Dwell on: Peace

27 “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.

Jesus leaves His peace not only with the apostles but for us too when we believe God’s Word and the words the apostles and prophets recorded for us.

Peace comes from the God of peace (Php4:7; Jn14:27)

Peace is an element of the kingdom of God (Rom14:17)

Romans 14:17 NASB95

17 for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

Peace in the kingdom now, peace in the kingdom to come

Peace comes from the God of peace (Php4:7; Jn14:27)

Peace is an element of the kingdom of God (Rom14:17)

Peace is an element of fruit of the Spirit (Gal5:22)

Galatians 5:22 NASB95

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

In general peace is a word that conveys wonderful concepts such as:

A state of harmony and tranquility

The absence of hostility; absence of mental stress or anxiety.

Peace comes from the God of peace (Php4:7; Jn14:27)

Peace is an element of the kingdom of God (Rom14:17)

Peace is an element of fruit of the Spirit (Gal5:22)

Hebrew word for peace is Shalom

(insert slide Shalom)

Meaning: peace, harmony, wholeness, completeness, prosperity, welfare and tranquility and can be used idiomatically to mean both hello and good-bye

In the Greek, here it is:

Original Word: εἰρήνη, ης, ἡ Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: eiréné Phonetic Spelling: (i-ray'-nay) Definition: one, peace, quietness, rest Usage: peace, peace of mind; invocation of peace a common Jewish farewell, in the Hebraistic sense of the health (welfare) of an individual.

Nelson’s Bible dictionary says that peace is inner tranquility and poise of the Christian whose trust is in God through Christ!

We know the world needs peace and we should pray for peace, but the church, the body of believers need peace too, don’t they, don’t we?

Today we are going to look at

Peace is for everyone

Peace starts with you and peace with God

Peace with self, leads to peace with others

Peace is for everyone

Peace is available to all, but not all are willing to accept it or receive it.

_____________________________________________

Wicked do not enjoy peace (Isa48:22; Isa59:2)

Sinful (by lifestyle) do not enjoy peace (Gal5:19-21)

Sinful lifestyle prevents true peace of mind (Isa57:20-21)

________________________________________________

Wicked do not enjoy peace (Isa48:22; Isa59:2)

Isaiah 48:22 NASB95

22 “There is no peace for the wicked,” says the Lord.

Isaiah has more to say about lack of peace due to sin.

Isaiah 59:2 NASB95

2 But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, And your sins have hidden His face from you so that He does not hear.

Wicked behavior, wicked lifestyle, in other words sins of the flesh destroy and you cannot enjoy peace

Wicked do not enjoy peace (Isa48:22; Isa59:2)

Sinful (by lifestyle) do not enjoy peace (Gal5:19-21)

Galatians 5:19–20 NASB95

19 Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions,

Galatians 5:21 NASB95

21 envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Sinful lifestyle, even if proclaiming Jesus name, prevents true peace of mind and enjoying the peace of God and peace with God.

Wicked do not enjoy peace (Isa48:22; Isa59:2)

Sinful (by lifestyle) do not enjoy peace (Gal5:19-21)

Sinful lifestyle prevents true peace of mind (Isa57:20-21)

Isaiah 57:20–21 NASB95

20 But the wicked are like the tossing sea, For it cannot be quiet, And its waters toss up refuse and mud. 21 “There is no peace,” says my God, “for the wicked.”

So the wicked, the sinful are in dire need of peace for outside of Christ there is no peace and no eternal enjoyment.

_____________________________________

Peace needed for the troubled disciple (Lk10:41-42, Lk8:14; 1Tim6:10-11)

Peace needed for the concerned servant (2Cor7:5; 2Cor11:28-29)

Peace needed for the grieving, even in a good way (Act20:37-38)

____________________________________

Peace needed for the troubled disciple (Lk10:41-42, Lk8:14; 1Tim6:10-11)

Do you remember Martha?

Luke 10:41 NASB95

41 But the Lord answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things;

Martha who was a disciple of Jesus and she has the right intention but lacked peace because of worry, she was troubled and she was bothered.

We can lose our peace, or give it away when we let life get to complicated. So we need to simplify our priorities.

Simplify oftentimes means knowing the good part

Luke 10:42 NASB95

42 but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.”

Don’t let the good part be taken away from you or even chocked out

Luke 8:14 NASB95

14 “The seed which fell among the thorns, these are the ones who have heard, and as they go on their way they are choked with worries and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to maturity.

we can lose our peace when we get choked out by the cares, worries, riches and pleasures of this world. Or even when we think riches of this world will bring peace

1 Timothy 6:10–11 NASB95

10 For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. 11 But flee from these things, you man of God, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance and gentleness.

These are not words to the world, but to the disciples to help, to warn of the peace stealers in this world.

Peace needed for the troubled disciple (Lk10:41-42, Lk8:14; 1Tim6:10-11)

Peace needed for the concerned servant (2Cor7:5; 2Cor11:28-29)

Being a disciple (a follower of Jesus) does not make you a servant does it? but the concerned servant, concerned disciple needs peace too.

the one who has worries, concerns for their brethren

2 Corinthians 7:5 NASB95

5 For even when we came into Macedonia our flesh had no rest, but we were afflicted on every side: conflicts without, fears within.

While serving the body, Paul the other Apostles had much affliction in their concern for the body. Look what else Paul had to say

2 Corinthians 11:28–29 NASB95

28 Apart from such external things, there is the daily pressure on me of concern for all the churches. 29 Who is weak without my being weak? Who is led into sin without my intense concern?

The Apostles as a group concern, Paul’s person concern for all the churches, lead to much concern on a very personal level because of his teaching to all the churches.

Peace needed for the troubled disciple (Lk10:41-42, Lk8:14; 1Tim6:10-11)

Peace needed for the concerned servant (2Cor7:5; 2Cor11:28-29)

Peace needed for the grieving, even in a good way (Act20:37-38)

Don’t we need peace in grief, even if the grief is in a good way? Like when a loved one who knows the Lord goes home to the Lord and we are here to live and to grieve in the flesh for them?

Paul did for the elders in Ephesus knowing he was not going to see them again. And the elders grief over Paul too.

Acts 20:37–38 NASB95

37 And they began to weep aloud and embraced Paul, and repeatedly kissed him, 38 grieving especially over the word which he had spoken, that they would not see his face again. And they were accompanying him to the ship.

So, even the righteous, the dedicated, the committed Christians need peace, not just peace but desire peace in abundance.

Peace is available to all, and when there is a need there is a way.

Peace with God

For without peace with God there is no peace at all. For he is the God of peace.

(insert No God, No peace picture here)

___________________________________________________

For God is the God of peace (Rom15:33)

For God is the offerer/perfecter of peace (Isa26:3; Isa48:18; Isa57:20-21)

For the God of peace is just though, may we remember (Isa59:1-2)

God of peace, who offers peace to the sinner (Rom5:1-2)

God of peace makes peace available by God’s love (Rom5:6-9)

God of peace bring reconciliation with God (Rom5:10-11; 2Cor5:18-21)

__________________________________________________

For God is the God of peace (Rom15:33)

Romans 15:33 NASB95

33 Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen.

For God is the God of peace (Rom15:33)

For God is the offerer/perfecter of peace (Isa26:3; Isa48:18; Isa57:20-21)

When we accept His offer, we can become steadfast and keep the peace because of your trust and faith in Hi.

Isaiah 26:3 NASB95

3 “The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace, Because he trusts in You.

Not only does he offer peace, but offers righteousness

Isaiah 48:18 NASB95

18 “If only you had paid attention to My commandments! Then your well-being would have been like a river, And your righteousness like the waves of the sea.

And may I add this one

Isaiah 57:20–21 NASB95

20 But the wicked are like the tossing sea, For it cannot be quiet, And its waters toss up refuse and mud. 21 “There is no peace,” says my God, “for the wicked.”

No peace for the wicked, but to the righteous, who accepted God’s offer of peace through Christ Jesus, there is righteousness like a wave! Have you ever tried to hold back the waves of the sea?

For God is the God of peace (Rom15:33)

For God is the offerer/perfecter of peace (Isa26:3; Isa48:18; Isa57:20-21)

For the God of peace is just though, may we remember (Isa59:1-2)

No peace for the wicked, no ear for the wicked

Isaiah 59:1–2 NASB95

1 Behold, the Lord’s hand is not so short That it cannot save; Nor is His ear so dull That it cannot hear. 2 But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, And your sins have hidden His face from you so that He does not hear.

But, the God of peace is there making peace available to all if they are willing to accept it!

God of peace, who offers peace to the sinner (Rom5:1-2)

Romans 5:1–2 NASB95

1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God.

Peace offered through our Lord Jesus Christ, peace offered and recieved by faith that gives us justification and receipt of God’s grace in which we stand in which we exult all for the glory of God.

God of peace, who offers peace to the sinner (Rom5:1-2)

God of peace makes peace available by God’s love (Rom5:6-9)

Romans 5:6–7 NASB95

6 For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die.

Romans 5:8–9 NASB95

8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him.

In christ we have our reconciliation with God if we are willing to accept it.

Romans 5:10–11 NASB95

10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. 11 And not only this, but we also exult in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.

Reconciled to God through Christ and here is another verse to add to our dwelling on and in peace here.

2 Corinthians 5:18–19 NASB95

18 Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation.

2 Corinthians 5:20–21 NASB95

20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

We have a need, a desire for peace that only God can provide, a real peace that is from out of this world and is exactly what this world needs. But this peace, peace with God has to start on personal level being a peace with yourself.

Peace with self

God offers, through Jesus, and confirmed by the Holy Spirit peace. Peace personally, individually, relationally. Peace that the world cannot provide.

_________________________________________________________

Personal, relational peace (Jn14:27)

Peace that cannot be taken from you; even in hard times (Jn16:33)

Peace that is increased by faith (Mt6:25, Mt6:30) and belief (Jn14:1)

Another avenue for peace with yourself is through prayer (Php4:6-7)

________________________________________________________

Personal, relational peace (Jn14:27)

While words were spoken to the Apostles they can be personal to us because of our relationship with Jesus Christ

John 14:27 NASB95

27 “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.

Personal, relational peace (Jn14:27)

Peace that cannot be taken from you; even in hard times (Jn16:33)

John 16:33 NASB95

33 “These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”

The things given, the things spoken to the Apostles were recorded so we can have comfort, have assurance, have the promise of peace that cannot be taken. Not only peace that cannot be taken but victory over the peace taking things that is evident to others.

Personal, relational peace (Jn14:27)

Peace that cannot be taken from you; even in hard times (Jn16:33)

Peace that is increased by faith (Mt6:25, Mt6:30) and belief (Jn14:1)

Matthew 6:25 NASB95

25 “For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?

And couple with

Matthew 6:30 NASB95

30 “But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith!

and faith that is evident because of what, who we are to believe in.

John 14:1 NASB95

1 “Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me.

Personal, relational peace (Jn14:27)

Peace that cannot be taken from you; even in hard times (Jn16:33)

Peace that is increased by faith (Mt6:25, Mt6:30) and belief (Jn14:1)

Another avenue for peace with yourself is through prayer (Php4:6-7)

Philippians 4:6–7 NASB95

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 comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Peace with others

Because we know we need peace, because we know the author and perfecter of our peace; we too can have that personal peace that the world so needs. Peace with ourselves, peace with God leads to peace with others. Some application principles.

(due to the timing; don’t add more here; this is 23 minutes in already)

Peace is commanded (Rom12:18)

Romans 12:18 NASB95

18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.

Let God’s peace be your peace (Col3:15)

Colossians 3:15 NASB95

15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful.

Peace effort eternally worth it (Heb12:14)

Hebrews 12:14 NASB95

14 Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord.

Be a peace sower; you will reap good results (Jam3:18)

James 3:18 NASB95

18 And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

Speaking peace, edification to one another brings peace (Rom14:19)

Romans 14:19 NASB95

19 So then we pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another.

(insert conclusion slide here)

Drawing a conclusion regarding peace in 2 minutes or less

First and foremost we need peace with God so we can have the peace of God

When we have peace with God we can have true peace, inner peace, and peace with ourselves regardless of any circumstances we may face.

Don’t let anything, wicked practices, sinful lifestyle, misplaced priorities ore even bona fide concerns steal your peace and fill you with anxiety.

(invitation slide 1)

Do you want peace? Obey the gospel

Peace comes from God and is found in the brotherhood of God, so come to the brotherhood of God

Peace comes from Jesus. He is the way, truth and life and He offers His peace to any, all who are willing to believe and obey the gospel. So obey the gospel and the end result will be

2 Thessalonians 3:16 NASB95

16 Now may the Lord of peace Himself continually grant you peace in every circumstance. The Lord be with you all!