WEBVTT NOTE This file was generated by Descript 00:00:04.556 --> 00:00:08.276 Rusty George: That that right there is your life, isn't it? 00:00:09.386 --> 00:00:11.126 The notifications won't stop. 00:00:11.216 --> 00:00:12.386 The kids won't listen. 00:00:12.386 --> 00:00:13.406 The bills keep coming. 00:00:13.406 --> 00:00:14.606 Your boss keeps demanding. 00:00:14.606 --> 00:00:15.656 Your parents keep needing. 00:00:15.656 --> 00:00:20.336 Your spouse keeps asking the news, keeps streaming, and somewhere in all 00:00:20.336 --> 00:00:23.246 of that you're supposed to find peace. 00:00:23.666 --> 00:00:23.906 Hmm. 00:00:24.641 --> 00:00:25.421 Good luck with that. 00:00:42.748 --> 00:00:44.368 Life does move pretty fast. 00:00:44.368 --> 00:00:48.148 And if we're honest, most of us aren't finding peace, we're finding chaos, 00:00:48.508 --> 00:00:50.008 and we're just trying to survive it. 00:00:50.758 --> 00:00:52.618 But what if peace isn't something you find? 00:00:52.618 --> 00:00:58.948 What if peace is someone who finds you right in the middle of the chaos? 00:01:13.398 --> 00:01:15.558 Let's talk about the peace we're all chasing. 00:01:15.888 --> 00:01:17.928 We think peace looks like a clean house. 00:01:18.168 --> 00:01:19.368 Good luck if you have kids. 00:01:19.698 --> 00:01:20.688 A full bank account. 00:01:21.288 --> 00:01:22.728 Inflation has entered the chat. 00:01:23.478 --> 00:01:27.198 A quiet mind, but anxiety says, am I a joke to you? 00:01:28.548 --> 00:01:29.658 A perfect family. 00:01:30.078 --> 00:01:32.538 Everyone's family is a hot mess, including yours. 00:01:33.948 --> 00:01:38.748 Truth is, uh, we've convinced ourselves that peace is the absence of problems. 00:01:39.138 --> 00:01:43.218 If we could just get rid of that thing causing stress, then we'd have peace. 00:01:43.728 --> 00:01:46.578 But here's the problem, life doesn't work that way. 00:01:47.748 --> 00:01:49.788 You solve one problem, three more pop up. 00:01:50.028 --> 00:01:52.308 It's like playing whack-a-mole with your life. 00:01:53.358 --> 00:01:55.368 We think peace comes from control. 00:01:55.368 --> 00:01:55.818 I can. 00:01:56.568 --> 00:02:01.038 Control my schedule or kid's behavior or spouse's mood or health or economy, 00:02:01.038 --> 00:02:02.988 and then everything will be fine. 00:02:03.318 --> 00:02:04.698 Then I'll have peace, 00:02:14.487 --> 00:02:16.617 Controlling everything doesn't bring peace. 00:02:16.617 --> 00:02:17.757 It brings more chaos. 00:02:18.537 --> 00:02:19.647 And here's what's tragic. 00:02:20.007 --> 00:02:25.827 The more we chase this world's version of peace, the further away it gets because 00:02:25.827 --> 00:02:28.257 the peace the world offers is conditional. 00:02:28.932 --> 00:02:30.402 It depends on circumstances. 00:02:30.402 --> 00:02:32.142 It's fragile, it's temporary. 00:02:32.622 --> 00:02:33.762 And Jesus knew this. 00:02:34.542 --> 00:02:38.532 That's why he said in John 1427, peace I leave with you. 00:02:38.532 --> 00:02:39.732 My peace I give you. 00:02:39.882 --> 00:02:41.682 I do not give to you as the world gives. 00:02:41.682 --> 00:02:44.832 Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. 00:02:45.372 --> 00:02:46.122 Did you catch that? 00:02:46.782 --> 00:02:49.692 I do not give to you as the world gives. 00:02:50.352 --> 00:02:52.902 Jesus is saying my piece is different. 00:02:53.532 --> 00:02:55.482 It doesn't depend on your circumstances. 00:02:55.722 --> 00:02:56.952 It transcends them. 00:02:58.017 --> 00:03:00.717 So what is Jesus peace? 00:03:01.107 --> 00:03:02.247 What makes it different? 00:03:02.997 --> 00:03:04.527 Lemme take you back to the context. 00:03:04.527 --> 00:03:07.197 John 14 is part of what's called the upper room discourse. 00:03:07.197 --> 00:03:09.597 It's the night before Jesus is crucified. 00:03:09.657 --> 00:03:14.457 He's eating the last supper with his disciples and he knows what's coming. 00:03:15.117 --> 00:03:16.442 Betrayal, arrest. 00:03:17.142 --> 00:03:18.192 Torture death. 00:03:18.642 --> 00:03:23.052 And in the middle of telling them all of this, he says, peace I leave with you. 00:03:24.582 --> 00:03:25.242 Think about that. 00:03:25.812 --> 00:03:29.352 Jesus is hours away from the cross and he's talking about 00:03:29.952 --> 00:03:32.322 peace, and that's not denial. 00:03:32.562 --> 00:03:34.632 That's not toxic positivity. 00:03:35.052 --> 00:03:36.552 That's supernatural Peace. 00:03:38.322 --> 00:03:42.192 The Hebrew word for peace is shalom, and it means way more 00:03:42.192 --> 00:03:44.052 than just the absence of conflict. 00:03:44.502 --> 00:03:48.492 Shalom means wholeness, completeness, harmony, wellbeing, restoration. 00:03:48.702 --> 00:03:51.612 It's not just the absence of war, it's the presence of 00:03:51.612 --> 00:03:53.412 everything being as it should be. 00:03:54.882 --> 00:03:58.962 Shalom is the kingdom of God breaking into the chaos of this world and 00:03:58.962 --> 00:04:01.962 saying, this is how it's supposed to be. 00:04:02.682 --> 00:04:04.362 And that's what Advent celebrates. 00:04:04.932 --> 00:04:09.642 The second candle we light is the Bethlehem candle, the candle of peace. 00:04:10.092 --> 00:04:13.752 Because when Jesus was born, the angels didn't just announce his arrival. 00:04:13.752 --> 00:04:18.582 They announced Shalom, glory to God, in the highest heaven and on earth, 00:04:18.582 --> 00:04:23.472 peace to those on whom his favor rest The prince of peace has arrived. 00:04:24.342 --> 00:04:26.562 Lemme tell you one of my favorite stories from the gospels. 00:04:26.562 --> 00:04:27.462 It's in Mark four. 00:04:27.822 --> 00:04:29.742 Jesus and the disciples are in a boat. 00:04:29.742 --> 00:04:31.062 It's a massive storm. 00:04:31.062 --> 00:04:33.132 Waves crashing, boats taking on water. 00:04:33.552 --> 00:04:36.432 These are experienced fishermen and they're terrified. 00:04:36.642 --> 00:04:38.622 Where's Jesus asleep? 00:04:39.492 --> 00:04:41.052 He's on a cushion in the back of the boat. 00:04:42.132 --> 00:04:43.062 Are you kidding me? 00:04:43.662 --> 00:04:46.452 The boat's about to sink and Jesus is napping. 00:04:46.782 --> 00:04:47.382 The disciples. 00:04:47.382 --> 00:04:47.982 Wake him up. 00:04:47.982 --> 00:04:49.932 Teacher, do you care if we drowned? 00:04:50.532 --> 00:04:53.562 Jesus gets up, looks at the storm and says three words, quiet, 00:04:53.982 --> 00:04:56.712 be still, and the storm stops. 00:04:57.702 --> 00:05:00.372 Then Jesus turns to them and says, why are you so afraid? 00:05:00.672 --> 00:05:02.142 Do you still have no faith? 00:05:02.982 --> 00:05:03.642 Here's the point. 00:05:04.152 --> 00:05:06.282 Jesus doesn't promise to remove the storm. 00:05:06.282 --> 00:05:08.442 He promises to be with you in the storm. 00:05:09.342 --> 00:05:11.442 His piece isn't the absence of chaos. 00:05:11.742 --> 00:05:14.982 His piece is the presence in the chaos. 00:05:16.557 --> 00:05:19.437 So how do we actually experience this Peace? 00:05:19.797 --> 00:05:22.797 Because knowing about Jesus peace and experiencing Jesus 00:05:22.797 --> 00:05:24.387 peace are two different things. 00:05:24.987 --> 00:05:29.427 Lemme give you three practices, three ways to cultivate peace in the chaos. 00:05:29.847 --> 00:05:31.377 First, surrender control. 00:05:31.857 --> 00:05:34.197 This is the hardest part 'cause we're control freaks. 00:05:35.007 --> 00:05:38.337 Philippians four, six, and seven says, do not be anxious about anything, but in 00:05:38.337 --> 00:05:42.147 every situation by prayer and petition with Thanksgiving, present your request to 00:05:42.147 --> 00:05:46.107 God and the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your 00:05:46.107 --> 00:05:48.357 hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 00:05:49.107 --> 00:05:49.887 Notice the order. 00:05:50.337 --> 00:05:51.597 Stop being anxious. 00:05:51.837 --> 00:05:52.917 Pray about everything. 00:05:53.217 --> 00:05:55.767 Give thanks, then peace comes. 00:05:57.597 --> 00:05:59.397 The truth is I am a planner. 00:05:59.787 --> 00:06:01.317 I like control. 00:06:01.797 --> 00:06:06.057 When Real Life church was just starting, I had this five year plan. 00:06:06.057 --> 00:06:10.827 Year one, 200 people, year two, 400, year three, and God laughed at my plan. 00:06:11.637 --> 00:06:13.527 We grew slower than I wanted. 00:06:13.527 --> 00:06:14.847 We faced setbacks. 00:06:14.877 --> 00:06:19.412 I didn't anticipate I had to learn to surrender my timeline to his. 00:06:21.507 --> 00:06:24.537 Surrender is the gateway to peace. 00:06:25.677 --> 00:06:27.387 Jesus said in Matthew 6 34. 00:06:27.387 --> 00:06:28.647 Do not worry about tomorrow. 00:06:28.647 --> 00:06:30.477 For tomorrow, we'll worry about itself. 00:06:30.717 --> 00:06:35.037 Most of our anxiety comes from regret about the past or worry about the future. 00:06:35.217 --> 00:06:37.497 Very little comes from right now. 00:06:39.777 --> 00:06:40.707 Try this right now. 00:06:41.397 --> 00:06:42.387 Take a deep breath. 00:06:43.677 --> 00:06:45.237 You're okay right now, aren't you? 00:06:46.767 --> 00:06:47.727 That's what Jesus means. 00:06:48.657 --> 00:06:50.637 Stay present, be here. 00:06:51.897 --> 00:06:53.397 And this is why I love dogs. 00:06:54.447 --> 00:06:56.037 Dogs don't worry about tomorrow. 00:06:56.817 --> 00:06:59.247 They're just happy you're home right now. 00:07:00.807 --> 00:07:01.887 Be more like dogs. 00:07:03.357 --> 00:07:04.077 Here's the third thing. 00:07:04.077 --> 00:07:05.097 Seek his presence. 00:07:05.187 --> 00:07:08.037 Psalm 46, 10 says, be still and know that I, I'm God. 00:07:08.337 --> 00:07:10.857 The Hebrew word for be still is raha. 00:07:11.577 --> 00:07:12.717 It means let go. 00:07:12.717 --> 00:07:13.737 Release, relax. 00:07:14.532 --> 00:07:17.712 Peace isn't something you manufacture, it's something 00:07:17.712 --> 00:07:19.392 you receive in God's presence. 00:07:19.392 --> 00:07:23.982 It's bigger than the Seinfeld serenity. 00:07:23.982 --> 00:07:29.922 Now, this advent, as you light the second candle, the candle of peace, 00:07:29.922 --> 00:07:31.542 don't just light it and move on. 00:07:31.872 --> 00:07:33.012 Sit with it for a moment. 00:07:33.642 --> 00:07:35.832 Watch the flame, breathe. 00:07:36.882 --> 00:07:37.122 Pray. 00:07:37.122 --> 00:07:39.672 Jesus, I receive your peace. 00:07:42.432 --> 00:07:43.392 Lemme close with this. 00:07:44.352 --> 00:07:48.912 Philippians four, seven says, the peace of God will guard your hearts 00:07:48.912 --> 00:07:50.922 and your minds in Christ Jesus. 00:07:51.792 --> 00:07:53.982 The word guard there is a military term. 00:07:54.072 --> 00:07:57.942 It means to stand, sentinel, to protect, to watch. 00:07:58.722 --> 00:08:00.912 God's peace isn't passive, it's active. 00:08:00.912 --> 00:08:03.282 It stands guard over your heart and mind. 00:08:03.282 --> 00:08:07.572 When anxiety tries to break in, that's God's peace. 00:08:08.097 --> 00:08:14.097 Standing at the door of your heart saying to fear and anxiety, you shall not pass. 00:08:15.177 --> 00:08:17.907 The second week of advent, we light the candle of peace. 00:08:17.907 --> 00:08:21.687 And remember, Jesus didn't come to make our circumstances perfect. 00:08:21.687 --> 00:08:25.437 He came to be our peace in imperfect situations. 00:08:26.247 --> 00:08:28.527 He's not waiting for the storm to pass. 00:08:28.527 --> 00:08:31.407 He's walking on the water towards you in the storm. 00:08:31.917 --> 00:08:36.612 And his piece, the piece that transcends understanding is yours right now. 00:08:37.932 --> 00:08:43.542 Next week we'll talk about rediscovering joy, but until then, keep it simple.