Announcements:

• “King Jesus will be Praised” Worship Night at 6pm Sunday November 26 2023
• Church Family Christmas gathering Saturday evening December 2, 2023 at 6pm
• Thursday Night Bible Study at 7p, (Bible Study theme:  Hungry to Grow In My Christian Journey-Freedom)
• Prayer meeting Sunday December 3, 2023 at 6pm.
• Spanish Translation for the sermon is now available at HCC.  Feel free to invite Spanish speaking people to church.
• Youth meet every Saturday at 6:30pm.
• Pray for HCC and Open Hands Community Charitable Services as we prepare to expand our service to the community.

Sermon Notes:

Main Point:  Total Dependency on Jesus is the key to everlasting true peace, rest and joy.

Foundation Scriptures:  Ephesians 2:11-17.  We had no hope before Christ but in Jesus we have peace.  John 4:13-14.  Jesus is living water and those who find it will never thirst again.

Pastor’s Thoughts:

• How high is your dependency meter on Jesus?
• In our Christian journey the goal is to be totally dependent on Jesus for true peace, rest and joy.
• The more we depend on earthly temporary things for satisfaction, the emptier we will become.
• We were created to be total dependent on God.  We brought nothing into this world and we will take nothing out.
  • 1 Timothy 6:6-7.  Be content.  We brought nothing in and will take nothing out.

The World is Dependent on Temporary things to find peace and rest and joy:

• Drug addicts are dependent on drugs for peace and rest and joy from the trials of life.
• Money addicts are dependent on money for peace and rest and joy from the trials of life.
• Power addicts are dependent on power for peace and rest and joy from the trials of life.
• Sports addicts are dependent on sports for peace and rest and joy from the trials of life.
• Shopping addicts are dependent on shopping for peace and rest and joy from the trials of life.
• Relationship addicts are dependent on relationships for peace and rest and joy from the trials of life.
• The list goes on and on with different things people seek for peace and rest and joy from the trials of life. (pornography, alcohol, etc)

Pastor’s Thoughts:

The problem with finding peace, joy and rest, outside of our faith in Jesus is that all these worldly pursuits lead to the same place.  A place of emptiness.

Jesus is the only answer for eternal rest and peace from the trials of life.

Jesus said in Matthew 11:28.  “Come unto me all that labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest.”

The lie of the enemy:

• When we are going through a trial in life and we feel burdened, the enemy would lie to Christians telling them ‘where is God now’ your peace is gone so the promise from God about peace is not true.
  • This is a lie from the deceiver, Satan
    • The truth is we live in a fallen world, where trials of life come and go, but the promise of God is that even in trial when you come to Jesus, he will give you rest. 
    • -So the enemy is a liar.  Our God will bring peace that passeth all understanding.

Scriptures about peace.

• Philippians 4:7.  Let the peace of God that surpasses all understanding; guard your heart and your mind.
  • Heart represents your passion (heart for God)   .  Mind represents your understanding (your mind is renewing)
• 2 Thessalonians 3:16.  May the Lord give you peace always in every way and by all means.

Colossians 3:15.  Let the peace of God rule in your hearts (it is a choice)