Peace That Flows: From Chaos to New Creation | Revelation 22:1-5

Welcome to Ontario Community Church, where we are encouraging, equipping, and engaging lives for Christ.

! I'm Pastor Patrick Daly, and you're listening to week two of our Advent series for 2025.

Before we jump into today's message, I want to give you a little context.

Last week, we kicked off Advent with Revelation 21, exploring God's promise to make all things new.

We talked about hope, hope that isn't just wishful thinking, but a confident expectation that God is restoring what has been broken.

Today, we're continuing that theme, but we're shifting from hope to peace.

And I've got to tell you, this passage that is found in Revelation 22 is remarkable.

John receives this vision of a river, the river of the water of life, that is bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb.

And beside that river stands the tree of life, bringing healing to the nations.

What I want you to listen for as you hear this message is how peace flows.

It is not static. It is not something that we manufacture.

Peace flows from God's throne, through Christ, into our chaos, and then through us to others.

We're also going to connect this vision to the entire biblical story,

from Genesis, where the world begins with chaos over the deep,

to Jesus standing in the boat saying,

Peace, be still.

And then finally, to this final vision in Revelation, where the sea of chaos is no more.

It is all connected, and it's beautiful.

One more thing before we start.

My wife Amber created these incredible Advent devotionals that go along with each week's sermon.

Week two focuses on peace, and it includes daily reflections, art, contemplation, and even practical ways to be a peacemaker in your community.

You can download it for free on our website at OntarioCommunityChurch.org.

So let's settle in.

Let's dive into this message together.

Here is Peace That Flows, From Chaos to New Creation.

All right.

Well, good morning, everyone.

What a special time it is for us to partake of communion, the bread and the cup.

I think it's been so common for us to get so used to when COVID-19 was around, going into the little packets of everything,

and how beautiful it is for us to be able to have bread and for us to share in the cup together,

a time of remembrance and a time of reflection on the hope that is found in Christ,

the peace that surpasses all understanding.

We think of all of this and this love that the Lord has for us in sending his son down to change the course of history.

We think of how there is a peace that flows like a river.

And I gave you this idea, this notion of a river from the chaotic sea

into when Christ enters the scene saying,

Peace, be still.

We think of Advent.

We think of this time of reflection,

this time where things slow down

in our busy lives.

I don't know about you, but

how many of you go to see Christmas lights?

I went into,

my family and I went into Eagle,

and there's this really famous

light show that they have.

And

when you film it,

you take pictures of it,

the amount of lights and decorations that are on there,

it's about as much as you'd get on a street and packed into one house.

And the funny part is,

the neighbor next door has lights that say,

I give up.

You can't compete with this guy.

But we think about it.

We think of the,

this time,

we think of slowing down.

Right?

Where the sun's not out as much.

And it gets darker earlier,

and a lot of us just want to

cuddle up with a blanket

and some hot chocolate,

or whatever it may be.

We think about it,

I have put on here,

tying in our Revelation series

with Advent.

What a peculiar thing to do.

And I actually want us to turn

to Revelation.

Revelation.

And you'll see

in here

the connection.

Revelation 22,

Revelation 22:1–5

verses 1 through 5.

We will see in here

something

really remarkable.

That's good.

It's going to be on page

1,234

in your ESV Pew Bible.

Revelation 22,

Revelation 22:1–5

verses 1 through 5.

Let's read it together, church.

Ready?

Then the angel

showed me the river

of the water of life,

bright as crystal,

flowing from the throne of God

and of the Lamb,

through the middle

of the street

of the city,

also on either side

of the river,

the tree of life

with its twelve kinds

of fruit,

yielding its fruit

each month.

The leaves of the tree

were for what?

Healing of the nations.

No longer will there

be anything accursed,

but the throne of God

and of the Lamb

will be in it,

and his servants

will worship him.

They will see his face,

and his name

will be on their foreheads,

and night will be

no more.

They will need

no lamp,

light of lamp,

or sun,

for the God

will be their light,

and they will reign

forever and ever.

We think about this

and this notion

of the water of life,

right?

Something that is bright

as crystal.

And I don't know

about you,

how many of you

have gone to a river

and you know

how peaceful

it can be,

right?

And then,

you might go further

down that river

and you see how chaotic

it can be

with all the rocks

and all the things

going on,

right?

And we can see

this real-life imagery

of water.

The strength

and the power

of water.

We think of storms,

hurricanes,

we think of all

of the forces

of nature

and then how peace

and calm

it can be.

This description

then, right,

is the water of life,

there's the tree of life

and the healing

of the nations,

and what's beautiful

about this language

is the Lord God

will be their light.

So it's how it's all

tied into here.

Let us think

for a moment

about how this

is tied in

with our very typical

Advent verses

from Isaiah,

right?

The shoot

from the stump

of Jesse

and the spirit

resting upon him,

right?

We think about that

and how he judges

with righteousness

and defends the poor

and the language

of the wolf

and the lamb

dwelling together.

Things that were

prophesied

that get fulfilled

within Revelation.

And it's wonderful

imagery

to show

the consistency

of our God

and that he

does not fail.

Everlasting

to everlasting,

our God

remains the same.

and he calls

for each of us

into not only

that hope

but also

that peace

as well.

We think of how

in our scripture

reading

there was the verse

of Romans 15

talking about

welcoming one another

just as Christ

has welcomed you.

We think of how

important it is

just as Christ

gives us

peace

that surpasses

all understanding.

We need to

exhibit that peace

to other people.

Let God

work in and

through our lives

and transform us.

We have to think

how important it is

not only to come

and know Jesus Christ

and to have that

relationship with him

but to let it expand.

Let God

be your foundation

and build your house

upon that foundation.

And just as God

has given you peace

may you give peace

to other people.

It's so very important

and even when we think

of John the Baptist

in Matthew chapter 3

Matthew 3 · chapter mention

preparing the way

of the Lord.

Preparing for

the peace

that surpasses

all understanding.

Right?

So we see

the river

of the water of life

flowing from

the throne of God

the tree of life

standing on both sides

bearing fruit

each month.

It's kind of interesting

right?

Each month you're going

to have some new fruits

and the leaves

are bringing healing

to the nations.

What beautiful imagery.

Beautiful description

of what the new heaven

and the new earth

will be like.

You know

as a dad

sometimes

I'm imperfect.

I am imperfect.

We're all imperfect.

Sometimes children

can be very frustrating.

Amen?

When I read this

no more curse

no more darkness

right?

I think

oh there will be

no more weeping

right?

Just as children

get worked up

at times

throwing tantrums

right?

We can think of that

for children

but we can also

expand that

into our own

adult life.

Pain

suffering

no more sin

restoration.

you want it

to bring home

and to hit home

think of the

imperfection

that exists

on the earth

today.

Imagine waking

up one day

and there's

no bad news.

What a day

that would be

right?

Imagine for a

moment where

there's no more

darkness

or there's no

more curse.

We think of

the fallen

nature

right?

How so many

of us are in

darkness

and entering

into light

but let's

think about

us dwelling

with the

Lord forever

and what that

will be like.

It's actually

very hard

for us to

fathom

because we

get so used

to brokenness.

We get so

used to

darkness.

We get so

used to

people who

live in

sin.

We get used

to hearing

about evil

and what

evil does.

When you go

through the

Psalms,

for example,

a common

theme that you

see throughout

Scripture,

particularly in

the Psalms,

is it seems

like the

wicked are

doing well.

And why

is that,

right?

Well, the

thing is, it

may appear

that they're

doing well,

but God

has the

final say.

And we

have to keep

that in mind

and how

everything is

connected.

I want to go

to this next

slide.

That should

be the

image on

here.

And we

have, I

put this

image together

of Christ

as the

Prince of

Peace.

Now, for

many of

you, you

know, when

we talk about

controversy,

there's debate

on how old

and how long

did it take

for the

universe to

be made.

I don't

want to go

there.

I do want

to go into

Genesis.

If you want

to turn there,

you're welcome

to.

If not,

that's okay

too.

Because there's

something that

a lot of

people miss

in Genesis,

where it

says, in

the beginning,

some of you

can quote it

verbatim,

right?

God created

the heavens

and what?

And the

earth, right?

Verse 2,

the earth

was without

form and

void, and

darkness was

over the

face of

the what?

Of the

deep, right?

And the

Spirit of

God was

hovering over

the face

of the

waters.

An

imagery

of

darkness,

an

imagery of

the earth

without

form.

It's

talking about

this sense

of a

void that

is existing.

So

interesting

that then

you have

the scene

where God

says,

let there

be light

and there

was light.

It's

actually the

entire story

of Christ

within the

first two,

three verses

of Scripture.

I don't know

about you,

but that is

far more

powerful

than

debating

on

how old

is the

universe.

Talking about

the earth

being full

of darkness

and the

chaos of

the sea

representing

sin,

representing

brokenness,

and then

God saying,

let there be

light, and

there was

light.

How powerful

is that?

And that's

why I put

it on the

first one,

the darkness

over the

face of

the deep,

this

representation.

we think

of hurricanes

and storms

and how

powerful it

can be.

Some of

us may

have been

in a

storm.

I remember

in the

time that

my wife

and I

were in

Hawaii,

the tropical

storms that

would happen

all the

time,

and they

would just

come really

quick,

it would

be very

chaotic,

and then

gone.

And usually

it would

come out

of nowhere.

It's like,

what happened?

We can

watch movies,

recordings,

about how

powerful the

ocean or

the sea

is.

So much

so that

there's a

verse in

scripture,

I don't have

it off the

top of my

head,

but it

talks about

how in

scripture,

how God

had to

restrict the

power of

water in

creation.

That is

wild.

Knowing how

powerful the

ocean and how

powerful water

already is,

what do you

mean God

had to

restrict the

power of

it?

You mean it

was more

powerful than

it already

is?

Wrap your

mind around

that for a

second here.

But we

think of

literally the

chaos of

the sea,

but also

this

representation

of chaos,

brokenness,

and sin.

And then we

have within

the middle

of scripture

this idea

of Christ

standing out

on the boat

and saying

those three

words,

let's say it

together,

peace,

be still.

Right?

Just like

how the

Lord said,

let there be

light,

and there

was light.

Right?

Light entering

the scene,

much like how

Christ enters

the scene into

the dark and

broken world.

Christ is

showing the

power that

he has,

literally over

water,

but also

showing that

same kind

of power

that can be

commanded in

our own

lives.

The same

God that

calms the

sea can

calm our

own hearts.

peace and

how chaotic

our very

lives can

be.

And how

there is

that peace

that when

it says

surpasses

all understanding,

do you realize

what that

means?

It is beyond

comprehension.

Much like

the love of

God,

much like

the hope

of Christ,

it is beyond

our understanding

and that's

okay.

It's okay

that it's

beyond our

understanding.

Just understand

that Christ,

our Lord and

our God,

has the

final say

and can

command the

sea.

Now,

you can

raise your

hand if you

want to.

How many of

you have

been in a

storm,

like a

literal storm,

right?

I know we

have storms

in life,

right?

Wouldn't it

be amazing

if Christ

was there

and just

said,

peace be

still in

that moment,

right?

When you're

out in a

boat and

it's all

shaky and

you feel

like you're

going to

throw up

because,

you know,

you're being

tossed to

and throw.

And you

think that

has to

take a

lot of

power to

be able to

completely calm

it.

I love the

old little

cartoons from

like the

70s and

80s,

right?

Where Jesus

goes out and

then it just

completely,

you have this

storm and

the thunder and

lightning and

the waves and

then it's like a

calm and serene

scene,

right?

Where the

birds are

chirping again and

the disciples are

like,

whoa,

right?

And that's

okay.

Think of

that.

And how

that transforms

your own

very life,

right?

So Christ

out on the

boat saying,

peace be

still.

And then

finally,

how God

makes all

things new

where there

is no

more sea.

And that's

found in

Revelation 21

1.

Now,

when you

read that,

we read from

Revelation 22,

but when you

read Revelation

21,

it's such a

weird verse.

I saw the

new heaven and

the new

earth and

the sea was

no more.

And you're

like,

well,

excuse me,

where's the

sea,

right?

But we're

talking about

that sense

of chaos.

Not that there

won't be any

water,

but the

chaos that

happens from

it.

The

brokenness as

represented by

the sea will

be calm because

we have this

notion of

streams of

living water.

Just like how

Christ says in

his own

teachings about

how drinking

of his water

and never

thirsting.

Do you see

how beautifully

connected when

we talk about

water, but we

also talk about

the peace of

Christ.

And so I

show that as

a good

representation for

us to understand

that peace that

flows from

chaos, from

sin, from

brokenness, to

the new

creation.

And that is

remarkable.

So let's go to

that next slide

then.

So what can we

learn from these

passages?

Well, the first

one, church, is

that peace

begins where

God enters the

chaos, right?

We can think of

the storms,

literal storms,

but we can also

think of the

chaos that exists

in our own

lives, let

alone the

chaos that

exists in

our society,

in our very

world.

There's

brokenness within

us, but

there's also

brokenness in

the world that

we live in.

And I don't

know about

you, I need

some peace in

my life.

We all need

peace that

Christ provides

for us.

That peace that

surpasses all

understanding,

people will see

that, they will

recognize it.

And so in

this, I gave

this example of

the new

creation replacing

the sea of

chaos, right?

It's a good

description of

that.

The chaos of

the sea, or

when you hear

about people

who are lost

at sea, right?

Representing how

chaotic it is

and how dangerous

it can be.

We think of

calm, living,

refreshing,

rejuvenating water

and how beautiful

that imagery is.

I don't know

about you, but the

next time I'm on

a boat, I don't

want to be out in

a chaotic sea.

I want to be out

when it's nice and

calm, maybe a

couple waves, but

nothing to the

point where I'll

flip over.

And so we think

about that, right?

That first thing is

peace begins where

when God enters

the chaos.

The second thing

then is that peace

heals what sin

has broken.

Right?

We think of this

idea that God is

the God of

restoration.

The river of

life, it waters

the tree whose

leaves bring

healing to the

nation.

We think of how

this water is

helping the tree

and its healing

ability.

We also have to

think of how the

living water and

the peace that

comes from our

Lord and our

God, how it

heals us, how it

transforms us, and

how important it is

for us.

We all need

healing.

Do we all need

healing?

We certainly do.

We need healing

and restoration that

comes from the

Lord.

Now, what healing

looks like is

obviously going to

differ from each

person.

Some of us have

had certain

experiences, whether

it's bad

situations, people

doing evil things,

traumatic events,

the list can go on

and on about things

that we experience.

But when we think

of our God being

the restorer, the

one that transforms

us, it is

remarkable.

And even when we

talk about the

common reading in

Advent 2 is Isaiah's

vision of the wolf

and the lamb.

This also is

prophetically talking

about a time where

there will be peace.

Thinking of a wolf

and a lamb together

is quite the sight,

right?

You think about that,

you don't want to put

a wolf and a lamb

together nowadays.

Why is that?

Well, we know the

answer, right?

The wolf's going to

eat the sheep and

have a good meal out

of there, right?

But the imagery of

them being together,

dwelling together,

is a remarkable one

at that.

And peace in

Scripture, it is the

presence of God and

the presence of

wholeness.

Complete restoration.

salvation.

Now God is going to

work in and through

us every single day

to make us more like

him.

And that is a

beautiful process.

When you're thinking

of this imagery of

the tree that is

bearing fruit every

month, well that tree

is going to take a lot

of nourishment from

the water.

It's going to require

sunshine and all the

things that a tree

requires.

Much like how for us,

when the seed of the

word gets planted,

we are called to

grow for us to take

root in our faith and

for us to bear fruit.

It's kind of remarkable

when you think of what

the parables teach and

how that's connected

with the tree of life.

It's like it's all, it

starts making your head

go, wow, this is, this

is really incredible.

And so let us remember

that peace is something

that God gives to us.

And for many of us, we

search for peace.

Now I know for a lot of

us, you know, when we

have children or we have

constantly phone calls and

knocks at the door, we

think for a moment, well

can't I just have a little

bit of peace?

Peace and quiet, right?

Sometimes it's, you just

want to lock yourself in

your office, right?

Not that I ever do that,

right?

Or other times you just

want to lock yourself

away.

Can I have five minutes

here?

You guys are too loud.

What's going on here,

right?

I'm not talking about

that kind of peace.

Although that peace is

really cool too, right?

I'm talking about a peace

that is beyond that.

A peace that is

rejuvenating.

Right?

And it's kind of, it can

be difficult for us to

wrap our minds around

that.

That's okay.

That's the kind of peace

that I want.

A peace that I may not

even fully understand and

comprehend.

That's okay.

And finally, the third

one is peace prepares us

to welcome others just

as Christ has welcomed us.

I mentioned the idea of

Romans 15, right?

When we had our scripture

reading about how we are

called to welcome one

another just as Christ has

welcomed us.

We also think of how

there's the call for us to

bear fruit, real change and

transformation.

Peace then is relational.

We are to give the peace

of Christ to other people.

And we do that by the

words that we speak and

the actions that we do.

And we think for a moment

that peace will make room.

It will build bridges

instead of walls.

We think of how the peace

of Christ can very much

transform our minds and

our hearts.

And so,

ask yourself that question.

Who is someone

that you can welcome

to know Christ?

Who is someone

that God may be calling

you to welcome

or to share that peace

with?

These are the kind of

questions.

Let's go to the application

and the final piece here.

How should we,

what should we do

because of this?

it's very unusual

and peculiar

to look at revelation

from the sense of peace.

But then again,

it isn't

because it's connected

about the peace

that we will receive

in the future.

Just as we anticipate

and we wait for the arrival

of baby Jesus

in the manger,

in the first coming,

we await for

the second coming

of Christ.

It's that same kind

of anticipation

and it's that same

kind of preparation.

And so,

in all of this,

let Christ speak

peace

over your chaos.

Right?

We think of how

there are storms

literally in the world

that we live in,

but let's also think

of the storms

that exist

in our own minds

and in our own hearts.

peace.

And how powerful

is it that we should

even pray,

Jesus,

speak peace

over this place,

over this area

in my life.

Lord,

I have a storm.

I've got a stormy sea

in this area

of my life,

right?

Don't raise your hand

on what that is,

but we all got

a stormy sea.

And we ask Christ

who commands,

who has command

over the sea

to bring peace

into our lives

and to bring peace

into certain areas

in our life.

And how important it is,

think of that one area

and ask Jesus

to intervene

and to bring peace

into your life,

whatever that may be.

It could be a family member.

It could be a relationship

with a friend.

It could be your own battles.

Don't we have battles

that we face every day?

We certainly do.

And we ask God

to help us

to bring peace

in our life.

We think of strength

that comes from the Lord

and how God provides

for us.

We certainly should seek Him

and ask for help.

The second thing then

is to let God's peace

flow into your relationships

just as God transforms

our lives.

We have to be

those ambassadors

for Christ.

In what we say

and in what we do,

we don't just hide

the light of God,

right?

Hide it under a bushel.

No,

I'm going to let it shine,

right?

In the same way,

when God gives you peace,

share that with other people.

And it will.

it will fundamentally change

your life

to where how you interact

with people is different.

To where how friends

or family would be like,

dude,

you're not the same guy

I knew.

What's going on with you?

What's gotten into you,

right?

You have those kind of

conversations

about transformation,

about the peace.

peace.

And people recognize

that kind of peace.

Why are you so calm

when X, Y, and Z

is going on?

How can you withstand

this kind of pressure

when other people

would crumble

or they would fall

or they would go crazy

in this situation?

But yet,

that peace that surpasses

all understanding

will carry you through.

It'll certainly carry you

through any situation

that you go through.

Why do you think

it's written in the Psalms,

even though I walk

through the valley

of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil

for you are with me.

Why do you think

that's written in there?

It's for us

to recognize

that God is with us

as we journey

through life,

as we go through

storms in this life,

as we go through

situations in here.

And so,

a challenge for you

is to choose

practice

an act of peace.

Perhaps

it is a gentle word.

Words of encouragement.

Our words

have such gravity

to them, right?

You can think of

famous speeches, right?

Ones that give life

and ones that give what?

Death.

Evil.

Think of how powerful

our tongue is, right?

How many of you

had a parent say,

hold your tongue?

Because you didn't know

how to control it, right?

And certainly,

I wish I could tell

some people,

you gotta hold your tongue,

right?

But certainly,

it even says in Scripture

that death and life

are in the power

of the tongue.

We've got to be mindful

of what we speak

to people.

a gentle word,

the ministry of presence,

being present with people,

showing up.

Showing up is the first thing

that we can do.

Sometimes there are situations

in our life

where just showing up

and not even know

what to say.

Just you being there

is enough

for so many people.

There have been times

where I have

visited someone

and I did not have

the words to say,

if you can believe that.

I'm a man of many words.

But there are times

I don't know what to say.

And I'm just there

in that moment.

Do you know

that kind of action

can speak volumes

to people?

Being there for someone,

giving them a phone call,

sending a text,

or just showing up,

hey,

I heard this happened.

I'm here for you.

That's it.

Because we all need,

it's like that famous saying,

we all need a shoulder

to cry on, amen?

We all need someone.

And I think of this church

and I think of how

this church has been seen

as a hospital

for those that are hurting.

And I think that's something

I think a lot of churches

should be known for.

a place where

you think of a hospital

or you think of

this sense of nourishment.

If you broke your leg,

you certainly want to make sure

you take care

of the immediate pain,

right?

I think anyone with common sense

would want to make sure

they get relief.

But to be able

to strengthen the leg,

to be able to have

physical recovery,

physical therapy

to where

now I can work

with the leg

completely.

Now,

not all of us

are going to break

our legs here,

but I'm using this

as an example

of why it's so important

for us to have

spiritual nourishment

and spiritual healing.

We have to think

of how

when we're out

in the field

or when we're out

in our own

everyday life,

sometimes

we get hurt.

And it's important

for us to come

to the body of Christ,

the community of believers

for prayer,

support,

and encouragement

for each other.

I was reading a book

one time

that was saying

that for every

rebuke

that a pastor

must give,

there's about

10 different

opportunities

for that pastor

to speak encouragement

to people.

Because more often

than not,

rebuke

is not as common

as someone

who needs help

and assistance

or someone

who needs prayer

and encouragement.

That was a very,

I don't remember

the name of the book

and if you ask

we'll talk after,

I'll see if I can find it.

But I remember

that that struck

a chord with me

because there are

some people

that all they are

is focused on

rebuking and correcting

and making sure

people are on the

straight and narrow.

Certainly,

by all means

that's important.

But what about

people that are hurting?

What about people

that need presence,

words of encouragement,

these kind of things

are so critical.

They are crucial

for us.

Finally,

our last thing

is to bear

the fruit

of transformation

this Advent season.

Identify

a pattern.

Maybe there is

something that you

need to address

in your life.

Maybe it's sin.

Maybe it's having

a conversation

with a friend

or a family member.

Instead of

defensiveness,

defensiveness,

offer understanding.

You know how hard

it is to talk

with someone

you don't agree with?

Right?

They're making

life choices.

That doesn't mean

we're not standing

on the word.

We certainly

stand strong

in our convictions

and we deal

in love

with other people.

Instead of avoidance,

offer presence.

sometimes

it's difficult

to have difficult

conversations.

That's why they're

called difficult

conversations.

Right?

But sometimes

it's better

to just be present

in those moments.

Offering

to build that

bridge

with another

person.

And instead

of fear,

offer trust.

And certainly

we have to think

of what is

appropriate

and what is not.

We have to use

discernment

in these kind

of things.

But I want you

to think

nonetheless

of how peace

is not passive.

It is the path

that leads

to life.

And how important

having that peace

of Christ is.

And how it

transforms us

and transforms

other people.

And I want to go

to that slide,

the three images,

Matteo,

if that's alright.

The image

with Christ,

the Prince of Peace.

And I kind of want

to close with this.

That the biblical

story talks

about the chaos

of the waters,

the chaos

of the sea,

and how

Christ

enters the sea

standing

on the chaotic

water.

Right?

Not afraid.

And how

the disciples

and how even

us can be afraid

of standing

on a boat,

right?

When there's chaos

going on.

God's

But how Christ

stands with

such authority

and presence

and power

to command

the sea

and the sea

obeys.

And it ends

with the river

of life.

let us think

of Christ

as the Prince

of Peace,

the one

who can

calm storms,

literally,

but also

the storms

in our life.

How Christ

will heal

our wounds

and he's

preparing

a new heaven

and a new earth.

And so

this Advent,

may you hear

Christ speaking

peace

over your

chaos,

over the storms

of your life

and may

the river

of life

flow through

the broken

places

in your life.

May there be

healing,

restoration,

transformation

and renewal.

And whether we

got that broken

leg

or we're

strengthening it,

may we be

on a path

of healing,

renewal

and strength

from Christ.

May his

healing peace

move through

you and

to others.

Let's pray

together.

And Father,

we thank you

for this time

and this

opportunity for

us to go

over this

wonderful Advent

theme of

peace.

And in going

over Revelation

and this scene

of what the

new heaven

and new earth

will be like,

may we take

away from

this sermon

how your

son,

Jesus Christ,

commands

the storm

and how

he has

the power

and the

authority

to speak

the words

peace,

be still.

And I

pray for

every person

here.

If they're

experiencing

chaos in a

certain area,

a stormy sea

or a stormy

situation,

that you

will intervene

and let there

be peace

in their life.

I pray for

the people

that are

watching online,

the people

that will be

listening to

the podcast

recording of

this,

that they

will know

God calls

them to

receive his

grace.

God also

calls them

to receive

his peace.

May we

never forget

that.

May we

never lose

sight of

that,

knowing that

Christ is

the Prince

of Peace.

We love

you,

we praise

you,

we glorify

you,

and we

honor you.

we're so

in awe

of who

you are,

just as

that song

says,

great are

you,

Lord,

and may

we pour

out our

praise to

you.

It is in

the name

of Jesus

Christ,

the Prince

of Peace,

that we

pray,

and we

all say

together,

amen,

church.

Amen.

Thank you

for listening

to today's

message.

I hope

that this

sermon

encouraged

you.

You know,

when I was

preparing this

message,

I kept

thinking about

this imagery

of that

which is

chaotic

to the

river

of life,

the river

that is

flowing

from God's

throne.

It is

something

that is

remarkable,

it is

something

that is

abundant,

powerful,

and life-giving,

and that

is what

God's peace

is like.

It flows

like a river.

But here's

another thing

that really

struck me.

Peace

isn't just

something that

we receive,

it flows

through us,

from the

throne,

to the

river,

to us,

and to

others.

It's this

constant movement

of peace

that is found

in Scripture.

And that's

what this

message teaches

us,

that peace

begins where

God enters

the chaos.

Peace

heals

what sin

has broken,

and peace

prepares us

to welcome

others the

way that

Christ has

welcomed us.

I want

to challenge

you this

week with

something that

is practical.

Think of