Joy to the World: Embracing Peace

South Bay Community Church

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Joy to the World: Embracing Peace

December 8, 2024 • Pastor Tammy Long • Isaiah 9:6–7, Luke 2:13–14

Sermon Quick Summary

As we continue our travels this morning, we continue to look to Jesus for peace, our living hope and light in the darkness. We have two scripture passages this morning. The first one is found in Isaiah 9:6-7 (NLT) and the second is from Luke 2:13-14. Even as we celebrate this good news, there is tension because we live in the time of “already but not yet.” During the First Advent, Jesus came, but the Kingdom of God had not yet been fully realized. We wait for Jesus’ return at the Second Advent to fully realize the Kingdom of God. Through Jesus, we are empowered to embrace and to embody the divine peace of Jesus. True inner peace begins when we have peace with God deep within us even in the harshest conditions. Without the divine peace of Jesus, our souls remain restless, hungry, and searching. Silence and solitude with God deepens peace. The peace of Jesus extends beyond ourselves and is meant to shape our relationships with others. How can we practically embrace peace, especially with those closest to us, where pain and brokenness exist? First, examine your heart. Second, practice active listening seeking to understand them. Third, speak words of peace and reconciliation. Fourth, be generous with grace. The peace of Jesus is designed to ripple outward, transforming communities, nations, and the world. As peacemakers, we are called by God do many things: seek justice; pursue reconciliation; promote unity; and respond with grace and kindness. As we reflect on peace and all that it means, true peace can only be found in Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace.

Joy to the World: Sharing Love

December 22, 2024 • Pastor Tammy Long • John 3:16

Christmas is about the goodness of God expressed in the gift of Jesus to us in sharing God’s love. Sharing love moves beyond comfort and convenience into brokenness in meeting people where they are by crossing barriers, boundaries, and borders. Christmas tells the story of God’s love that crosses every barrier to meet us where we are because every life matters to God. John 3:16 captures God’s mission of love highlighting three truths: (1) “For God so loved the world…” God’s love is global stretching across borders into every tribe, tongue, and nation. God desires a love relationship with every person who has ever lived, is living today, and who will live in the future. No one is left out of God’s love; Jesus came for each one who has a willing heart. (2) “…that He gave His only Son…” God gave us Jesus, God’s only Son. God’s love is more than something temporary or material. The gift of Jesus was a gift of sacrifice and generosity. God’s love gives us the Savior Jesus Christ that we needed to rescue us and reconcile us back into personal relationship with God. (3) “…so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.” God’s love that is generous and extravagant transforms by changing hearts. This generous love is not for us alone, but the love is meant to be shared by us to others extending the same grace, forgiveness and kindness God generously gives to us. The generous love we are to share is about eternity. Eternity is about relationship with God through Jesus that begins on earth and will continue forever with Jesus. God invites you to receive God's love letting God's love transform your life, to respect God's love showing God's love to others in your words and actions, and to share God's love carrying the good news of Jesus Christ to those around you and beyond.

Joy to the World: Radiating Joy

December 15, 2024 • Pastor Tammy Long • Matthew 1:18–21, Luke 2:8–14, Luke 1:26–30

Sermon Quick Summary We are on a journey during this Advent season around the world and through the themes of Advent. In this message the Advent theme is joy; we explore what it means to radiate joy, with our Savior Jesus Christ at the center. We need to distinguish happiness and joy; happiness rises and falls based on what happens to us; joy is positive contentment rooted in the presence and promises of God with Jesus at our center. God’s angels are filled with and radiate joy; angels dwell in the presence of God; angels worship God with unceasing praise; this heavenly joy is not limited to angels alone; it is the same joy that Jesus in the Advent came to give us. The angel Gabriel visited Mary providing joy through reassurance from Jesus’ birth. When we explore Christian communities around the world, we see how Christmas is celebrated to radiate joy. In Pakistan for many Christians, Christmas radiates joy through celebration and worship. An angel appeared to Joseph who radiated joy through obedience. For many Christians in Egypt, even as a minority population, Christmas joy of faith is not about ease or comfort; Christmas joy often shines brightest in the face of hardship with the assurance that God’s purposes will prevail. Angels appeared proclaiming joy and worship that all people can replicate; the shepherds became the first human messengers of the gospel about the First Advent of the Lord Jesus Christ. Christmas in the country of Belize is a joy-filled communal experience with cultural traditions. With Christ as the center, we truly have a message that is not only joy to the world but joy for the world desperate for true joy.

Joy to the World: Living Hope

December 1, 2024 • Pastor Tammy Long • Isaiah 9:2, John 1:4–5, Hebrews 10:23

Sermon Quick Summary The Advent Season reminds us of the light of hope brought by Jesus Christ to our planet shrouded in darkness that is marked by despair, brokenness, and uncertainty. Our planet’s darkness with pain and brokenness is all around us. The darkness is also inside of us. However, our world is not completely dark; Christian hope is alive based on what Jesus said and did. Through the lens of Isaiah 9:2, John 1:4-5, and Hebrews 10:23, there is transformative power. Unlike fleeting worldly hope, Christian hope is anchored in the unchanging character of God and God’s redemptive plan through Jesus Christ. This message unfolds three key truths about hope. First, hope floats, guiding us above despair; it lights the flame of hope in your heart with God’s Word; it releases to God whatever is weighing us down. Second, biblical Christian hope guides by illuminating our path with the promises of God. Third, hope is strengthened in community, as we gather together to encourage and uplift one another through the power of the Holy Spirit. This Advent Season, let us carry the living hope of Christ that darkness will never overcome, as we reflect His love to others.