Renewal
Renewal of Peace

Jesus Came To Renew Our Peace

Sunday December 4, 2022 - Pastor Wungreiso Valui

Luke 2:13-20

THE CONTEXT:

Interrupted Peace The peace of man was interrupted by sin. The consequences of sin was separation between God and human beings and violence between fellow human beings.

Uninterrupted Peace The peace of God is uninterrupted, it is a solid spiritual place. Peace with God brings renewal.

All Things New Paul describes the whole creation waiting for renewal as a woman groaning in labor eagerly waiting for the birth of a new life.

Renewal includes not just yourself but other human beings and all of creation. When Jesus said, "Behold I made all things new" it meant all of creation.

The birth of Jesus was an answer to the groaning of all creation.

For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given...And His name will be called...Prince of Peace. -Isaiah 9:6

WHO CAN RENEW OUR PEACE WITH GOD?

1. Jesus, the Prince of Peace
2. Jesus is The Lord of Peace (2 Thessalonians 3:16)
3. Jesus can make all things new. Renewal=new again

Renewal Series

Renewal is a gift. The greatest Gift is Jesus himself.

The Why of This Series

The purpose of this series is to help us understand that Jesus can make all things new. The Christmas season is a great reminder of the greatest gift possible: Jesus, Who came to make all things new.

The "Renewal Series" follows the "Rest Series," which was designed to guide you to the experience of renewal. Rest is God's gift that brings Renewal.

The Desired Outcome

To continue to become more like Jesus and be transformed in His image.

What is Renewal?

Renew: In Greek, Anakainoo means completing a process and renewing the process by moving from a lower stage to a higher, more developed stage.

Renew also means "to cause to grow up new; to make new" (2 Corinthians 4:16). When you are renewed you are changed into a new life, as your former corrupted life is transformed to a new life of hope and reconciliation with God.

Interior Quality

To be renewed is to focus on the interior quality of life rather than on the exterior part of our lives that is so often based on the quantity of things we own. Thomas Merton explains this as the inner ground of human love and understanding, where we reach new centers of motivation for knowing and loving. The Renewal sermon series is designed to guide us on this journey.

The Rest Will Follow

It is safe to say that there is a deep longing for our lives to be more meaningful and for us to be more worthy of the grace that God has bestowed on us. Without Jesus in our lives, we are living broken and corrupted lives. But Jesus can renew our lives, making them meaningful and worthy of all the good that God bestows on us.

Renewal is ongoing: "The inward man is being renewed day by day" (2 Corinthians 4:16). In the next three months (December to February), we will focus on how we can be renewed day by day.

Broken relationships When relationships are interrupted it can leave a gaping space in your soul. You may feel rejected and utterly alone. You will find yourself needy, clingy, and possessive.

Home, but homeless You worked hard and you got what you always wanted. You are where you always wanted to be, you are at home but you feel homeless. You question yourself, "is this it?" In your own house, you can't sleep, you can't eat properly, you can't rest; you are homeless in your own house.

Everything, but nothingness You seem to have everything but you are faced with your own nothingness. Is God real? Does my life have meaning? All that gives you meaning in life seems to be nothing. You feel worse when you succeed than when you were striving towards your goal.

An exile in your own community Sometimes you feel lonely even when you are in the crowd. You feel lost in the company of others. You find yourself exhausted and in total darkness.

KNOW THIS!

"Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us." -Luke 2:15b

Peace is given: Receive it God is the source of peace; He is the one who gives peace to all. The real peace that you really need is Christ's peace. Receive it.

"Peace I leave with you, Peace I give to you..." -John 14:27a

And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. -Luke 2:16

In Exile: Find The Spiritual Solid Place When you feel like you are in spiritual exile, find a spiritual solid place. God's peace is the solid place. Come to Bethlehem. Come to Jesus.

Even if you don't feel it, keep believing, keep saying and praying.

The peace of God...surpasses all understanding... -Philippians 4:7

Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. -Luke 2:17

Loneliness: Have a God Centered Mind-set

• When you experience the deep pain of loneliness, it is understandable that your thoughts go out to the person who is able to take that loneliness away, even if only for a moment.
• No human being can heal that pain, only God can. Come to the center. God can send people to you to help you meditate on God's peace, and they will be able to offer you the deep sense of peace that you desire to renew your soul.

• You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You... -Isaiah 26:3

"Glory to God in the highest.." -Luke 2:14a

Peace is a heart issue: Give control to Jesus

• A heart at peace gives life to the body. Don't kick yourself for your lack of peace; if you do, you will easily be pulled from the spiritual solid place.
• The way to victory is not trying to overcome your lack of peace but giving in to Jesus to rule your heart. God's peace can build a deep sense of safety and a peaceful home where you are no longer homeless in your own home.
• And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. -Colossians 3:15

"...And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!" -Luke 2:14b

Pursue Peace: Peace will lead you home

• Your whole life is filled with conflict. Every time you are in conflict, there are choices to be made.
• You live in fear and choose to react with outward outbursts of violence or you can use the conflict to be a passage to peace instead of resorting to violence. Peace will lead you home.

• Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord. -Hebrews 12:14

And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. -Luke 2:18-19

Ponder on the Prince of Peace: He will direct your steps

• Did I ponder on peace today? Did I meditate on God's healing power? Did I forgive Someone?

• Peace begins in your heart and you cannot have peace without loving God's word (law). Great peace have those who love Your law, And nothing causes them to stumble. -Psalm 119:165

APPLY IT

How can we choose peace when we have experienced so little of it?

We can do so by choosing peace and taking small steps of peace every time there is an opportunity.

Small Steps

Come to the center (Jesus).

Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28)

A smile "I smile at my enemies, Because I rejoice in Your salvation." (I Samuel 2:1b)

An embrace, a handshake, a kind greeting "Greet one another with a holy kiss." (Romans 16:16a, 2 Corinthians 13:12)

A word of encouragement "Therefore encourage one another and build one another up..." (1 Thessalonians 5:11 NIV)

A moment of attention: A text message, a like or comment on social media, a phone call, a card "I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy..." (Philippians 1:3-4)

A gesture of support, a helping hand "Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." (Galatians 6:2 NIV)

A present, a financial contribution "A man's gift makes room for him, And brings him before great men." (Proverbs 18:16)

A visit "I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me." (Matthew 25:36)

All these are little steps towards peace.