Fruit of the Spirit: Peace

Introduction

Galatians 5:22–24 ESV

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

"When we lose our peace, it is because we have moved away from God; God never moves." — Corrie ten Boom

Lexham Theological Wordbook Concept Summary

In the biblical writings, peace is the wholeness that comes as a result of alignment with God’s creative and redemptive purposes

Peace With God (v. 5-11)

We are called and created to walk in alignment with God’s holiness

But as we all know sin intervened with our ability to do so

But because of the Christ we are able to by the blood of Christ

One of the main ways God equips us to walk a holy path is through the conviction and discipline of the Holy Spirit

One thing I encourage folks to think on when they are doubting their salvation is to reflect on their response to sin. When we sin do we feel peace flee? Or do we realize there never was no peace because in the midst of sin our inner attitude never changed

To examine our hearts ask, Do we have a Peter or Judas response to sin?

Peter

Matthew 26:75 ESV

And Peter remembered the saying of Jesus, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly.

John 21:15–19 ESV

When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.” (This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, “Follow me.”

Peter had a broken heart and wept, went to other believers, and was restored by Christ

Judas

Matthew 27:3–5 ESV

Then when Judas, his betrayer, saw that Jesus was condemned, he changed his mind and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders, saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” They said, “What is that to us? See to it yourself.” And throwing down the pieces of silver into the temple, he departed, and he went and hanged himself.

Judas had regret and changed his mind when things did not go as planned, tried to fix things himself, and never repented and took his own life

Peace With Others (v. 12-17)

I think of in Matthew where Jesus gives us the two greatest commandments, Love God, love people

The way we love God is evident in how we treat people

The way we experience peace from God is evident in our relationships with people

Do not be poor pitiful me, pick your head up listen to the discipline, take the correction and be restored

Go forward preaching a gospel of peace

Strive for peace

Peace cultivates an enviroment that allows for evangelism

Not always possible

As we preach a gospel of peace there are three typical responses:

People accept

A seed is planted/watered

Flat out rejection