Hey everyone,
This Sunday is the beginning of the Advent season where we anticipate the birth of Jesus and reflect on how his comming changed the world and continues to change the world. I always like to get personal during this time of year and ask people to think about how Jesus entering their lives, however that happened or is happening, changed things. This year, we're going with a series called "He Came Down that we Might Have _____". Each week a different word will fill the blank and this week it is the word 'Peace.' Here are the scripture passages we'll be reading:
Isaiah 2:1-5
1 This is what Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem:
2 In the last days the mountain of the LORD's temple will be established as the highest of the mountains; it will be exalted above the hills, and all nations will stream to it.
3 Many peoples will come and say, "Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths." The law will go out from Zion, the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
4 He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore.
5 Come, house of Jacob, let us walk in the light of the LORD.
Romans 13:11B-14
11 The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. 12 The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. 13 Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. 14 Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature.
So, here are two ways you can prepare for Sunday and help me if you leave comments. First of all, when you read these passages, what do they say to you about how Jesus brings peace? Second, when you reflect on your life or on the lives of people who are close to you, how have you seen Jesus bring peace?
Have a great week. -Pastor Eric
Community Reformed Church - Newton, Iowa
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Advent 1 - Peace
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Pastor Eric
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2 comments:
1. By calming the earth of violence, disagreements, addictions, and dissention from Him. By releasing us of the things that keep us separate from Him.
2.By resolving situations that seem unsolvable, and miraculously setting people's hearts at rest when they are agitated. I've seen Jesus place key people in the path of those who need his physical presence, and those people's presence brings peace to the other's lives. People who have encountered peace seem to stop wrestling against themselves and the life they lead and instead embrace reality and decide to allow themselves to live free of the yoke they put on themselves, or see themselves free of the yoke others have burdend on them. Miracles have always appeared in the form of rest or calm or resolution when it seemed impossible (and while the chaos resumes around them instead of inside them), and these miracles are a form of peace.
These readings really make me question the bible more than it makes me feel enlightened. I read these scriptures and I don't think of the peace that I receive, but rather, I think of all the countries and all the people that suffer from war, famine, and disease. What about them? Are they not worthy of peace in God's eyes? American's seem to be the biggest sinners of all and we relish in a lifestyle that allows us to have peace with God and Jesus Christ. It seems like the others, some who are truly deserving, don't even get a chance to experience true peace. Of course I say all this and the obvious answer is, "through all their struggles they still find peace within themselves." I hope this is true because it's hard for me to enjoy my peace when there is so much hatred in this world and others deserve peace as well.
Another problem I have with this scripture is the belief that the return of Christ is just around the corner. "Salvation is nearer now than we first believed," okay, we have been saying its near now for the past 500, 1000, 1500 years? I don't know when the book of Romans was written. Man has been waiting a long time for this salvation that is "almost here." Personally, I enjoy my time and life here on earth, so I'm fine iwth waiting.
To sum it all up, Jesus brings me peace when I pray to him, but it's scriptures like these that make me so darn frustrated with church and the bible.
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