Joy isn’t something you chase.

It’s something you cultivate.

The arrival of Jesus was the arrival of great joy. And great joy is what Jesus desires to be within us as His sons and daughters.

Can you be still?

Not just physically, but in your soul?

The advent of Jesus is the advent of peace. A wholeness and completeness that touches the deepest parts of our souls.

And His peace brings a stillness.

And that stillness gives us space to know who God really is.

The advent of Jesus is the advent of hope.

It’s the ability to expect that good is coming.

And we can expect that good is coming because it actually is.

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus uses this phrase over and over: you have heard it said, but I say unto you.

Why?

Because Jesus knew something about us as humans.

Jesus knows that the things we have heard said can keep us from hearing what He says.

The ways of seeing and living that have been modeled for us can hinder us from seeing and living in alignment with His word and His ways.

Jesus isn’t afraid to put His finger on the things we have heard or seen that are at odds with His Kingdom.

Because His intention is to reframe our minds and reshape our lives to see and think and live like Him.

The people of God have always felt not at home in the world.

And that feeling usually leads to one of two responses:

Fight or Flight.

But, neither response is what Jesus calls for.

In the Kingdom, there’s a third option.

It’s to flourish.

There is a world outside the walls of our church buildings.

And when Jesus sees the world, He sees through eyes of deep love and compassion.

We have a mission as His Church.

And it’s to go into the world to reveal and release His Kingdom.

Check out this teaching on Church as Mission from our series House of Peace.

The goal isn’t just to believe in Jesus.

It’s to become like Jesus.

So, how does church fit into that process?

Check out this teaching titled Church as Formation from our series “House of Peace.”

We all struggle with restlessness in our souls.

A desire for just a little bit more to make us content and at peace.

The problem is: nothing ever seems to satisfy.

So, how do we satisfy the restlessness that exists in us at a soul-deep level?

Check out this teaching on Church as Rest from our series “House of Peace”

Every time we gather together as a church, we aren’t attending an event.

We are taking a seat at God’s table.

We are sitting down to a meal with Jesus.

Tables were an important part of Jesus’ ministry.

Because at the table is where transformation takes place.

Check out this teaching on Church as a Table from our series “House of Peace”

Why do we gather?

What is church for?

To bend our knee before Jesus.

Check out this teaching from our series “House of Peace”