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

Sent. Commissioned. Empowered.

Sent. Commissioned. Empowered.

Dave Riddle - 4/16/2023

Key Passage: John 20:19-31

They Locked Themselves Away in Fear

• John 20:19

• John 19:38

• We gather together today, not in fear, but with joy!

Peace Be With You

• John 20:19, 21

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

• Peace: the absence of chaos.

Sent On A Mission For The King

• John 20:21 - “as the Father has sent me, I also send you.”

• Sent in the same way He was sent.

• This mission is going to come with chaos, confusion, and resistance.

• Yet, he calls us to peace.

He Breathed on Them

• John 5:22

• A preview of Acts 2

He Validates their Message

• John 5:23

• their message is His message

The Purpose of This Gospel

• John 20:30-31

• So that you may believe!

• That you may come to believe (an evangelistic purpose.)

• That you may keep on believing (an edifying purpose)

• BOTH!

Sorrow Turned to Joy

Sorrow Turned to Joy

Dave Riddle • 06/12/2022

Key Passage: John 16:16-33

You’ll see me in a little while

• John 16:16-19

• What is Jesus referring to?

  • Possibly:

    • His death and resurrection

    • His followers seeing him in Heaven after his ascension and their deaths.

    • The gift of the Holy Spirit.

Grieving People Transformed into Joyful People

• John 16:20

  • Joy comes from a transformation in our lives when we understand what God has done and is doing for us.

Joy and Pain From the Same Source

• John 16:21-22

  • A mother and her child

  • The disciples and Jesus

You Will Have Peace

• John 16:33 - peace

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

• 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.

• John 16:33 - You will have suffering (distress) in this world.

  • Suffering/Distress = thlipsis (Greek: θλῖψις) - pressure (literally or figuratively). oppression, affliction, tribulation, distress, straits

In A Little While

• Our pain, distress, “thlipsis” is temporary.

The Trinity in Jesus’ Own Words

Message begins around 33:15

The Trinity in Jesus’ Own Words

Dave Riddle • 05/01/2022
Key Passage: John 14:16-31

The Father will give you a helper/counselor

• John 14:16

Jesus and the Holy Spirit

• John 14:17-18

  • You already know Him

  • I am coming to you

• Compare this to what Jesus said in the passage from last week.

Jesus and the Father

• (Last week) John 14:8-10

  • “You have seen the Father”

  • Jesus and the Father are one

• John 14:20-21

  • I am in my father and my father is in me.

Jesus’ call for us

• John 14:21 (John 14:15)

  • If you love Me, you will keep My commands.

    • Love = agapaō all four times in this passage.

  • (Matthew 28) obey… and teach others to do the same

    • If we don’t know his commands we can’t keep them, and we definitely can’t make and teach new disciples.

• John 14:23-24

  • …we will come to them and make Our home with them.

    • We are part of the kingdom of God right now!

      • Already, not yet.

  • Sent = pempō: dispatched or sent on an errand.

The Holy Spirit and Jesus

• John 14:26

  • But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit —the Father will send Him in My name—will teach you all things and remind you of everything I have told you.

    • How do we love Jesus? Keep his commands.

      • The Holy Spirit enables this by teaching and reminding us of the commands of Jesus.

• John 14:27

  • Peace = eirene: a state of tranquility, harmony, and safety. In a Christian context: the tranquil state of a soul, assured of its salvation, fearing nothing from God, content with their lot, whatever it might be.

Jesus and the Father

• John 14:30-31

Believe. How? Love. How? Live in obedience to his commands. How? Through the power of the Spirit.

Peace With God

Message begins around the 41 minute mark

Peace With God

01/16/2021 - Dave Riddle 

Key Passage: Romans 5:1-9

Undivided in our relationship with God 

Declared Righteous

• Romans 5:1

• Our sin separates us from God

  • But we have been declared righteous!

• Romans 5:9

  • Not by our own action, but by His blood.

Peace With God!

• Romans 5:1 - Peace

  • …we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

  • 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.

• Colossians 1:19 - 20

  • Peace through His sacrifice on the cross.

• Peace with each other is impossible if we don’t first have peace with God.

By God’s Grace

• Romans 5:2

• Ephesians 3:12

Rejoice 

• Romans 5:2b-4

  • Rejoice in the hope

  • Rejoice in our afflictions

Even when it’s hard

• Romans 5:2b-4

  • Affliction produces endurance

  • Endurance produces proven character

  • Proven character produces hope

Undivided in our commitment to Him

• You can’t serve two masters

• To the Rich Young Ruler: “you lack one thing” …it was the only thing.

  • Take up your cross and follow Jesus.

• John 14:15 - if you love me, you will keep my commands

Overflowing

• Romans 5:5 - God’s love has been poured out…

  • Overflows, gushes!

    • Do we respond in kind?

What are the things in our lives that are keeping us from living undivided for God?

• “There’s nothing I hold onto”

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!

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.

A Strong Word to Would-Be Followers

He Set His Face - A Strong Word to Would-Be Followers

Dave Riddle - 03/24/19

Key Passage: Luke 14:25-34

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

• Resolute: purposefully unwavering or determined.

5 Examples to Illustrate 5 Marks of a Follower

1. Family: Love Jesus Supremely

   • Luke 14:26

   • Jesus uses hyperbole to show that nothing should rival the love we have for God.

   • If Jesus is the absolute priority of your life everything else will fall into place.

2. A Cross: Live to Die

   • Luke 14:27

   • Galatians 2:20

   • I no longer live but Christ lives in me

   • Our old self has to die.

3. A Building: All in, to the very end

   • Luke 14:28-30

   • From your entire life, for your entire life.

   • In every facet of life.

4. A War: Surrender to the more powerful king

   • Luke 14:31-33

   • It’s not about winning, it’s about surrendering.

   • How much confidence do you have in your own resources?

   • John 14:27 - Peace eirēnē (Greek: εἰρήνη) - a state of rest, denoting the absence or end of strife. It refers to a state of untroubled, I disturbed well-being. Peace; a state of natural tranquility. 

5. Salt: Reality matches identity

   • Luke 14:34-35

   • Are we marked by our decision to follow Jesus?