Made For Peace

Last week we discussed:

Abiding In Christ

Walking in the Spirit

Fruits of the Spirit are focused on the source of the fruit.

Can’t get fruits of the Spirit without the source.

Next three weeks we will be looking at how Jesus demonstrates the fruits of the Spirit.

This week, we are looking specifically at peace.

ME

For a long time I did not have any peace for one very simple reason...

You

I thought that I could not have peace unless my surroundings were peaceful.

People, circumstances, etc...

My life would be peaceful, if the externals were peaceful.

Problem: Peace vanished if harsh words, bad circumstances, things happened outside my control

I knew Bible verses about peace, but I did not know peace.

Philippians 4:7 ESV

And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

You

I am guessing that many of you feel that way.

If we only had the right political person in office.

If other people were just kinder.

If my external circumstances weren’t so difficult.

If only all of these things, I could have peace.

Scripture’s Answer

The inability to have peace as a result of external circumstances is not Biblical.

Proverbs 25:28 ESV

A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.

Much of what we refer to as “peace” is fragile and controlled chaos.

We define it as the absence of external conflict.

That gives too much power to external sources.

2 Corinthians 10:5 ESV

We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,

2 Timothy 1:7 ESV

for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

Every thought captive…power, love, self control

God is not in the business of weakness

He IS in the business of gentle strength

Taking thoughts captive with power can be done exceedingly lovingly...

As gentle as a shepherd resting it’s hand on a little lamb.

Example: “I know you are there anger. I know you want to yell. What do you wish to say? Why are you upset?”

First time I did this with Jerianne. Stopped for a moment. “Are you OK?

Over time, the process quickens, and before you know it, you see it’s power and it’s automatic.

Identity

Peace, power, self control…they are all grounded in the security of our identity in God.

Fear is grounded in identity with worldliness

Without Godly power and self control, we are like little children fighting other little children.

This was me for a very long time.

Anger always resulted from feeling like I had not been respected.

So I wanted other people to validate my goodness.

One day I read something that changed my perspective.

When someone is hateful, that is their wounded and angry inner child acting out

Once I realized this, two things became clear:

Every time I responded with anger, it was a childhood wound being reignited in me.

It was then that I began to work through those wounds.

Secondly, I knew that it was the same for other person as well.

My anger was no longer ignited, because I knew it was coming from somewhere that I could not control.

I was able to experience peace and compassion when the five year old came out for other people.

Compassion and Peace

Peace is very closely linked to compassion in the life of Jesus.

Matthew 9:36 ESV

When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

Lamentations 3:22–23 ESV

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

Psalm 86:5 ESV

For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon you.

Jesus healed physically with compassion

Jesus provided for hungry people compassionately

Jesus even looked upon Judas with compassion

Jesus, when he was on the cross, had compassion for those who were killing him

That same peace and compassion is offered to you.

Objection

Ah, but what about this verse?

Matthew 10:34 ESV

“Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.

So why is a fruit of the Spirit peace, if Jesus came to bring a sword?

Ephesians 6:17 ESV

and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,

Key: God’s peace does not feel peaceful to worldly people

It confronts their illusions about power and accomplishment and self sufficiency.

“My money proves that I am powerful”

“My accomplishments prove that I am worthy”

I am not willing to let go of worldly comforts for peace

Rich young ruler story in Matthew 19

Matthew 19:21–22 ESV

Jesus said to him, “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.

Jesus was ultimately offering a life full of love, joy, and peace.

That did not feel peaceful to the young ruler, though.

He loved the world more.

So the fruits of the Spirit for the believer, were like a sword to the rich young ruler.

Your Peace In Three Areas

Peace With God

Romans 5:8 ESV

but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 2:4 ESV

Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?

Psalm 86:5 ESV

For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon you.

Psalm 86:15 ESV

But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.

Do you believe that Jesus died for YOUR sins?

Do you believe that God is merciful toward you?

Do you believe that God is gracious and compassionate toward you?

Do you believe that God is slow to anger toward you?

Do you believe that God is abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness toward you?

Until you believe that God loves you, does not judge you, is compassionate toward you, and is not angry with you.

Until you believe those things you will never know peace.

Internal peace

If you lack peace, you have weeds in the garden of your heart.

Peace comes in two ways

Firstly, identifying the lies…the weeds…and inviting God into those places to pull them out.

They are choking growth, and the more work you do to identify the lies in your life, the more quickly you will experience growth.

Secondly, as the weeds are removed, the fruit of the Spirit grows, to include peace

Peace in God

Peace with myself

God loves me.

I love God

I can love myself

Peace With Others

When you have peace with God and yourself, you can be a peaceful presence in the world.

You don’t have to work harder on other people’s problems than they are willing to work.

You love well, you love deeply, you do not need to control them.

You CHOOSE to love.

All because your source of peace and power is in a never-changing, loving God.

Your emotions, self worth, peace, joy, and sense of identity, all come through Him.

You have peace with others not because of them...

You have peace with others because you ARE peaceful.

Amen