#018 Refuge Talk - Advent: Joy

December 14, 2023 • Pastor Jeff Tuiasosopo , Pastor Russel Cochran

#017 Refuge Talk - Advent: Peace

December 14, 2023 • Pastor Russ Cochran, Pastor Jeff Tuiasosopo • Luke 2:14, Psalm 34:14, Jeremiah 29:13

Luke 2:1-7 At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. 2 (This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for this census. 4 And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. 5 He took with him Mary, to whom he was engaged, who was now expecting a child. 6 And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. 7 She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them. Luke 2:13-14 Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.” So what is peace? Peace, noun - Freedom from disquieting or oppressive thoughts or emotions. Harmony in personal relations. A pact or agreement to end hostilities between those who have been at war or in a state of enmity. I. Peace came to earth through Bethlehem Micah 5:2 & 5a But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, are only a small village among all the people of Judah. Yet a ruler of Israel, whose origins are in the distant past, will come from you on my behalf… 5 And he will be the source of peace… Isaiah 9:6 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. II. Peace comes when we Praise 13 Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying, Isaiah 57:18-20 I have seen what they do, but I will heal them anyway! I will lead them.
I will comfort those who mourn,19 bringing words of praise to their lips.
May they have abundant peace, both near and far,” says the Lord, who heals them. 20 “But those who still reject me are like the restless sea, which is never still but continually churns up mud and dirt. Psalm 34:1-4 1 I will praise the Lord at all times. I will constantly speak his praises. 2 I will boast only in the Lord; let all who are helpless take heart. 3 Come, let us tell of the Lord’s greatness; let us exalt his name together. 4 I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me. He freed me from all my fears. THREE WAYS PRAISE BRINGS PEACE 1. PRAISE SETS OUR MINDS ON GOD.  2. PRAISE GETS US OUT OF APATHY. 3. PRAISE CROWDS OUT FEAR. III. Peace comes when God is Pleased 14 “Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.” Psalm 34:14. Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work to maintain it. Jeremiah 29:13 If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.
 Philippians 2:12 Dear friends, you always followed my instructions when I was with you. And now that I am away, it is even more important. Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. “If you want peace, you must prepare for war.” In our spiritual walk, if we want to have peace in our lives we must prepare ourselves for spiritual warfare. There are going to be battles for our souls, it is only by being in God’s Word, in prayer, and fully trusting in Jesus for our hope shall we find peace in the midst of the fight.

#016 Refuge Talk - Advent: Hope

Pastor Russ Cochran, Pastor Tim O'Neal

Micah 5:2 But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, are only a small village among all the people of Judah. Yet a ruler of Israel, whose origins are in the distant past, will come from you on my behalf. Never forget: 1. God brings Hope through Prophecy. Micah 5:2 But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, are only a small village among all the people of Judah. Yet a ruler of Israel, whose origins are in the distant past, will come from you on my behalf. Matthew 2:6 ‘And you, O Bethlehem in the land of Judah, are not least among the ruling cities of Judah, for a ruler will come from you who will be the shepherd for my people Israel.’ ” Jeremiah 23:5 “For the time is coming,” says the Lord, “when I will raise up a righteous descendant from King David’s line.
He will be a King who rules with wisdom. He will do what is just and right throughout the land. II. God Fulfills Hope through Prophecy Isaiah 7:14 All right then, the Lord himself will give you the sign. Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel (which means ‘God is with us’). Matthew 1:18-23. This is how Jesus the Messiah was born. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. But before the marriage took place, while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit. 19 Joseph, to whom she was engaged, was a righteous man and did not want to disgrace her publicly, so he decided to break the engagement quietly.20 As he considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. “Joseph, son of David,” the angel said, “do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit. 21 And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”22 All of this occurred to fulfill the Lord’s message through his prophet:23 “Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means ‘God is with us.’” 1 Corinthians 1:27 Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful. 1 Samuel 16:7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” III. God Instills Future Hope through Prophecy Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. Matthew 19:26 Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible.”