Peace In The Midst Of A Storm Series

PEACE IN THE MIDST OF A STORM

Philippians 4:7

Christmas Series 2008

There are many in this room today that are struggling. Struggling with many different things. It could be worrying over finances, marriages, jobs, church, this that or the other. Some could be struggling with issues that are beyond your control. Others are flat out of the will of God. To be frank, there is no sense of PEACE in your life – but a constant sense of WORRY, DISSATISFATION, UNHAPPINESS, REGRET.

However, there is a solution for each person who is struggling – each person who is worrying, each person who is unhappy and dissatisfied. That solution is the person who gives hope to the hopeless and loves us beyond all measure. His name is Jesus Christ – he can give you “Peace in the Midst of Your Storm.”

Let’s discover what true peace is this morning:

Peace is defined as “A state of harmony, tranquility, the absence of hostility, the absence of mental stress or anxiety.”

With that definition – who is at peace in the house this morning? That’s what I figured.

God’s word uses peace this way:

Hebrew – “Shalom” – completeness, soundness, welfare, peace

Greek – “Eirene” – inner tranquility and poise of the Christian whose trust is in God.

Here is a fact:

1. Not everyone enjoys peace

2. Jesus Came to Bring Peace

A church sign once said:

To all Christians, Merry Christmas – To all Jews, Happy Hanukah, To all Atheists, Good Luck – you’re gonna need it.

Do you want inner peace today, this CHRISTmas? Let’s seek out the Word of God this morning.

TEXT

I. The Need for Peace with God

a. He is the God of Peace

Romans 15:33

Now the God of peace be with you all

ILL: For some, buying a house may be a goal or an accomplishment that will bring peace. But, once the house is bought there is the desire to seek something else to bring peace because the house didn’t turn out to fill that desire.

NOTE: In the text – only through God, can we obtain peace (Shalom, Eirene)

- Every thing – Prayer – Supplication (Getting down to business)

- Peace shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ

b. He is the Source of True Peace

Romans 15:13

Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.

NOTE: Key word – believing! To know God is to truly know peace.

c. Sin Alienates Man from God

1. Sin separates man from God so that He will not hear

Isaiah 59:2

“Your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.”

1 Peter 3:12

“For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.”

2. God will not let the wicked enjoy peace

Isaiah 57:19-21

“I create the fruit of the lips; Peace, peace to him that is far off, and to him that is near, saith the Lord; and I will heal him. But the wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt. There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked.”

NOTE: “There may be the appearance of joy, and there may be temporary prosperity. But there is no abiding, substantial, permanent happiness without God.” - Barnes

II. Jesus Makes Peace with God Possible

The words of the prophet Isaiah in 9:6

“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”

God provided a Spotless Lamb, without blemish, to give us Hope, the Show us Love, to give us peace.

a. Jesus makes peace with God possible through Justification

Romans 5:1

Being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Justification means “not guilty” – simply – Just if I had never sinned.

Comes through Grace and Redemption

Romans 3:24

Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.

Redemption comes through the blood of Christ, as a payment for sin

Romans 3:25

Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation (payment) through faith in His blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God.

Justification through faith in Christ leads to peace with God!

b. Through Reconciliation

1. Sin separates man from God

2. God reconciles man back to Himself through Jesus Christ