A New Peace

John 14:22–29 M:BCL

22 Judas (not Iscariot) said, “Master, why is it that you are about to make yourself plain to us but not to the world?” 23 “Because a loveless world,” said Jesus, “is a sightless world. If anyone loves me, he will carefully keep my word and my Father will love him—we’ll move right into the neighborhood! 24 Not loving me means not keeping my words. The message you are hearing isn’t mine. It’s the message of the Father who sent me. 25 “I’m telling you these things while I’m still living with you. 26 The Friend, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send at my request, will make everything plain to you. He will remind you of all the things I have told you. 27 I’m leaving you well and whole. That’s my parting gift to you. Peace. I don’t leave you the way you’re used to being left—feeling abandoned, bereft. So don’t be upset. Don’t be distraught. 28 “You’ve heard me tell you, ‘I’m going away, and I’m coming back.’ If you loved me, you would be glad that I’m on my way to the Father because the Father is the goal and purpose of my life. 29 “I’ve told you this ahead of time, before it happens, so that when it does happen, the confirmation will deepen your belief in me.

We’re in the season of Advent, a season of preparation for the coming of the Lord.

I want to talk to you about the peace of God. Not just any kind of peace, but the peace of God. Not simply the absence of hostility. The Shalom of God—His peace—means “welfare, prosperity, or wholeness as well as the absence of hostility.”

We live in a chaotic, anxious, and sometimes overwhelming world.

Have you ever felt so stressed or overwhelmed that you just want to get away? We love vacations (or the idea of them) and getaways. Doesn’t it feel great when you have those moments of respite and peace in the midst of the chaos in your life?

Unfortunately, trouble will only increase as we get closer to the end as Jesus warned us (Luke 21:10-11). We need to find something to keep us from being overwhelmed.

Illustration: Martin Lawrence in Bad Boys, grabbing his ears and soothing himself with “woosah.” But we need something better than that.

When we can embrace the peace of God which Jesus brought, the peace of God will fill our hearts and we will be kept by it.

True Peace

Any form of peace we create without God is only temporary. Because of the fall of man the curse makes it so that things are hard and resistant to us (cf. Genesis 3:17-19). And, as much as we try to create order out of chaos and calm anxious thoughts there is a limit to our own strength.

True and lasting peace only comes with the kingdom of God through Christ.

Isaiah 9:6 NKJV

For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

This passage spoke to the Advent—the coming—of the Messiah. One of His titles is Prince of Peace.

We can learn to receive and remain in His peace.

Remember that when we spoke of the hope of His coming we said that both judgment and salvation will arrive at that time (Hebrews 9:27-28). At that time all will be made right and new by God. There will be complete and total peace as God subdues His enemies and delivers us from evil (cf. Hebrews 10:13).

We can have the peace of God now even as all of the world will ultimately experience it once the Lord returns.

Partnering With Peace

This season is not just a reminder of hope but one of peace. And we can receive and walk in the peace of God.

Prepare for Peace

Psalm 29:11 NKJV

The Lord will give strength to His people; The Lord will bless His people with peace.

Peace is a gift from God. It comes from the Lord. Hear the words of Jesus:

John 14:27 NKJV

Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

When Jesus came with the kingdom, He brought the peace of God (Romans 14:17). He brought a supernatural peace that produces wholeness and blessing and wellness.

Illustration: Contest for painting the picture of “peace.” Two finalists. One entry of the most idyllic field of grass touched by the wind on a warm spring day. Everyone thought that was the one. The second painting was revealed of a waterfall rushing over the rocks. In a nook, a crack between the raging water was a mother bird, her wing around her young. Their eyes were closed and seemingly unaware of anything dangerous around them. Their peace was found in the presence of their mom.

You will find your peace in Jesus. The way you prepare for peace in your life is to come to Him in faith. Make Christ your refuge and strong tower and you will be safe (Proverbs 18:10).

Let Peace Be Your Guard

Philippians 4:6–7 NKJV

6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

God’s peace is meant to guard you and keep you from the anxiety and chaos of this life.

The way that we allow God’s peace to keep us and guard us is through prayer and thanksgiving.

Illustration: Aboard military installations there are what we would call “gate guards.” These individuals are stationed at entry points into the base. Their job is to filter, screen, and protect from threats. They help ensure that nothing hostile enters into the base.

This is essentially the picture of this word guard. The peace of God will filter, screen, and protect you from any threat to your heart and mind.

The peace of God acts like a guard to keep you safe and secure no matter what the world, flesh, or the devil might send your way.

Look for peace. Let peace guard you and keep you. Let the peace of God protect you and secure your steps. Whenever you are faced with chaos or anxiety, pray. Come to God with thanksgiving and He will bring you peace.

Now, and always, let peace be your guard.

Continue in the Peace of God

Isaiah 26:3 AMP

You will guard him and keep him in perfect and constant peace whose mind [both its inclination and its character] is stayed on You, because he commits himself to You, leans on You, and hopes confidently in You.

Christ brings us peace and His peace is a guard for our hearts and minds but we need to continue in it.

Jesus told us beforehand about the troubles that we would face in this world.

John 16:33 NKJV

These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

He told us so that we would trust in Him. If we trust in Him and in His word we will remain in perfect peace (Psalm 119:165).

The more we experience God and see His word is true the more we will gain confidence and trust.

Continuing in the peace of God requires that we set our minds upon Him. Keep your mind turned toward God.

Illustration: In 1961 Arnold Palmer was competing in the Masters Golf tournament. Near the end, he had a 1 shot lead and had hit a great shot off of the tee. Near the hole he saw an old friend who called him over, shook his hand and said, “Congratulations.” It was at that moment that Arnold Palmer realized that he’d lost his focus. The next two shots went into the sand and then over the green. He missed a put and lost the Masters. —Carol Mann, The 19th Hole, (Longmeadow), quoted in Reader's Digest.

When things rise up to challenge you, don’t lose focus. Set your mind on the Lord. Everyday, as often as you can, remind yourself of His good word and promises. Trust in Him and His peace will keep you continually.

Conclusion

When Jesus came, He came with the kingdom. He came with peace.

This peace is available to all who receive Him. It is a gift to us to guard us and keep us in the face of chaos and anxiety in this life.

God is coming back and He promises to bring peace in that time.

Haggai 2:9 NKJV

‘The glory of this latter temple shall be greater than the former,’ says the Lord of hosts. ‘And in this place I will give peace,’ says the Lord of hosts.”

Until He returns again to bring permanent and lasting peace, we need to continue in His peace.

We live in the hope of this season and we are invited to enter into the peace of the Lord. We will have less anxiety and more rest as we enjoy the peace of God that passes all understanding.

So, as we celebrate the coming of the Lord and continue to trust in Him, we will be kept in His peace until He returns the second time.

Pray for peace.