Make Peace Your Power

Premise: Don’t Fall for the Fake

Scripture: John 14:27 NKJV “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” The New King James Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982), Jn 14:27.

Thesis: To encourage believers that Jesus Christ left His inexhaustible, valuable Peace, and it consistently works without fail. - Use it to regulate your heart and emotions. Jesus instructs believers to let not their mind (which is your understanding, soul, seat of reason & intelligence (thoughts)- the innermost part of you) be troubled and do not be afraid.

https://kingjamesbibledictionary.com/StrongsNo/g2588

Jesus’ Peace is so valuable. - Jesus’ Peace allows us to go through hard and difficult things by guarding our hearts and minds.....… Like Fire retarded Clothing

MSG Bible: I’m leaving you well and whole. That’s my parting gift to you. Peace. I don’t leave you the way you’re used to being left—feeling abandoned, bereft. So don’t be upset. Don’t be distraught.73% difference

NLT Bible “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.65% difference

FEAR

Fear is a natural and powerful emotional response to a perceived threat or danger. It is part of the body's survival mechanism, designed to protect us from harm. Fear can be triggered by real threats (like a growling dog) or imagined ones (such as fear of failure or rejection).

🌟 What Is Fear?

Fear is an emotion involving:

Cognitive perception (interpreting something as dangerous)

Physiological reaction (bodily response to the threat)

Behavioral response (fight, flight, or freeze)

It activates the amygdala, a part of the brain that processes emotions, and sets off a chain reaction in the body.

🧠 Effects of Fear on the Mind

Heightened alertness – Fear makes the brain hyperaware, scanning for danger.

Impaired decision-making – When fear is overwhelming, the brain may bypass rational thought.

Memory imprinting – Traumatic or fearful events can become strongly encoded in memory.

Anxiety or panic – Repeated or chronic fear may evolve into generalized anxiety or panic attacks.

Distorted thinking – Fear can lead to exaggerated beliefs (e.g., “I’ll never be safe again”).

🩺 Effects of Fear on the Physical Body

Fight-or-flight response – The sympathetic nervous system releases adrenaline and cortisol, causing:

Increased heart rate

Rapid breathing

Dilated pupils

Muscle tension

Sweating

Digestive changes – Blood is diverted from the stomach, often causing nausea or a "butterflies" feeling.

Suppressed immune system – Chronic fear can weaken immunity, making the body more susceptible to illness.

Fatigue or exhaustion – Prolonged fear keeps the body in a state of alert, draining energy.

Sleep disruption – Nightmares, insomnia, or restless sleep are common when fear is unresolved.

🌀 When Fear Becomes Harmful

While fear is protective, chronic or irrational fear can damage mental and physical health. Conditions such as:

Phobias

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) often stems from unprocessed or excessive fear.

Divine Peace - Benefits

To make peace, your power is to accept the conveyance of Jesus’ Peace. The supernatural strength that guards emotions, enhances decisions, and restores relationships.

To make peace, your power is to choose internal stillness over external chaos, reconciliation over retaliation, and trust over fear, thereby reflecting the character of Christ while harnessing the mental, emotional, and spiritual strength needed to thrive in every area of life.

To make peace, your power is to deploy a dynamic force that empowers the soul, stabilizes the mind, and strengthens the heart, thereby transforming how we live, lead, and love.

To make peace, your power is to accept the challenge of Paul and rise above conflict, causing gains in moral authority and spiritual influence.

Eirēnē - Greek

 It means tranquility, harmony, security, and reconciliation with God and others.

 It is inner peace, from God, through Christ, as a gift, and expresses the peace element of the fruit of the Spirit

 Scripture References: John 14:27; Romans 5:1; Philippians 4:7

His announcement of His departure and separation from them brought anxiety to the disciples. This next section of teaching was given, therefore to calm their troubled hearts. It begins and ends with the same words: “Let not your heart be troubled” (14:1; cf. 14:27). In between these two verses, Christ revealed spiritual truths that, if believed and applied to everyday life, would bring peace to any bothered soul. He promised to prepare a place for them in heaven (14:2) and to return for them so that they would be with Him in that heavenly mansion (14:3). He assured them that He was the only way into God’s presence (14:5–6). He revealed that the divine essence, shared by the three Persons of the Godhead, including the Father, could be seen in Him (14:9). What is God like? Look at Jesus Christ! He encouraged them by stating that their spiritual power would be greater because of His ascension into heaven (14:12). Petitions were now to be asked in His name for the purpose of God’s glorification (14:13). He informed them that love for Him should be the basis of future obedience (14:15). He told them that they would receive the permanent, indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit because He had so prayed (14:16–17). He promised that the Spirit would be their new teacher and that He would cause them to remember the events of Christ’s earthly ministry (14:26). This prediction not only established their future oral ministry, but it anticipated and pre-authenticated the writing of the New Testament books (teach=Epistles; remembrance=Gospels). He also defined for them the basic essence of Christianity (14:20): “ye in me” (justification or acceptable spiritual position) and “I in you” (sanctification or necessary spiritual power). He ended this section with His guarantee of internal peace (14:27). The literary style of this section is built around questions or statements by four apostles (Peter, 13:36; Thomas, 14:5; Philip, 14:8; and Judas, 14:22) and Christ’s respective responses. Robert G. Gromacki, New Testament Survey (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 1974), 144–145.

Don’t Fall for the Fake

What does the world offer as peace

ChatGPT said:

The world offers many temporary and external forms of peace, but these often depend on circumstances, environments, or personal pursuits. While they can bring comfort or relief, they usually do not address deeper emotional, spiritual, or eternal needs.

🌍 What the World Offers as Peace

Material Comforts

Wealth, possessions, or luxury living promise a sense of security or satisfaction.

However, they can create anxiety over loss or comparison.

Success and Achievement

Career advancement, education, or status can bring pride and accomplishment.

Yet these often come with pressure, fear of failure, or emptiness after the goal is reached.

Entertainment and Escape

TV, music, social media, vacations, or hobbies are used to relax or "zone out."

These can distract from stress but rarely resolve the root causes.

Relationships and Social Approval

Being loved, admired, or connected to others can bring emotional peace.

But relying on people for peace can lead to heartbreak, codependence, or identity loss.

Health and Wellness Practices

Exercise, meditation, yoga, or healthy diets can reduce stress and promote mental calm.

These are helpful but still limited if used alone without a deeper purpose or meaning.

Control and Order

Organizing life, planning ahead, or controlling environments can bring short-term peace.

Yet life is unpredictable, and this control is often an illusion.

⚠️ Why Worldly Peace Falls Short

It's condition–based on whether life is going well.

It fluctuates with mood, environment, or other people.

It’s not eternal – it cannot secure peace of mind in suffering or death.

It often avoids pain, rather than healing it.

🕊️ Contrast: True or Lasting Peace

Many spiritual traditions, especially Christianity, teach that true peace is not found in the world but in a relationship with God:

"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." — John 14:27

This peace is:

Internal – rooted in the heart and soul

Unshakable – not tied to external circumstances

Restful – even amid chaos

Eternal – unaffected by death or loss

Question:

HOW LONG WILL WE CONTINUE TO BE TROUBLED IN YOUR MIND AND HEART WHEN THE LORD’S PEACE IS WITH US AND AVAILABLE???

DON’T FALL FOR THE FAKE

Ministry Period:

For those who are trying to find relief! Whose minds are troubled, anxious, perplexed, or distressed. No matter what you have tried has not worked… You can shake the emotional and mental distress, and it's affecting your decisions, will, and ability to move forward.