Making peace with oneself
Notes
Transcript
The offer of peace
The offer of peace
Jesus is the Prince of peace (Isa9:6) who left His peace (Jn14:27)
Jesus the peacemaker makes the way of peace with God (Jn14:6; Rom5:1)
Jesus the peacemaker makes the way of peace with mankind (Rom12:18)
(Transition) Jesus the peacemaker, makes way for man to have “peace of mind.” defined as the absence of mental stress, anxiety, worry. A state of calm, quiet, and comfort of mind.
The need for peace of mind
The need for peace of mind
The problem of anxiety
Anxiety is distress; characterized by mental anguish, agitation, uneasiness, be it mild or severe
It takes oneself out of the here and now and puts a focus on the what may happen in the future.
National Institute of Mental Health
23 mil people suffer from anxiety disorders, it is the most common of mental disorders
It impacts, disrupts work, family, peoples social lives, to the point that some are housebound.
Anxiety (worry) is counter productive like
Trying to get somewhere in rocking chair, you move, but move nowhere
(Transition) - the problem is real, (insert personal illustration) it is a common problem that we should not be ashamed of, but should acknowledge.
The problem with anxiety
We are not immune to it, we too can be troubled (Look up Lk10:41)
41 But the Lord answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things;
It can hinder our service to the Lord (expand)
Yes, it can even demonstrate a lack of maturing faith when we worry about the things of this world (turn to Mt6:25-30)
25 “For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26 “Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? 27 “And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life? 28 “And why are you worried about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, 29 yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. 30 “But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith!
It may even feel like we are perishing (ref: Mt8:24-26)
George Muller: “The beginning of anxiety is the end of faith; and the beginning of true faith is the end of anxiety.”
(transition) it is a serious matter that should not be ignored, we should acknowledge it and accept Jesus offer, Jesus way of having peace with oneself.
Jesus offer of peace
Jesus offer of peace
Jesus promised peace, His peace (turn to Jn14:27)
27 “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.
Peace in a world filled with tribulation (turn to Jn16:33)
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.”
(transition) Offered peace, not just temporal peace, but eternal peace regardless of circumstances.
Remember our definition: A state of tranquility that is enjoyed by Christians because of their relationship to Jesus Christ our peacemaker.
Jesus solution for peace
Accept the offer, make it a priority (turn to Mt6:31-34)
31 “Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’ 32 “For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. 34 “So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Seek first God and his kingdom, his reign, his righteousness. His will, His way, His timing, make it our priority
Jesus offered peace comes when we simplify our lives (turn to Lk10:41-42)
41 But the Lord answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; 42 but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.”
Serving was not a bad thing at all, just not the main thing, the big thing. in this case not the good part.
Don’t let this world choke out the peace offered by Jesus (Turn to Lk8:14)
14 “The seed which fell among the thorns, these are the ones who have heard, and as they go on their way they are choked with worries and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to maturity.
Jesus offer of peace comes through faith (Mt6:25-30; Turn to Mt8:26)
26 He said to them, “Why are you afraid, you men of little faith?” Then He got up and rebuked the winds and the sea, and it became perfectly calm.
Then quote Jn14:1
1 “Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me.
Faith that comes, faith that is built on the world of God (re: Rom10:17)
Jesus offer of peace is built on through our relationship, prayer life (turn to Php4:6-7)
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 comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
By praying about everything, giving thanks for everything, His offer of peace will guard our hearts and our minds in Christ Jesus!
The Peace of mind that Jesus offers
The Peace of mind that Jesus offers
Peace not of this world (ref: Jn14:27)
Peace despite tribulations that we will face (ref: Jn16:33)
It is the peace that surpasses comprehension/understanding (ref: Php4:7) that guards heart/mind.
It is perfect peace (turn to Isa26:3)
3 “The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace, Because he trusts in You.
(conclusion/invitation)
Anxiety, worry, fear need not trouble the disciple of Jesus For He is our peace our peacemaker, even with ourselves
Jesus gives instructions how to accept His offered peace with a couple of simple things we talked about today
Prioritizing and simplifying
Believing and prayer
First comes salvation that makes peace with God (Invitation)
(Song) (Prayer) (Close)