Standing In Peace Series

Standing in Peace

Ephesians 6:15

Series: Armed and Dangerous

July 15, 2007

Morning Service

Introduction

Many of you have probably never heard of Mary Ann Baker. Mary’s life was filled with much sorrow and heartache. Her family had been devastated by disease. Her mother and father had died, Mary had been bedridden for months and then her brother contracted the disease.

Mary’s brother left Chicago for a warmer climate and the hope of a cure. Months went by and they sent telegrams back and forth to communicate. A final telegram came to Mary telling her that her brother too had died from the disease.

After overcoming the illness, Mary struggled with grief and sorrow. She could not come to terms with the loss and find peace. Several months later Mary’s pastor asked her to help write a song for service that went along with Mark 4:37-39 about Christ calming the sea.

The words that Mary wrote would become the hymn Master, the Tempest is Raging.

Master, the tempest is raging, the billows are tossing high

The sky is o’shadowed with blackness, no shelter or help is nigh

Carest thou not that we perish? How canst thou lie asleep

When each moment so madly is threatening, a grave in the angry deep

The winds and waves shall obey thy will; peace be still

Whether the wrath of storm tossed sea or demons or men or whatever be

No waters can swallow the ship where lies The Master of ocean or earth and skies

They all shall sweetly obey thy will, peace be still peace be still

Stand firm with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. Ephesians 6:15

The importance of the shoes

The Roman soldier needed a good boot or shoe because of the variety of terrain that they would be expected to fight on. The Roman shoes were boots that were connected to a plate of metal spikes that covered the sole of the shoe. The spikes were used to create a firm footing in nearly any terrain. The shoes were not just boots but also included the greeves. These were metal plates that covered the shin from the ankle to above the knee.

The shoes allowed the Roman soldier to be prepared for assaults and for defending a position. The shoes provided balance and stability.

The meaning of Peace

The Hebrew word for peace is salom, which conveys a meaning of having wholeness, unity and harmony. The deeper concept of peace flows out of a sense of prosperity, health and fulfillment. Salom became a word for greetings and farewells. It was pronounce mean of blessing. It was the hope of extending God’s peace upon the person. It was a wish for personal welfare. The application of peace in the Old Testament was primarily relational from one person to another.

The symbolism of peace was portrayed in the formal peace offering that was given at the temple. This was an additional offering that followed the sin offering. The peace offering was partially eaten and partially burned. The understanding was that the offering revealed a sense of overflowing joy and fulfillment with God.

The Greek word for peace was eirene which signaled an orderly, prosperous life that could only be obtained without a state of war. This principle was applied to the inner personal life as a state of personal peace. Unlike the Old Testament, the New Testament roots the concept of peace entirely in our relationship with God.

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, Romans 5:1

Paul makes it clear that the full understanding of peace can only be seen in Jesus. Peace through Jesus is the inner experience that brings wholeness and a new relationship. Without a personal relationship with Jesus, there is no real peace. Jesus brings harmony out of hostility. He brings order out of disorder. He brings unity out of disunity.

Jesus is our peace

1.) He ensures our ability to have peace

2.) He enables us to have peace

3.) He empowers our ability to experience peace

Three Kinds of Peace

1.) Redeeming Peace: This is the peace that we gain with God. We only gain this through the work of Christ on the cross and the empty tomb.

2.) Relational Peace: This is the peace that comes from God. There are times that God gives His peace to us.

3.) Resource Peace: The peace of God which points to God as the source of peace

Why do most Christians not experience this peace?

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