Fruits of the Spirit 04 - Peace

Reading: John 14:23-27
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 (NIV)

INTRO:

The word “peace” occurs 250 times in our English Bible 95 times in the New Testament.

There is a need for peace because there is an assumption that peace is absent. In the New Testament “peace” occurs in three contexts: which will form the outline for today’s message and help us understand what sort of peace Jesus is giving to you.

I.    Peace with God

      A.  Without grace we are Enemies with God

            1.   Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. Colossians 1:21

                   a.   We are enemies because of our own willful rebellion against God and God’s will for us.

                   b.   “Enemies” could also be translated “hostile” (as the RSV does)

            2.   Because of our rebellion, Paul says that all of us were by nature objects of wrath. (Eph.2:3)

                   a.   We have a problem here. As far as God is concerned we are enemies that deserve to be punished.

      B.  Peace with God comes From God

            1.   [Read Ephesians 2:4-10]

            2.   While we were enemies, Jesus died for us in order to reconcile us to God again — that is, to make peace

            3.   But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation Colossians 1:22 (NIV)

      C.  Our task is to Accept peace on God’s terms

            1.   We are saved by God’s grace (that means it’s God’s decision) but through faith (which is our decision).

                   a.   The best synonym of “faith” is trust, the kind of trust that compels someone to put all their eggs in one basket.

            2.   Jesus gives us peace that will not be withdrawn (he doesn’t give like some folks do). But that doesn’t mean that peace with God is yours without accepting the gift.

            3.   God’s terms for peace are simple: Trust Jesus and what he has done as the only way to find peace with God. There is no other way. But that way is sufficient.

II.   Peace with People

      A.  Being discontent with Dissonance

            1.   The New Testament teaching on peace refuses to end with folks finding peace with God. Unless peace with God expresses itself in peace with the ordinary folks around us, we have to face the question “Is our relationship to God real?”

Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 1 John 4:7-8 (NIV)

            2.   When God’s Spirit is working in us, we can’t help it. We have an inner urge to preserve and maintain relational harmony with the people God brings into our lives.

            3.   We feel a need to cross racial, cultural, age, and gender barriers, let alone barriers of personal style and taste.

      B.  God’s love and forgiveness Spilled out

            1.   Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. Col. 3:13 (NIV)

            2.   1John 4:7-8 (again) - when we have a genuine reconciliation with God, our experience of God’s love spills out into all our relationships.

      C.  Empowered to speak the truth in love

            1.   Our relationship with God is foundational to our ability to be at peace with everyone around us.

                   a.   With God’s presence and work in your life, you will be empowered to at least make a good beginning.

                   b.   Peace is a fruit — that means the fruit grows and matures because of our connection to the vine.

            2.   Jesus gives us peace together with the promise of the Holy Spirit (John 14:26) because only the Holy Spirit can empower us to live in real and lasting peace with God and with other people.

                   a.   If your peace fruit is still green and small and sour, what do you need to do?

III.  Peace Within

      A.  Believing God’s forgiveness and love

            1.   Inner peace can be the hardest kind of peace to find. It also is dependent on God’s work in us and we too often forget that.

            2.   The foundation for inner peace, is the same as the foundation for relational peace: what God has done through the saving work of Jesus Christ.

            3.   One final essential layer of this foundation for inner peace is believing that what Jesus has done applies to me too.

                   a.   One of Satan’s favorite lies is “God won’t accept you because, after all you have done.”

                   b.   That’s an absolute lie. “All who call on the Lord will be saved!”

                   c.   Paul, who violently tried to eradicate the Christian movement, says “If God saved me, he can save anybody!” (1Tim. 1:15)

      B.  Knowing who I am in Christ

            1.   This peace that Jesus gives to us that won’t be revoked later comes in part when we realize who we are now that Jesus has got a hold of us.

                   a.   I am free from condemnation (Rom.8:1) How much condemnation for those who are in Christ?

                   b.   I am a child of God (John 1:12)

            2.   I am God’s workmanship (Eph.2:10), artwork. I may not look like much now, but wait till God is finished!

      C.  The contentment of Confidence

            1.   When I turn my confidence away from my own strength, or moral fortitude, or my brains, and put my confidence instead on God who promises to forgive when I confess and rescue when I call out and call me his child when I trust, my confidence produces contentment and peace.

            2.   The peace of God surpasses understanding

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)

                   a.   It means that we can have peace even when the evidence around us invites anxiety.

                   b.   Because the peace that Jesus gives never goes away.

            3.   The peace of God comes from God. Jesus gives his peace to us. And if the fruit of our inner peace is still small and green and sour, what do you suppose we are supposed to do about it?

The Bottom Line:

.