Fear & Peace

Fear & Peace

Dave Riddle - 4/14/2024

Key Passage: John 20:19-30

They were afraid

- John 20:19

- The disciples were deeply afraid

- John 19:38

- Joseph was deeply afraid

- Luke 24:37

Called to peace

- John 14:27

- Embrace peace, not fear!

The disciples rejoiced

- John 20:20-21

- Peace Be With You

God wants to give us peace

- Peace with Him

- The peace that only He can provide

- eirene: a national state of tranquility, harmony, and safety. In a Christian context: the tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Jesus, and so fearing nothing from God and content with his/her earthly lot of whatsoever sort that is.

- Peace: the absence of chaos.

The key to peace

- John 20:25-27

- it isn’t based on what we see or experience.

- Peace is found through faith in Jesus.

- John 20:28-29

- Believe

- John 20:30-31

- Are we foolish and slow to believe?

- Luke 24:25-27

Growing Up - Spiritual Maturity

Growing Up - Spiritual Maturity

Paul Trulock - 7/2/2023

Key Passage: 1 Peter 3:8-12

We have the knowledge of the Bible

We have the power of the Spirit

We lack willpower

Growing old is a natural process, but growing up doesn’t come easily.

Unity

• 1 Peter 3:8 - likeminded

• Unity, not unanimity.

• We don’t have to agree on everything, but we should be united despite our disagreements.

• Devoted to the person of Jesus not devoted to programs, causes, or politics.

Sympathetic

• 1 Peter 3:8 

• Romans 12:15-16

• Rejoice with those who rejoice. Mourn with those who mourn.

• Only possible in and through unity.

• Does your concern for others outweigh your concern for yourself?

Brotherly Love

• 1 Peter 3:8

• philadelphos: Loving brother or sister. In a broader sense, loving one like a brother

Compassionate

• 1 Peter 3:8

• splagchnizomai (Greek: σπλαγχνίζομαι) - to be moved as to one's bowels, hence to be moved with compassion, have compassion (for the bowels were thought to be the seat of love and pity).

• Deep compassion and tenderheartedness towards others.

Humble

• 1 Peter 3:8

• Meekness not weakness

• “We never mature when we narrow the use of our efforts, talents, and means to our own advantage.”

Forgiveness

• 1 Peter 3:9

• Not paying back evil for evil or insult for insult.

• Bless those who curse you.

• 1 Peter 2:20-21

• Called to a life of non-retaliation.

Control the Tongue

• 1 Peter 3:10

• Do you want to love life and see good days? Control your tongue.

Purity and Peace

• 1 Peter 3:11-12

All of this is only possible through diligence, discipline, and community. 

Come & See All That God Is Doing

Come & See All That God Is Doing

Nate Gangwer - 1/22/2023

Key Passage:  Psalm 66

Psalm 66:5 (HCSB): Come and see the wonders of God;  His acts for humanity are awe-inspiring. 

Restoration

• Wrong view: cherubs and harps

• Correct view: Restoration

• Revelation 21 - a new heaven and earth

• A picture of physical restoration

• Revelation 7:9 - people of every nation and tongue, worshipping God.

• a beautiful picture of unity and diversity.

• “When life is hard, put heaven on the other side of the scale”

Redemption

• Access

• “Redemption is not just a ticket into Heaven”

• Not just mercy, but grace.

• 2 Corinthians 5:17 - new creations!

• Adoption

• We are called sons and daughters

• There’s a big difference between being invited over for dinner and being part of the family

• Romans 8 - We can call God “Abba” Father

• We are co-heirs with Christ

Reconciliation

• Why should we care about the poor?

• Guilt? The overwhelming testimony of scripture?

• Because of what Jesus has done for us and because of the way God sees us.

• If we can understand how God cares for us we can care for others.

• Join the family business!

• 2 Corinthians 5 - God is reconciling the world to Himself. We have the ministry of reconciliation.

• Matthew 6: May God’s will be done on earth as it is in heaven

• 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.

• Not just peace but full reconciliation

• “The voice and the power of the gospel is reconciliation”

• working by our own power = walking around with a candle

• Living in God’s power = allowing God to blow out the candles Ava turn on the lights.

Come and see all that God is doing!

Women's Retreat Sessions 2022

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

Peace, Hope, and the Resurrection

The Resurrection 

The Gospel of John - Part 27 • 4/04/21

Key passage: John 20

The Importance of the Resurrection 

• 1 Corinthians 15:14, 17

  • If Christ wasn’t raised then our faith is useless, futile!

Peace

• John 20:19

  • eirene: a state of tranquility, harmony, and safety. In a Christian context: the tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation.

• John 14:27

  • Peace I give to you... don’t let your hearts be troubled or afraid.

• John 16:33

  • I have told you these thing so you may have peace in Me. In this world you will have trouble...

Hope

• Hope and hopelessness are powerful things.

  • John 16:33 - you will have trouble, but take hope!

• 1 Corinthians 15:19

  • If our hope is only for this life, we are to be pitied more than anyone in the world.

    • If my hope dies with me, what a pitiable person I am.

• 1 Corinthians 15:20

  • But Christ has INDEED been raised from the dead.

• 1 Peter 1:3-4

  • A living hope!

  • An inheritance!

• Hebrews 10:23

  • Hold onto the confession of our hope without wavering.

Have we allowed these truths to fully reside in our hearts?

• even though our world is full of trouble, even though things often feel hopeless...

• God wants you to trust in Him completely today.

Peace - God in Our Midst

Peace - God in Our Midst
12/27/20 - Dave Riddle
Key Passage: Isaiah 9:6

Prince of Peace

• Shalom: a very broad term that means health, security, tranquility, good condition, success, comfort and more. An unconcerned state of peacefulness.

  • Matthew 10:34-39 - do not suppose that I have come to bring peace...

    • Jesus is our number one priority, and that will lead to division.

• eirene: a national state of tranquility, harmony, and safety. In a Christian context: the tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation

Confidence

• John 16:33 - you are going to have suffering, but you can have confidence because Jesus has conquered the world!

Rest

• Matthew 11:29 - Take up my yoke and you will find rest.

(Re)Connection

• Romans 5:1 - since we have been justified we have peace with God through Jesus.

Invitation (A Gift)

• John 14:27 - Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Don’t let your heart be troubled or fearful.

• Philippians 4:7 - peace that surpasses all understanding.

Challenge (A Calling)

• Colossians 3:15 - let the peace of Christ rule in your heart, as members of one body you were called to peace.

• Romans 12:18 - as much as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

• Hebrews 12:14 - pursue peace with everyone.

Orientation (A Fruit) 

• Galatians 5:22-23 - peace is a fruit of the Spirit, not something we can create or attain on our own.

Peace be with you!

Easter Sunday 2020

Easter Sunday

Dave Riddle - 4/12/20

Key Passage: John 20:1-29

I am saved from the darkness of confusion and enter into the light of a new calling

• John 20:14-18

I am saved from the darkness of fear and enter into the light of a new presence and peace

• John 20:19-22

• John 16:33

I am saved from the darkness of doubt and enter into the light of a new beginning. 

• John 20:24-29

You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light. (1 Peter 2:9, NLT) 

Pray for Me!

***We’re sorry to say that this week’s message was not recorded due to some technical difficulties. The notes from the message can be found below and we hope to be back up and running with audio next week. We’re sorry for the inconvenience! ***

Pray for Me!

Dave Riddle - 2/23/20

Key Passage: Romans 15:30-33

Paul’s Passionate Plea

• Romans 15:30 - “I appeal to you”

  • “Appeal”: parakaleō (Greek: παρακαλέω) - to beg, entreat, beseech. 

• Romans 15:30 - “strive together with me”

  • synagōnizomai (Greek: συναγωνίζομαι) - agonize together, struggle in company  with, to labor fervently, i.e. (figuratively) to be a partner (assistant):—strive together with. Used to describe ancient Olympic wrestlers.

• Why don’t we ask for prayer in this way?

  • Pride? Unbelief?

Paul’s Specific Requests

• Related to Jerusalem

  • Protection

    • Romans 15:31 - “pray that I may be rescued...”

  • Reception

    • Romans 15:31 - “pray... that my ministry will be acceptable to the saints”

    • Why is Paul asking this?

      • The offering we talked about last week.

      • There was some tension between Paul and the Jewish believers who felt that he had devalued his Jewish heritage.

• Related to Rome

  • Arrival

    • Romans 15:32 - “that, by God’s will, I may come to you with joy.”

      • He has been prevented many times from visiting them already (Romans 15:23b)

  • Rejuvenation 

    • Romans 15:32 - “refreshed together with you.”

Paul’s prayer for them:

• God’s Serene Presence

  • Romans 15:33 - “May the God of peace be with all of you. Amen”

  • eirēnē (Greek: εἰρήνη) - peace between individuals, i.e. harmony, concord. The tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and content with its earthly lot, of whatsoever sort that is 

How does the story end?

• we can assume the Roman believers prayed along with Paul for these things.

  • Most likely an answered prayer

• We don’t know how the Jewish believers accepted Paul’s gift.

  • From what we can see this gift didn’t appear to have caused any problems. 

    • Most likely an answered prayer.

• Was Paul protected?

  • A mixed bag of answered and unanswered prayers.

    • He went through some terrible things and was protected from some terrible things.

• Did Paul arrive in Rome safely?

  • An answered prayer, but not in the way Paul expected. 

    • Paul arrived, but as a prisoner after a long and harrowing journey.

Hello My Name is... Prince of Peace

Hello my name is: Prince of Peace

Dave Riddle - 12/22/19

Key Passage: Isaiah 9:6

sar (Hebrew: שַׂר) - a captain, master, chief, ruler, commander, leader, or prince. A person of nobility or rank. 

• used over 380x in the Hebrew Bible, to refer to various types of government or religious officials, rulers of cities, etc.

  • see also: czar, tsar, caesar

• Not just a prince over us, but a prince with us.

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. 

Peace Brings Confidence

• John 16:33

  • You will have suffering in this world, but be courageous because Jesus has conquered the world!

Peace Brings Rest

• Matthew 11:29

  • ...you will find rest for your souls.

Peace Brings Reconciliation

• Romans 5:1

  • Since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God.

Peace is a Gift

• John 14:27 (HCSB): Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Your heart must not be troubled or fearful.

  • Unending

  • Complete

  • Above & Beyond

    • Philippians 4:7 - (ICB) And God’s peace will keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. The peace that God gives is so great that we cannot understand it.

Colossians 3:15

• Is He the master of your heart?

• Is He your sar of shalowm?

The Words That Change Everything

The Words That Change Everything

York Moore - 11/3/19

Key Passages: Isaiah 54:10

God’s Word allows us to live into his love even when everything around is coming unglued

God Speaks Your Love Language

• Isaiah 54:10

• Words of affirmation

• Physical touch

• Receiving gifts

• Quality time

• Acts of service

God’s word is based on a promise of peace that can never be shaken

• shalom (Hebrew: שָׁלוֹם) - safety, wellbeing, happiness, welfare, health, prosperity, rest, and peace

• Chacad (Hebrew: חָסַד) - understanding love, tender love, and kindness expressed through mercy and grace.

• John 7:37-38

Our identity needs to be grounded in the reality of God’s love, rooted in his promise.

God’s Word puts the things of this world in perspective.

• Isaiah 54:10

• Acknowledge Jesus as Lord

  • The central focus of your life

In Christ our deep despairs disappear and our great hope is satisfied, no matter who we are or what we need

Isaiah 24:1, Isaiah 66:15-16, Isaiah 40:6-8