Fruit Of The Spirit: Peace Series

Fruit of the Spirit October 11, 2009

Peace

Galatians 5:22-23

Peace – definition

First thing we think of is lack of war, lack of strife – yes

Paul would have had Shalom in mind – beyond lack of strife - general well being, even prosperity

Good relationships between people, families, nations and groups

Good relationship with God

Good relationship with creation

Inner peace or serenity

What robs you of peace?

Exterior

Interior

Peace in the Storm

Jesus sleeping in the boat – Jesus as a picture of peace in the storm

Matthew 8:23-27

23 Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. 24 Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. 25 The disciples went and woke him, saying, "Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!"

26 He replied, "You of little faith, why are you so afraid?" Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.

27 The men were amazed and asked, "What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!"

How does the Holy Spirit grow peace with in us?

Peace with others

Much lack of peace in the world comes from people grasping for more at the expense of others – we are heirs of the kingdom. – no need to grasp

Romans 8:14 For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. 15 The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father." 16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. 17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

Listening to the Spirit should turn off our need to grasp at more.

It should also help us when others are grasping at what we feel is rightfully ours.

As far as it is up to you…

Romans 8:6

Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. 6 The mind controlled by the sinful nature is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace.

Peace within

Philippians 4

4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

I could teach you to do these things to gain inner peace – rejoice, instead of expressing anxiety, but instead pray and ask God for what you need, and give him thanks for the things that has already given you. Do that and you will have peace! But Paul promises a peace that goes beyond my understanding – I can understand gaining peace through worship, prayer and thanksgiving – God promises to go beyond what we understand, so that when people see that you are in the midst of a storm and they come up to you and say “I don’t understand how you can be so peaceful!” You can say, “neither do I!”

The Holy Spirit living in us can give us a supernatural peace that you cannot explain except that it is a gift from God.

John 14:16-17, 27I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. 17 He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. …

27 “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.

True peace is a gift from God through the Holy Spirit

How do we cultivate peace?

We need to remember that the Fruit of the spirit are given in contrast to the deeds of the flesh, or the sinful nature in Galatians 5

13 You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature ; rather, serve one another humbly in love. 14 For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: "Love your neighbor as yourself." 15 If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.