Peace
Intro
–As Christians we often throw around notions like peace without really pinning the concept down.
–We serve the Prince of Peace, but do Christians really have peace while here on earth?
–“Peace is the blessing of a lack of conflict, especially war.”
–Hopefully this sermon will help you to understand how you have peace in some ways now, and in other ways you are in a fight that won’t end until you inherit a new body in New Jerusalem.
–When God has peace on His terms then final peace will be found.
–There are four situations of peace that I will consider:
1. wars
2. Between us and God.
3. Between us and the world.
4. Inside of us.
What about Peace from war
First: We know there will be wars till the end. Final peace from wars will only come when we go to be with Christ in paradise.
What about between us and God.
We serve the Prince of Peace—
Isaiah 9:6 (NASB95)
6 For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us;
And the government will rest on His shoulders;
And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.
John 14:27 (NASB95)
27 “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.
–What kind of peace did He leave with us?
Romans 5:1–3 (NASB95)
Results of Justification
1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
2 through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God.
3 And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance;
Notice He gives us peace with God, and yet there is still tribulation and therefore conflict.
–The peace referred to is peace between you and God.
–When you are born again by believing in the Gospel, the Gospel of peace, Jesus’ blood cleanses you of your sins.
–Before there was enmity between you and God, but because of Jesus death on the cross Peace is made between you and the Father–When you believe in Jesus Christ.
Colossians 1:19–22 (NASB95)
19 For it was the Father’s good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him,
20 and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven.
21 And although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds,
22 yet He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach—
Jesus righteousness is imparted to you and your sins are forgiven as far as the east is from the west.
What about with the world?
James 4:4 (NASB95)
4 You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.
2 Corinthians 6:14–15 (NASB95)
14 Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness?
15 Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever?
This doesn’t mean to be antagonistic with non-Christians, but we have a fellowship with other Christians in the body of Christ, and we are in conflict with the world.
John 15:18–19 (NASB95)
Disciples’ Relation to the World
18 “If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you.
19 “If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you.
We should not compromise our principles to be diplomats; rather we are in a struggle with the world and the prince of the world—satan.
John 16:33 (NASB95)
33 “These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”
We do not hate or judge, but entrust our victory over the world to Jesus, and we fight in the right way.
Romans 12:18–21 (NASB95)
18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.
19 Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.
20 “But if your enemy is hungry, feed him, and if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.”
21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
We do not have peace with the world rather we fight according to the way Christ commands us, blessing instead of cursing and loving our enemies.
Finally, Christians have an internal struggle.
Galatians 5:16–17 (NASB95)
16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.
17 For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please.
Listen to the struggle of Paul:
Romans 7:19–25 (NASB95)
19 For the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want.
20 But if I am doing the very thing I do not want, I am no longer the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me.
21 I find then the principle that evil is present in me, the one who wants to do good.
22 For I joyfully concur with the law of God in the inner man,
23 but I see a different law in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin which is in my members.
24 Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death?
25 Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, on the one hand I myself with my mind am serving the law of God, but on the other, with my flesh the law of sin.
What can we do to have peace in our selves when we have a struggle between our fleshly will and our inner man that wants to do the will of God?
Romans 8:12–14 (NASB95)
12 So then, brethren, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh—
13 for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live.
14 For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.
We can have more peace in ourselves as we conquer the deeds of the flesh, and bring ourselves under the control of the Holy Spirit.
When we are led by the Lordship of the Spirit we exhibit the fruits of the Spirit.
Lo and behold self-control and Peace are fruits of the Spirit.
Galatians 5:22–23 (NASB95)
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
So what can we gather from all this.
We can lead others to peace with God
As far as the world’s relation with God, we can reach the world with the Gospel
Isaiah 52:7 (NASB95)
7 How lovely on the mountains
Are the feet of him who brings good news,
Who announces peace
And brings good news of happiness,
Who announces salvation,
And says to Zion, “Your God reigns!”
As far as peace with the world, we can be peacemakers, and fight evil with good.
Romans 12:18 (NASB95)
18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.
Psalm 34:14 (NASB95)
14 Depart from evil and do good;
Seek peace and pursue it.
Romans 12:21 (NASB95)
21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
And as far as peace within we can submit ourselves to God.
Romans 8:6 (NASB95)
6 For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace,
If you feel a call to make peace with your heavenly Father, I want to invite you to make a decision to ask for God for forgiveness and simply believe that Christ, who was perfect, took your sins and became a curse for you on the cross, but was resurrected the third day, so that if you believe in Him you may have eternal life.
Numbers 6:24–26 (NASB95)
24 The Lord bless you, and keep you;
25 The Lord make His face shine on you,
And be gracious to you;
26 The Lord lift up His countenance on you,
And give you peace.’