You know what they say, “Context, Context, Context.”
It is Christmas-time 2019. Our theme for this season’s sermons and worship services is “Christmas in One Word.” Yesterday was “Joy.” The upcoming week’s topic will be “Peace.”
Those sound pretty easy to work through and talk about right? We have joy… we know what peace looks like. Right?…… Right? Maybe not. We’re too easily confused these days about some of the core concepts of faith and belief. It is true that God desires Joy and Peace in our lives. Those two aspects are quite the blessing, and we would be glad to receive them in heaping measures.
But we must beware… because: CONTEXT!!
We want the blessings. ALL THE BLESSINGS! Well, at least all the blessings we can imagine that look like money, health, and all that good stuff we hear so much about. We forget the context of blessing through most of the Bible: suffering. Thats right, its all about the context!
We are blessed through the suffering of Jesus. We receive peace and joy because of the suffering of the Messiah. If we want to join Him in those blessings we must be prepared for a vastly different context to our lives than what we’ve typically expected.
Having Joy, true biblical and worshipful joy, means we worship and praise God no matter the circumstances. We may find ourselves joining Paul and Silas in their worship – in prison, under threat to their lives, having been beaten, and falsely accused, and….you get the point. CONTEXT!
If we want peace, true peace that passes understanding, we will have to understand the context in which peace is given: submission, sacrifice, and suffering. Peace is not the absence of conflict but the presence of submission to the will of God. Jesus knew peace as He walked toward the Cross. Not because it was a pleasurable experience, but rather because it was the will of God.
Pain is often a companion to Joy. Sacrifice is a close companion to Peace. Yes we can find both without the hardship, but those will most likely be fleeting moments. The joy and peace of Christ often comes in the context of crisis, anxiety, and sacrifice. Look to the story of Joseph in Genesis 37 – 50. Joy and peace were constant companions to Joseph. Despite his MISERABLE circumstances.
It’s all about the context. When God is present, peace and joy will be found.
Philippians 4: 10 -13 10 How I praise the Lord that you are concerned about me again. I know you have always been concerned for me, but you didn’t have the chance to help me. 11 Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. 12 I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. 13 For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.