Fruit Of The Spirit (Peace)

• “Do you believe in God?” you would probably say, “Yes, of course.”

• And if I were to ask, “Do you know God?” you might say, “Yes, and I wish I knew Him better.”

• But if I were to ask, “Do you have a deep abiding peace?” I suspect that some of you would reply, “No, I don’t.”

Why would I assume that?

Because a lot of people who know God do not have the peace of God.

Peace is one of the nine fruits of the Spirit that God wants us to have in our life.

Illus: The peace of God is like the gauges in our car that tells us the tempature of our car or whether our battery is charging.

When we do not have the PEACE OF GOD it is a sign something is wrong.

Everybody wants PEACE but very few have it because they do not know how to receive it.

(1) Some do not have it…but it is not because they do not PRAY for it.

Illus: In Jerusalem, a female CNN journalist heard about a very old Jewish man who had been going to the Wailing Wall to pray, twice a day, everyday, for a long, long time. So she went to check it out. She went to the Wailing Wall and there he was!

She watched him pray and after about 45 minutes, when he turned to leave, she approached him for an interview.

"I'm Rebecca Smith from CNN. Sir, how long have you been coming to the Wall and praying?"

"For about 60 years."

"60 years! That's amazing! What do you pray for?"

"I pray for peace between the Christians, Jews and the Muslims. I pray for all the hatred to stop and I pray for all our children to grow up in safety and friendship."

"How do you feel after doing this for 60 years?"

"Like I'm talking to a wall."

Praying to a wall will not bring about the peace of god in your life.

Many do not have it but it is not because they do not pray for it.

(2) Many do not have it…but it is not because they do not WISH to have it.

Illus: A woman was walking along the beach when she stumbled upon a Genie's lamp. She picked it up and rubbed it, and lo-and-behold a Genie appeared. The amazed woman asked if she was going to receive the usual three wishes.

The Genie said, "Nope ... due to inflation, constant downsizing, low wages in third-world countries, and fierce global competition, I can only grant you one wish. So ... what will it be?"

The woman didn't hesitate. She said, "I want peace in the Middle East. See this map? I want these countries to stop fighting with each other."

The Genie looked at the map and exclaimed, Lady, these countries have been at war for thousands of years. I'm good, but not THAT good! I don't think it can be done. Make another wish."

The woman thought for a minute and said, "Well, I've never been able to find the right man. You know, one that's considerate and fun, likes to cook and helps with the housecleaning, who also gets along with my family, doesn't watch sports all the time, and is faithful. That's what I wish for ... a great mate."

The Genie let out a long sigh and said, "Let me see that map again!"

Just wishing for peace will not bring the peace of God in our life.

In this sermon I want to show you how you can have peace of God in your life. In order for you to have it you must understand where it comes from.

The Bible teaches that there are two kinds of peace.

There is a a peace that the lost world provides.

John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Illus: We can see the kind of peace that the world provides in the face of men like Bill Gates, Ted Turner, and Steve Forbes. These men are not Christians as far as we know, but everything is going well in their lives and they are experiencing a peace that the world provides.

There is a PEACE THAT THE WORLD OFFERS and since this is the only kind of peace that lost man knows about this is the kind of peace they seek.

But the Bible tells us there is a PEACE THAT GOD OFFERS.

Notice again John 14:27 John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth,

The kind of peace that God offers is the kind of peace that Horatio Spafford had.