Sermon Central
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The Anchor Of Perfect Peace
Contributed by Dr. John D. Wentworth on Dec 6, 2024 (message contributor)
Summary: "True Advent peace is found not in the quiet of the season, but in the assurance that Christ, the Prince of Peace, has come to reconcile us to God. Rest in Him, for His peace surpasses all understanding and fills the soul with eternal calm." — Charles Spurgeon
• How to Do It:
o Forgive those who have hurt you, just as God forgives you (Matthew 6:14-15).
o Seek reconciliation in strained relationships.
o Be a peacemaker, reflecting God’s love and peace to those around you (Matthew 5:9).
7. Rest in God’s Promises
• Why It’s Essential: God’s peace is rooted in His unchanging promises. When we trust Him, we find rest for our souls.
• How to Do It:
o Reflect on promises like John 14:27: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.”
o Hold onto the hope of eternal peace in Christ’s kingdom (Revelation 21:4).
o Trust that God is working all things for good (Romans 8:28).
Conclusion
• God’s kind of peace is not something we achieve through our efforts but something we receive by trusting in Him. It is a peace that transcends understanding, guards our hearts and minds, and equips us to navigate life’s challenges with confidence and hope. As Jesus said in John 16:33: “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
• When we live in God’s peace, we not only experience it for ourselves but also become conduits of His peace to a world in desperate need.
The Calm in the Storm: There’s a story about a wealthy man who wanted a painting that would perfectly depict peace. He held a competition, and artists from far and wide submitted their work. Most of the paintings showed tranquil scenes: calm seas, serene sunsets, or still meadows. But one painting stood out. It depicted a raging waterfall, its waters crashing against jagged rocks below. Dark storm clouds loomed overhead, and lightning pierced the sky. It seemed anything but peaceful. Yet, in the corner of the painting, tucked into a small crevice of the cliff beside the roaring waterfall, was a tiny bird. It sat calmly on its nest, unshaken by the chaos around it.
This is a picture of God’s kind of peace. It’s not the absence of trouble or noise, but the presence of trust and security in Him. Philippians 4:7 reminds us of this peace: “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Like the bird by the waterfall, we can have peace in the middle of life’s storms—not because the storms cease, but because we know the One who holds the storm in His hands. God’s peace is an anchor, steadying us when everything around us feels uncertain. Will you trust Him to give you that kind of peace today?
Prayer: Heavenly Father,
In the midst of life’s challenges, we seek Your peace—the peace that surpasses all understanding. Calm our anxious hearts and fill us with the assurance of Your presence. Teach us to trust in Your plans, rest in Your promises, and walk in Your grace. Let Your peace rule in our hearts, bringing calm to our souls and hope to our days. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
