Sounds of the Season Part 3: The Angel’s Song

Luke 2:8-14 (NIV) And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

“Glory to God in the highest heaven,

and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

• We have .

Hebrews 12:15 (NLT) Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many.

• We are .

Proverbs 13:12 (NIV) Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.

• Our .

John 8:44 (NIV) [The devil] is a liar and the father of lies.

Romans 8:6 (NIV) The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.

Isaiah 26:3 (NIV) You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.

• We are .

Lamentations 3:17-18 (NIV) I have been deprived of peace; I have forgotten what prosperity is. So I say, ‘My splendor is gone and all that I had hoped from the Lord.’

John 16:33 (NIV) In this world you will have trouble.

John 16:33 (NIV) In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.

• We don’t .

Isaiah 9:6 (NIV) For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

How to Live in Peace, Even When Life isn’t Peaceful

1. Invite into your .

Psalm 22:3 (KJV) But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel.

2 Chronicles 20:21-22 (NIV) Jehoshaphat’s army praised God before the battle, and God intervened on their behalf.

Psalm 46:1 (NIV) God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.

2. Replace with .

2 Corinthians 10:5 (NIV) We take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

Ephesians 4:22-24 (NIV) You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

Proverbs 18:21 (NIV) The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.

3. Choose and .

Colossians 3:13 (CEV) Put up with each other, and forgive anyone who does you wrong, just as Christ has forgiven you.

Ephesians 4:31-32 (NIV) Get rid of all bitterness…Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

4. toward .

Luke 2:15-16 (NIV) When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.’ So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.

Matthew 11:28-30 (MSG) Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.