Season of Peace

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Last week the first week of Advent we centered on Hope.

This week, week two of Advent we are centered on Peace.

In our present situation, it seems peace is hard to come by.

Peace in the World – nowhere close

Peace in the Country – recent shootings , 1000 homicides in Cook County

Peace in the Home – constant stress

Peace in our Emotions and Physical well being – Pain and suffering

So Peace seems unattainable.

Today I want to answer a couple of Questions

What is it, What does it mean?

What does the peace of God give you?

Is it possible to even have peace?

Romans Chapter 12 vs 18 and 21 give us an idea of living in peace.

What Does peace Mean?

I want to start with a Question. PEACE what does it mean? What do you think?

A University did a study on Peace of Mind

1) the absence of suspicion and resentment.

Dictionaries would say – It is the "The absence of conflict.“ or a state of tranquility.

The problem with this kind of peace, this worldly peace is, it is fleeting. It comes and goes.

Christians sometimes say things like, “I’m good” meaning, I have peace at the moment.

It is not supernatural.

I am interested in Supernatural peace. AMEN

Shalom

In Hebrew the word for peace is called “Shalom”

The root meaning is “to be whole” it includes peace among one another signifying a relationship of harmony and wholeness

It has a wide range of meanings (wholeness, health, security, well-being, and salvation)

1. It involves the state of the individual (Ps 37:37; Prv 3:2; Is 32:17),

2. The relationship of man to man (Gn34:21; Jos 9:15) or

3. Nation to nation (e.g., absence of conflict—Dt 2:26; Jos 10:21; 1 Kgs 5:12; Ps 122:6, 7), and the

4. Relationship of God and man (Ps 85:8; Jer16:5).

Peace is not the outcome of human endeavor, but as a gift or blessing of God

*****Shalōm is the desired state of harmony and communion between the two covenant partners its presence signifying God’s blessing in the covenant relationship and its absence signifying the breakdown of that relationship due to Israel’s disobedience and unrighteousness

***ABSENCE OF peace signifies a breakdown in relationship

Shalōm, characterized by prosperity and well-being (Is 45:7), absence of conflict (Is 2:2–4;), right relations (Is 11:1–5;), restoration of harmony in nature (Is 11:6–9; ), and salvation (Is 52:7;)

Israel’s persistent disobedience and unrighteousness created a loss of PEACE

In the OT was associated with a messianic figure, as in Isaiah 9:6 where the future Messiah is termed the“Prince of Peace.”

Moreover, his reign would be one of “peace” not only for Israel, butwould extend throughout the whole earth (Zec 9:9, 10). The OT ends with this hope of peace still unrealized in its full sense.

Scripture says a lot about Peace

How would you define peace?

“I Ray Nay”

In the Greek pronounced – “I ray nay” - it is Rest and binding together

that which was separated

- Hesuchazo {hay-soo-khad'-zo} - silent, still, quiet

God’s Peace is supernatural- and available to YOU

It is not based on you or how you feel or what you are going through

Jesus as the Messiah would usher in God’s reign of peace, that time of salvation longed for since the days of the prophets.

(Lk 1:67–69), the coming of Jesus as the Messiah is expected to “guide our feet into the way of peace”

the angelstestimony to the shepherds proclaims Jesus as the bringer of God’s peace to men (Lk 2:14).

Jesus is peace and he is your PEACE – He is the Prince of Peace

When Jesus leftHe sent the Spirit of Peace, a close reading of Ephesians Ch4 brings the unity of the Spirit and what He does.

"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)

Jesus gives a peace the world does not know. If you are looking for peace in the world you will not find it and even if you do, it will slip through your hands.

The Father gave us Jesus – the Prince of peace – Jesus gave us the Holy Spirit , and peace resides in you.

Did you hear what I said- “Peace resides in you”

There is a very interesting scripture in 1 Samuel, when David tried to transfer peace to Nabal lets turn to it.

1 Samuel 25: 6 and thus you shall say, ‘Have a long life, peace be to you, and peace be to your house, and peace be to all that you have.

God wanted to bring peace and continued prosperity on Nabels houe. He didn’t recognize Davidsauthority or ability to bring peace and take it away.

It is very easy to reject peace because of ignorance or pride. Mistreat the blessing sender and you get the opposite result.

Nabal could of received a great blessing from David but because of pride and arrogance. In the end His blessing came in the form of a heart attack. Interesting to note that Nabals name means foolish.

What Does The Peace Of God Give You?

What does the Peace of God give you?

1. Perfect Peace Isa 26:3 (PEACE OF MIND)

3 You will keep in perfect peace (inward peace of mind) all who trust in you, whose thoughts are fixed on you!

This comes with conditions – trust – thoughts fixed – Its perfect it doesn’t need to added too.

Question would be , what are your thoughts fixed on?

2. Precious Peace Ps 23:2 (Divine Contentment)

2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters.

NKJV = It is joyful and fulfilling and wondrous

3. Positive Peace Romans 8:6 (Life with a purpose)

6 If your sinful nature controls your mind, there is death. But if the Holy Spirit controls your mind, there is life and peace.

NLT – Sanity and Safety

4. Personal Peace Mt 11:29 (Rest)

29 Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle, and you will find rest for your souls.

NLT - REST

5. Physical Peace Isa 53:5

5 But he was wounded and crushed for our sins. He was beaten that we might have peace. He was whipped, and we were healed!

- beyond the physicalpossibilities - Illustration Henry Stillwell

6. Promised Peace Jn 16:33

Proverbs 1:33 (ESV) — 33 but whoever listens to me will dwell secure and will be at ease, without dread of disaster.”

33 These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."

NKJV

Peace in this crazy world

7. Passes all understanding Phil 4:7

Did you know that stress is a leading cause of heart disease, panic attacks and a shortened life span

7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. NKJV

Guards your heart.

8. Pursued Peace 1 Pt 3:11, 2 Tim 2:22

let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it. ‎12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”

God hears and sees you

Do You Have It?

QUESTION - Do you have it?

– It starts with Jesus as its author and perfector

– without Him you don’t have much

It is readily available to you in times of

1. In times of sickness, pressure and hardships

Matthew 11:28 (ESV) — 28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

2. In times of disaster, death and grief

Isaiah 57:1–2 (ESV) — 1 The righteous man perishes, and no one lays it to heart; devout men are taken away, while no one understands. For the righteous man is taken away from calamity; 2 he enters into peace; they rest in their beds who walk in their uprightness.

Do you have real everlasting as sure as I’m standing here today PEACE ?

Horatio Spafford wrote this Hymn

A fire ruined him financially

His four daughters died on a voyage crossing the Atlantic

He also had a son that died from Scarlet Fever

When Peace Like A River Hymn

When peace, like a river, attendethmy way, when sorrows like sea billows roll; whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say, It is well, it is well with my soul. Refrain: It is well with my soul, it is well, it is well with my soul. Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come, let this blest assurance control, that Christ has regarded my helpless estate, and hath shed his own blood for my soul. My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought! My sin, not in part but the whole, is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more, praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul! And, Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight, the clouds be rolled back as a scroll; the trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend, even so, it is well with my soul.