Release His Peace

Our theme for 2024 is “Possessing the Land.”

We began the year by saying that we want to take hold of purpose and be intentional

I wanted to remind us again of our overall vision - the four R’s

At the same time, we consider Christ’s coming in terms of the advent theme’s of Hope, Joy, Peace and Love.

So we arg combining those thoughts.

We respond with hope.

We are restored to joy.

We release His peace.

And we relate in love.

Let’s remind ourselves of who we are called to be as we remind ourselves of who Jesus is and why He came.

This is an active “taking hold of” advent.

We talked about how the story of the Bible is Creation - Fall - Redemption.

And this story - especially the redemption part - is the basis of hope.

Romans 15:13 ESV

13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

You might be tempted to think that you have to have it all together first and then you will experience joy.

But just the opposite is true- joy comes first and increases our hope.

True joy - or ‘sturdy joy’ is rooted in our relationship with God.

What about Peace?

Peace is more than just a feeling.

Peace is when things are the way they were meant to be.

Peace is what redemption is all about.

And redemption and the promise of peace were fulfilled in Jesus.

While I was preparing this message, I read the daily devotional from “Everyday Gospel by Paul David Tripp. Dr. Tripp writes, “Jesus is everything Isaiah depicted. Jesus is our source of wisdom, the power by which sin is defeated, the one who adopts us into the family of God forever, and the means by which we have peace with God and with one another. And his kingdom of peace and righteousness will never end.”

Notice from our theme scripture that peace comes from believing.

God promised peace to his people.

Jesus came to bring that peace and He proclaimed it.

And then He gave His peace to us to pass on.

Joy and peace come from believing the promise of God.

Believing gives us hope and that hope activates the power of the Holy Spirit to bring what we hope for.

Receiving God’s promise of peace brings peace in abundance.

It’s enough peace to share.

Peace Promised

Isaiah 9:6 ESV

6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

This is the famous prophecy of Isaiah which promised a divine ruler.

An heir to David’s throne would establish a kingdom characterized by righteousness and peace.

Things would be as they should be.

But that doesn’t mean that everything is perfect.

Peace is not the absence of conflict.

In ancient Israel, the title 'Prince of Peace' was used in the context of a king who brings welfare and safety to his people. Throughout the biblical narrative, peace often meant not just the absence of conflict but the fullness of well-being. This historical perspective illustrates that Jesus, as the Prince of Peace, restores our broken lives and relationships, offering wholeness.

Jesus offers wholeness as the Prince of Peace.

But does that mean that we no longer have any problems?

I don’t think so.

Peace in the Biblical context is not passive.

I came across this verse in my reading this week:

Romans 16:20 ESV

20 The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

What is the God of peace going to do?

Crush satan under your feet - Sounds violent!

It is violent - but it is also just!

This is part of the redemption that was promised all the way back at the fall.

Genesis 3:15 AMP

15 And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her Offspring; He will bruise and tread your head underfoot, and you will lie in wait and bruise His heel.

The prince of peace is not a passive ruler - the prince of peace is the one who takes out the enemy at great cost to himself.

He is the hero - the one who stands up for justice.

Most rulers fall into one of two categories.

Either they are aggressive rulers who get things done - including taking what they want for themselves.

Like David - they bring order.

But also like David - sometimes they get away with murder.

And then you have the rulers who take the path of least resistance and try to keep everyone happy.

An example of this would be Jeroboam - first king of the northern kingdom.

He set out to be the opposite of David and Solomon and to do what the people wanted.

He set up altars at Dan in the North and Beersheba in the south so that people would have to travel all the way to Jerusalem to worship at the temple.

That may have been a good diplomatic move - but it totally confused the worship of YHWH.

He was basically saying that worship should be convenient.

You can worship God on your own terms.

In fact, it doesn’t really matter which god you worship.

YHWH, if he even exists, should be glad that you made any effort at all.

That’s not peace - that’s just wrong!

How do we find a peace that is just and right, but also kind and good?

That can only be the peace of God.

Peace is the presence of God.

Last week we read in psalm 16 that joy has its source in God - well , peace also has its source in God.

It is His presence that brings peace.

Remember the prophesy of Micah about Bethlehem?

Micah was a contemporary of Isaiah and he too was prophesying about a peaceful Kingdom.

Micah 5:4–5 ESV

4 And he shall stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God. And they shall dwell secure, for now he shall be great to the ends of the earth. 5 And he shall be their peace. When the Assyrian comes into our land and treads in our palaces, then we will raise against him seven shepherds and eight princes of men;

Notice that Micah says peace will come after the Assyrians have invaded.

God will raise up shepherds and rulers to counter the invasion of the enemy.

God will raise up people who will know how to balance peace with strength.

How does he do that?

These are people who know God - who walk in relationship with God.

Remember that God is the very definition of good.

It is only in knowing God that we can know right from wrong.

So when it comes to ruling and doing so rightly - a ruler can only know what is right by knowing God.

Isaiah 32:17 CSB

17 The result of righteousness will be peace; the effect of righteousness will be quiet confidence forever.

So there is a progression

There needs to be a revelation of God so that we can know what is right.

Godly righteousness then helps leaders know how to find the balance between enforcement and oppression.

The result is the security of knowing that both freedom and justice are preserved.

That is the promise - but does this kind of peace actually exist anywhere on earth?

Question for reflection:

What makes you feel insecure, too much control or not enough of it? Which do you fear more, uncertainty or oppression? Now imagine yourself in the hand of a righteous God who has promised to bring balance to your life. Do you feel the security of that promise?

Peace Proclaimed

Righteousness and peace have been elusive ever since the fall.

Basically, Israel was passed back and forth, either pandering to whichever neighboring kingdom was strongest or being conquered by force.

God’s promise was always there in the background and the people hung on to it.

But they could only imagine God coming as another overwhelming force, even bigger and badder than ones before.

An army did arrive - an angel army!

But they were not not the usual fighting battalion - they were a singing battalion!

Luke 2:14 ESV

14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

The angels were proclaiming that peace had arrived.

Whose side are they on.

They are proclaiming peace to whomever God is pleased?

What would you have though that meant if you were a shepherd?

Are you on God’s good side?

Are you sure?

Peace is a gift of grace.

God’s favor is His grace.

Grace literally means favor.

Basically, if you are in right relationship with God - you have his favor and everything else goes with it.

The angels proclaimed this at the birth of Jesus.

Jesus made a way for each of us to come into right relationship with God.

This is God’s gift of grace.

It’s a gift, because there is nothing we can to do earn it.

Romans 3:22–24 NLT

22 We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are. 23 For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. 24 Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins.

Do we deserve this - no!

But it doesn’t matter because God wants it for us.

He wants it so much that he was willing to come down to us.

To become like us.

To die for us.

To live in us.

What kind of ruler does that?

Lays down his own life to save ours.

In ancient Rome, a common greeting was 'Pax Romana,' (Peace of Rome) a reminder of the peace brought by the empire through military might. But as soon as the fight was over, peace was often only skin deep. Roman peace meant “shut up or die!”

In contrast, when Jesus laid down His life, He established true peace not just with swords but with sacrifice, offering grace that we could never achieve on our own. This divine peace is a heartfelt gift that remains. Christ’s peace means “He died so you may live!”

That’s where that balance comes from.

Jesus put himself in the middle so we could have balance.

Because of the gift of his grace you can have peace with God.

Peace is possible - God has initiated it, you just need to receive it.

Peace must be received.

Philippians 4:7 ESV

7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Throughout scripture, God repeatedly invites His people to find rest in Him. In the book of Philippians, Paul emphasizes that God’s peace transcends all understanding. However, for many, this peace feels distant, like a gift unopened. We must intentionally choose to receive this peace, actively engaging in prayer and trust, allowing God’s tranquility to wash over our worries.

God makes his offer of peace.

It was declared when Jesus was born that a way was being made for peace.

Jesus is that prince of peace - the divine ruler who is both good and just.

Jesus showed us how the balanced is achieved, not by seizing power, but by laying his life down.

So how do we participate in this peace?

In ancient history, the signing of peace treaties marked the end of conflict, but they were only effective if both parties accepted the terms. God has signed a peace treaty with humanity through Jesus, yet many still wrestle with chaos in their lives. Just as nations must uphold their commitments to peace, we must choose to accept the peace God provides through faith.

You accept the terms and follow Jesus.

Not like the the user agreements that you have on the internet where you have to check a box that say”i have read the terms and accept them”

I don’t know about you but I never read them, I just check the box.

We don’t want to be “just checking a box” as Christians

We want to be carefully considering Jesus’ example and aligning our hearts with his.

Jesus gave us a way to remember him and to renew our covenant with God - it's called the Lord’s Supper or Communion.

Question for reflection:

2. Let’s celebrate communion as we consider God’s offer of peace.

1 Corinthians 11:23–24 NLT

23 For I pass on to you what I received from the Lord himself. On the night when he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took some bread 24 and gave thanks to God for it. Then he broke it in pieces and said, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”

Do you receive his body broken for you?

Do you give your body - your time and abilities to serve God’s redemptive purpose as God enables you?

Do you join the Body of Christ throughout the earth in proclaiming His Kingdom, His justice and His lasting peace.

Will you offer yourself for God to use to bring peace on earth?

1 Corinthians 11:25–26 NLT

25 In the same way, he took the cup of wine after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant between God and his people—an agreement confirmed with my blood. Do this in remembrance of me as often as you drink it.” 26 For every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you are announcing the Lord’s death until he comes again.

Do you receive his blood shed for you?

You could never pay for your own sin, that’s why he paid it for you.

But having been forgiven so much, can you also forgive?

Can you give over any rights you may have for justice or revenge and let God be the righteous judge?

Since Jesus loved you so much as to shed his blood for you, ask God to give you that same love for others.

Peace Released

Luke 4:18–19 ESV

18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, 19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

Jesus read this passage from the scroll of Isaiah in the synagogue in Nazareth.

In this text, he was declaring his mission.

Jesus was declaring a kind of peace and justice which would spread like ripples throughout the earth.

Yes there is a point in time where peace is accomplished.

But the implications of peace with God are worked out in our relationships and throughout our lifetime.

Jesus gave us a manifesto and started the process.

And now e continue his mission of peace in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Peace as a grace gift is also a divine impartation.

Just as peace is received....

Peace can also be given.

Matthew 10:12–14 CEV

12 When you go to a home, give it your blessing of peace. 13 If the home is deserving, let your blessing remain with them. But if the home isn’t deserving, take back your blessing of peace. 14 If someone won’t welcome you or listen to your message, leave their home or town. And shake the dust from your feet at them.

When Jesus sent out his disciples, he commissioned them to give the same divine impartation that they had received.

Whenever they come to a place, they are to speak a blessing of peace over that place.

They are acting as God’s messengers.

The blessing is a creative act, just as God created the world and spoke a blessing over creation - imparting his goodness.

As disciples we are agents of God’s redemption, proclaiming his goodness - the ways things ought to be - thus the blessing of peace.

Then it is up to the people who hear the proclamation as to whether or not they will receive the blessing of peace.

If they receive it, great! You have accomplished what you were sent to do.

If they don’t receive it, don’t take it personally.

Don’t lose you own peace because someone else rejects it.

Let the blessing of peace at least be on you.

But the Greek text in Matthew 10 talks about the blessing of peace as if it were an object that you can give or take back.

“Peace” in Greek has a definite article - it is literally “the peace”

This is not just a general feeling of peace - this is a specific gift of divine grace that is meant to share and impart.

We are carriers of peace.

John 20:21–22 ESV

21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” 22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.

Notice how these concepts are tied together.

Jesus gives his followers peace that they are to give to the world.

And at the same time he breathes on them and says, “receive the Holy Spirit”

This is also followed by instructions about forgiveness, but let’s just focus on the peace for now.

The blessing of peace - the breath of God - the Holy Spirit - all of these are images from the creation story.

And Jesus is sending out his disciples to bring “new creation.”

This is a divine message accompanied by divine impartation.

And it is all empowered by the Holy Spirit.

Think about what you have been entrusted with as a follower of Jesus!

That peace that you have inside you is not just for you.

It is meant to be shared and multiplied.

Each time you share the peace of Christ, even if you give it away, you still get it back.

Your peace has just multiplied!

I have called this message “release His peace”

We spent the last several months studying Paul’s second letter and asking “what are we, as the church, releasing?”

Well you can add another thing to that list - we are releasing His peace.

The peace that we have with God through Jesus Christ is meant to be shared.

When you encounter people and they sense that there is something different about you - you can say, “that’s the peace of God - here, do you want some!”

When you come into a new place, know that the peace of God goes with you - you can tell the peace of God to fill that place.

If people don’t want the peace of God, don’t worry - it will leave with you.

But if they receive it - it will stay with them.

Hopefully it will also grow in them and multiply through them.

That is how God intend to fill the earth with his peace.

It’s through you and me.

Question for reflection:

3. Pass the Peace

2 Peter 1:2 ESV

2 May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.

In some older traditions of the church, like the catholic church, there is a time during the mass where people are instructed to “pass the peace.”

For may people, this is just a greeting time where you smile and shake the hand of the person next to you.

Maybe you say, “peace be with you” and they respond “and also with you.”

In reality, it is intended to be a time of impartation.

It is based on this principle that you have gift of grace which is the peace of God.

And that by sharing that divine gift, it is multiplied both to you and to the person who receives it.

Instead of a question for reflection try giving your peace to someone.

See how they receive it, or not.

And observe how it is multiplied back to you, especially when they receive it with joy.

That is your assignment both now, throughout the day and throughout the week.