Peace Series

PEACE

The Fruit of The Spirit (Part 4)

Galatians 5:22-23

• Galatians 5:16-25 (NIV)

[22] But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, [23] gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

INTRODUCTION:

Real Peace – What is peace?

What does peace make you think of? How would you describe peace?

Some would say peace is the opposite of war; peace comes when conflict and fighting ends. Peace must be made by an agreement or imposed by force. Let’s call for a cease fire and give peace a chance.

Others would describe peace as the state of law and order; we are free from reckless disturbances and disorder. Peace then offers members of the community the opportunity of prosperity.

Still others think peace is not possible in this lifetime; peace is a utopian idea that can never be a present reality. Only death brings peace. A walk through a cemetery is to be among those who “rest in peace.”

Perhaps for you peace is quiet tranquility. Peace is a calm stillness that comes after the uproar and loudness of our children leave for school or finally settle down and go to bed! Peace comes in those moments when we are in harmony with our surroundings and can rest.

Or you might describe peace as an inner assurance or calm. Peace comes as you still your heart and mind and let go of your worries and fears. Peace is the “akkuna-mattata” trouble free philosophy where you can escape from reality and just relax!

What is real peace?

The Hebrew word for peace is shalom. Shalom’s basic meaning is wholeness and well-being in all areas of life. Perhaps the best understanding of peace is found in the blessing God gave Moses for the priests to pronounce over the people. It is here that we discover what a life of peace really is and where it comes from.

• Numbers 6:24-27 (NIV)

[24] “The Lord bless you and keep you; [25] the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; [26] the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.”

Real peace is the life blessed by God. Real peace is the fullness of the life guarded and protected by God; it is the wholeness of living under the grace of God. Notice verse 27.

[27] So they will put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them.

The priestly blessing spoken over the people caused the Name of the Lord to be placed upon His people. The blessing of peace was given by being in the presence of God day by day.

Life lived apart from God is incomplete. Separated from God life is empty and without peace. Only as we live in the presence of God can we be made whole and complete. That is what it means to experience real peace.

This is why I want to end each service by praying for God’s blessing over your lives. I don’t ever want this to just be a ritual or routine. I truly want God to bless you, for His presence to be with you, for His smile to be evident in your daily life. I want His Name, the name of Jesus to be upon you throughout the week. May His presence keep you in perfect peace!

Apart from being in the presence of God it is impossible to have peace!

• Psalm 29:11 (NIV)

The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace.

Real peace—biblical peace centers in the idea of wholeness. Peace is an order established and maintained by God. Peace is a divinely-produced reality impacting and changing the present world; that which is incomplete is being made whole. God blesses us with His presence wherein there is wholeness and peace.

However, peace still awaits its final and complete fulfillment in our lives. Am I the only one, or do you sometimes find yourself in living in the midst of pandemonium instead of peace? Does serenity give way to chaos and uproar? WHAT HAPPENED TO THE PEACE?

Ruined Peace – What happened to peace?

While the Bible does not use shalom or peace to describe the heavens and the earth as originally created by God in Genesis 1-2, SHALOM IS THE BEST DESCRIPTION OF GOD’S CREATION. The Lord created our world in perfect harmony and wholeness.

• Genesis 1:31 (MsgB)

God looked over everything he had made; it was so good, so very good!

Unfortunately the peace—the wholeness and harmony which was woven into God’s original creation was ruined. The peace was broken or disturbed when Adam and Eve sinned against God. Disobedience to God’s command ruined the peace that was part of God’s design.

What happened to peace when Adam and Eve sinned?