Sunday Service | Advent, week 2: December 6, 2020
Today is the 2nd Sunday of Advent, and April opened up our service by lighting the second candle, which represents the theme of Peace. By lighting this candle and remembering this theme this week, we engage with Jesus, who is the peace of the world. We open ourselves up to Jesus as our peace.
In lieu of not having our annual Christmas party, we are raising $1500 for Nashville Food Project. Learn more about this local ministry here: https://www.thenashvillefoodproject.org/
Mary sits down with us to invite us into a conversation about peace for this week’s Advent teaching. One definition of peace is:
Not only the absence of conflict, but also the presence of completion, connection, reconciliation, and justice.
Jesus is described as our peace in Isaiah 9.6 (TPT):
A child has been born for us;
a son has been given to us.
The responsibility of complete dominion
will rest on his shoulders, and his name will be:
The Wonderful One!
The Extraordinary Strategist!
The Mighty God!
The Father of Eternity!
The Prince of Peace!
The prophet Isaiah looked forward to the arrival of this King who would bring peace and restoration to his people. Jesus fulfills that prophecy when he is born, which the angels announce to the shepherds in Luke chapter 2.
Paul also talks about Jesus as our peace often. He describes Jesus as the one who removed all separation between ourselves and others, as well as the separation because all of us and God, by offering peace. This peace is a gift, and as believers we are called to:
Receive, keep, and cultivate peace in our lives. This requires gentleness, humility, love, and patience.
As you read the following scriptures, meditate on what they mean for you, or what the Holy Spirit might be speaking to you through them.
Ephesians 4.1-3 (TPT):
As a prisoner of the Lord, I plead with you to walk holy, in a way that is suitable to your high rank, given to you in your divine calling. With tender humility and quiet patience, always demonstrate gentleness and generous love toward one another, especially toward those who may try your patience. Be faithful to guard the sweet harmony of the Holy Spirit among you in the bonds of peace.
Mary reflects upon social media’s role in your daily life. It can often lead to frustration, not peace. How does our calling to receive, keep, and cultivate peace in our lives apply even to this area of our lives? How can we bring peace to others when social media shouts chaos instead of peace?
Ephesians 4.29-32 (TPT):
And never let ugly or hateful words come from your mouth, but instead let your words become beautiful gifts that encourage others; do this by speaking words of grace to help them.
The Holy Spirit of God has sealed you in Jesus Christ until you experience your full salvation. So never grieve the Spirit of God or take for granted his holy influence in your life. Lay aside bitter words, temper tantrums, revenge, profanity, and insults. But instead be kind and affectionate toward one another. Has God graciously forgiven you? Then graciously forgive one another in the depths of Christ’s love.
In Mary’s last sermon, she talked about the struggle of family dynamics in our journey to become emotionally healthy. She has felt this acutely this year, feeling alienation and conflict. Forgiveness takes time, but as cultivators of peace, we can still have peace in our relationships even if forgiveness isn’t a part of the story just yet. How does peace come into play in your relationships?
Philippians 4.4-9 (TPT):
Be cheerful with joyous celebration in every season of life. Let joy overflow, for you are united with the Anointed One! Let gentleness be seen in every relationship, for our Lord is ever near.
Don’t be pulled in different directions or worried about a thing. Be saturated in prayer throughout each day, offering your faith-filled requests before God with overflowing gratitude. Tell him every detail of your life, then God’s wonderful peace that transcends human understanding, will make the answers known to you through Jesus Christ. So keep your thoughts continually fixed on all that is authentic and real, honorable and admirable, beautiful and respectful, pure and holy, merciful and kind. And fasten your thoughts on every glorious work of God, praising him always. Follow the example of all that we have imparted to you and the God of peace will be with you in all things.
Paul is in prison as he writes this; he understands the hard circumstances we can face and how hard it can be to fight for peace. However, he also teaches us something remarkable: Biblical peace is based on a person, not on circumstances.
Our peace is found in Jesus, not in the way our lives are going from day to day. Jesus makes all things new. Peace comes from trusting that truth and trusting his faithfulness in our lives.
In this Advent series, we’ve also slowed down to learn new names of God. Mary’s mom constantly reminded her of the importance of doing this: so that we have specific names we can call upon in specific circumstances. Knowing God’s many names leads to a greater intimacy in our relationship with him.
“Word of God” - John 1.1 (NIV):
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
The definition of “word” here is: a distinct, meaningful element of communication. Without Jesus, our relationship with God would be indirect and impersonal. Jesus creates this distinct and intimate relationship that we have with God personal by being the peace that brings us back to God.
“Truth” - John 14.6 (TPT):
Jesus explained, “I am the Way, I am the Truth, and I am the Life. No one comes next to the Father except through union with me. To know me is to know my Father too.
Jesus brings truth through peace. Having peace means trusting Jesus in the highs and the lows. It means knowing and trusting that he is with you, always.
John 16.33 (TPT):
And everything I’ve taught you is so that the peace which is in me will be in you and will give you great confidence as you rest in me. For in this unbelieving world you will experience trouble and sorrows, but you must be courageous, for I have conquered the world!”
We get overwhelmed by our emotions and the troubles of this world, and we often seek to distract ourselves instead of meeting Jesus and receiving the peace that he offers.
Questions for reflection this week:
How can you bring about peace to those around you?
What is one step of faith towards trusting God in a new way can you take?