ESGAL11 Fruit of the Spirit Part 5 Peace
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But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.
So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts.
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Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh—who are called Uncircumcision by what is called the Circumcision made in the flesh by hands—that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity. And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near. For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.
(NKJV) — 16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. 24 And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
Today we continue in the fruit of the Spirit. So far we have looked at love and joy and now we go onto peace.
Today we continue in the fruit of the Spirit. So far we have looked at love and joy and today, we are looking at peace.
It is the fruit of the Spirit to have peace. Each part of the fruit is interconnected with the rest. This is why it is not called the fruits but the fruit (singular) of the Spirit.
Ειρηνη (Eirene) is the Greek word for peace where we get the names Irene and Irena. Biblical peace covers the whole realm of the subject of peace which are:
1. Relationships that are free from disputes. Peace is the opposite of war and conflict though slightly more than that: it is rest on all sides. It is order and harmony and concord. It is being reconciled with God and with others.
2. A peaceful state is a blessing and favour from God that comes from Him alone.
3. Peace is the absence of mental stress or anxiety which only comes when we understand salvation. It is serenity and calm within oneself.
Not a small subject, then, is peace.
For us the most important of these is reconciliation with God which makes us at peace with Him and He with us. We find this in
We are reconciled with God and therefore we are at peace with Him and He with us. The bible says in:
and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross.
It is this peace that makes all other peace possible.
(NKJV) — 20 and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross.
(NKJV) — 20 and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross.
We read from that says God is our peace and because of it we have access to God - and this can only be through the blood of Jesus.
(NKJV) — 14 For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, 15 having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, 16 and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity. 17 And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near. 18 For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.
Here it is talking about the differences between Jews and Gentiles. It was surprising to the Jews that other people could also know God but this was only achievable at the cross. Now both Jews and Gentiles can come directly to God into the Holy of Holies by the blood of the lamb.
True peace is not found in any other nor can we receive it from another. God is the author of peace. It follows that since we have a God who is peace we also should be those who are peaceful.
(NKJV) — 33 For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.
Of course, this is talking about order in the Church, which is a form of peace, but it is clear that God is peace. God is love. And God is also peace.
Jesus said:
It, therefore means that we should also be those of peace. In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus said:
Blessed are the peacemakers,
For they shall be called sons of God.
(NKJV) — 9 Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God.
Or said another way; since we are sons of God we are also peacemakers. If we are not a person of peace with others it maybe it is because we are not at peace with God. There are things that can get in the way of having peace with God especially if we are out of fellowship with Him. Confess your sins to Him and you will gain peace. Leave the old life behind. We heard this morning that the new and old do not mix. This is true of having peace with God - it is not possible if we are living lives disobeying Him.
It should be that we are always at peace with God and that we should reflect His nature in us. We should be filled continually by His Spirit, in developing our relationship with God building upon the fact we have peace with God because we are reconciled to Him. This He did by sending Jesus to shed His blood. This blood has paid the penalty for our sin.
Depart from evil and do good;
Seek peace and pursue it.
This should then work out in our lives. What we believe should have a practical outworking but it requires us to work:
(NKJV) — 22 Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
(NKJV) — 14 Depart from evil and do good; Seek peace and pursue it.
Having peace with God is the first step to having peace with others and keeping that peace requires a bit of work on our part: We are to endeavour to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace () and...
(NKJV) — 22 Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
(NKJV) — 3 endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
(NKJV) — 3 endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
(NKJV) — 18 Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
(NKJV) — 18 Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another.
(NKJV) — 19 Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another.
(NKJV) — 19 Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another.
Peace reaps peace. All the verses I have just read and others beside have active words associated with them: Depart from evil, do good, seek peace, pursue peace, flee lust, call on the Lord, sow peace, and live in peace. Being peaceful builds our relationship with God and with each other. Peace with others depends very much upon the peace we keep with God. If our relationship with God suffers our relationships with others suffer too. If we are offended or if we give offence we are to go and sort it out with the person concerned. Peace is important.
Peace reaps peace. All the verses I have just read have active words associated with them: Depart from evil, do good, seek peace, pursue peace, flee lust, call on the Lord, sow peace, and in another verse it says ‘live in peace’.
Peace with others depends very much upon the peace we keep with God. If our relationship with God suffers our relationships with others suffer too. If we are offended or if we give offense we are to sort it out with the person concerned. The onus is upon us to go sort it out with our brother or sister.
If we pursue lust then we are sowing corruption and division instead of peace. Instead we are told to flee lust. Our best example in Scripture about fleeing this kind of temptation is Joseph who literally ran out of the house. Lust are idols that replace God and put something in His place.
All these contribute to a lack of peace within us, between God and us and between others and us.
God wants us to have peace:
Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer,
The Holy One of Israel:
“I am the Lord your God,
Who teaches you to profit,
Who leads you by the way you should go.
Oh, that you had heeded My commandments!
Then your peace would have been like a river,
And your righteousness like the waves of the sea.
However, for those who are not God’s sons:
, (NKJV) — 17 Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer, The Holy One of Israel: “I am the Lord your God, Who teaches you to profit, Who leads you by the way you should go. 18 Oh, that you had heeded My commandments! Then your peace would have been like a river, And your righteousness like the waves of the sea… 22 “There is no peace,” says the Lord, “for the wicked.”
“There is no peace,” says the Lord, “for the wicked.”
Isa 48 22 (NKJV) — 17 Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer, The Holy One of Israel: “I am the Lord your God, Who teaches you to profit, Who leads you by the way you should go. 18 Oh, that you had heeded My commandments! Then your peace would have been like a river, And your righteousness like the waves of the sea… 22 “There is no peace,” says the Lord, “for the wicked.”
But God has done everything for the wicked, for us, to become His sons by sending Jesus:
It is in obedience to God that we will have peace. God teaches us through His Word and we are to obey what He says and the result is peace.
God has done everything for us to have peace in sending Jesus to us:
But He was wounded for our transgressions,
He was bruised for our iniquities;
The chastisement for our peace was upon Him,
And by His stripes we are healed.
(NKJV) — 5 But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed.
(NKJV) — 5 But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed.
We have to remember at what cost peace was given to us.
Peace comes in knowing that our sins are forgiven and that Jesus Christ is our Saviour. A peace that comes from knowing that our names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. John Wesley said: "My people die well." Why? Because they are at peace concerning their eternal fate.
Yet still, we get worried and concerned, which, to call it what it is, is unbelief. We are lacking in faith in the God who saved us just like the Israelites coming out of Egypt forgetting what God had done already. What more does He need to prove He will never leave us nor forsake us nor be unfaithful. It is why Paul wrote these famous words:
A peace that comes in knowing that our sins are forgiven and that Jesus Christ is our Saviour. A peace that comes from knowing that our name is written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. It’s what John Wesley said: "My people die well." That is, when they come to the time of death, they have a peace that only God can give.
6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
We need to repent of our worry. We lack peace so often because we don’t give God control. Let’s not make a mistake here: God IS in control but our lack of peace is in failing to recognise this. We like to be in control. It is one of the reasons why many people are afraid of flying: we are not in control of any event should it arise and we are aware of it. I’m sure I’ve mentioned this:
I have read many verses of Scripture today for it is full of things that will bring us peace - if we do not have peace then we are not hearing what God says to us and about us.
(NKJV) — 27 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.
(NKJV) — 18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.
I was on a flight that everyone on board including the pilot thought was going to crash into the sea. There was no peace on that plane only pandemonium! I had heard that there is a calm upon people in these situations – that is an outrageous lie! I was doing everything I could to stay calm and consoled myself with the thought that at least my death would be quick!
Fear is the opposite of peace. True peace can only come from God and through Jesus alone.
(NKJV) — 6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. 9 The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.
6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. 9 The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.
The point is that we like to be in control of our own destiny. This is an illusion. God is the one in control and He will direct our paths if we let Him. He will work through our situation either way.
It seems to me that we lack peace so often because we don’t give God control. Let’s not make a mistake here: God IS in control but our lack of peace is in failing to recognise this. We like to be in control. It is one of the reasons why many people are afraid of flying…it is not so much the possibility of crashing…which is far more likely in a car or on a bike…it is the fact we are not in control of any event should it arise and we are aware of it. I was on a flight that everyone on board including the pilot thought was going to crash into the sea. There was no peace on that plane only pandemonium! I had heard that there is a calm upon people in these situations – that is an outrageous lie! I myself admit that I was doing everything I could to stay calm myself and consoled myself with the thought that at least my death would be quick! The point is that we like to be in control of our own destiny. This is an illusion. God is the one in control and He will direct our paths if we let Him.
It seems to me that we lack peace so often because we don’t give God control. Let’s not make a mistake here: God IS in control but our lack of peace is in failing to recognise this. We like to be in control. It is one of the reasons why many people are afraid of flying…it is not so much the possibility of crashing…which is far more likely in a car or on a bike…it is the fact we are not in control of any event should it arise and we are aware of it. I was on a flight that everyone on board including the pilot thought was going to crash into the sea. There was no peace on that plane only pandemonium! I had heard that there is a calm upon people in these situations – that is an outrageous lie! I was doing everything I could to stay calm myself and consoled myself with the thought that at least my death would be quick! The point is that we like to be in control of our own destiny. This is an illusion. God is the one in control and He will direct our paths if we let Him.
We have to be active in prayer and thanksgiving. When we practice these things then the God of peace is with us. I think that these couple of verses in Philippians are absolutely key to living an inwardly peaceful life and these should be our memory verses this week.
15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.
(NKJV) — 15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.
Thankfulness and prayer seems to be an outworking of God’s peace in us as we recognise God’s blessing in our lives as a result of the cross. This peace that comes from God means that we are peaceful no matter what is going on around us. We can have peace in the midst of the worst kind of trials…a peace that passes understanding…our households may be manic but God can bring peace to our hearts and minds and it is the only thing that keeps us sane. Let God’s peace rule in our hearts. We are not to worry about anything…it is a ‘be’ attitude, a choice to worry or a choice to trust.
What we stay our minds upon has a great deal to do with the kind of peace we have. If we stay our minds upon our circumstances then our thoughts will be in a never-ending spiral causing our molehill look like a mountain – but if we stay our minds upon God, giving Him control, and thinking upon good and praiseworthy things, then God Himself, the God of peace will be with us because with the insight of God our mountain is but a molehill.
I told you part of this story in a Wednesday meeting the first week I was here but it is worth hearing it again:
Horatio Spafford had known peaceful and happy days as a successful lawyer in Chicago. He was the father of four daughters, an active member of his Church, and a loyal friend and supporter of D. L. Moody and other evangelical leaders of his day. Then, a series of calamities began, starting with the great Chicago fire of 1871 which wiped out the family’s extensive real estate investments. When Mr. Moody and his music associate, Ira Sankey, left for the UK for an evangelistic campaign, Spafford decided to lift the spirits of his family by taking them on a vacation here. He also planned to assist in the Moody-Sankey meetings.
In November, 1873, Spafford had to finish of some urgent business, so he sent his wife and four daughters as scheduled on the S.S. Ville du Harve, planning to join them soon. Halfway across the Atlantic, the ship was struck by Scottish ship and sank in 12 minutes. All four of the Spafford daughters—Tanetta, Maggie, Annie and Bessie—were among the 226 who drowned. Mrs. Spafford was among the 61 passengers who were saved.
Horatio Spafford stood hour after hour on the deck of the ship carrying him to rejoin his sorrowing wife in Cardiff. When the ship passed the approximate place where his precious daughters had drowned, Spafford wrote to his sister: "On Thursday last we passed over the spot where she went down, in mid-ocean, the waters three miles deep. But I do not think of our dear ones there. They are safe, folded, the dear lambs" He wrote that great hymn; “When sorrows like sea billows roll … It is well with my soul” as a memorial of his daughters. The music written was called after the ship that sank: Ville du Harve.
What can be said for those who are in the world, those who are without hope and without God and, therefore, without peace?
This is the peace with God that comes through Jesus Christ. This is the peace of God which is the gift for every believer that knows him.
We’ve dwelt quite a bit upon our peace but we must also be concerned for the peace of others.
Peace for others
When the angels announced the birth of Jesus what did they say?
“Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”
(NKJV) — 14 “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”
Peace! There is such a clamour for peace in the world but it is not properly achievable without God. In the last 3542 years the world has been at war for all but 286 of them. Over 8000 treaties have been broken with an average of 2 years for each one. Society wants to affect the world for peace. But peace only comes truly in the individuals who have responded to God. Society only changes when hearts are changed.
Peace! There is such a clamour for peace in the world but it is not properly achievable without God. Society wants to affect the world for peace. But peace only comes truly in the individuals who have responded to God and society is changed as a result.
(NKJV) — 15 … “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!”
We are part of those who are called to go to bring a change of heart, to bring peace to the hearers of the Gospel.
And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written:
“How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace,
Who bring glad tidings of good things!”
We are the ones being sent. It seems to me that Christians are so self-consumed and well-fed these days with the advent of God TV, the Internet and other media. The gospel that we have had in our lives for years is also meant for the rest of the world. We have our colleagues, our neighbours, our friends, our relatives and our community and probably other avenues too. We are not here for ourselves but for others. We are here for the one not to mollycoddle the 99. Jesus sent all disciples out as sheep among wolves. And that does not sound so friendly or peaceful! But we are called to bring the message of peace to a world that is at war, a war with God because until they receive the Gospel that are at enmity with Him. We are called to go forth with the message of reconciliation. We are called to go. It seems that Christians are not even sure what the Gospel is despite being Christians for years and the main reason for this, I think, is because they have kept it to themselves. In:
We are the ones being sent. Jesus sent all disciples out as sheep among wolves. And that does not sound so friendly or peaceful! But we are called to bring the message of peace to a world that knows precious little. We are called to go forth with a peace treaty that will last.
The genuine peacemakers are those who share the Gospel of peace with others reconciling them to God.
(NKJV) — 6 that the sharing of your faith may become effective by the acknowledgment of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.
and I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective for the full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ.
(NKJV) — 6 that the sharing of your faith may become effective by the acknowledgment of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.
Here we see that in testifying of what God has done we actually increase our own faith and realise what He has done for us. But if we keep our faith to ourselves we shrivel up and become less thankful because we have forgotten the good things God has done. The genuine peacemakers are those who share the Gospel of peace with others reconciling them to God.
(NKJV) — 21 So Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.”
Benediction: To say together leader/response
Benediction: To say together leader/response
Peace is given to us through the blood of Jesus which has reconciled us to God. Peace, however, also has to be maintained and gained. We are to pursue peace. We are not to be anxious but prayerful and thankful. We are to make sure we are at peace with one another as far as it relies upon us. And we have the Gospel, the good news, to share with the world that they too may know peace. How evident, then is peace in our lives and what are we going to do about it?
1000 Illustrations for Preaching & Teaching Litany on Peace (from the Scriptures)
Litany on Peace (from the Scriptures)
Leader:
The way of peace they know not/and there is no justice in their paths;/they have made their roads crooked,/no one who goes in them knows peace (Is. 59:8).
Response:
Depart from evil, and do good;/seek peace and pursue it (Ps. 34:14).
Leader:
Where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceful, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, without uncertainty or insincerity (Jas. 3:16–17).
Response:
And the harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace (Jas. 3:18).
Leader:
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God. (Matt. 5:9).
Response:
Strive for peace with all men, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord (Heb. 12:14).
Leader:
If you are offering your gift at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you (Matt. 5:23).
Response:
Leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift (Matt. 5:24).
Leader:
He is our peace, who has made us both one, and has broken down the dividing wall of hostility (Eph. 2:14).
Response:
And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near (Eph. 2:17).
Leader:
And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Phil. 4:7).
Response:
The God of peace be with you all. Amen. (Rom. 15:33).1
(ESV) — 11 …Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you…The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
Benediction:
(ESV) — 11 …Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you…The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.