Peaceout
Trey Little | 11-Jul-10
"Traveling Mercies: Peaceout"
Today marks the third sermon in my series entitled "Traveling Mercies." In total we will look at six different texts--or blessings--I want you to remember. Six "Traveling Mercies" I want you to write on a yellow stickie in order that even though you may be away from Albany or MMPC you may remember to remain close to the Lord.
So, today, let's take a look at 2 Thess. 3:16.
I want to tell you about Joe and Lester--both were factory workers who were conversing one afternoon at work. Joe said to Lester: "I know how to get some time off from work." Lester said: "How do you think you will do that--this is the busiest time of the year for us." Joe proceeded to climb up to the rafters of the factory and hang upside down by his knees. Right about the time Joe's face began to turn red from the blood flowing to his head, his boss walked in and saw Joe hanging from the ceiling and asked him what on earth he was doing.
Joe answered: "I am a light bulb!"
Upon which his boss said: "Joe, I think you need some time off!"
So Joe jumped down and walked out of the factory. Interestingly enough though, Lester started walking out as well. The boss stopped Lester and asked him where did he think he was going.
Lester said, "Home. I can't work in the dark."
Admittedly--a little "time away" sounds pretty good right now. And isn't it interesting the creativity we can use to fulfill our longings to get away? However, is "time off" or "getting way" from something really where we need to be creative?
This morning I would like to suggest that we become a bit more creative with our quest for peace. In other words, I believe that peace is not the absence of something but instead the presence of Someone.
Paul reminds us of this in his second letter to the church in Thessalonica. He offers the church "Traveling Mercies" with his words: "Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way."
I want to let you in on a little secret: Peace is not the absence of problems; it is the assuring presence of Jesus in the midst of your problems. Peace is not the absence of financial debt; it is trusting that Jesus will provide for your every need. Peace is not the absence of conflict; it is a trusting presence that the Lord is your refuge and strength in times of trouble.
Corrie ten Boom once said: "If you look at the world, you will be distressed. If you look within you will be depressed. But when you look at Jesus, you will be at rest."
Friends, this morning I want to give you the "Traveling Mercies" of peace. I want to remind you that no matter where you are--that is where you will be. And in that particular place and time--you need not ever be with OUT peace!
And so I want to give you three things to remember--right out of our text this morning. First--it is the Lord who is peace and it is He who gives it.
The other day while I was driving along--I looked up in the top left hand corner of my windshield at fixed my eyes upon a little sticker. The sticker contained the numbers 178,128. Written above those numbers were these three words: "The Oil Exchange." You know, I love that sticker. Because in the midst of the craziness of my life--I can honestly say I am not always thinking about when I need to get my oil changed. I appreciate that sticker--because it not only reminds me of when I need to get my oil changed but it also reminds me of who I need to go see.
Friends, might I suggest a sticker--perhaps that yellow one in your bulletin--that will remind you that it is the Lord who is and who gives you peace! You see, it may come in handy as you continue in this craziness we call summer.
The second thing I want you to remember is this: "The Peace of the Lord is available 24/7/365. Paul said: "May the Lord of peace himself GIVE YOU peace AT ALL TIMES.
Monday evening, we were coming home from Possum Kingdom Lake and Luke wanted something to drink. We knew there was a Whataburger just a little ways up the road and so we had made our mind up that we would stop there. And you know how it is--once you make a decision about where you are going to stop--you begin to think about--and practically taste--what you are going to get. I could taste that chocolate shake! But here is the deal--when we pulled into the Whataburger at 8:00PM--it was CLOSED. What we really wanted was no longer available.
Friends, that is the appetizing thing about following Jesus Christ. When we make that decision to stop being in control of our lives and instead surrender control to Jesus--His peace is available AT ALL TIMES. When you are feeling restless late at night because of a burden that is weighing you down--His peace is available. When you are hungering for something more than the world can ever offer--His peace is available. The PEACE of Christ is always available--you must decide if you really want it.
Finally, I want you to remember this: "He gives it in every way."
I want you to listen to the words from an email I received this past week: "Good Morning, I will try to put into words what is going on with me. Still can't talk but I can type SLOWLY. To bed 9:15 woke up 1:15 this morning tears in eyes. no sobbing or crying just pure tears of joy. Out of one then the next and sometimes both. won't stop and why would I want them to? The time with all my children at Mo-Ranch keeps coming back over and over again. Their faces and conversions keep coming back. Even time with kitchen staff and other sponsors. Around 2:30 I drift off to sleep. Awake a little after 3:30 same thing, tears won't stop. Drift off again after 4, up at 7 more tears won't stop. Got to stop can't see screen. Played solitaire until eyes cleared up a little bit. What has amazed and humbled me and made my heart soar is that God can take a 58 year old short, pudgy, one armed, half bald, floppy eared, big nosed, can't hear well, untrained, bad knee, hammer toed, trifocaled, PE kid at a teenage camp and work thru him to make a difference in some kids life he has never met. Got to stop can't see screen. got to blow nose now. I am back. And after that my small group leader who is only 22 and these kids shower me with more blessings than my heart and tear ducts can handle. got to stop. praise and glory to God!! Completely stunned by God's handiwork--my heart is still soaring--what an awesome God we serve--God is good all the time, all the time God is good." (Words of Eddie Bartee)
Friends, Eddie Bartee will tell you that he arrived at Mo fighting. He was tired, life had been crazy in the days and hours leading up to going to Mo--not to mention that everything was not going like Eddie had it drawn up. But by the time he left Mo--it was well with His soul--and he received that assurance in a way he had not anticipated.
You see--that is precisely what happens when divine PEACE intersects worldly chaos. The PEACE of Christ is everywhere and the Lord gives it away in every way. My hope for us all is that we will never underestimate the potential that resides in that very place where our brokenness intersects His fullness!
Someone once said: "God takes life's broken pieces and gives us unbroken PEACE."
As I close this morning I want to teach you a hip/slang word that is a "must have" in your vocabulary. Many of you have heard me say it or you have seen it at the close of an email or letter. The word is: "Peaceout." No, I did not make it up--it is most commonly used as a slang for "later" or "goodbye." However, when I use it I do so to encourage others and myself to ANTICIPATE the magnitude of the peace of Christ--and REMEMBER that it is OUT there for the taking--there is no limit!
Friends--the Lord be with all of you--"Traveling Mercies"--PEACEOUT!
AMEN.
Today marks the third sermon in my series entitled "Traveling Mercies." In total we will look at six different texts--or blessings--I want you to remember. Six "Traveling Mercies" I want you to write on a yellow stickie in order that even though you may be away from Albany or MMPC you may remember to remain close to the Lord.
So, today, let's take a look at 2 Thess. 3:16.
I want to tell you about Joe and Lester--both were factory workers who were conversing one afternoon at work. Joe said to Lester: "I know how to get some time off from work." Lester said: "How do you think you will do that--this is the busiest time of the year for us." Joe proceeded to climb up to the rafters of the factory and hang upside down by his knees. Right about the time Joe's face began to turn red from the blood flowing to his head, his boss walked in and saw Joe hanging from the ceiling and asked him what on earth he was doing.
Joe answered: "I am a light bulb!"
Upon which his boss said: "Joe, I think you need some time off!"
So Joe jumped down and walked out of the factory. Interestingly enough though, Lester started walking out as well. The boss stopped Lester and asked him where did he think he was going.
Lester said, "Home. I can't work in the dark."
Admittedly--a little "time away" sounds pretty good right now. And isn't it interesting the creativity we can use to fulfill our longings to get away? However, is "time off" or "getting way" from something really where we need to be creative?
This morning I would like to suggest that we become a bit more creative with our quest for peace. In other words, I believe that peace is not the absence of something but instead the presence of Someone.
Paul reminds us of this in his second letter to the church in Thessalonica. He offers the church "Traveling Mercies" with his words: "Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way."
I want to let you in on a little secret: Peace is not the absence of problems; it is the assuring presence of Jesus in the midst of your problems. Peace is not the absence of financial debt; it is trusting that Jesus will provide for your every need. Peace is not the absence of conflict; it is a trusting presence that the Lord is your refuge and strength in times of trouble.
Corrie ten Boom once said: "If you look at the world, you will be distressed. If you look within you will be depressed. But when you look at Jesus, you will be at rest."
Friends, this morning I want to give you the "Traveling Mercies" of peace. I want to remind you that no matter where you are--that is where you will be. And in that particular place and time--you need not ever be with OUT peace!
And so I want to give you three things to remember--right out of our text this morning. First--it is the Lord who is peace and it is He who gives it.
The other day while I was driving along--I looked up in the top left hand corner of my windshield at fixed my eyes upon a little sticker. The sticker contained the numbers 178,128. Written above those numbers were these three words: "The Oil Exchange." You know, I love that sticker. Because in the midst of the craziness of my life--I can honestly say I am not always thinking about when I need to get my oil changed. I appreciate that sticker--because it not only reminds me of when I need to get my oil changed but it also reminds me of who I need to go see.
Friends, might I suggest a sticker--perhaps that yellow one in your bulletin--that will remind you that it is the Lord who is and who gives you peace! You see, it may come in handy as you continue in this craziness we call summer.
The second thing I want you to remember is this: "The Peace of the Lord is available 24/7/365. Paul said: "May the Lord of peace himself GIVE YOU peace AT ALL TIMES.
Monday evening, we were coming home from Possum Kingdom Lake and Luke wanted something to drink. We knew there was a Whataburger just a little ways up the road and so we had made our mind up that we would stop there. And you know how it is--once you make a decision about where you are going to stop--you begin to think about--and practically taste--what you are going to get. I could taste that chocolate shake! But here is the deal--when we pulled into the Whataburger at 8:00PM--it was CLOSED. What we really wanted was no longer available.
Friends, that is the appetizing thing about following Jesus Christ. When we make that decision to stop being in control of our lives and instead surrender control to Jesus--His peace is available AT ALL TIMES. When you are feeling restless late at night because of a burden that is weighing you down--His peace is available. When you are hungering for something more than the world can ever offer--His peace is available. The PEACE of Christ is always available--you must decide if you really want it.
Finally, I want you to remember this: "He gives it in every way."
I want you to listen to the words from an email I received this past week: "Good Morning, I will try to put into words what is going on with me. Still can't talk but I can type SLOWLY. To bed 9:15 woke up 1:15 this morning tears in eyes. no sobbing or crying just pure tears of joy. Out of one then the next and sometimes both. won't stop and why would I want them to? The time with all my children at Mo-Ranch keeps coming back over and over again. Their faces and conversions keep coming back. Even time with kitchen staff and other sponsors. Around 2:30 I drift off to sleep. Awake a little after 3:30 same thing, tears won't stop. Drift off again after 4, up at 7 more tears won't stop. Got to stop can't see screen. Played solitaire until eyes cleared up a little bit. What has amazed and humbled me and made my heart soar is that God can take a 58 year old short, pudgy, one armed, half bald, floppy eared, big nosed, can't hear well, untrained, bad knee, hammer toed, trifocaled, PE kid at a teenage camp and work thru him to make a difference in some kids life he has never met. Got to stop can't see screen. got to blow nose now. I am back. And after that my small group leader who is only 22 and these kids shower me with more blessings than my heart and tear ducts can handle. got to stop. praise and glory to God!! Completely stunned by God's handiwork--my heart is still soaring--what an awesome God we serve--God is good all the time, all the time God is good." (Words of Eddie Bartee)
Friends, Eddie Bartee will tell you that he arrived at Mo fighting. He was tired, life had been crazy in the days and hours leading up to going to Mo--not to mention that everything was not going like Eddie had it drawn up. But by the time he left Mo--it was well with His soul--and he received that assurance in a way he had not anticipated.
You see--that is precisely what happens when divine PEACE intersects worldly chaos. The PEACE of Christ is everywhere and the Lord gives it away in every way. My hope for us all is that we will never underestimate the potential that resides in that very place where our brokenness intersects His fullness!
Someone once said: "God takes life's broken pieces and gives us unbroken PEACE."
As I close this morning I want to teach you a hip/slang word that is a "must have" in your vocabulary. Many of you have heard me say it or you have seen it at the close of an email or letter. The word is: "Peaceout." No, I did not make it up--it is most commonly used as a slang for "later" or "goodbye." However, when I use it I do so to encourage others and myself to ANTICIPATE the magnitude of the peace of Christ--and REMEMBER that it is OUT there for the taking--there is no limit!
Friends--the Lord be with all of you--"Traveling Mercies"--PEACEOUT!
AMEN.
