Beyond Sunday | 12.2.18

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On Sunday, we talked about experiencing peace that leads to joy. Some of us are stressed out. No peace. Just anxiety and tension. Some of us are spending money we don’t have to find happiness. We might feel pressured by what the culture around us says we must have to be fulfilled. Some of us have relationships that need healing. 

The reason we celebrate Christmas is because Jesus came to give us PEACE. 700 years before Jesus was born in a smelly barn in Bethlehem, the Prophet Isaiah communicated the peace that Jesus would bring to a lost world:

“For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
— Isaiah 9:6

Jesus was born into a time of difficulty, persecution and darkness.

1. Peace with God (Romans 5:1, Ephesians 2:14-15)
Our greatest need is the peace that comes from God’s forgiveness. People that have an absence of God, have an absence of peace. We do not find peace with God by trying to earn His love, but through a relationship with Jesus Christ. We are justified by faith. You can’t have the peace of God until you have peace with God. 

2. Peace with yourself (Colossians 3:15, Isaiah 26:3, John 14:27)
Internal peace is promised through God’s presence. God produces peace from the inside out. We begin to see God’s peace in our own hearts as we begin to relinquish control. Control is an illusion anyway. The Holy Spirit reminds us of who we are in Christ and comforts us when we are discouraged. His peace is a gift that comes with a promise! 

3. Peace with others (Ephesians 4:3, Romans 14:19, Hebrews 12:14)
Peace with God and ourselves should flow into every relationship in our lives. We are to make every effort to live at peace with others. (And if you’re wondering, “every effort” in the Greek means every effort.) Peace doesn’t happen naturally. Conflict happens naturally and easily. Jesus has called us to be peacemakers (Matthew 5:9). 

Jesus is the Prince of Peace. The word peace (Shalom) literally means to, “restore, to make complete.” 

Which area in your life is robbing you of peace?

  • Peace with God

  • Peace with yourself

  • Peace with others

Insecurity Stunts Leadership

https://lifework.teachable.com/p/insecure

https://lifework.teachable.com/p/insecure

Do you ever feel insecure? I remember this being an early struggle for me as a kid. I hated to lose on the basketball or baseball field. Many times, I struggled with my self-image. I worried about what people would say about me. I have a lot of freckles, you know. haha. I’m not a 12 year old anymore, but insecurity can rear its ugly head in this 34 year old. It comes in different shapes and sizes, I think. As an adult, our identity can shift to being all about our performance. We can feel inadequate based on people’s perceptions or opinions. 

As I’m learning how to be more secure in God, here are a few things I’m learning and I hope can be an encouragement to you: 

Insecurity left alone breeds the fear of failure. Once a leader feels insecure, they turn insular and are afraid of losing what they once had. Instead of looking at leadership as a gift to be stewarded, they look at it as a possession to protect. Instead of being a channel of God’s grace, they contain it for themselves. 

Insecurity left alone becomes controlling. Insecurity seeks to control others and their God-given spiritual giftedness, especially, if it is different than ours. We put boundaries around a person so that they learn to play in our “sandbox,” so the attention goes back to us. What if they change something? Good! Maybe it is an area of weakness for us - but by freeing them up to lead, could help the overall church family move forward. 

Insecurity left alone breeds comparison. When we compare ourselves with others, we either feel discouraged or prideful. Instead of comparing, we should look for opportunities to grow. There is always someone ahead of you that you could learn from and some with less experience that you could come alongside and encourage.

When we learn to trust people and empower them in the giftedness God has given, we will learn to take our hands off the wheel and watch as other leaders grow.

What are your thoughts?