Saturday, December 22, 2018

Weekend Sermon -- Peace

     Welcome to this edition of the Weekend Sermon. I am thankful to the Lord for the opportunity each week to share these messages. I hope that everyone is having a wonderful holiday season.
     I've been staying very busy this week at my job and with writing. I am praying that all will continue to go well with my work.
     I found out this week that two of my uncles are not in good health. Please pray for them. Also, one of my cousins has been diagnosed with cancer of the pancreas. Please pray for his recovery. Thank you.
     Please continue to pray that the Ebola outbreak in the Congo will end. Pray that those who have the disease will recover, and pray for those who are working to help those with this illness.
     Continue to pray for peace in the troubled areas of this world. Syria is still having problems. Afghanistan, Yemen, South Sudan and Libya are just a few of the nations that need out prayers for peace.
     This week, let us pray for India and Tunisia as our prayer focus countries. Pray that many will come to know Jesus as Savior and Lord.
     This week, I want to bring a message about peace. When the angels came to announce the birth of Jesus, they came with a message to shepherds who were out in the fields with their flocks. The angels brought a message announcing peace on earth.
     Jesus is the one who brings peace to the earth in several different ways. First of all, Jesus is the one who brings peace to the troubled soul. In John 14:27, Jesus stated that He had come to bring peace. He didn't bring a peace that the world gives. Jesus came to bring a peace that passes all understanding.
     Jesus can bring peace to the heart of any person. He came to show us the way to live. He came to take away the sins of the world as the Lamb of God. Jesus conquered death by rising from the dead. Those who place their faith and trust in the Lord Jesus will have their sins forgiven. They will receive the peace of having a personal relationship with Jesus. The one who places his or her trust in Jesus will not have  anxiety regarding death because death has no victory over those who are in Jesus Christ. He is the resurrection and life. Whoever believes in Jesus will live with Him forever and forever.
     Jesus has come to bring peace among people and nations as well. He is called the Prince of Peace in the book of Isaiah. Jesus taught the way of peace between people and nations within the Sermon on the Mount in particular. The reason that we don't have peace among people and nations right now is not because there is a problem with the message of Jesus. People and nations refuse to follow what Jesus taught in the Sermon on the Mount and in other teachings that we find in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.
     Jesus taught that we are to treat others in the way that we would want to be treated. He taught us to love and help one another. He taught us to love our neighbor as ourselves. He ended the practice of an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. Jesus taught the way of love. He taught His followers to be people of mercy and compassion.
     If those who claim to follow Jesus as Lord would follow the teachings that Jesus has proclaimed in the Bible, the world could be such a better place right now.
     Jesus will bring ultimate peace to this earth when He comes again in power and great glory at His Second Advent. The Bible says that when Jesus returns, the nations will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will no longer rise against nation. Humanity will study war no more. This is a day that I look forward to. Come quickly Lord Jesus.
     Peace is at the heart of Christmas. Jesus came into this world to bring the peace that only He can bring. If you don't know Jesus as your Savior and Lord this day, I invite you to come to know the Prince of Peace. Place your faith in Him. Accept Jesus as Lord. It will change your life now and for all of eternity.
     Next week, I will not be posting the verses for the week as the library is closed on Monday and Tuesday for the Christmas holiday. I will begin posting my dog book and cat book of the year awards starting on Wednesday. The Weekend Sermon will appear on Friday next week, as I have to work nest Saturday. I hope that everyone has a wonderful Christmas. May God bless you all. Amen.

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