The Gospel of Peace

Introduction:

Paul paints a picture of the soldier of Christ.

Ephesians 6:15 NASB95

and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

To Shod means to bind under one’s feet, to be in bonds, to tie, to wind, to knit or be at one with. It also has to do with your walk, or how you walk out your life from day-to-day.

Preparation means having a firm foundation or solid knowledge of something. In this case, preparation is knowing the Prince of Peace and His Word.

Peace is one of the most powerful weapons we have.

The Gospel of Peace?

The gospel of peace - what does that mean?

Well, the gospel of peace is the gospel!

It’s sometimes called the gospel of Christ, it’s sometimes called the gospel of God, like in Romans 1, and here it’s called the gospel of peace.

What is the gospel of peace? It is the good news that you have made peace with God.

That’s essentially the theme of the opening verses of Romans 5. Look at this, Romans 5, verse 1, “Having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

What does it mean to be at peace with God? Simply, it means that God is not our enemy but God is our strength. And it takes you right back to Ephesians 6:10, “Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.” It means He’s on our side. We stand firm because we know that we are, in reality, invincible.

Satan may come at us, tempting us one way or another, we are firm in the great truth that we are at peace with God

To understan further this “Gospel of peace”… We don’t have to go far

Ephesians 2:13–18 (NASB95)

13 But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

14 For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall,

15 by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances, so that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thus establishing peace,

16 and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the enmity.

17 And He came and preached peace to you who were far away, and peace to those who were near;

18 for through Him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father.

4 references to peace… LOOK

And all of the peace grounded in the shed blood of Christ, flesh of Christ torn and crucified, on the cross, through christ

Thats how peace is made between us and God, and how peace is made between Jew and Gentile.

Now there are 2 primary ways to understand this passage.

Both are scriptural… Both are Doctrinal… and both should be preached.

But only one view seems to fit the context.

So let me begin by sharing the one I believe doesn’t fit the context as well.

So through the years, many commentators and preachers have said this verse is SYMBOLIC for the call to evangelize.

They borrow that from Rom 10:15 “15 How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news of good things!”

Isa 52:7 “7 How lovely on the mountains Are the feet of him who brings good news, Who announces peace And brings good news of happiness, Who announces salvation, And says to Zion, “Your God reigns!””

But here’s where that argument seems to fall short.

Both the context of Rom 10, and Isa 52, have nothing to do with warfare… it has nothing to do with shoes!

And has EVERYTHING to do with BLESSING the people who brought them good news!

So in my estimation, Paul probably had these thoughts in MIND, but what we read is something altogether different.

Second Understanding:

Paul isn’t talking about GOING anywhere… he’s talking about STANDING! Taking a firm stance in a battle against the Devil as he assaults our lives.

1 Cor 16:13 “13 Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith.”

The idea here is that our feet need to stand FIRMLY when the attack comes our way.

David Lipscomb wrote: “Since the Christian warrior is to stand, he must have no unprotected or uncertain foothold.”

As fighting was typically done in hand-to-hand combat, a firm footing was exceedingly important.

Sandals were bound to the feet and ankle… but also studded with hobnails for sure footing.

Our “sure-footing” on this earth, is the Gospel of Peace.

Life will happen, and Satan will attempt to make us feel unstable, shaky and defeated. But having our feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace creates a stability that even Satan can’t undo;

Paul would say: “15 Let the peace of Christ RULE in your hearts” — Col 3:15.

"Prince of Peace"

Isa. 9:6 “6 For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.”

John 16:33 “33 “These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.””

We CAN have PEACE in the prince of Peace

"Gospel of Peace"

A Gospel that Isaiah says: “proclaims liberty to captives… And freedom to prisoners;”

Its a gospel that frees you from the CHAINS of sin.

"Kingdom of Peace"

Where the citizens of the King are to be "peacemakers"

Mat 5:9 “9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.”

And so with the understanding that PEACE, being grounded and rooted with PEACE… will allow us to STAND in the evil day, STAND against the schemes of the devil!… let’s consider, 3 things, 3 results of what will happen when we PUT on and are prepared WITH… the Gospel.

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The Gospel of Peace, when equipped, Does 3 things.

Glorifies Christ

We glorify Him by our Life… Faith… Service… Worship

1 Cor 10:31 “31 Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”

1 Peter 4:10-11 “10 As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 11 Whoever speaks, is to do so as one who is speaking the utterances of God; whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.”

We glorify CHRIST by equipping ourselves with His weapon which is the very WORK of Christ!

He will be GLORIFIED in our DEFENSE of His holy name!

Defeats Satan

Satan is the very OPPOSITE of Peace! He is Confusion, Delusion, Lawlessness. and CHAOS!

He is the prince of everything but peace who stands in opposition to our Lord

The Gospel DEFEATED Satan from his CORRUPT agenda!

He was defeated when Jesus chose not to give into temptation!

He was defeated when Jesus chose to die on that cruel rugged cross for the sins of the world!

He was defeated when Jesus defeated the GRAVE and rose again!

And he is defeated when you and I PUT ON THAT GOSPEL… where we become INVINCIBLE to His schemes! INVINCIBLE to his spears and arrows! Because in Christ.. Paul says in Col 2:15 “15 He disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public display of them, having triumphed over them.”

The Gospel is GOOD news for us, but it’s BAD news for Satan

Because when we are rooted and grounded in the gospel of peace… Satan can not harm you any longer.

We’re in the mighty hands of God!

Football coming back.. allstate commercial… You’re in good hands! Indeed we are.. when prepared

Redeems Us

The PEACE that we share in Christ is the PEACE of our salvation!

The Christian walk is not one of Chaos or Uncertainty, it’s a life of ASSURANCE for the faithful Christian!

John 6:47 “47 “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes HAS eternal life.”

Heb 10:22 “22 let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.”

But you can only be redeemed, only be ASSURED in the BLOOD of CHRIST!!

Our fight has been fought and WON. No bloodshed of OURS has need of being spilt on that battlefield because we’re SURROUNDED by a POOL of blood which is the blood of our Savior! And thank GOD that He isn’t dead and in the grave . He has RISEN! And He is ALIVE today and He brings the good news of PEACE to the hearts of all who seek to obey Him!! WHAT A SAVIOR we have!!! Oh what a Savior!

Oh, what a Savior, oh, hallelujah His heart was broken on Calvary His hands were nail scarred His side was riven He gave His life's blood for even me

Conclusion:

Mike Vestal… Fashioned With Jesus Christ!

Gal 3:27 “27 For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.”

Have you been baptized this morning?

If you believe with all your heart as Philip told the Eunich in Acts 8… thou mayest!

Acts 8:37-38 “37 And he answered and said, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.” 38 And he ordered the chariot to stop; and they both went down into the water, Philip as well as the eunuch, and he baptized him.”

Some of you may be quick to put on your shoes in the morning, but the real protection you need is found in God’s Word… Don’t ever forget that.

If you haven’t been baptized into Christ… if you need the prayer and encouragement of the church, wont you come?