Matt Nelson - December 5, 2021
Waiting with Peace
ADVENT Waiting with Peace 12.5.21 QUESTION: What is one thing you are waiting on right now that is causing some level of fear or anxiety in your life? Waiting is one of God’s greatest instruments of transformation. Waiting can be simultaneously agonizing and beautiful. What we must remind ourselves in the waiting: God’s grace is fully sufficient for every situation God is doing His best work in the waiting God’s love and goodness for you supersedes your wildest imaginations God’s future for us is so good - so incredible - so magnificent - that all our present struggles are worth it John 16:20-24 20 Very truly I tell you, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy. 21 A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world. 22 So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy. 23 In that day you will no longer ask me anything. Very truly I tell you, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. 24 Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete. John 14:25-27 25 “All this I have spoken while still with you. 26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.27 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. Peace is not the absence of conflict but the absence of fear and the presence of Jesus. Psalm 33:16-22 No king is saved by the size of his army; no warrior escapes by his great strength.17 A horse is a vain hope for deliverance; despite all its great strength it cannot save.18 But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love,19 to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine. 20 We wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and our shield.21 In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name.22 May your unfailing love be with us, Lord, even as we put our hope in you.
From Series: "Advent: Waiting"
Advent is something we celebrate and anticipate. Christ has burst into our world and ushered in His kingdom through His incarnation, crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension. And yet, we also wait in eager expectation for Christ to return once again and make all things new. Join us this Advent season as we focus the themes of celebration and anticipation - hope, peace, joy, and love.
