How To Possess Peace

I. Trust in the Presence of God

1. It makes a great difference in our lives as to who is in our presence. Depending on what stage of life we are in determines what people we need.

a. As a young child we need our parents. Our mother, she is the one who can make all things right when we're little.

b. Later in life it's usually our mate. The husband or wife is what makes the difference.

2. The most precious presence we could ever have, would be Jesus.

3. The Bible teaches that we can trust in the presence of the Lord.

a. Psalm 139: 1-12; Psalm 23

b. Hebrews 13: 5-6

4. What does the word trust mean? It means to be confident or sure. It means to be bold.

5. What should trusting in the presence of the Lord teach us?

a. It teaches us that we have one who has prepared the way for us. John 10: 4

b. It teaches us his provision and protection.

c. Trusting his presence brings rest, courage, and comfort. Psalm 23

6. The key to trusting in his presence is knowing who you are.

a. If you are saved, you are promised his presence.

b. If you are not saved, you can never know the peace His presence brings.

II. Rest in the Promises of God

1. The word of God contains thousands of promises to His children. The sad part is that we know and claim very few of them.

2. What does the word rest mean?

a. To be careful for nothing. Philippians 4:6

b. What are the greatest areas of our life that we can rest in the promises of God over?

c. First let me say: this world greatest area of confusion is in salvation and eternity.

d. To me the greatest promises God gives to us is concerning my soul an eternity.

3. He has promised us a place with him in heaven.

a. John 14:1-3

b. Heaven is a real place.

4. He has promised us we shall be like him.

a. 1 John 3:1-3

b. A perfect body.

5. He has promised us a quick change of residence.

a. Whether by death. 2 Corinthians 5:1, 6-9

b. Whether by rapture. 1 Thessalonians 4: 13-18; 1 Corinthians 15: 51-58

c. No such place as a purgatory in God's plan.

d. There is no layover place. Now is the time to prepare to go and be with the Lord.

6. I'm trying to share with you the source of peace that we must have.

a. It comes because of trusting in God's presence.

b. It comes because of resting in the promises that he offers.

III. Depend on the Power of God

1. Our salvation and the peace that it brings has never depended on our strength or ability. It rests in depends upon the power of God. 1 Peter 1:3-6

2. There is no power stronger than the power of God. Matthew 28: 18

3. What is that power that works in US?

a. Ephesians 3: 20

b. It is the same power that resurrected Jesus Christ from the grave.

4. God has demonstrated that power to us through his Son.

a. Philippians 2: 9-11

b. Acts 2: 22-24

c. we have the same promise given to us in John 11: 21-27

5. It is possible for you to have the same peace.

6. The peace we've talked about is in a person. To know him is to have eternal life. To know him not is to be eternally separated from him forever. Who are we talking about? Jesus. 1 John 5:11-13