Victory Church

Peace, by Lead Pastor Toby Cox

Ephesians 4:7-8 (ESV)

7 But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ's gift. 8 Therefore it says,

“When he ascended on high he led a host of captives,

and he gave gifts to men.”[a]

Luke 2:8-14 (ESV)

The Shepherds and the Angels

8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

14 “Glory to God in the highest,

and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”[a]

Peace with each other

Luke 2:9-10 (ESV)

9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.

Luke 10:25-37 (ESV)

The Parable of the Good Samaritan

25 And behold, a lawyer stood up to put him to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” 26 He said to him, “What is written in the Law? How do you read it?” 27 And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” 28 And he said to him, “You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live.”

29 But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” 30 Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him and departed, leaving him half dead. 31 Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. 32 So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion. 34 He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 And the next day he took out two denarii[a] and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, ‘Take care of him, and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.’ 36 Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?” 37 He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” And Jesus said to him, “You go, and do likewise.”

Ephesians 2:17-22 (ESV)

17 And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. 18 For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. 19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens,[a] but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. 22 In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by[b] the Spirit.

Ephesians 4:1-4 (ESV)

Unity in the Body of Christ

4 I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call—

Peace with Jesus

Sin is personal problem.

Ezekiel 18:20 (ESV)

20 The soul who sins shall die. The son shall not suffer for the iniquity of the father, nor the father suffer for the iniquity of the son. The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself.

Your need is met through a person.

Hebrews 10:4 (ESV)

4 For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.

Isaiah 1:12-14 (ESV)

12 “When you come to appear before me,

who has required of you

this trampling of my courts?

13 Bring no more vain offerings;

incense is an abomination to me.

New moon and Sabbath and the calling of convocations—

I cannot endure iniquity and solemn assembly.

14 Your new moons and your appointed feasts

my soul hates;

they have become a burden to me;

I am weary of bearing them.

Ephesians 2:13-18 (ESV)

13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14 For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility 15 by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, 16 and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. 17 And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. 18 For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.

Peace with God

Reconciliation

2 Corinthians 5:17-20 (ESV)

17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.[a] The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling[b] the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. 20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.

Access

Ephesians 3:12 (ESV)

12 in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him.

Romans 5:1-2 (ESV)

Peace with God Through Faith

5 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we[a] have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith[b] into this grace in which we stand, and we[c] rejoice[d] in hope of the glory of God.

We belong.

Ephesians 2:12-13 (ESV)

12 remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

John 3:16 (ESV)

For God So Loved the World

16 “For God so loved the world,[a] that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

James 1:17 (ESV)

17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.[a]

John 3:17 (ESV)

17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

1 Corinthians 12:7 (ESV)

7 To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.

1 Corinthians 12:1 (ESV)

Spiritual Gifts

12 Now concerning[a] spiritual gifts,[b] brothers,[c] I do not want you to be uninformed.

1. Some assembly required.

1 Timothy 4:14-15 (ESV)

14 Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you. 15 Practice these things, immerse yourself in them,[a] so that all may see your progress.

2. Batteries not included.

Acts 1:8 (ESV)

8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

2 Timothy 1:7 (ESV)

7 for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

3. Adult supervision required.

1 Peter 1:5 (ESV)

5 who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

How to make the most of your gift.

A. Family holds accountability.

1 Timothy 3:6 (ESV)

6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil.

B. Maintain our gift in the context of serving.

Acts 4:10 (ESV)

10 let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by him this man is standing before you well.

John 13:3-5 (ESV)

3 Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, 4 rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. 5 Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him.

C. Give credit where credit is due.

1 Peter 4:11 (ESV)

11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

James 3:16 (ESV)

16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.

1 Corinthians 3:3 (ESV)

3 for you are still of the flesh. For while there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not of the flesh and behaving only in a human way?

Romans 12:4-5 (ESV)

4 For as in one body we have many members,[a] and the members do not all have the same function, 5 so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.

Gifts, by Lead Pastor Toby Cox

John 3:16 (ESV)

For God So Loved the World

16 “For God so loved the world,[a] that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

James 1:17 (ESV)

17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.[a]

John 3:17 (ESV)

17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

1 Corinthians 12:7 (ESV)

7 To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.

1 Corinthians 12:1 (ESV)

Spiritual Gifts

12 Now concerning[a] spiritual gifts,[b] brothers,[c] I do not want you to be uninformed.

1. Some assembly required.

1 Timothy 4:14-15 (ESV)

14 Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you. 15 Practice these things, immerse yourself in them,[a] so that all may see your progress.

2. Batteries not included.

Acts 1:8 (ESV)

8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

2 Timothy 1:7 (ESV)

7 for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

3. Adult supervision required.

1 Peter 1:5 (ESV)

5 who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

How to make the most of your gift.

A. Family holds accountability.

1 Timothy 3:6 (ESV)

6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil.

B. Maintain our gift in the context of serving.

Acts 4:10 (ESV)

10 let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by him this man is standing before you well.

John 13:3-5 (ESV)

3 Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, 4 rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. 5 Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him.

C. Give credit where credit is due.

1 Peter 4:11 (ESV)

11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

James 3:16 (ESV)

16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.

1 Corinthians 3:3 (ESV)

3 for you are still of the flesh. For while there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not of the flesh and behaving only in a human way?

Romans 12:4-5 (ESV)

4 For as in one body we have many members,[a] and the members do not all have the same function, 5 so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.

Weights, part 7- Words, by Lead Pastor Toby Cox

Hebrews 12:1 (ESV)

Jesus, Founder and Perfecter of Our Faith

12 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,

Proverbs 18:21 (ESV)

21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue,

and those who love it will eat its fruits.

1. Our Words Have POWER.

Proverbs 18:21 ...The tongue has the POWER

Romans 10:9-10 (ESV)

9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.

2. Our Words Can HEAL.

Proverbs 18:21 (ESV)

21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue,

and those who love it will eat its fruits.

Proverbs 16:24 (ESV)

24 Gracious words are like a honeycomb,

sweetness to the soul and health to the body.

Proverbs 12:14 (ESV)

14 From the fruit of his mouth a man is satisfied with good,

and the work of a man's hand comes back to him.

Joel 3:10 (ESV)

10 Beat your plowshares into swords,

and your pruning hooks into spears;

let the weak say, “I am a warrior.”

3. Our Words Can DESTROY.

Proverbs 18:21 (ESV)

21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue,

and those who love it will eat its fruits.

Our words are like elevators...

We're Either Taking People Up,

Or We're Taking People Down

With Our Words.

Proverbs 25:18 (ESV)

18 A man who bears false witness against his neighbor

is like a war club, or a sword, or a sharp arrow.

Proverbs 12:18 (ESV)

18 There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts,

but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

Matthew 12:34 (ESV)

34 You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.

.

What's Down In The Well,

Will Always Come Up

In The Bucket!

Romans 12:1-2 (ESV)

A Living Sacrifice

12 I appeal to you therefore, brothers,[a] by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.[b] 2 Do not be conformed to this world,[c] but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.[d]

Weights, part 6 – My Chaotic Life, by Lead Pastor Toby Cox

Hebrews 12:1 (ESV)

Jesus, Founder and Perfecter of Our Faith

12 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,

Luke 21:34 (ESV)

Watch Yourselves

34 “But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap.

When life becomes chaotic, we become…

Scattered

Reactive

Frantic

Stressed

Job 9:25 (ESV)

25 “My days are swifter than a runner;

they flee away; they see no good.

Proverbs 19:2 (ESV)

2 Desire without knowledge is not good,

and whoever makes haste with his feet misses his way.

Exodus 33:14 (ESV)

14 And he said, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”

Matthew 11:28-29 (ESV)

28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

Simplifying the Chaos

Psalm 90:12 (ESV)

12 So teach us to number our days

that we may get a heart of wisdom.

1. Identify your unique values.

Jeremiah 6:16 (ESV)

16 Thus says the Lord:

“Stand by the roads, and look,

and ask for the ancient paths,

where the good way is; and walk in it,

and find rest for your souls.

But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.’

2. Identify your single most important objective.

Proverbs 17:24 (ESV)

24 The discerning sets his face toward wisdom,

but the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth.

Philippians 3:13 (ESV)

13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead,

3. Check your progress often.

Proverbs 21:5 (ESV)

5 The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance,

but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty.

Proverbs 13:17 (ESV)

17 A wicked messenger falls into trouble,

but a faithful envoy brings healing.