Gifts from the Father: Peace

Gifts from the Father: Peace Isaiah 9:6; Ephesians 2:11-22 December 19, 2021 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6 (ESV) Jesus. 2. There is No Genuine Peace With God Apart From Jesus. 3. There is No Genuine Peace With Others Unless We Are First at Peace With God. o The path to peace begins with remembering … Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called “the uncircumcision” by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands— Ephesians 2:11 (ESV) 11 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love. Galatians 5:6 (ESV) 6 § Why Remember? − It Keeps us humble. − It Keeps us grateful. − It Keeps us obedient. The Big Idea: There was a time when we didn’t belong to God or to His Family. In that state we discover we are at war with God and each other. In Christ, the hostilities cease. We find our peace, identity, and belonging in Him. Ephesians 2:11-22 (ESV) 11 Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called “the uncircumcision” by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands— 12 remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14 For He himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility 15 by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, 16 and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. 17 And He came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. 18 For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. 19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. 22 In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit. Biblical Truth About Peace: 1. There is No Genuine Peace With One Another Apart From o The path to peace goes through Jesus … § “But Now” I have Peace with God. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. Ephesians 2:13 (ESV) § “But Now” I have Peace with Others For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility Ephesians 2:14 (ESV) 14 He made peace between Jews and Gentiles by creating in Himself one new people from the two groups. Ephesians 2:15 (ESV) What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? James 4:1 (ESV) o The path to peace gives you a new relationship reality. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, Ephesians 2:19 (ESV) 19 Jesus, I need your peace. Be to me my Wonderful Counselor, my Mighty God, my Everlasting Father, and my Prince of Peace!