LeRoy Service

The peace of God

After a very long and boring sermon the church members filed out of the church saying nothing to the preacher. Towards the end of the line was a thoughtful person who always commented on the sermons. “Preacher, today your sermon reminded me of the peace and love of God" The pastor was thrilled. "No-one has ever said anything like that about my preaching before. Tell me why." "Well - it reminded me of the Peace of God because it passed all understanding and the Love of God because it endured forever" (SC)

Warren Wiersbe said,

“When we give our hearts to Christ in salvation, we experience “peace with God” (Romans 5:1); but the “peace of God” takes us a step farther into God’s blessings. This does not mean the absence of trials on the outside, but it does mean a quiet confidence within, regardless of circumstances, people or things.”

– Warren Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary Romans 5:1

Romans 5:1 NLT

Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us.

Tonight, I want to look at having peace with God so that we can experience the peace of God.

Often when we think of peace, we might think of times when there is no war. Jesus said that in the last days that there would be wars and rumours of wars, but tonight, I want to speak about peace that can take place even on the fiercest battlefield.

We can only have peace with God through faith. When we ask Jesus to come into our lives and to forgive us of our sins, He comes in through the work of the Holy Spirit, and gives us peace with God. This means to be brought back into right relationship with God.

Living according to our sinful nature

Sin causes us to be on the “outs” with God. It’s not His choice, but what comes natural to us. We call this the sinful nature. This has been going on since the beginning, Adam and Eve.

Romans 8:5–8 NLT

Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace. For the sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never did obey God’s laws, and it never will. That’s why those who are still under the control of their sinful nature can never please God.

So when we are made right with God through Jesus, everything changes. It doesn’t necessarily take place all at once, but God starts to work in us to make us to be like Jesus.

Romans 8:11 NLT

The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you.

Because Jesus died for our sins and has been raised from the dead, He makes us alive, and so as we come to Him by faith, we have peace with God.

Since we have peace with God, we can experience the peace of God.

Philippians 4:6–7 NLT

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

This kind of peace means”freedom from worry” (DBL Greek), will protect and keep watch over your heart.

As weird as this sounds, it can be comfortable carrying our worries. We get used to them and we have them to lean on, and yet God wants us to cast our cares on Him and lean on HIm. He wants us to trust in Him.

Proverbs 3:5–6 NIV

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

Here’s a few stats on worry

Worry

A great percentage of our illnesses is in some way related to worry and anxiety and stress. In fact, the #1 killer in America is heart disease.

• 38% of all deaths are heart related and many of those are related to hypertension, high blood pressure and anxiety.

• Worry has been linked to cancer, lung ailments, accidents, cirrhosis, gastrointestinal illness and suicide.

• 3/4 of all visits to primary care physicians are stress-related complaints or disorders.

Question- If we know that worry is a killer- then why do we do it?

Maybe you feel like you’re in a rut and just can’t get out of it. You’ve tried not to worry and have even gotten medication to help with stress, anxiety, or depression.

I don’t pretend to understand. My sister struggled with postpartum depression and went on medication.

I’m not here to tell you that you should or you shouldn’t be on medication. I take thyroid medication every morning, but I am here to encourage you to take your cares to the Lord.

There’s an old hymn that says this,

What a friend we have in Jesus, All our sins and griefs to bear! What a privilege to carry Everything to God in prayer! Oh, what peace we often forfeit, Oh, what needless pain we bear, All because we do not carry Everything to God in prayer!Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere? We should never be discouraged— Take it to the Lord in prayer. Can we find a friend so faithful, Who will all our sorrows share? Jesus knows our every weakness; Take it to the Lord in prayer.Are we weak and heavy-laden, Cumbered with a load of care? Precious Savior, still our refuge— Take it to the Lord in prayer. Do thy friends despise, forsake thee? Take it to the Lord in prayer! In His arms He’ll take and shield thee, Thou wilt find a solace there.Blessed Savior, Thou hast promised Thou wilt all our burdens bear; May we ever, Lord, be bringing All to Thee in earnest prayer. Soon in glory bright, unclouded, There will be no need for prayer— Rapture, praise, and endless worship Will be our sweet portion there.

I want to leave you with a Scripture tonight from Matthew 11:28-30

Matthew 11:28–30 NIV

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Let’s pray!