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Different Peace for an Anxious World

remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God. Ephesians 2:12-19 ESV

The peace of Jesus can calm my anxious heart

For he himself is our peace, EPHESIANS 2:14 ESV

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. JOHN 14:27 ESV

Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose trust is the LORD. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit. JEREMIAH 17:7-8 ESV

Every single week we need a word from Jesus, but we make all kinds of excuses that keep us from Jesus.

But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, LUKE 10:41 ESV

The peace of Jesus can kill my hostility toward others

…that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. EPHESIANS 2:15b-16 ESV

And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a foothold to the devil. EPHESIANS 4:26-27 NLT

In every place of worship, I want men to pray with holy hands lifted up to God, free from anger and controversy. 1 TIMOTHY 2:8 ESV

So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding. ROMANS 14:19 ESV

eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. EPHESIANS 4:3 ESV

For God is not a God of confusion but of peace. 1 CORINTHIANS 14:33 ESV

God has called you to peace. 1 CORINTHIANS 7:15 ESV

The peace that Jesus offers can make me right with God

And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. EPHESIANS 2:17 ESV

Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. ROMANS 5:1 ESV

Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. 2 THESSALONIANS 3:16 ESV

My Notes

Personal Reflection Guide

Take a few minutes to slow down, offering to Jesus any anxieties from the day. As you consider the peace that Jesus offers, what obstacles in your life get in the way of you experiencing that on a more regular basis? Are there any areas in your life where you are seeking the world’s version of peace over God’s? Confess these to him now, and invite his peace to refresh you. Next, consider what you are feeding your soul. Is your soul more tuned in to the world and/or into your own passions than God’s? What intentional space are you creating to fill your soul with more of God’s passions for your life? As you examine your own church attendance, are there excuses you are leaning on as reasons why you aren’t able to attend church weekly? If you are busy, ask God to show you how church can slow you down. If you are tired, ask God to show you how attending church can give your soul a rest. If you are feeling depressed, ask God to lift you up as you experience worshiping with other believers. Thank God for this time together, writing down your reflections in the space below, and sharing with your group if you feel comfortable.

Discussion Questions

  1. PERSONAL REFLECTION: Begin group time by completing the Personal Reflection Guide, (link found on the top of sermon notes). Use this time to examine your approach to life’s stressors. (Tip: playing some soft background music is helpful here!)
  2. REAL WITH OTHERS: When is the last time you felt blessed with peace in the middle of a difficult situation? What was that experience like?
  3. REAL WITH SELF: On a scale from one to ten, how would you rate your current level of anxiety (in your job, your relationships, any other areas of your life)? How can you bring the peace of Jesus into these areas?
  4. REAL WITH GOD: When life feels chaotic, structure can help manage anxiety. Worship and the practice of remembering God’s goodness take the focus off of yourself and places it on God. What rhythms can you put in place to remember the goodness of God on a daily basis?
  5. REAL WITH OTHERS: Read Jeremiah 17:7-8 ESV. What do you think it practically means to be like a tree that is planted by water? How do we become people like this?
  6. TAKE ACTION: When you think about the impact of weekly church attendance and how it relates to lessened anxiety, what thoughts come up for you? Take an honest look at your calendar from the last three months. Recall how many times have you been to church each weekend? What needs to change so that your frequency of engaging in worship can increase?