The Peace of God

Opening

In the absence of world peace, children suffers the greatest cost of conflicts.

Do you really have inner peace within yourself?

From the scale of 1 to 10, how at peace are you with your environment, with the people around you and and even with your own self?

Scripture teaches that peace is only found in God, but people try to find it elsewhere.

People search for ‘peace’ from wrong sources

People search for peace through their leaders

Genesis 5:28–29 NIV

When Lamech had lived 182 years, he had a son. He named him Noah and said, “He will comfort us in the labor and painful toil of our hands caused by the ground the Lord has cursed.”

But even our leaders needs us to intercede for them through prayers. Look at what is happening around you. From the north down to south, east to west, we can see conflicts. The ISIS sowing terror, even in our home country, the Abu Sayaf does the same. North Korea is threatening the already shattered world peace. Illegal drug trade trickles most of the heinous crimes committed against people and property. Politicians belonging to opposing aisles contributes further to the erosion of global peace. Ironically, some clergies takes part of the debates arguing who are the true and false prophets.

1 Timothy 2:1–2 NIV

I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.

See also

People search for peace in material possessions

In the town next to the city where I was born was a bizarre family. They are regarded to be well provided, as a matter of fact, they can may be considered as wealthy. The wife wasn’t able to conceive, so they were childless until.. the husband started an affair with his sister-in-law who bore him a son. When the son grew old enough and begin to understand, sudden death came to the head of the household. There was intense debate/argument among them as to who is the rightful heirs to his wealth. The wife claimed that she is, for being the deceased husband’s legal wife. On the other hand, the sister-in-law (of the deceased) is claiming that she is the rightful heir because she has a son with the deceased. A couple of months after, the news broke that the legally married wife was shot to death.

Ecclesiastes 4:8 NIV

There was a man all alone; he had neither son nor brother. There was no end to his toil, yet his eyes were not content with his wealth. “For whom am I toiling,” he asked, “and why am I depriving myself of enjoyment?” This too is meaningless— a miserable business!

See also ; ; ;

People search for peace in God

Psalm 4:8 NIV

In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.

See also ; ; ;

The dangers in searching for peace from wrong sources

It can lead to suffering and bondage

Ecclesiastes 4:6 NIV

Better one handful with tranquillity than two handfuls with toil and chasing after the wind.

See also

It can lead to suffering and bondage

A synagogue leader came to Jesus and pleaded for Him to come and lay His hands onto his dying daughter. Enroute to where the young girl was, a very sick woman who has been bleeding for 12 years has suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, but instead of getting better, she grew worse. So when she found out that Jesus is coming, she went behind Him among the crowd and did her best to reach the Lord’s cloak because in her mind, she knew that if she’s able to just touch His clothes, she will be healed. And so it was as she have thought it will be.

Mark 5:25–26 NIV

And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years. She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse.

It can lead to destruction

The story of “The Rich Man and Lazarus” reminds us that when we entrust our peace in wrong places, it will lead us to destruction.

1 Thessalonians 5:3 NIV

While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.

Luke 16:19–26 NIV

19 “There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. 20 At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores 21 and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores. 22 “The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried. 23 In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. 24 So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.’ 25 “But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony. 26 And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been set in place, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.’

People’s search for peace varies according to their circumstances

A person’s desire for peace varies according to his or her circumstances.

The desire increase in times of sufferings. The Israelites groaned in their slavery

The desire diminish in times of comfort. When Pharoah saw that there was relief, he hardened his heart

The desire can increase in times of suffering and difficulties

Body

Exodus 2:23 NIV

During that long period, the king of Egypt died. The Israelites groaned in their slavery and cried out, and their cry for help because of their slavery went up to God.

How can we achieve the “Peace of God”?

Philippians 4:5–9 NIV

5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

See also ; ; ; ;

Be Gentle

The desire can diminish in times of comfort

Do Not Be Anxious

Pray

Exodus 8:12–15 NIV

After Moses and Aaron left Pharaoh, Moses cried out to the Lord about the frogs he had brought on Pharaoh. And the Lord did what Moses asked. The frogs died in the houses, in the courtyards and in the fields. They were piled into heaps, and the land reeked of them. But when Pharaoh saw that there was relief, he hardened his heart and would not listen to Moses and Aaron, just as the Lord had said.

Give Thanks

See also ; ;

True

Noble

Right

Pure

Lovely

Admirable

Excellent

Praiseworthy

There’s nothing to be proud about the stories that I am about to share. However, I believe that these are my personal experiences meant by God for me to share for His glory. I am the youngest of eleven in our family. I grew up witnessing quarrels, big and small, among my elder siblings. It seems like ‘peace’ is very evasive for us to find. When I grew old enough to engage into business, there are always rivalry and competition. And it was worst when I turned to become a politician. When things tends to become somehow personal. Even to the extent that my father was killed, and we know for a fact that it was politically motivated. Again, ‘peace’ was very hard to find. In my own household, between myself and my wife, our relationship has been through stormy waters, we had our most difficult times trying to save our marriage. And again, ‘peace’ was very elusive. These went on until one faithful day, I took a flight from Manila back to my home province of Isabela on September 20, 2012. When I had a divine encounter with the Lord. I met three of His workers onboard, one of them is Pastor Tun Bun Cham. I was reading a book written by Robert Greene entitled, “48 Laws of Power”, when he politely asked me if he can take a look at my book and I said, sure! He just very briefly glanced at it, and then he told me, he also have a book, and I go, can I take a look at it? He went for his carry on and reached town to it. Lo and behold, guess what book it was? It was a Bible, showed it to me and said, this book changed my life. They invited me to attend the church anniversary that they’re gracing that following Sunday the 23rd. On that occasion I shared my life story, and just like a wild bush fire, the word was passed on to churches, and invitation for me to speak at their churches kept coming. Repeatedly, I have been sharing my testimony that eventually earned the title: “Let your Mess be your Message, and your Tests be your Testimony”. And from that day forward, I started to learn how to “be gentle”, how “not be anxious”, to “pray” always and to “give thanks” to the Lord. I was never in this state of “peace” ever…

Benediction

To those who are troubled, come to Christ

To those who are at peace, remain in Christ

To those who are in Christ, share His peace