Peace

Never external peace - only internal peace

Psalm 139:23–24 ESV

23 Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! 24 And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!

What we think of Peace

1. Freedom from disturbance; Tranquility

Vacation before Travis was born.

2. a state or period in which there is no war or a war has ended

When has America ever been at peace?

War, hot or cold

Economic

Political

This is anxiety-inducing

How can we ever have peace? I am too worn out and tired.

Do you Identity with David?

Psalm 69:1–4 (ESV)

1 Save me, O God!

For the waters have come up to my neck.

2 I sink in deep mire,

where there is no foothold;

I have come into deep waters,

and the flood sweeps over me.

3 I am weary with my crying out;

my throat is parched.

My eyes grow dim

with waiting for my God.

4 More in number than the hairs of my head

are those who hate me without cause;

mighty are those who would destroy me,

those who attack me with lies.

What I did not steal

must I now restore?

We shrink our world and try to find the comfortable and smooth relational - avoid conflict and talk about the weather.

Our search for peace shrinks our world.

How the Bible sees Peace

Peace with God and Peace of God

Peace with God

Romans 5:1–2 (ESV)

1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

Salvation - cross resurrection

Peace of God

Freedom from anxiety

Freedom from panic

- this is what everyone wants!!

Philippians 4:5–7 (ESV)

5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6 do not be anxious about anything, 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 your minds in Christ Jesus.

You will NEVER get peace externally - you can have peace externally.

Living Conditions - “Self-care”

Weather, House, Automated controls, Countertops.

You can have peace with your living conditions - you can NEVER get peace from your living conditions.

Money

inflation, Purchases (closes, cars, technology)

You can have peace with your Money (Dave Ramsey) - you can NEVER get peace from your Money (in or Out)

Relationships

Employer

Friends

Kids or Grand-kids

Spouse

You can have peace with your Relationships - you can NEVER get peace from your Relationships.

You will NEVER get peace externally

ONLY internal peace

Jesus says

John 14:25–29 ESV

25 “These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. 26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. 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 hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. 28 You heard me say to you, ‘I am going away, and I will come to you.’ If you loved me, you would have rejoiced, because I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. 29 And now I have told you before it takes place, so that when it does take place you may believe.

The Holy Spirit in you.

The only thing I have control over is how I show up to the Holy Spirit and then the world.

Not showing up to Jesus - No Peace

Roller coaster

What Peace looks like

Peacemakers

Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called children of God

No-man's land

Motivated by love

Like Jesus

This is what the world is looking for! - nutrients for them

Peace of God in decision making

The world needs to see decisions Gods way

Unity in the spirit as the body of Christ - sing together, work together, play together

All races, ages, backgrounds, and futures