Living With Peace

True Story — Thousands of people each year visit the Winchester Mansion in San Jose, California. This massive structure was built by Sarah Winchester, the widow of the gun company owner. For thirty-eight years, from 1884 until her death in 1922, the house was under constant construction. Teams of carpenters, masons and other workers were employed around the clock. Various stories have been told about the reason for this unusual practice. Most center on Mrs. Winchester’s belief that she either was haunted or would be haunted by the ghosts of those killed by her husband’s weapons unless she kept building her house. Others claim that she thought she would not die as long as building continued.

Whatever the reason, she continued ordering more renovations and construction as long as she lived. There are more than 10,000 windows in the Winchester Mansion, doorways and stairs that lead to blank walls, and some 160 rooms in total. It is estimated that she spent more than $70,000,000 in today’s money on largely pointless construction—all in a desperate search for peace that was ultimately doomed to fail.

Many people today are seeking peace through equally fruitless means. They turn to pleasure, drugs, alcohol, immorality, wealth and other dead end avenues. Like the staircases that lead nowhere in the Winchester Mansion, pursuing such paths will never bring peace. Instead we find peace when we follow the path that God has given us in His Word. Those who keep the law of God in their hearts and obey it in their actions add peace to their lives. Rather than seeking peace as an end, we should seek to follow Christ. When we do we will find that peace comes as a side effect that we receive from Him.

Multiples times Jesus had alluded or clearly said, “I am going away.”

In chapter 13, Peter began a conversation with Jesus by asking the question, “Lord, where are You going?” Jesus answered with, “You can’t follow me there now, but you will at a later time.”

Peter realized wherever Jesus was going would be post crucifixion. So, Peter follows with (v37). Jesus then gives Peter and the others shocking news; Peter (the supposed leader and spokeman for the group) would publicly deny Jesus three time! There is no doubt this took the wind out of their sails and ushered in overwhelming anxiety and trouble within their own hearts.

Jesus then presents the only truth that would remove any amount of fear, worry, anxiety, doubt, or trouble in their hearts.

1) Living With Surpassing Peace Comes From Knowing Jesus Christ

Illustration — There are tons of commercials telling you their way is the way to better health, more money, the best investments, provides a better retirement, etc.

The direction of Jesus’ ministry was not pointing to any kind of earthly destination…Jesus’ life was pointing them to the Father!

John 7:33–36 “33 Then said Jesus unto them, Yet a little while am I with you, and then I go unto him that sent me. 34 Ye shall seek me, and shall not find me: and where I am, thither ye cannot come. 35 Then said the Jews among themselves, Whither will he go, that we shall not find him? will he go unto the dispersed among the Gentiles, and teach the Gentiles? 36 What manner of saying is this that he said, Ye shall seek me, and shall not find me: and where I am, thither ye cannot come?”

John 7:6–7 “6 Then Jesus said unto them, My time is not yet come: but your time is alway ready. 7 The world cannot hate you; but me it hateth, because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil.”

Jesus comforted would later comfort Philip with the words (v7), “If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.”

Jesus has done the work for your redemption and is waiting for anyone who would humble themselves and receive new life; REPENT AND BELIEVE.

Jesus comforts their anxious hearts by informing them of a commitment He makes to all who will put their confidence in Him.

Heaven is a VERY REAL PLACE!

The Bible describes this place in several ways:

Kingdom — 2 Peter 1:11 “11 For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.”

Inheritance — 1 Peter 1:4 “4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,”

Country/City — Hebrews 11:16 “16 But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.”

Home — John 14:2 “2 In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.”

Jesus was going to a real place, promising by His own hands to prepare a special dwelling place to be with Him.

Q — Why does this place bring the soul so much comfort in such a despairing world?

It is the Father’s house.

It is where Jesus is.

It is the place where many things cannot impact us any longer!

2) Living With Surpassing Peace Comes From Knowing The Father

A. Where was Jesus going?

Jesus was returning to His Father.

John 17:24 “24 Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.”

B. What proceeded Jesus returning to the Father?

Jesus’ mission was to fulfill the perfect law of His father in human flesh.

Adam failed to be the perfect image bearer of the Father, therefore Jesus came (the second Adam) and joyfully conquered man’s failure!

It wasn’t that Jesus had to experience a bloody death and resurrection because there was something lacking within Himself in order for Him to return to His Father.

IT WAS SOMETHING HUMANITY LACKED AND STILL LACKS TODAY!

Romans 5:12 “12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:”

Romans 3:23 “23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;”

Ephesians 2:8–9 “8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.”

3) Living With Surpassing Peace Comes From Knowing The Holy Spirit

Read verses 15-18, 25-31

(v18) “I will not leave you comfortless (as orphans)”

God’s Spirit is called “another Comforter.” (of the same kind)

Quote — (Warren Wiersbe) “The Holy Spirit does not work instead of us, or in spite of us, but in us and through us.”

Etymology “comfort” = (two Latin words) meaning “with strength.”

Q — What does true comfort actually impart to us?

ANS — Strength to face circumstances with bravery and longevity.

(v27) Jesus’ peace is the dwelling of Himself within every believer! Not a physical blessings, but a spiritual new birth!!! Not the absence of trouble, but a life never absent of His presence!!!

Quote — (Warren Wiersbe) “The world bases its peace on its resources, while God’s peace depends on relationships. To be right with God means to enjoy the peace of God. The world depends on personal ability, but the Christian depends on spiritual adequacy in Christ. In the world, peace is something you hope for or work for; but to the Christian, peace is God’s wonderful gift, received by faith. Unsaved people enjoy peace when there is an absence of trouble; Christians enjoy peace in spite of trials because of the presence of power, the Holy Spirit.”

(v28) Q — Why should we rejoice of Jesus’ departure to the Father???

Jesus willingly laid down His life and took it up again to the glory of His Father and the salvation of humanity.

Conclusion

As they made their way to the Garden of Gethsemane from this point, they were able to make every step knowing they would face the lord of this world with true and lasting peace!

Here is my question for you…Will you continue your life with or without eternal peace for your soul? Jesus will give you His peace TODAY if you would only confess a trust faith and a surrendered life to Him.

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