He Is Our Peace

HE IS OUR PEACE!

UNITY SERVICE – FRANCISCAN UNIVERSITY

1/24/02

I would like to express gratitude to God for the occasion for we have gathered this evening and to those who have participated in the preparations. To Father Scanlan, Pastors James Edward Murray, Calvin McLoyd and to Catherine Heck who coordinated this unity service.

Ps 36:9 - For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light.

Eph 2:14-18 - “For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, 15 by abolishing in his flesh the law with its commandments and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace, 16 and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. 17 He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. 18 For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.”

We are gathered together to celebrate the Fountain of Life! God is our fountain of life! A fountain that flows, and never ceases to fill the well with gladness and peace.

From this fountain flows many things: Unity, love, grace, healing, and peace. From the fountain of life, there is abundant peace to those who accept the gift of Christ!

Old saying: No God, No peace. Know God, Know peace!

Without the knowledge of God, there really is no peace! True peace is found when persons of all races, ethnic backgrounds, and religious traditions turn their eyes toward the Lord and seek His face.

I. THE IDEA OF PEACE HAD IT’S INCEPTION IN THE MIND OF GOD!

A. God’s intention since the fall of man is to destroy barriers that prohibit our free entrance into His presence!

1. So committed to bringing peace, God sent His one and only Son WHO HIMSELF BECAME OUR PEACE!

a. In Christ, the barrier keeping us from God and from one another has been destroyed.

b. Let’s not build the walls up again that the master builder has destroyed!

c. He destroyed man’s walls! He destroyed men’s human tendency toward division! He destroyed the barriers that religious traditions have erected that divided the body of Christ! He even destroyed the barriers that divide people of all cultures, race and economic status!

Peace is found in Jesus Christ! All cultures, all peoples, all races, can find peace only in Jesus!

II. OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST PROMISED PEACE!

Jn 4:13-14 - Jesus answered to the woman at the well who had become a social, spiritual and moral outcast, "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, 14 but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life."

Jn 14:26-27 - But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. 27 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.

1. Peace comes from the HS! He floods your soul with His peace and fear is cast out!

a. The world doesn’t offer lasting peace – the best the world can do is offer a sense of temporary happiness!

A. Paul said there is such peace in Christ that it may not make rational sense!

Php 4:4-7 - 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 everything, 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.

CONCLUSION:

While the world searches for happiness which is here today and gone tomorrow – God extends His hand of mercy in the person of His own Son – Jesus Christ – offering us eternal peace with passes understanding!

We need to drink of the fountain of life! We need to see the light IN HIS LIGHT!

As we pray for peace – for our families, for our city, for our country and for the world, for the many conflicts around the world – we are praying that people will be turned to God for He is the only real source of long lasting peace.

If we can have peace with God – we can enjoy peace with one another!