Jesus is God’s gift of PEACE to the world! The world is looking for PEACE.
There is no lasting PEACE except through Jesus. There is NO PEACE to the wicked.
One of the characteristics of the kingdom of God is “PEACE”. It is a fruit of God’s Spirit. He is a God of PEACE. He helps bring PEACE to sin-troubled lives. PEACE is a basic human need. Let’s pursue things that make for PEACE, and help bring peace to a troubled world!
SCRIPTURE SONGS OF PEACE
There’s a peace inside, that passes all understanding – There’s a joy in my soul, that cannot be contained…
There’s a love in my heart that’s full to overflowing, For the King of King’s and the Lord of Lord’s lives within!
This peace (love; joy; Jesus; blessing; gospel; good news) that I have, the world didn’t give it to me… (3 x’s) The world didn’t give it and the world can’t take it away!
Peace, Peace, wonderful peace, coming down from the Father above – Sweep over my spirit forever, I pray, in fathomless billows of love.
Peace be still, everything is alright! Just rest in the midst of your doubts and fears and trust in your Father’s might! Wait, for Jesus, then walk when He shines the light! Peace be still, everything is alright!
JESUS IS OUR PEACE
Ephesians 2:14 Our reconciling “PEACE” is JESUS ! He has made Jew and non-Jew one in Christ. By dying as our sacrifice, he has broken down every wall of prejudice that separated us and has now made us equal through our union with Christ. (TPT)
For HE HIMSELF is our PEACE, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, (NKJV)
Luke 2:14 – “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth PEACE, goodwill toward men!”
Isaiah 9:6 – For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, PRINCE OF PEACE.
WHY IS PEACE SO IMPORTANT?
Isaiah 48:22; 57:21 – “There is NO PEACE,” says the Lord, “for the wicked.”
It is one of the reasons why Jesus came to live and die for us.
Colossians 1:20 – … and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made PEACE through the blood of His cross.
It is God’s message
Psalm 85:8 – I will hear what God the Lord will speak, for He will speak PEACE to His people and to His saints; but let them not turn back to folly.
It is the result of justification
Romans 5:1 – Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have PEACE with God through our Lord Jesus Christ…
It establishes the kingdom of God
Romans 14:17-19 – for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and PEACE and joy in the Holy Spirit.18 For he who serves Christ in ]these things is acceptable to God and approved by men. 19 Therefore let us pursue the things which make for PEACE and the things by which one may edify another.
It keeps our hearts and mind
Philippians 4:7 – …and the PEACE of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Proverbs 3:5 – Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding...
it is the product of God’s word
Prov. 3:1,2 – My son, do not forget my law, but let your heart keep my commands; 2 For length of days and long life and PEACE they will add to you.
Ps. 119:165 – GREAT PEACE have those who love Your law,
And nothing causes them to stumble.
It is a result of pleasing the Lord
Prov. 16:7 – When a man’s ways please the Lord, He makes even his enemies to be at PEACE with him.
It brings blessing
Matthew 5:9 – BLESSED are the PEACEMAKERS…
Ps. 29:11 – The Lord will give strength to His people; the Lord will BLESS His people with PEACE.
Prov. 3:2 – …For length of days and long life and PEACE they will add to you.
Isaiah 54:13 – All your children shall be taught by the Lord, and great shall be the PEACE of your children.
The Gospel is the Gospel of Peace
Romans 10:15 – …As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the GOSPEL OF PEACE, who bring glad tidings of good things!”
Ephesians 2:14 – For He Himself is our PEACE, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation.
RIGHTEOUSNESS BRINGS PEACE
Psalm 37:37 – Mark the blameless (perfect) man, and observe the upright; for the future of that man is PEACE.
MEEKNESS BRINGS PEACE
Psalm 37:11 – But the meek shall inherit the earth, and shall delight themselves in the ABUNDANCE OF PEACE.
OBEDIENCE BRINGS PEACE
Isaiah 48:18 – Oh, that you had heeded My commandments! Then your PEACE would have been like a river, and your righteousness like the waves of the sea.
WISDOM BRINGS PEACE
Proverbs 3:2 – For length of days and long life and PEACE they will add to you.
PEACE BRINGS JOY
Proverbs 12:20 – … to the counsellors of PEACE is joy.
PLEASING THE LORD BRINGS PEACE
Prov 16:7 – When a man’s ways please the Lord, He makes even his enemies to be at PEACE with him.
BEING SPIRITUALLY MINDED IS PEACE
Romans 8:6 – For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and PEACE.
THE PEACE OF GOD IS TO RULE IN OUR LIVES
Colossians 3:15 – And let the PEACE OF GOD rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.
GOD’S THOUGHTS TOWARDS US ARE THOUGHTS OF PEACE
Jeremiah 29:11 – For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of PEACE and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.
GOD IS A GOD OF PEACE
2 Thessalonians 3:16 – Now may the LORD OF PEACE HIMSELF give you PEACE always in every way. The Lord be with you all.
WHAT IS PEACE?
Heb. “SHALOM”
A state of tranquility or quiet: such as freedom from civil disturbance.
A state or period in which there is no war or a war has ended.
Freedom from disquieting or oppressive thoughts or emotions
The state of not being interrupted or annoyed by worry, problems, noise, or unwanted actions…
Difference between worldly peace & the peace of god
THE PEACE OF JESUS
John 14:27 – PEACEI leave with you, MY PEACE I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
John 16:33 – 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.”
THE PEACE OF THIS WORLD
The PEACE offered by the WORLD is an empty promise and can only bring temporary comfort.
The WORLD’S PEACE is fleeting and changes with circumstances. Micah 3:5 – Thus says the Lord concerning the prophets who make my people stray; who chant “PEACE” while they chew with their teeth,
but who prepare war against him who puts nothing into their mouths…
The world’s peace is built on the weak foundation of compromise.
The WORLD’S PEACE ignores the root of the problem.
Jeremiah 6:14 – They have also healed the hurt of My people slightly,
Saying, ‘PEACE, PEACE!’ when there is NO PEACE.
Ezekiel 13:10 – “Because, indeed, because they have seduced My people, saying, ‘PEACE!’ when there is NO PEACE—and one builds a wall, and they plaster it with untempered mortar—
GOD’S PEACE
GOD’S PEACE is permanent and secure!
Is. 54:10 – For the mountains shall depart and the hills be removed,
but My kindness shall not depart from you, nor shall My covenant of PEACE be removed,” Says the Lord, who has mercy on you.
John 16:33 – 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.”
Phils. 4:6-7,9 – Be anxious for nothing, 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 minds through Christ Jesus… 9 The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of PEACE will be with you.
GOD’S PEACE is built on the sure foundation of His Word.
Psalm 119:165 – GREAT PEACE have those who love Your law (Word)…
Isaiah 26:3 – You will keep him in PERFECT PEACE, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.
GOD’S PEACE is ours because Jesus heals our root of sin.
Isaiah 53:5 – But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our PEACE was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.
Ephesians 2:14 – For He Himself is our PEACE, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation…
Isaiah 32:17 – The work of righteousness will be PEACE,
And the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance forever.
HOW CAN WE MAINTAIN PEACE IN THE MIDST OF TROUBLE, STRESS, AND HEARTACHE?
Mark 4:35-39 On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side.” 36 Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him. 37 And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. 38 But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?” 39 Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “PEACE, BE STILL” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. 40 But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?” 41 And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, “Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!”
TRUST THE WORD OF GOD!
Notice they were in the storm (vs.35) because it was according to Jesus Word!
God’s Word brings great peace! (Ps. 119:165; Is. 26:3)
Ps. 119:92 – Unless Your law (Word) had been my delight, I would then have perished in my affliction.
In the storms, it is the Word of God that gives us peace, hope, and assurance and that’s why we need to trust the Word of God!
DO NOT STAY IN FEAR!
Notice in Mark 4:40 Jesus asked them why they were fearful. He then followed them with the observation that did not demonstrate faith!
Ps 46:1-3 “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will NOT FEAR, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.”
Ps 23:4 – “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I WILL FEAR NO EVIL, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”
John 14:1 – let not your heart be troubled…
2 Tim. 1:7 – God did not give us a spirit of FEAR (timidity)..
KILL FEAR WITH FAITH
When we are going through storms, we should not stay in fear! But we need to KILL FEAR by faith!
Romans 10:17 – faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the WORD.
Faith is the opposite of fear! Faith overcomes fear!
Romans 15:13 – Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and PEACE in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
BE ASSURED IN GOD’S GOODNESS!
In Mark 4:38 the disciples doubted whether Jesus really cared for them when they were going through the storm.
1 Peter 5:7 – Cast all your anxiety on Him because HE CARES FOR YOU!”
When you go through a storm, trust in God’s goodness. He is for you and is at work in your life.
RECOGNIZE THAT GOD IS IN CONTROL!
In Mark 4:39 Jesus miraculously brought peace to the storm!
Our God is the God who parted the Red Sea, stilled the sun, raised people from the dead, healed the sick, and controlled the nature. This God is on our side! We need to have a revelation of who our God is!
When we are in a storm, God may: change the circumstances; or deliver us out of the difficult circumstances; or walk with us through the storms!
If you are going through a storm, don’t be afraid. JESUS is in the boat. He is in control! If you are going through a financial difficulty, let me tell you, Jesus is in the boat! If you are suffering from any sickness, remember, Jesus is in the boat! If you are depressed, cheer up, because Jesus is in the boat!
Experience the PEACE that Christ gives you even in the midst of your storm!
Romans 8:35-39 – Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?… 37 Yet in all these things (right in the midst of it all) we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. 38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
TRUE PEACE COMES FROM GOD!
Romans 1:7 – To all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and PEACE from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Haggai 2:9 – ‘The glory of this latter temple shall be greater than the former,’ says the Lord of hosts. ‘And in this place I WILL GIVE PEACE’ says the Lord of hosts.”
Ps. 119:165 –GREAT PEACE have those who love Your law (Word)…
Is. 26:3 – You will keep him in PERFECT PEACE whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.
Let’s see peace multiplied in our lives!
2 Peter 1:2 – Grace and PEACE BE MULTIPLIED to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord,
BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKER… LET’S BE PEACEMAKERS!
Matthew 5:9 – Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God.
James 3:18 – Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in PEACE by those who make PEACE.
REFLECTION & EVALUATION
WHAT IS OUR SOURCE OF PEACE?
WHAT BRINGS PEACE IN OUR LIVES?
WHAT DESTROYS PEACE?
HOW CAN WE SEE PEACE MULTIPLIED IN OUR LIVES?
HOW CAN WE MAINTAIN PEACE IN THE MIDST OF TROUBLE, STRESS, AND HEARTACHE?
WHAT ARE THE CONDITIONS FOR FINDING AND LIVING IN GOD’S PEACE?
IS PEACE A CHOICE THAT I MUST MAKE? WILL MY DAILY CHOICES MAKE A DIFFERENCE?
