The Impact of Peace

The Impact of Peace

12/26/2021 - Dave Riddle 

Jesus is…

Isaiah 9:6 - Prince of Peace

• Peace = shalowm (Hebrew: שָׁלוֹם) - a very broad term that means health, security, tranquility, good condition, success, comfort, and more.

  • it has layers of meaning related to peace.

  • Widely used in the Hebrew Bible, shalowm clearly depicts a satisfied condition, an unconcerned state of peacefulness.

Luke 2:13 – 14 - Peace on Earth

• Peace = eirēnē (Greek: εἰρήνη) - a state of tranquility, harmony, and safety. In a Christian context: the tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation.

(Re)Connection

• Peace with God Himself

  • Romans 5:1

Confidence

• John 16:33

  • Peaceful confidence provides escape from anger, worry…

Rest

• Matthew 11:28

  • Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest….

A Gift

• John 14:27

  • Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you…

    • Something only Jesus can give.

    • An invitation, a gift.

• Philippians 4:7

  • A peace He gives to us, not something we develop

  • A peace that is so great we can’t understand it!

A Spiritual Orientation

• Galatians 5:22 - fruit of the Spirit.

  • You are peaceful now live in peace.

    • A reality and a challenge

A Calling

• Colossians 3:15

  • Let peace of Christ rule in your heart.

• Romans 12:16

  • As much as it depends on you…

• Hebrews 12:14

  • Strive for peace with everyone.

Surrender your will to the will of the Father

Pray and ask for the peace of Christ to rule our hearts

A Struggle

• Matthew 10:34

  • Jesus becomes the dividing line

  • There is no peace without him.

Blessing

• Matthew 5:9

  • Blessed are the peacemakers.

Reflect, Encourage, Share Peace

The Impact of Joy

The Impact of Joy

12/19/2021 - Dave Riddle 

Luke 2:10 - Good news of great joy! 

Joy is Not the Same Thing as Personal Happiness

• Happiness is circumstantial

  • Joy is different

• 1 Peter 1:8 - …inexpressible and glorious joy

  • “Joy unspeakable and full of glory“

  • Joy = chara (χαρά) a calm delight

• Pipe dream or attainable reality?

Joy is Commanded

• Philippians 4:4 - Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again rejoice.

  • An imperative.

Joy Requires Intentionality & Commitment

• Colossians 3:2 - set your mind on things above, not on earthly things.

  • Set your mind = phroneō (φρονέω) To direct one's mind to a thing, to seek, to strive for

Joy Can Become Our Orientation

• Galatians 5:22 - The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy…

How Do We “Set Our Minds…”?

Remember How Loved You Are

• The love we experience on Earth pales in comparison to the love the Heavenly Father has for us.

Remember Who(se) You Are

• 1 John 3:1, 1 Peter 2:9-10 - This is our identity! This is who we are!

Remember What You Have

• 1 Peter 1:3-7 - …an inheritance that is imperishable, uncorrupted, and unfading…

John 15:11 -  “I have spoken these things to you so that My joy may be in you and your joy may be complete.”

• Complete, full, overflowing = plēroō (πληρόω) - to fill to the top: so that nothing shall be wanting to full measure, fill to the brim

Romans - Government Matters

Romans - Government Matters

Dave Riddle - 1/05/20

Key Passage: Romans 13:1-7

The Authority of the State

• Romans 13:1 - let everyone submit

• “Submit” - hypotassō (Greek: ὑποτάσσω) to place; arrange under; to post under; to subject; to be obedient, to carry a burden

  • Luke 2:51 - Jesus submitted to his parents’ authority.

  • Ephesians 5:21 - submit yourself to one another

  • John 19:11 - you would have no authority over me if it had not been given to you from above.

The Function of the State

• Romans 13:3-4

  • We know that this isn’t always true.

  • Paul is expressing the ideal.

    • 1. The state should exist to restrict and punish evil.

    • 2. The state should promote and reward goodness

  • Is wrong to speak out against authority? No!

    • We have a right and a responsibility to do so when the state isn’t living up to these ideals.

Our Relationship with the State

• Romans 13:5

  • Therefore, you must submit.

    • What about when the will of the state is at direct odds with the will of God?

    • Acts 5:27-29

      • We must obey God rather than men.

  • Romans 12:18 If possible, on your part, live at peace with everyone

• Romans 13:6-7

  • what do we owe?

    • Tangible - tolls and taxes

    • Intangible - respect and honor

Four Cries

He Set His Face - Four Cries

Dave Riddle - 04/14/19

Key Passage: Luke 19:28-44

Luke 9:51 - When the days were coming to a close for Him to be taken up, He resolutely set His face towards Jerusalem. 

• Resolute: purposefully unwavering or determined.

Jesus’ Disciples:

• “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord!”

  • Luke 19:38

  • Psalm 118:26

  • Luke 2:14

• We’ve been redeemed, and that is something worth celebrating!

The Pharisees:

• Teacher, rebuke your disciples!

  • Luke 19:39

  • Rebuke (Greek: epitimaō / ἐπιτιμάω) - to tax with fault: to chide, reprove, rebuke or censure severely. To admonish or charge sharply.

The Rocks

• Would cry out in praise!

  • Luke 19:40

  • “Cry out” (Greek: krazō / κράζω) - to "croak" (as a raven) or scream. To call aloud (shriek, exclaim, intreat): cry (out).

Jesus:

• Cries over Jerusalem

  • Luke 19:41

  • “He wept for it” (Greek: klaiō / κλαίω) - weeping as the sign of pain and grief

  • Matthew 23:37 - “how often I have wanted to gather your children together... but you wouldn’t let me”

  • Luke 19:44b - “you did not recognize the time when God visited you”.