Prince Of Peace Series

Some time ago, the AARP Bulletin asked readers to respond to the question: What's your strategy for coping with stress? The answers ranged from “eat a chocolate chip cookie” to “have a stiff drink.” But Don Betz of Oakdale, Minnesota, offered his own unique solution. Every January 1st, Betz says, “I give my wife $1, and she worries about everything for both of us.”

But that is not the whole plan. Betz added, “If someone else wants to be worry free, they can also send her a dollar” (“Sound Off,” AARP Bulletin, March 2005; www.PreachingToday.com).

A lot of people are looking for peace these days. In a world filled with stress, they’re looking for rest. With their days filled with worry, they’re looking for real security, but most of the time they never find it.

So where do you find real security today? Where do you find a real and lasting peace? Well, if you have your Bibles, I invite you to turn with me to Isaiah 9, Isaiah 9, where we discover the source of real peace.

Isaiah 9:5 For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult and every garment rolled in blood will be burned as fuel for the fire.

All the garments of war will be burned up. In other words, there will be no more war! Why?

Isaiah 9:6-7a 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. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end…

Peace is not found in any place. Peace is not found in any treaty or ban on guns. Peace is found only in a Person, and that person is the Lord Jesus Christ. He is the Prince of Peace – literally, the captain or the ruler of peace. And when the government of the world rests on His shoulders, then and only then will there be world peace.

But you say, “Phil, I can’t wait until then. I need peace in my life right now! How can I get that peace today?” It’s very simple. Just let the government of your life rest on Jesus’ shoulders today. You don’t have to wait until Jesus comes to rule and reign on this earth. Just let the Prince of Peace rule and reign in your life right now. Just let Christ take control of your life today. If you do, then you will…

FIND THE PEACE OF GOD.

You will discover a supernatural serenity. God will give you a calmness of heart that is unexplainable.

In John 14:27, Jesus told his disciples, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”

Now, Jesus spoke this the night before he died on a cross! His peace is not like the world’s peace. It is not based on the surrounding circumstances. Instead, it is based on the sure realities of heaven.

Two artists set out to paint a picture representing perfect peace. The first created a scene depicting a carefree schoolboy sitting in a boat on a quiet lake without a ripple to disturb the surface.

The second artist painted a raging waterfall spewing out its spray in every direction. But above the waterfall, on a limb overhanging the swirling water, a bird sat quietly on her nest (M. R. Dehann).

That’s real peace, and that’s the kind of peace Jesus promises to all who follow Him—not the absence of turmoil, but tranquility in the midst of turmoil.

Philippians 4:6-7 says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Where do we find that peace? We find it in Jesus Christ, for He is the PRINCE of peace.

Pro baseball player R.A. Dickey was the 2012 National League Cy Young Award winner, the highest honor for a pitcher. But Dickey's career almost ended before it started. In 1996, the Texas Rangers made him their #1 draft pick and offered him an $810,000 contract. All he had to do was pass a routine team physical. But unknown to Dickey, the physical revealed that his right elbow was missing its ulnar collateral ligament.

As Dickey, a committed follower of Christ, entered training camp he uttered a prayer of gratitude: "Thank you, Lord, for all your blessings and for helping me get this far." But shortly after that prayer, his agent pulled him into a meeting with Doug Melvin, the Rangers general manager. Melvin flatly said, "We are going to retract our offer. We think there's something wrong with your elbow."