Introduction

Friends, as we gather here today, we find ourselves in the midst of a world that often feels chaotic and turbulent, a world that can leave us yearning for a sense of peace and stability.

It's in these moments of yearning that we are reminded of the words of C.S. Lewis, who once said, "God cannot give us a happiness and peace apart from Himself, because it is not there. There is no such thing." It's a profound reminder, isn't it? That peace, true peace, is not something we can manufacture on our own, but something that is found in our Heavenly Father.

In the book of Isaiah, we find a prophecy that points us towards the source of this peace. The prophet writes, "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." (Isaiah 9:6).

And in the book of John, Jesus himself tells us, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." (John 14:27).

As we navigate through the complexities of our lives, these passages serve as a beacon of hope, illuminating the path towards divine peace. Today, we will focus on three main points: Fostering Faith in God, Finding Peace through Jesus, and Fulfilling Prophecy of Advent.

Let's begin with a prayer.

Fostering Faith in God

When we think about faith, it's easy to imagine it as a static, unchanging thing. But faith is not static. It's a living, breathing entity that grows and evolves with us. It's something that needs to be nurtured and cared for, just like a garden. And just like a garden, faith can wither and die if it's not properly tended to.

What faith is: In the book of Hebrews, we're told that "faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see." (Hebrews 11:1). It's a belief in the unseen, a trust in the promises of God, even when those promises seem impossible or unlikely. But how do we develop this kind of faith? How do we foster a belief in the unseen, a trust in the promises of God? The answer, I believe, lies in the pages of Scripture.

Romans 10:17: In the book of Romans, Paul writes, "So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ." The word of God, then, is the seed of faith. It's the thing that sparks belief and trust in our hearts. And the more we expose ourselves to the word of God, the more our faith will grow.

We must apply it to our lives: James tells us, "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves." (James 1:22). When we hear the word of God and then apply it to our lives, our faith is strengthened. It's like exercise for our spiritual muscles. The more we exercise our faith, the stronger it becomes.

Faith is about obedience: In the book of Genesis, we read about Abraham, a man whose faith was characterized by obedience. God told Abraham to leave his country and his people and go to a land that God would show him. And Abraham obeyed. He didn't know where he was going, but he trusted God and he obeyed. And because of his obedience, God blessed him and made him the father of many nations. Obedience, then, is a key component of faith. It's a demonstration of our trust in God. It's a way of saying, "I believe in you, God, and I trust you, even when I don't understand." And when we obey God, even when it's hard, our faith is strengthened.

Faith is about God: It's about recognizing who God is and what He has done. In the book of Psalms, David writes, "I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your wonders of old." (Psalms 77:11). When we remember the things that God has done, our faith is strengthened. It's a reminder that God is faithful, that He keeps His promises, and that He is worthy of our trust.

Finding Peace through Jesus

As we continue, we find ourselves drawn to the person of Jesus, the embodiment of divine peace ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO