Introduction: Will there ever be Peace on earth? The daily headline reads,”Wars and rumors of wars.” Nightly news reviews the horror of the human race. There is “No peace.”

Even the earth is groaning awaiting its redemption. But there is HOPE!

Jesus Christ is coming again!! As the Prince of Peace, His kingdom shall rule and reign!

Do you need His Peace today? We all do!

1. Jesus Christ’s first coming was introduced by the angels as Peace on Earth! (Luke 2:13,14) – “And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”

While people are looking for peace in a pill or bottle, CHRISTians find peace in a lasting relationship with Jesus Christ. Jesus not only brings peace, He is our peace. 

2. Isaiah the prophet foresaw Jesus Christ as the Prince of Peace! (Isa 9:6) – “6For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counseller, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”

1. A Son is given – the Son of God.
2. The government will be upon His shoulders.
3. The Old Testament prophet, Isaiah describes in several passages when this Prince of Peace shall rule (Isa 11; 65).

3. Jesus Christ’s millennial reign will usher in His Peace! (Isa 2:4) – “….and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.”

When has this ever happened? Never. That means it must be futuristic, and it is. During the millennial reign of Christ there will be peace. 

Conclusion: Are you experiencing peace right now? Why don’t you call upon the Lord for His peace?

Not only does He have peace but He is our Peace!

“Then came Amalek, and fought with Israel in Rephidim. 9 And Moses said unto Joshua, Choose us out men, and go out, fight with Amalek: to morrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in mine hand. 10 So Joshua did as Moses had said to him, and fought with Amalek: and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. 12 But Moses’ hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. 13 And Joshua discomfited Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.”

1. The reason for stress relief! (Exo 17:8) – “8 Then came Amalek, and fought with Israel in Rephidim.”

After victories are won, we can expect the enemy to attack. Are you in a stressful situation right now. Spiritual Warfare?
Wait. Hold on. Don’t give up!

2. The rollercoaster of stress relief! (Exo 17:9-11) – “And Moses said unto Joshua, Choose us out men, and go out, fight with Amalek: to morrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in mine hand. 10 So Joshua did as Moses had said to him, and fought with Amalek: and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. 11 And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed.”

Up and down like a rollercoaster, the battle went. One minute was victory, and the next minute defeat. Are you going thru a ride of attacks? Stand fast in the Lord!

3. The results of stress relief! (Exo 17:12,13) – “But Moses’ hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. 13 And Joshua discomfited Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.”

Stress relief can be achieved when help is on the way. Jesus is always near and is quick to hear. That is to hear His people’s cry. Will you call upon Him now?

1. What does it mean to be in Christ Jesus? (Eph 2:13) – “But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.”

To be “in Christ” is a divine act. Not only is it a judicial declaration but it also is experienced with practical application.
To be placed into Christ is to be taken out of Adam. Through Adam and our disobedience we were made sinners. But through Jesus Christ’s obedience we are made righteous!

2. How can we be brought close to Jesus Christ? (Eph 2:13) – “But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.”

Once the blood of Jesus has been applied to our life then we are not only pronounced righteous but also proven innocent – meaning no longer guilty – pardoned. Consequently, we are made a new creature in Christ. Furthermore, we have access to draw near to God’s throne of Grace by the blood of Jesus, not to mention “Peace” with God (Heb 10:19; Col 1:20).
That is why we sing “There’s Power in the Blood”!

Introduction: Have you ever needed something to be fixed? All of us have! Here are 4 broken parts according to the apostle Paul that Jesus Christ fixed.

1. A Wall of Separation! (Eph 2:12) – “That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:”

Look at the word alien. In other words, we were “foreigners” or outcast from God’s plan.

2. A Door of Isolation! (Eph 2:12) – “That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:”

The word “commonwealth” means citizenship.

3. A Window of Invitation! (Eph 2:12) – “That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:”

Outside of God’s covenant promise to Abraham and his descendants is the inference.

4. A Lost Generation! (Eph 2:12) – “That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:”

Clearly this was bad! No hope!! Without God!!! But the good news is Jesus’s redeeming blood fixes the problem.

Introduction: Did man come from apes? Was there a “Big Bang” in outer space eons of years ago? These questions demand an answer. How were the heavens and the earth created? Did God use the process of evolution to bring about Creation?

The book of Genesis answers these questions.

The word “created” is בָּרָא,(baw-raw’), which means to shape, or create. In other words, God (אֱלהִים – el-o-heem’), spoke into existence something out of nothing.

Time, space, matter was created at an instant thru the spoken Word of God. Remember. There was never a time when God was not; He is from eternity past. And He will be in eternity future.

2. What Evolution teaches: It starts with the Big Bang.

Billions of years ago gases in outer space collided and it caused a Big Bang or explosion. Instantaneously, planets were flung into their proper order without missing a beat. Then through the process of radiation and mutation a single cell amoeba turned into a paramecium, and from there a tadpole, a fish, a monkey, and ultimately sophisticated man!

Question: If this theory is true, then where are the transitional fossils?

That is just it, there are none!

The creation model explains that almighty God made man from the dust of the earth, “And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul” (Gen 2:7).

He made a woman from the side (rib) of the man, “And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof; 22 And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man” (Gen 2:21-22).

So rather than man evolving from apes, the Bible teaches that God created both man and woman.

3. Is Evolution a religion?

Yes. It attempts to bypass accountability to a Creator. In fact, it leads down the road to man becoming his own god! This is called humanism. 

However, man cannot escape his “date with destiny”!

Conclusion: Whereas today students are being brainwashed into believing the BIG LIE; the Word of God adamantly refutes this nonsense. When comparing and contrasting the two models, one will more than likely embrace CREATIONISM over EVOLUTION.

One last thought: “Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear” (Heb 11:3).

Introduction: Called to be soldiers! A good soldier must be ready at all times to engage the enemy. Are you a soldier? Are you ready to both defend the attacks of the enemy and to deliver a crushing blow? But how can we be ready?

1. By Enduring Hardness! (2Tim 2:1,3) – “Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus….. Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.”

The word “strong” is the word ἐνδυναμόω (en-doo-nam-o’-o), which means to empower or to fill with power… to strengthen, or it means to make strong. We all need more STRENGTH! Do you?

“Strength for the Journey”! Yes!! Give it Lord!!!

The words “endure hardness” is συγκακοπαθέω, (soong-kak-op-ath-eh’-o), which means for someone to bear evil treatment along with another. In this case, we as believers in Jesus Christ are to suffer hardships together with Him.

Easier said than done, right?

2. By Not Engaging in Worldly Affairs! (2Tim 2:4) – “No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.”

The word “entangled” is ἐμπλέκω (em-plek’-o), which means to weave in, to entwine, or to involve with. When we get entangled with the things of the world it gets us side tracked. Are you staying focused with the right VISION?

Are you fulfilling the right MISSION?

Conclusion: The saying comes to mind: “Toughen Up Soldier.”

Introduction: Are leaders really in control? How is God in control with so many things going wrong? Wars and lawlessness seem to be escalating. Sin is abounding, but Praise our Lord, because His grace superabounds! The Word of God reminds believers that things are moving according to God’s plan.

1. The King’s heart is in His Hand! (Prov 21:1) – “The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.”

Remember a king named Solomon wrote this. He would know because he was inspired by the Holy Spirit. The natural man does not understand this because it is spiritually discerned. Do you believe this?

2. The King’s heart is fulfilling His will! (Rev 17:17) – “For God hath put in their hearts to fulfil his will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast,  until the words of God shall be fulfilled.”

In the context of Revelation 17, John is describing the false religion and how God will use puppet kings for His own purpose. Can you see this happening?

3. The King’s heart will recognize that the God of the Bible rules and reigns! (Dan 2:21) – “And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding:”

To Daniel it was revealed that his God changes the times and seasons along with setting up and removing kings. What a revelation! The sooner CNN, CBS, NBC, and even FOX recognizes this truth the better the news will get!!

Introduction: Cyber Monday is supposedly one of the biggest online shopping days of the year. Great deals are available. The term was coined back in 2005.

Do you ever wonder if CHRISTmas time is one of the biggest events of the year where people are “shopping” for spiritual things?

There is no doubt that scores of retailers get ready for this phenomenal event in the marketing world. How much more should followers of Jesus Christ get ready for engaging in conversations about the one and true living God?

Why? Because of the following:

“And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.”

Jesus is our Savior and our only Hope for this life and the life to come. Do you agree?

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”

When Jesus takes over, things begin to change.

“Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.”

People are looking for Peace in a bottle, a pill, or money. Jesus brings everlasting PEACE!

Conclusion: Are you getting ready for this CHRISTmas season? Purpose in your heart to reach out to people who are searching… even those who are not searching.

Introduction: What does anxiety have to do with Thanksgiving? Can we be worried and Thankful at the same time? Does “Prayerfulness and Thankfulness” go together? But how? The secret to this union is found in the fourth chapter of the letter to the Church of Philippi.

“Be careful for nothing.”

The word “careful” is μεριμνάω, which means distracted, anxious or care for. Are you feeling distracted? Worried? Anxious? The definition of anxiety can include nervousness or unease. Do you feel nervous? What can you do?

“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

First, pray. Second, pray in faith. Third, pray telling God your needs. Fourth, pray with Thanksgiving because our Lord knows all about us. Fifth, thank Him for His PEACE because you cannot explain it!

Conclusion: What an important message in the Bible! It is the cure for care. Prayer with Thanksgiving is a cure for care!

Wow. Let’s pray.

Introduction: How can you tell that you have a heart of Gratitude? See if any of these responses reveal you?

1. A Heart of Thanksgiving! (Luke 17:15 -19)“And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan. And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine? There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger. And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.”

As you know, it just so happened that 10 lepers approached Jesus in order to be healed. But only one came back to “GIVE THANKS”! Look around today, you can see the same response.

2. A Gift of Gratitude! (Mark 14:3)“And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious; and she brake the box, and poured it on his head.”

With a heart overflowing with gratitude for “who” Jesus was, and “what” He had done, this woman gives a most generous gift. Will you first give of yourselves to Jesus and then your service to Him?

3. A Posture of Worship & Thanksgiving! (Rev 7:11,12) “And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God, Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.”