38:59,123 He wants to take those burdens from you. 535 00:38:59,249 --> 00:39:02,655 And what happens is, there's so much, at least in my life, it's 536 00:39:02,695 --> 00:39:05,423 the selfishness and the ego that says, you know what? 537 00:39:05,439 --> 00:39:06,535 I'm going to handle this myself. 538 00:39:06,575 --> 00:39:08,575 I'm going to try to deal with this on my own. 539 00:39:08,695 --> 00:39:09,759 I want to have control. 540 00:39:09,807 --> 00:39:12,935 And the Bible says the more we do that, the more we fall into that 541 00:39:12,975 --> 00:39:17,555 first category there in verse six, being anxious for everything, 542 00:39:18,455 --> 00:39:20,399 being burdened with everything. 543 00:39:20,447 --> 00:39:22,623 And the Bible says, yes, we can have burdens as Christians, but 544 00:39:22,639 --> 00:39:23,743 we take those burdens. 545 00:39:23,839 --> 00:39:26,893 We take those anxieties, we take those care, and we lay them 546 00:39:26,909 --> 00:39:29,173 at the foot of the cross and say, lord, you've got this. 547 00:39:29,269 --> 00:39:30,981 We believe in thanksgiving. 548 00:39:31,053 --> 00:39:32,933 We know that you're going to handle this for us. 549 00:39:33,029 --> 00:39:37,509 And then the product of that, the product of the prayer, the product 550 00:39:37,597 --> 00:39:41,269 of the casting of our cares to him, is this in verse number seven. 551 00:39:41,397 --> 00:39:43,333 And the peace of God. 552 00:39:43,509 --> 00:39:46,781 So we've had the peace with God, but the peace with God brings 553 00:39:46,813 --> 00:39:48,653 the peace of God. 554 00:39:48,829 --> 00:39:51,837 Folks, as Christians, we should be living with the peace of 555 00:39:51,861 --> 00:39:56,391 God all over our lives, by the way that we deal with other people, 556 00:39:56,543 --> 00:39:59,287 by the way that we deal with our family, by the way that we deal 557 00:39:59,311 --> 00:40:03,191 with all of the things at work and all the things at home and all 558 00:40:03,223 --> 00:40:04,463 the things in between. 559 00:40:04,599 --> 00:40:08,119 Folks, we should be living a life characterized by the peace of 560 00:40:08,167 --> 00:40:08,511 God. 561 00:40:08,583 --> 00:40:11,567 But yet, so many times in our life, we live in conflict, we live 562 00:40:11,591 --> 00:40:14,615 in anger, we live in bitterness, we live in anxiety. 563 00:40:14,735 --> 00:40:18,415 And the Bible says, if you have peace with God, the natural 564 00:40:18,495 --> 00:40:21,475 outpouring of that should be the peace of God in your life. 565 00:40:21,825 --> 00:40:26,545 And it says this and the peace of God which passeth all understanding, 566 00:40:26,585 --> 00:40:29,245 meaning the world does not understand this type of peace. 567 00:40:30,385 --> 00:40:35,457 The world who is not at peace with God cannot understand this type 568 00:40:35,481 --> 00:40:41,553 of peace that isn't predicated upon my circumstances, my income, 569 00:40:41,729 --> 00:40:42,441 my health. 570 00:40:42,513 --> 00:40:46,433 Folks, the Bible says that all those things can fail us and will 571 00:40:46,489 --> 00:40:47,021 fail us. 572 00:40:47,123 --> 00:40:50,017 But the one thing that will not fail you is that relationship 573 00:40:50,041 --> 00:40:51,049 with Jesus Christ. 574 00:40:51,177 --> 00:40:53,609 That is the one thing that cannot be taken away from you. 575 00:40:53,737 --> 00:40:56,041 And I would encourage you to think about that from the concept 576 00:40:56,073 --> 00:40:57,065 of, hey, you know what? 577 00:40:57,185 --> 00:41:00,017 I might have some issues in my life, I might have some struggles 578 00:41:00,041 --> 00:41:01,361 in my life, but what do I do? 579 00:41:01,393 --> 00:41:04,833 I turn that over to the Lord and allow the peace of God that passeth 580 00:41:04,889 --> 00:41:07,657 all understanding to rule in my life. 581 00:41:07,841 --> 00:41:11,017 And so I want you to see that progression from the peace with God 582 00:41:11,081 --> 00:41:14,321 when you come to him in faith, and then that peace of God that lives 583 00:41:14,353 --> 00:41:15,607 out in your life, life. 584 00:41:15,791 --> 00:41:16,591 What does it say there? 585 00:41:16,623 --> 00:41:20,195 Says it shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ, Jesus. 586 00:41:22,615 --> 00:41:24,315 The idea there is this. 587 00:41:24,895 --> 00:41:27,035 As a believer, we don't allow. 588 00:41:27,535 --> 00:41:33,079 We don't allow the circumstances, our emotions, our 589 00:41:33,127 --> 00:41:36,855 pain, our suffering to dictate to us what we think or what we feel 590 00:41:36,895 --> 00:41:37,835 about God. 591 00:41:38,255 --> 00:41:42,311 It's so very easy to allow what's going on on the external side 592 00:41:42,343 --> 00:41:45,769 of things to dictate what we believe about God, what we think 593 00:41:45,817 --> 00:41:46,521 about God. 594 00:41:46,593 --> 00:41:47,897 And the Bible says, no, no, no. 595 00:41:47,961 --> 00:41:52,529 Allow yourself to believe and to think and to live in the truth 596 00:41:52,577 --> 00:41:54,405 of the peace of God in your life. 597 00:41:55,065 --> 00:41:56,041 So what does that look like? 598 00:41:56,073 --> 00:41:56,953 That looks like this. 599 00:41:57,049 --> 00:42:01,805 When I wake up in the morning and I don't feel like a million bucks, 600 00:42:02,585 --> 00:42:06,097 and I get out and I get into my vehicle and it's cold, and my 601 00:42:06,121 --> 00:42:08,161 vehicle's not the vehicle that I think I should have. 602 00:42:08,193 --> 00:42:09,465 I think I should have a nicer vehicle. 603 00:42:09,505 --> 00:42:11,877 Then I drive to work and there's traffic, and then I get to 604 00:42:11,901 --> 00:42:14,341 work and someone says something negatively about me. 605 00:42:14,413 --> 00:42:16,173 And then by the end of the day, I'm worn out and I say, you 606 00:42:16,189 --> 00:42:16,445 know what? 607 00:42:16,485 --> 00:42:17,557 Does God even love me? 608 00:42:17,621 --> 00:42:18,909 Because it doesn't seem like that. 609 00:42:18,997 --> 00:42:22,165 What I have to do is I have to go back and say, it's not about what 610 00:42:22,205 --> 00:42:25,133 the outside is telling me, it's about what the inside is telling 611 00:42:25,149 --> 00:42:26,517 me in the truth of Jesus Christ. 612 00:42:26,621 --> 00:42:29,405 The peace of God which passes all Understanding. 613 00:42:29,485 --> 00:42:30,197 What does it say there? 614 00:42:30,221 --> 00:42:33,265 It says, rules your hearts and your minds. 615 00:42:34,285 --> 00:42:38,061 And so I want you to think about that in your idea of hope, 616 00:42:38,173 --> 00:42:39,745 your idea of peace. 617 00:42:40,045 --> 00:42:42,485 For me, a lot of times I'm just seeking some peace and quiet. 618 00:42:42,525 --> 00:42:46,949 I've got a house with a nine year old, a six year old and a ten 619 00:42:46,997 --> 00:42:47,477 month old. 620 00:42:47,541 --> 00:42:48,165 Okay. 621 00:42:48,325 --> 00:42:50,565 I'm sometimes just looking for some peace and quiet. 622 00:42:50,605 --> 00:42:51,685 I'm not gonna lie. 623 00:42:51,845 --> 00:42:54,061 And Alicia's like, well, I would like that too. 624 00:42:54,093 --> 00:42:55,941 Okay, you need to get here and get these kids. 625 00:42:55,973 --> 00:42:58,957 I said, I understand that there's a lot of times in our life 626 00:42:58,981 --> 00:43:01,045 that we're looking for circumstantial peace, and that's 627 00:43:01,085 --> 00:43:01,261 good. 628 00:43:01,293 --> 00:43:02,493 We should have those times. 629 00:43:02,669 --> 00:43:05,463 Get to a place in your life where you can get away. 630 00:43:05,599 --> 00:43:06,831 I'm all for that. 631 00:43:06,943 --> 00:43:10,711 But there are going to be times when we can't get away from 632 00:43:10,743 --> 00:43:11,671 the struggle. 633 00:43:11,863 --> 00:43:14,175 For me, sometimes I want to just wiggle out of the struggle. 634 00:43:14,215 --> 00:43:15,087 I want to get out of there. 635 00:43:15,111 --> 00:43:16,343 I want to say, you know what? 636 00:43:16,519 --> 00:43:18,431 I don't know any of you men have ever done this. 637 00:43:18,463 --> 00:43:20,487 Ladies, I know you don't do this, but sometimes us men, we get 638 00:43:20,511 --> 00:43:22,551 through struggles and we're like, I'm just going to get away. 639 00:43:22,583 --> 00:43:23,391 I'm going to go do this. 640 00:43:23,423 --> 00:43:23,839 I'm going to. 641 00:43:23,887 --> 00:43:26,759 I got to go do my hobby because that's my me time, folks. 642 00:43:26,847 --> 00:43:28,391 There's a time and a place for that. 643 00:43:28,463 --> 00:43:31,335 But when sometimes that pressure comes, we've got to embrace 644 00:43:31,375 --> 00:43:33,163 that and say, lord, Lord, get me through this. 645 00:43:33,219 --> 00:43:37,059 Allow me to be able to lead and to guide and to think biblically 646 00:43:37,107 --> 00:43:38,451 about this issue that's at hand. 647 00:43:38,483 --> 00:43:43,011 And the Bible says that is the peace of God that he promises us. 648 00:43:43,123 --> 00:43:46,491 Here in this passage, it goes on to talk about thinking about those 649 00:43:46,523 --> 00:43:47,555 things which are true. 650 00:43:47,635 --> 00:43:50,259 Whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever 651 00:43:50,307 --> 00:43:52,987 things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things 652 00:43:53,011 --> 00:43:53,843 are of good report. 653 00:43:53,939 --> 00:43:56,771 If there be any virtue, which there is, that's a rhetorical thing. 654 00:43:56,843 --> 00:43:59,415 And if there be any praise, think on these things. 655 00:44:00,545 --> 00:44:04,233 And so the Bible says that this is the way to live a life. 656 00:44:04,329 --> 00:44:06,561 With the knowledge of the peace with God that God has given 657 00:44:06,593 --> 00:44:07,521 us in salvation. 658 00:44:07,633 --> 00:44:11,105 But then living with the peace of God in our lives, then he says, 659 00:44:11,145 --> 00:44:14,817 those things which ye both have learned and received and heard 660 00:44:15,001 --> 00:44:16,925 and seen in me do. 661 00:44:17,705 --> 00:44:19,965 And the peace of God shall be with you. 662 00:44:20,625 --> 00:44:24,137 He says, live this way and the peace of God will be with you. 663 00:44:24,201 --> 00:44:25,103 It will guide you. 664 00:44:25,149 --> 00:44:25,735 You. 665 00:44:26,195 --> 00:44:27,379 It's the Holy Spirit. 666 00:44:27,467 --> 00:44:29,051 The Holy Spirit convicts us. 667 00:44:29,083 --> 00:44:30,291 The Holy Spirit comforts us. 668 00:44:30,323 --> 00:44:31,611 The Holy Spirit teaches us. 669 00:44:31,683 --> 00:44:34,555 The Holy Spirit leads us to a place in our life where we can have 670 00:44:34,675 --> 00:44:39,131 perfect peace in God without having all the things aligned what 671 00:44:39,163 --> 00:44:40,915 we want to happen in our lives. 672 00:44:41,075 --> 00:44:43,331 I know that there's a lot of people in this world that are speaking 673 00:44:43,363 --> 00:44:46,055 of, hey, if we just do xyz, we'll have world peace. 674 00:44:46,395 --> 00:44:50,187 Now, I need to explain a little bit more about this, because 675 00:44:50,211 --> 00:44:53,771 the Bible does say that there will be peace, one ultimate peace. 676 00:44:53,963 --> 00:44:54,539 Right now. 677 00:44:54,587 --> 00:44:56,691 Jesus extends peace through salvation. 678 00:44:56,843 --> 00:45:00,267 But we do know that one day we are longing for that day where Jesus 679 00:45:00,291 --> 00:45:02,707 is going to come and rule and reign on this earth, and he's going 680 00:45:02,731 --> 00:45:04,947 to be the prince of peace. 681 00:45:05,091 --> 00:45:08,763 Not just in what we believe here now, in faith, that it's going 682 00:45:08,779 --> 00:45:11,011 to happen one day, but we're going to see it, it's going to be 683 00:45:11,043 --> 00:45:11,475 real. 684 00:45:11,595 --> 00:45:13,979 And the Bible says that he's going to make all things right. 685 00:45:14,067 --> 00:45:15,435 And that's the day that we're longing for. 686 00:45:15,475 --> 00:45:18,099 But until that day, what we have to understand is that the only 687 00:45:18,147 --> 00:45:21,675 way for peace in this world is that people come to Jesus Christ 688 00:45:21,795 --> 00:45:24,371 for people to see the truth of God and to live the truth of God 689 00:45:24,403 --> 00:45:25,531 out in their own life. 690 00:45:25,563 --> 00:45:28,435 And so the peace of God is a gift. 691 00:45:28,555 --> 00:45:29,667 It's a gift that we all need. 692 00:45:29,691 --> 00:45:31,747 You know, growing up, I used to think I needed gifts. 693 00:45:31,771 --> 00:45:34,555 I tell my parents, guys, I need this this year. 694 00:45:34,595 --> 00:45:35,835 I need this basketball hoop. 695 00:45:35,875 --> 00:45:36,931 You don't understand. 696 00:45:37,083 --> 00:45:39,171 All of my friends have this basketball hoop. 697 00:45:39,243 --> 00:45:40,571 I have to have this basketball hoop. 698 00:45:40,603 --> 00:45:43,155 My parents would say, okay, we're gonna go to get this for you. 699 00:45:43,195 --> 00:45:43,587 You need it. 700 00:45:43,611 --> 00:45:43,895 Okay? 701 00:45:43,955 --> 00:45:44,311 Okay. 702 00:45:44,383 --> 00:45:46,543 And I would get it and it would be like, great. 703 00:45:46,639 --> 00:45:50,623 Now, next year, guys, all of my friends have PlayStation. 704 00:45:50,679 --> 00:45:51,639 I need a PlayStation. 705 00:45:51,687 --> 00:45:52,887 I need this gift, right? 706 00:45:52,911 --> 00:45:53,975 It's a video game console. 707 00:45:54,015 --> 00:45:54,807 I need this. 708 00:45:54,911 --> 00:45:57,035 And I thought I needed a lot. 709 00:45:57,415 --> 00:46:01,995 But the truth is, we sometimes want. 710 00:46:02,375 --> 00:46:05,335 We want and we still receive. 711 00:46:05,495 --> 00:46:09,479 But I'm gonna tell you that the one gift, the one gift this Christmas 712 00:46:09,527 --> 00:46:13,457 season that you need, that I need, that all of us need, that the 713 00:46:13,481 --> 00:46:16,377 world needs, is the peace of God. 714 00:46:16,521 --> 00:46:19,965 And the peace of God comes through the peace with God. 715 00:46:20,265 --> 00:46:21,545 And so what do we do as a church? 716 00:46:21,585 --> 00:46:22,481 Well, we say, you know what? 717 00:46:22,513 --> 00:46:23,353 This world is terrible. 718 00:46:23,409 --> 00:46:25,121 We're going to shut the doors. 719 00:46:25,193 --> 00:46:26,665 We're going to, you know, lock in. 720 00:46:26,705 --> 00:46:28,553 No, the Bible says for us to go. 721 00:46:28,649 --> 00:46:31,145 The Bible says for us, as it said in Philippians chapter four, 722 00:46:31,185 --> 00:46:35,025 to live with that peace at hand so that people can see that 723 00:46:35,065 --> 00:46:37,805 hope, so that People can see that we're different. 724 00:46:38,195 --> 00:46:39,163 Folks, you know what? 725 00:46:39,259 --> 00:46:42,059 One of the things that challenges me the most is that if 726 00:46:42,107 --> 00:46:46,587 I was to ask people that I came across on a daily basis, do 727 00:46:46,611 --> 00:46:49,131 they see anything different in me, you know, there might be someone 728 00:46:49,163 --> 00:46:50,587 that says, I didn't see anything different. 729 00:46:50,691 --> 00:46:52,635 He was just like everybody else that came through the drive 730 00:46:52,675 --> 00:46:52,827 through. 731 00:46:52,851 --> 00:46:54,955 He was just like everybody else that came through Wawa. 732 00:46:55,035 --> 00:46:56,443 He was just like everybody else. 733 00:46:56,539 --> 00:47:00,099 Folks, we should strive and ask the Lord to give us the strength 734 00:47:00,147 --> 00:47:01,067 and the wisdom. 735 00:47:01,171 --> 00:47:04,965 And really what I would say is the motivation to live differently 736 00:47:05,005 --> 00:47:07,445 in this world, live so much that. 737 00:47:07,485 --> 00:47:09,085 That peace of God is so clear. 738 00:47:09,165 --> 00:47:09,629 You know what? 739 00:47:09,677 --> 00:47:14,145 I've been able to sit with families that have lost loved ones, 740 00:47:15,165 --> 00:47:18,197 and, you know, certainly that is a difficult, difficult place to 741 00:47:18,221 --> 00:47:18,765 be. 742 00:47:18,925 --> 00:47:21,485 But to hear someone's testimony, to say, you know what? 743 00:47:21,605 --> 00:47:22,853 I don't understand this. 744 00:47:22,949 --> 00:47:24,381 I don't like this. 745 00:47:24,573 --> 00:47:25,545 It hurts. 746 00:47:25,845 --> 00:47:27,189 But I still love the Lord. 747 00:47:27,237 --> 00:47:28,653 I still know that he is good. 748 00:47:28,749 --> 00:47:31,029 I still know that he is my Savior. 749 00:47:31,077 --> 00:47:33,565 Folks, that is what the Bible is talking about there. 750 00:47:33,605 --> 00:47:36,621 The peace of God, which passeth all understanding. 751 00:47:36,653 --> 00:47:38,725 Because the world doesn't understand that. 752 00:47:38,805 --> 00:47:40,141 Because for the world, that is it. 753 00:47:40,173 --> 00:47:41,261 You've lost everything. 754 00:47:41,333 --> 00:47:42,325 God's taken it away. 755 00:47:42,365 --> 00:47:43,905 So why do you still love Him? 756 00:47:44,405 --> 00:47:45,573 That's a good question. 757 00:47:45,709 --> 00:47:47,301 I still love him because he's good. 758 00:47:47,333 --> 00:47:49,381 And because he gave me peace with God. 759 00:47:49,493 --> 00:47:53,225 He gave me the opportunity to know him and be a part of his family. 760 00:47:54,045 --> 00:47:55,997 I don't know about you, but there's been times in my life where 761 00:47:56,021 --> 00:47:57,083 someone's invited me. 762 00:47:57,209 --> 00:48:00,591 Right there was the cool crowd in high school or college, wherever 763 00:48:00,623 --> 00:48:01,319 you were at. 764 00:48:01,447 --> 00:48:04,095 And when they said, hey, do you want to come with us? 765 00:48:04,255 --> 00:48:05,631 I was like, wow, I'm privileged. 766 00:48:05,663 --> 00:48:06,759 I get to sit at the table. 767 00:48:06,807 --> 00:48:08,247 I get to be a part of this. 768 00:48:08,351 --> 00:48:09,127 And that's silly. 769 00:48:09,191 --> 00:48:09,767 We go through that. 770 00:48:09,791 --> 00:48:12,639 But really what's happened is that we have the Creator of the universe, 771 00:48:12,687 --> 00:48:17,839 the One who has control over everything, the One who is all powerful, 772 00:48:17,887 --> 00:48:21,263 the One who is all knowing, the One who is all present. 773 00:48:21,359 --> 00:48:24,127 And now he extends a gift to us. 774 00:48:24,231 --> 00:48:27,615 The gift of grace, the gift of mercy, the gift of peace, so that 775 00:48:27,655 --> 00:48:31,063 we can, when we believe in him, come sit at his table to be 776 00:48:31,079 --> 00:48:32,247 part of his family. 777 00:48:32,391 --> 00:48:35,423 That is the greatest privilege that we could ever ask for. 778 00:48:35,599 --> 00:48:38,715 And it is a privilege and an honor to be part of that family. 779 00:48:39,015 --> 00:48:42,367 But as a Christian, so many times we live with excitement, with 780 00:48:42,391 --> 00:48:43,583 the peace with God. 781 00:48:43,679 --> 00:48:46,623 But we don't always live in excitement for the peace of God in 782 00:48:46,639 --> 00:48:47,391 our lives. 783 00:48:47,543 --> 00:48:49,433 And I would challenge you to think about that. 784 00:48:49,529 --> 00:48:51,081 Is this something that I'm longing for? 785 00:48:51,113 --> 00:48:54,361 Is this something that I'm striving for, as Paul says there 786 00:48:54,393 --> 00:48:57,337 in Philippians chapter four, if you follow these things, this 787 00:48:57,361 --> 00:49:00,201 is the idea of the peace will be with you. 788 00:49:00,233 --> 00:49:02,025 It will continue on with you. 789 00:49:02,065 --> 00:49:03,401 It will live within you. 790 00:49:03,433 --> 00:49:06,873 And so that is the understanding of the peace of God. 791 00:49:07,049 --> 00:49:10,209 And so here this morning, there's really, really basic message. 792 00:49:10,257 --> 00:49:11,225 The basic message is this. 793 00:49:11,265 --> 00:49:14,617 Number one, are you in the understanding that you have trusted 794 00:49:14,641 --> 00:49:16,853 in God as your savior so that you can have peace with God? 795 00:49:16,899 --> 00:49:17,409 God. 796 00:49:17,537 --> 00:49:21,105 The worst place to be is as an enemy of God. 797 00:49:21,225 --> 00:49:23,497 Now, now, that might sound like strong language to you. 798 00:49:23,521 --> 00:49:25,165 You might say, what does that mean? 799 00:49:25,505 --> 00:49:27,465 If I'm not a Christian, I'm an enemy of God. 800 00:49:27,505 --> 00:49:29,713 The Bible actually says that is the case whether you know it or 801 00:49:29,729 --> 00:49:30,285 not. 802 00:49:30,985 --> 00:49:33,809 And that's a hard thing for me to say because there are some really, 803 00:49:33,857 --> 00:49:37,073 really good people, people that I love that, you know, they 804 00:49:37,089 --> 00:49:38,225 say I don't need Jesus. 805 00:49:38,305 --> 00:49:38,521 Right. 806 00:49:38,553 --> 00:49:41,045 The truth is, is that in their minds, they don't. 807 00:49:41,625 --> 00:49:45,105 But what we have to understand is that everybody who is not in Jesus 808 00:49:45,145 --> 00:49:47,893 Christ, meaning they have not trusted in him as sav. 809 00:49:48,009 --> 00:49:50,381 The Bible says, are not at peace with God. 810 00:49:50,493 --> 00:49:52,365 And the Bible says that there will be judgment. 811 00:49:52,485 --> 00:49:53,685 There will be judgment. 812 00:49:53,845 --> 00:49:57,357 And so the case for us this morning is, have we come to the place 813 00:49:57,381 --> 00:49:59,733 in our life where we have trusted in him and him alone, as 814 00:49:59,749 --> 00:50:00,645 the Bible says. 815 00:50:00,765 --> 00:50:02,029 Romans, chapter 5. 816 00:50:02,157 --> 00:50:04,549 By Jesus Christ through faith. 817 00:50:04,637 --> 00:50:06,045 Ephesians, chapter 2. 818 00:50:06,165 --> 00:50:07,773 By grace through faith. 819 00:50:07,869 --> 00:50:12,237 The Bible says in John 14, verse 6, in him he is the way, the 820 00:50:12,261 --> 00:50:13,213 truth, and the life. 821 00:50:13,309 --> 00:50:16,493 If you have not come to Jesus Christ in salvation, the Bible says. 822 00:50:16,539 --> 00:50:19,801 Says you need to find peace with God through Jesus by trusting 823 00:50:19,833 --> 00:50:22,489 in him, by calling upon the name of the Lord. 824 00:50:22,657 --> 00:50:24,921 For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. 825 00:50:25,033 --> 00:50:26,625 How many of you don't raise your hand? 826 00:50:26,745 --> 00:50:28,537 How many of you told your kids, if you're not good this year, 827 00:50:28,561 --> 00:50:30,125 you're not gonna get any presents? 828 00:50:31,025 --> 00:50:31,833 Okay? 829 00:50:32,009 --> 00:50:33,925 How many of you have never. 830 00:50:34,305 --> 00:50:35,473 Don't raise your hand, please. 831 00:50:35,569 --> 00:50:37,353 How many of you said, okay, you guys weren't good this year, 832 00:50:37,369 --> 00:50:38,489 so you're not getting any presents? 833 00:50:38,537 --> 00:50:41,753 Most of us would say, even though they've messed up, we're gonna 834 00:50:41,769 --> 00:50:44,265 extend grace to them and give them presents this year. 835 00:50:44,425 --> 00:50:45,377 That's what happens with us. 836 00:50:45,401 --> 00:50:48,325 It doesn't mean that when we get saved, all of our sin goes away. 837 00:50:48,865 --> 00:50:52,465 I wish that was the case, I wish I no longer had that sin nature. 838 00:50:52,505 --> 00:50:55,729 But the Bible says that even as we're wrestling with that sin, 839 00:50:55,857 --> 00:50:59,785 it's not though now our strength that's saving us. 840 00:50:59,825 --> 00:51:01,369 It's now the strength of Jesus Christ. 841 00:51:01,417 --> 00:51:03,025 It is the gospel of Jesus Christ. 842 00:51:03,065 --> 00:51:05,489 It is the grace of Jesus Christ upon our account. 843 00:51:05,537 --> 00:51:08,625 And so when we're sin and we're broken, God extends that grace 844 00:51:08,665 --> 00:51:09,121 to you. 845 00:51:09,193 --> 00:51:10,745 He extends that forgiveness to. 846 00:51:10,855 --> 00:51:12,477 He extends that peace to you. 847 00:51:12,581 --> 00:51:14,397 So this isn't about living a life of perfection. 848 00:51:14,461 --> 00:51:17,781 This is about living a life of humility and receiving the grace 849 00:51:17,813 --> 00:51:20,965 of God in faith and saying, lord, I trust in you for my salvation 850 00:51:21,085 --> 00:51:22,717 and not in what I'm doing. 851 00:51:22,901 --> 00:51:24,205 That is salvation. 852 00:51:24,285 --> 00:51:28,085 Trusting in God and not yourself, believing that he is the 853 00:51:28,125 --> 00:51:32,301 only way and that there is no other way, no religion, no path, 854 00:51:32,413 --> 00:51:35,629 no any other route can save you other than Jesus Christ. 855 00:51:35,677 --> 00:51:38,213 And so I hope that that is something that all of you, you can 856 00:51:38,229 --> 00:51:39,445 think about here this morning. 857 00:51:39,565 --> 00:51:42,277 But I would say, number two, most of you have a profession of 858 00:51:42,301 --> 00:51:42,905 faith. 859 00:51:43,645 --> 00:51:45,061 The second question would be this. 860 00:51:45,093 --> 00:51:48,053 Am I allowing the peace of God to rule my life? 861 00:51:48,189 --> 00:51:51,557 Am I allowing the peace of God to characterize the way that I deal 862 00:51:51,581 --> 00:51:54,957 with my family, the way that I deal with my workplace, the way that 863 00:51:54,981 --> 00:51:59,037 I deal with my enemies, the way that I deal with my own struggles, 864 00:51:59,141 --> 00:52:03,445 my own issues, my own physical ailments, my emotional struggles, 865 00:52:03,935 --> 00:52:05,095 my spiritual struggles? 866 00:52:05,135 --> 00:52:08,055 Am I allowing the peace of God to rule that in my life? 867 00:52:08,175 --> 00:52:09,927 Am I thinking the right things about God? 868 00:52:09,951 --> 00:52:14,155 Or am I allowing these issues in my life to dictate my truth? 869 00:52:14,455 --> 00:52:16,711 That's a phrase that you'll hear a lot in this world, right? 870 00:52:16,823 --> 00:52:17,383 My truth. 871 00:52:17,439 --> 00:52:20,167 My truth about this is this, and my truth is about this. 872 00:52:20,271 --> 00:52:23,047 You can say whatever your truth is if your truth is not what's 873 00:52:23,071 --> 00:52:24,095 seen in the word of God. 874 00:52:24,175 --> 00:52:24,895 It's not truth. 875 00:52:24,935 --> 00:52:26,263 It's contrary to truth. 876 00:52:26,399 --> 00:52:28,735 And so the Bible says, it's not about how I feel today. 877 00:52:28,775 --> 00:52:30,823 It's not about what I believe. 878 00:52:30,879 --> 00:52:34,919 It's about what the Bible says about God, what the Bible says about 879 00:52:34,967 --> 00:52:37,951 his love, about his peace and about his grace and his truth. 880 00:52:38,023 --> 00:52:41,395 And folks, I would encourage you to base everything that you do, 881 00:52:42,135 --> 00:52:47,275 your joy, your peace, your hope, your comfort, your passion, 882 00:52:47,695 --> 00:52:51,551 your love, everything must be wrapped around what's told to us 883 00:52:51,623 --> 00:52:53,555 in this Word about the Lord. 884 00:52:53,855 --> 00:52:59,147 Because if we start allowing anything, the media, people that 885 00:52:59,171 --> 00:53:03,587 we know, our own agendas, if we allow those things to take over, 886 00:53:03,651 --> 00:53:07,627 what's the truth, then we've allowed ourselves to open Up a gateway 887 00:53:07,691 --> 00:53:08,571 to lies. 888 00:53:08,683 --> 00:53:11,575 And those lies will lead us away from the peace of God. 889 00:53:12,515 --> 00:53:14,395 Satan is the accuser of the brethren. 890 00:53:14,515 --> 00:53:16,203 He is the father of lies. 891 00:53:16,379 --> 00:53:19,963 And what the whole purpose of his mission is, is to make us think 892 00:53:20,139 --> 00:53:23,615 bad things about the Lord, to think untrue thoughts, to allow ourselves 893 00:53:23,655 --> 00:53:26,231 to think things that are not aligned with Scripture. 894 00:53:26,263 --> 00:53:28,623 And what I would challenge you to do this Christmas season is to 895 00:53:28,639 --> 00:53:29,719 think about the scriptures. 896 00:53:29,807 --> 00:53:31,671 Think about what the Bible says about this. 897 00:53:31,703 --> 00:53:35,447 And the Bible says that you can have peace with God and the peace 898 00:53:35,511 --> 00:53:37,295 of God ruling and reigning in your life. 899 00:53:37,335 --> 00:53:40,047 And that is why I believe Jesus initially is the prince of 900 00:53:40,071 --> 00:53:40,495 peace. 901 00:53:40,615 --> 00:53:42,555 He's extending peace here today. 902 00:53:43,055 --> 00:53:46,663 But just know that when all things come to pass, and we know 903 00:53:46,679 --> 00:53:49,023 that Jesus came to this earth as a baby, but he's not going to 904 00:53:49,039 --> 00:53:50,635 come back the second time as a baby. 905 00:53:51,205 --> 00:53:54,949 You guys realize that he's coming back as a conqueror. 906 00:53:55,117 --> 00:53:59,229 He's coming back as the one who is going to rule and to reign. 907 00:53:59,357 --> 00:54:03,397 And so let us be those ones that are on the side of victory so 908 00:54:03,421 --> 00:54:06,357 that when Jesus comes back as the conqueror, we can celebrate with 909 00:54:06,381 --> 00:54:07,309 him in victory. 910 00:54:07,437 --> 00:54:08,573 That's what we're longing for. 911 00:54:08,629 --> 00:54:10,029 That's what we're excited for. 912 00:54:10,157 --> 00:54:11,725 That's what we are looking toward. 913 00:54:11,765 --> 00:54:14,141 The Bible says to keep our eyes fixed on those things which 914 00:54:14,173 --> 00:54:14,837 are above. 915 00:54:14,941 --> 00:54:18,185 The Bible says that we should look upon those things of his kingdom, 916 00:54:18,225 --> 00:54:20,313 of his purpose, of his eternal plan. 917 00:54:20,409 --> 00:54:22,313 And so I would encourage you to think not about the struggles 918 00:54:22,329 --> 00:54:23,645 that we're facing now. 919 00:54:24,185 --> 00:54:24,577 Okay? 920 00:54:24,601 --> 00:54:26,201 These are the struggles that are happening today. 921 00:54:26,233 --> 00:54:27,169 But guess what? 922 00:54:27,337 --> 00:54:30,145 If you live long enough, your struggles are going to be different 923 00:54:30,185 --> 00:54:30,977 next year. 924 00:54:31,161 --> 00:54:33,505 I had struggles two or three years ago that I thought I was never 925 00:54:33,545 --> 00:54:34,489 going to get through. 926 00:54:34,657 --> 00:54:35,385 You know what? 927 00:54:35,465 --> 00:54:36,553 God got me through those. 928 00:54:36,649 --> 00:54:37,705 But you know what's happening now? 929 00:54:37,745 --> 00:54:39,297 I'm on the new struggles. 930 00:54:39,481 --> 00:54:41,281 And those new struggles just keep coming. 931 00:54:41,393 --> 00:54:41,849 And that's. 932 00:54:41,897 --> 00:54:42,805 That's life. 933 00:54:43,115 --> 00:54:45,859 But the good news is that God is walking with us through that. 934 00:54:45,947 --> 00:54:48,515 He's giving us that peace of God in our lives. 935 00:54:48,675 --> 00:54:49,051 And we. 936 00:54:49,083 --> 00:54:50,115 And we look, what do we do? 937 00:54:50,155 --> 00:54:51,855 We don't look to the struggle today. 938 00:54:52,275 --> 00:54:55,443 We look to the hope that we have in Jesus Christ that he is going 939 00:54:55,459 --> 00:54:57,811 to come back and we are going to be with him. 940 00:54:57,883 --> 00:54:59,011 And that's that eternal life. 941 00:54:59,043 --> 00:55:00,619 That's that eternal purpose. 942 00:55:00,787 --> 00:55:04,275 So that's why the angels were saying, this is good tidings of great 943 00:55:04,315 --> 00:55:05,963 joy which shall be to all people. 944 00:55:06,099 --> 00:55:09,085 This child is going to be a child of peace, the Prince of Peace. 945 00:55:09,275 --> 00:55:10,633 That's the message of Jesus Christ. 946 00:55:10,689 --> 00:55:12,553 That's the message of the gospel. 947 00:55:12,609 --> 00:55:14,525 That's the message of Christmas. 948 00:55:14,865 --> 00:55:21,777 Christmas is more than just, you know, wise men, shepherds, donkeys. 949 00:55:21,881 --> 00:55:23,009 We had a real donkey here last night. 950 00:55:23,017 --> 00:55:24,049 I'm not against real donkeys. 951 00:55:24,097 --> 00:55:24,673 They're pretty neat. 952 00:55:24,729 --> 00:55:25,321 Okay? 953 00:55:25,473 --> 00:55:27,009 But that's not what Christmas is all about. 954 00:55:27,057 --> 00:55:30,673 Christmas is not about your favorite cartoon or your favorite 955 00:55:30,729 --> 00:55:31,489 Christmas movie. 956 00:55:31,537 --> 00:55:32,145 That's fun. 957 00:55:32,225 --> 00:55:32,505 Okay? 958 00:55:32,545 --> 00:55:34,771 We're not against watching Christmas movies in my house. 959 00:55:34,913 --> 00:55:36,359 It's not about the Christmas tree. 960 00:55:36,407 --> 00:55:38,543 It's not about the meal that you're gonna eat. 961 00:55:38,639 --> 00:55:41,543 It's not about, you know, even the gifts that you will receive. 962 00:55:41,679 --> 00:55:43,231 That's not the main purpose. 963 00:55:43,343 --> 00:55:43,735 Right? 964 00:55:43,815 --> 00:55:46,807 We have all of those things because of what Jesus Christ did 965 00:55:46,831 --> 00:55:47,559 for us. 966 00:55:47,727 --> 00:55:51,423 And so I would challenge you as a family, as an individual, to 967 00:55:51,439 --> 00:55:54,231 think about Christmas differently this year, to think about 968 00:55:54,263 --> 00:55:55,303 the why behind it. 969 00:55:55,359 --> 00:55:57,687 You've seen that, the reason for the season, right? 970 00:55:57,791 --> 00:56:00,975 But to really think about that, to really allow yourself to 971 00:56:01,015 --> 00:56:03,715 be the gospel message through the Christmas season. 972 00:56:04,235 --> 00:56:06,555 And for me, that's always a challenge. 973 00:56:06,635 --> 00:56:09,227 It's always a challenge because there's fear there. 974 00:56:09,291 --> 00:56:12,659 But the Bible says that that perfect love casts out fear. 975 00:56:12,827 --> 00:56:15,371 So the more you rest in the love of Christ, the more you're willing 976 00:56:15,403 --> 00:56:17,331 to share that love with other people around you. 977 00:56:17,443 --> 00:56:21,459 And so this Christmas season, may we all be like those little kids 978 00:56:21,507 --> 00:56:23,779 out there at the live nativity scene. 979 00:56:23,827 --> 00:56:25,379 Point people to Jesus Christ. 980 00:56:25,507 --> 00:56:28,283 Point people to the one who came in the manger but didn't stay 981 00:56:28,299 --> 00:56:28,843 in that manger. 982 00:56:28,899 --> 00:56:30,123 He went to the cross. 983 00:56:30,299 --> 00:56:31,771 That's why the live nativity scene. 984 00:56:31,803 --> 00:56:33,187 We didn't stop at the manger. 985 00:56:33,331 --> 00:56:36,851 We put up a cross and we put up an empty tomb. 986 00:56:37,043 --> 00:56:38,379 Because he didn't stay there. 987 00:56:38,427 --> 00:56:41,411 He went for that, for his love for us. 988 00:56:41,443 --> 00:56:44,855 He went to that cross, but that cross didn't defeat him. 989 00:56:45,595 --> 00:56:48,403 That cross was just a conduit to our salvation. 990 00:56:48,459 --> 00:56:49,555 And then he goes in the tomb. 991 00:56:49,595 --> 00:56:50,875 That tomb did not hold him. 992 00:56:50,955 --> 00:56:52,215 That tomb is empty. 993 00:56:52,875 --> 00:56:55,099 And we have victory because of his victory. 994 00:56:55,147 --> 00:56:56,995 So Christmas is a story of victory. 995 00:56:57,445 --> 00:56:59,821 And that victory is the victory that we can all be a part 996 00:56:59,853 --> 00:57:01,149 of here this morning. 997 00:57:01,277 --> 00:57:03,237 Well, I'm going to ask if you're able to stand with me, every 998 00:57:03,261 --> 00:57:04,293 head bowed, every head closed. 999 00:57:04,309 --> 00:57:07,861 As the music plays, you have an opportunity to respond this morning. 1000 00:57:08,053 --> 00:57:12,505 The peace of God, does it rule and reign in your life? 1001 00:57:15,645 --> 00:57:18,465 Peace, comfort, joy. 1002 00:57:19,805 --> 00:57:20,893 That's all. 1003 00:57:21,069 --> 00:57:22,673 What should describe a Christian? 1004 00:57:22,799 --> 00:57:24,869 The true question here this morning is this. 1005 00:57:24,997 --> 00:57:28,157 Are you, number one, a believer in Jesus Christ, are you 1006 00:57:28,181 --> 00:57:29,825 at peace with God? 1007 00:57:30,765 --> 00:57:33,345 That's the first thing we have to handle here this morning. 1008 00:57:33,765 --> 00:57:35,037 Is that something that you said? 1009 00:57:35,061 --> 00:57:35,437 You know what? 1010 00:57:35,461 --> 00:57:37,613 I have trusted in Jesus Christ as my Savior. 1011 00:57:37,669 --> 00:57:41,309 I know without a shadow of a doubt that I'm not trusting in anything 1012 00:57:41,357 --> 00:57:43,437 else other than him for my salvation. 1013 00:57:43,581 --> 00:57:45,645 If that is the case, fantastic. 1014 00:57:45,685 --> 00:57:48,453 If that is not the case, I encourage you this morning to take 1015 00:57:48,469 --> 00:57:49,445 care of that. 1016 00:57:50,265 --> 00:57:52,817 But if that is the case, if you have trusted in Jesus Christ 1017 00:57:52,881 --> 00:57:54,889 as your Savior, I would say this. 1018 00:57:54,937 --> 00:57:59,645 Are you living a life characterized by the peace of God? 1019 00:57:59,985 --> 00:58:03,809 Are you living a life characterized by thinking and believing 1020 00:58:03,897 --> 00:58:05,529 and resting in his truth? 1021 00:58:05,617 --> 00:58:07,405 Are you thinking about other things? 1022 00:58:08,585 --> 00:58:10,329 Could your life as a Christian. 1023 00:58:10,377 --> 00:58:14,993 Could my life as a Christian be characterized by joy, by strength, 1024 00:58:15,049 --> 00:58:17,885 by comfort, by peace, by prayer? 1025 00:58:18,505 --> 00:58:21,365 Or would it be characterized by other things? 1026 00:58:21,705 --> 00:58:25,609 Anxiety, chaos, pain, suffering, hopelessness? 1027 00:58:25,737 --> 00:58:28,765 Folks, if you are a believer today, that should not be the case. 1028 00:58:29,545 --> 00:58:33,065 Take all of those burdens, take all of that pain and lay those 1029 00:58:33,105 --> 00:58:34,325 at the foot of the cross. 1030 00:58:34,745 --> 00:58:38,865 The Bible says in Philippians, chapter four, cast your cares, take 1031 00:58:38,905 --> 00:58:42,049 away those anxieties from your account and give them over to the 1032 00:58:42,057 --> 00:58:45,707 Lord, because the Lord is willing and ready and desiring to 1033 00:58:45,731 --> 00:58:47,203 take those cares from you. 1034 00:58:47,379 --> 00:58:50,587 Ask him with prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, 1035 00:58:50,651 --> 00:58:52,539 let your requests be made known unto God. 1036 00:58:52,627 --> 00:58:55,627 Maybe it's been a while since you've had a real conversation with 1037 00:58:55,651 --> 00:58:57,219 Jesus Christ, this Christian. 1038 00:58:57,347 --> 00:58:59,787 This Christmas season is a wonderful time for Christians to 1039 00:58:59,811 --> 00:59:03,483 come back and have that renewed relationship restored in 1040 00:59:03,499 --> 00:59:04,935 the truth of Jesus Christ. 1041 00:59:06,035 --> 00:59:08,051 Are you at peace with God? 1042 00:59:08,083 --> 00:59:11,699 Are you at peace with his truth? 1043 00:59:11,747 --> 00:59:13,291 Are you at peace with His Word? 1044 00:59:13,363 --> 00:59:14,835 Or do you feel that inner conflict? 1045 00:59:14,875 --> 00:59:17,339 If you feel that inner conflict this morning, go to him. 1046 00:59:17,387 --> 00:59:19,379 Allow him to take that conflict away. 1047 00:59:19,507 --> 00:59:23,043 Allow yourself to be fully surrendered to him today so that 1048 00:59:23,059 --> 00:59:26,403 you can rest in that peace that passeth all understanding. 1049 00:59:26,579 --> 00:59:28,315 How different will we be as a church? 1050 00:59:28,355 --> 00:59:31,883 How more effective would we be as a church if we were willing to 1051 00:59:31,899 --> 00:59:35,535 say, lord, let your peace rule and reign in my life life. 1052 00:59:35,655 --> 00:59:38,751 Don't allow those inner conflicts and those and those outward 1053 00:59:38,823 --> 00:59:42,047 conflicts dictate my life, but allow the peace of God to rule and 1054 00:59:42,071 --> 00:59:47,039 reign so that I can be a joyful Christian, a prayerful Christian, 1055 00:59:47,087 --> 00:59:49,967 a Christian characterized by comfort and strength in the truth 1056 00:59:49,991 --> 00:59:51,035 of Jesus Christ. 1057 00:59:51,935 --> 00:59:53,191 That's what you want here this morning. 1058 00:59:53,223 --> 00:59:54,983 I encourage you to come forward or you can kneel in your 1059 00:59:54,999 --> 00:59:58,055 pew and you can turn it over to him and have that peace with God 1060 00:59:58,095 --> 00:59:58,895 here today. 1061 00:59:59,055 --> 01:00:00,231 Lord, we thank you for this time. 1062 01:00:00,263 --> 01:00:03,145 We thank you for this opportunity to respond to your Word. 1063 01:00:03,185 --> 01:00:05,937 We thank you for the peace with God, and we thank you for the 1064 01:00:05,961 --> 01:00:07,605 peace of God in our lives. 1065 01:00:08,265 --> 01:00:10,385 I ask that you work in hearts and lives here this morning. 1066 01:00:10,425 --> 01:00:12,005 In Jesus name, Amen. 1067 01:00:12,705 --> 01:00:15,285 As the music plays, follow as the Lord leads today. 1068 01:00:15,825 --> 01:00:18,425 Thank you again for listening to the Middletown Baptist Church 1069 01:00:18,465 --> 01:00:19,225 Podcast. 1070 01:00:19,385 --> 01:00:21,925 I hope that this sermon has been a blessing for you. 1071 01:00:22,305 --> 01:00:24,577 If you would like to find out more information about our church 1072 01:00:24,601 --> 01:00:28,291 or this sermon, you can find us at middletown baptist church.org 1073 01:00:28,443 --> 01:00:31,175 or find us on Facebook or YouTube. 1074 01:00:31,635 --> 01:00:37,339 You can also email me directly@joshmisaroiddletownbaptistchurch.com if 1075 01:00:37,347 --> 01:00:40,899 you've enjoyed this podcast, please subscribe and follow along 1076 01:00:40,947 --> 01:00:43,655 for future podcast and updates. 1077 01:00:44,035 --> 01:00:45,147 Thank you so much. 1078 01:00:45,291 --> 01:00:46,123 God Bless. 1079 01:00:46,259 --> 01:00:47,275 Have a wonderful day.