Still_pt1: Beyond Understanding
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Still_pt1: Beyond Understanding
Still_pt1: Beyond Understanding
[READ] - v.35-41
“Let us cross over to the other side...”
There is something on the other side of your obstacle
You WILL face some storms on the journey
There is a peace that can only come from the one who even the wind and sea obey...
Peace, beyond understanding!
Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm.
On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side.” Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him. And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?”
Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?” And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, “Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!”
“Let us cross over to the other side...”
There is something on the other side of your obstacle
You WILL face some storms on the journey
There is a peace that can only come from the one who even the wind and sea obey...
Peace, beyond understanding!
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Not that I desire your gifts; what I desire is that more be credited to your account.
Beyond Understanding
Beyond Understanding
[PAYOFF] - There is a peace under the authority of Christ, in the power of His Holy Spirit, that goes far beyond anyone of us can understand.
There is victory for those in Christ!
So much of the unrest in our lives is looking out for ourselves...
Trying to survive
Trying to get ahead
Trying to make it...
[ILLUSTRATION] - The 3 Hebrew boys didn’t defend themselves. God did the fighting, they simply believed.
What peace must have been operating in their hearts!
I don’t need to defend myself!
I don’t need to defend myself!
Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand.
What peace must have been operating in their hearts!
[PAYOFF] - Our peace is also robbed by our unnecessary need for fairness.
These things shouldn’t be happening to me - that isn’t fair!
Sacrifice isn’t fair!
It wasn’t fair that Christ went to the Cross!
But He did!
I don’t need what’s fair!
I don’t need what’s fair!
[ILLUSTRATION] Joseph was sold into slavery by His own brothers.
Later he tells them...
You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.
[ASK] - Can you see the good in your own suffering?
Genesis
[FINALLY] - We can lose our peace by seeking and chasing the credit for our good Christian behavior...
“I don’t live like the rest of the world!”
“I
“I deserve something for my good behavior!”
I don’t need the credit!
I don’t need the credit!
Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel.
Finding peace
Finding peace
[NOW] Let’s talk about finding true peace...
Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
[PAYOFF] - Peace only comes from Him! The God of peace!
Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep,
Put all your trust in Him!
Put all your trust in Him!
Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
1 Peter
Do you have unrest or storms in your life this morning?
Cast those cares on Him!
Later this morning, we’ll open the altar, here, for prayer - just as we do every time we meet!
Come, cast your cards upon Him.
Put your FULL trust in Him this morning!
Look for what’s good!
Look for what’s good!
And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
[ASK] - Have you ever had some good come out of your trouble?
“I wonder where that came from?”
Could it have been God working out things for your good?
[STORY] - The Apostle Paul, while in prison, wrote 4 letters that have gone around the world and changed the lives of BILLIONS of people.
[STORY] - Joseph was sold into slavery, put in prison, forgotten about, falsely accused, but all this put him in a position to save the entire earth from famine.
[STORY] - YOU, in the middle of this trial, are being positioned divinely to see God be glorified, as He uses you and your trial to display His grace, power and love!
Understand what matters!
Understand what matters!
It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. The latter do so out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.
Yes, and I will continue to rejoice,
What matters?
Christ preached.
Lives changed?
God glorified.
Take Away
Take Away
He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.”