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Peace On Earth

December 15, 2019 • Lead Pastor Tim Moen

Isaiah 9:6-7 “For 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, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting
Father, the Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and
peace there shall be no end...”

Luke 2:8-14

8 “And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the
Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear.

10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good
news of great joy that will be for all the people.

11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.”

13 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 among those with
whom he is pleased!’”

Matthew 24:7 “For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom
against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in
various places.”

John 16:33 “I have said these things to you, that in me you may
have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I
have overcome the world.”

Philippians 4:7 “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Romans 15:13 “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.”

Three Avenues of Peace

#Peace With God

Colossians 1:21 (NIV) “Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior.”

Philippians 3:18 “For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ.”

John 8:44 “You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and has nothing to do with the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.”

Romans 5:12 “Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all
men because all sinned.”

Romans 3:23 “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”

Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Isaiah 64:6 “We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment, We all fade like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away.”

2 Corinthians 5:21 “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”

John 1:12 “But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.”

#Peace With Ourselves

Galatians 5:22 tells us “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness”

Isaiah 46:9-11

9 “remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me,

10 declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose,’

11 calling a bird of prey from the east, the man of my counsel from a far country. I have spoken, and I will bring it to pass; I have purposed, and I will do it.

Ephesians 1:3-15

3 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places,

4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love

5 he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will,

6 to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.

7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,

8 which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight

9 making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ

10 as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.

11 In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been
predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will,

12 so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory.

13 In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit,

14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.

1 Peter 2:11 “Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul.”

John 10:10 “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”

1 Peter 5:8 “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”

The enemy fights us every day through...

• Certain situations

• Certain people

Satan also battles us in our internal thoughts and feelings

1 John 3:7-10, 12-15

1 Timothy 3:7 “Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil.”

2 Timothy 2:22-26

22 “So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.

23 Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels.

24 And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil,

25 correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth,

26 and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.

1 John 3:3-7

1 John 3:12-15

#Peace With Others

Hebrews 12:14 “Make every effort to live in peace with everyone.”

1 Timothy 2:2 “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.”

Matthew 5:9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.”

The Bible give us great counsel when we find that PEACE missing in our lives:

1. Change your focus. The Bible instructs us in Hebrews 12:2 to fix "our eyes on Jesus, who leads us and makes our faith complete".
As we change our focus -- off of our problems and onto the Lord -- His peace will fill our lives.


2. Change your circumstances. Sometimes it is necessary to take a break from the things that trouble us... even for brief periods of time.
Even great men and women of God have at times experienced times of devastating discouragement


2 Corinthians 4:7-10

7 “But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.

8 We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair;

9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed;

10 always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies.”

3. Change your attitude. Are you facing a difficult situation? The Bible says, "Whatever happens, keep thanking God because of Jesus Christ.
This is what God wants you to do...

1 Thessalonians 5:18 “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”



Colossians 3:15 “And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful."

God With Us… Beyond Generous

December 22, 2019 • Lead Pastor Tim Moen

Ephesians 3:20-21 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” The Birth of Jesus Christ Matthew 1: 18-25 18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. 19 And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. 20 But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: 23 “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name ‘Immanuel’ (which means, God with us).” 24 When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, 25 but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus. # Immanuel - God With Us 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a 4 “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 8 Love never fails. John 3:16 “God so loved the world, that He gave His only son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." # Generous Grace John 1:17 “For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.” Ephesians 2:8 “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith— and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.” # Generous Salvation Romans 5:9 “Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him!” 1 Thessalonians 5:9 “For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.” # Generous Eternal Life Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life inChrist Jesus our Lord.” John 11:25 “Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die.” John 3:36 says, “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them." # Generous Example John 1:14 “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” Philippians 2:5-10 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth.” Hebrews 2:14-18 14 “Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. 16 For surely it is not angels that he helps, but he helps the offspring of Abraham. 17 Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. 18 For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.” 1 Timothy 1:15 “The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.” # The Christmas Challenge Because God is Beyond Generous... He expects His children to be Beyond Generous! 2 Corinthians 9:11 “You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God.” Proverbs 11:24 One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want. 2 Corinthians 9:6 The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully[a] will also reap bountifully.

What Child Is This?

December 8, 2019 • Lead Pastor Tim Moen

“Nothing can capture the mystery and the beauty of Christmas better than the carols we sing.... They have the power to recreate in our imagination the scenes of the first Christmas." Red Stedman #What Child Is This? "What child is this, who, laid to rest, On Mary's lap is sleeping? Whom angels greet with anthems sweet, While shepherds watch are keeping?” "This, this is Christ the King, Whom shepherds guard and angels sing: Haste, haste, to bring Him laud, The Babe, the son of Mary." Text Hebrews 1:1-4 1 “Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. 3 He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, 4 having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.” Hebrews 1:1 “Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets,” Romans 1:19-20 19 "For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.” Hebrews 1:2 “but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.” 2 Peter 1:3 “His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence.” Romans 5:8 “but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Ephesians 2:4-7 4 "But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— 6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:23 "Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Philippians 1:6 “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” Psalm 119:89–90 89 “Forever, O Lord, your word is firmly fixed in the heavens. 90 Your faithfulness endures to all generations; you have established the earth, and it stands fast.” Deuteronomy 21:17 “but he shall acknowledge the firstborn, the son of the unloved, by giving him a double portion of all that he has, for he is the firstfruits of his strength. The right of the firstborn is his.” Romans 9:4-5 4 “They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises. 5 To them belong the patriarchs, and from their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ, who is God over all, blessed forever. Amen.” God said, “Israel is my son, my firstborn” Exodus 4:22 “Then you shall say to Pharaoh, ‘Thus says the Lord, Israel is my firstborn son,” 2 Samuel 7:14 “I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son. When he commits iniquity, I will discipline him with the rod of men, with the stripes of the sons of men,” Romans 8:14-17 14“For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons[a] of God. 15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” 16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.” John 1:12-13 12 “But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.” Romans 8:16-17 16 "The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.” Wow! What a gift! Galatians 1:8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed.