Peace
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It is Well With my Soul - Horacio Spafford
When peace like a river, attendeth my way
When sorrows like sea billows roll
Whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say
It is well, it is well, with my soul
It is well
With my soul
It is well, it is well with my soul
For 400 years after the prophet Malachi until the birth of Jesus the people waited....
But really it was closer to 4000 years since the fall in the garden and the first promise of a savior..
Isaiah gives us the clear picture of this savior to come
6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.
And, the angels announce to the shepherds...
14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
Peace has come!
Peace - such a powerful word!
Greek - I-ray-nae– quiet, rest - the state of well being
Hebrew - Shalom – safe, well, good health
Old Testament Hebrew Word “Shalom”
“According to the Hebrews' understanding, peace was a state of well-being that included good health, prosperity, contentment, security and harmonious relationships.” - Bridgeway Bible Dictionary
Peace was more than just this idea of calmness
Dealt with health, wealth, situation, security, and relationships
In Jewish context, it was a bit different than our understanding
If you were Jewish, they would say Shalom commonly in prayer and discussion
Peace was understood to be a greeting, form of inquiry, and a wish for a person's well being
Paul has 13 letters in the new testament. How many of them do you think he starts or ends with a phrase like “grace and peace” - all 13!
Peace from Jesus is unlike the world’s idea
27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
It is rather difficult to find peace in the things in this world
The world is chaos.
One of my favorite stories to illustrate the peace that Jesus brings is:
35 That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” 36 Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. 37 A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped.
38 Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” 39 He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.
40 He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” 41 They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”
Earthly situations - who needs Jesus to come and say “quite, be still?”
To know peace is to know Jesus, the Prince of Peace...
Jesus has power to overcome any and all situations...
Sometimes, the peace is not removing the storm, but trusting in the one walking with us through them
33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
Sometimes, He is walking with us through the struggles....
How often do we try to find peace in things other than Jesus?
What are some things that we try to find peace in?
money/job
relationships
sin
Yet, as we all know, these fail!
But, if we turn to Jesus we have a peace that transcends...
7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
There is a filling of peace that comes from Jesus!
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
We have the very presence of peace on the inside of us!
13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Jesus is our filling and source of peace
no matter what is going on…we can have peace....in knowing Christ!
So......
What does this mean for us? What are we to do this advent season?
Called to share peace with others
When discussing what is clean and unclean, Paul tells us to stop judging each other and not causing our bothers and sisters to stumble.
He says:
17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, 18 because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and receives human approval.
19 Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.
make every effort....sounds like Ephesians..
2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
As the body…we have a call to make every effort to have peace with each other!
12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.
17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
This season…bring the peace! This world should be more peaceful just because we are here!
If you are struggling....come to Jesus...