Peace

25 These things I have spoken to you while being present with you.

26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.

27 Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Introduction: Where’s The Peace?

Pastor Dave Branon shared the following: More than 75 years ago, my father was wounded while fighting in World War II, a conflict that claimed at least 35 million lives. Millions of other people around the world carry with them the lifelong, tragic consequences of international conflict.

Each family that remembers a lost son or daughter, the casualty of war, and each veteran who must live with the physical and emotional scars of battle is a testament to mankind’s failure to achieve a lasting peace on earth (Luke 2:14). What went wrong? Why are we still seeing bombings and shootings and destruction of nations?

The men and women who fought for their country are to be honored with gratitude. We must also remember that any peace secured by guns can never be permanent. That can only come when the Prince of Peace rules the nations. But He must be enthroned in our heart now. He brings us an inner peace that comes from trust in God through Christ. It is a peace with God—something that even those who have faced the terrors of war can experience.

One day when Christ returns, there will be worldwide peace. But for now, peace on earth comes to one person at a time. Do you have that peace?

Oh, the peace I find in Jesus,

Peace no power on earth can shake,

Peace that makes the Lord so precious,

Peace that none from me can take. —Beck

True Peace Is Not The Absence Of War But The Presence Of God.

Source: Dave Branon, Our Daily Bread

I. Peace While The Savior Is Physically Present 25

25 These things I have spoken to you while being present with you.

A. The Context of Peace

1. We are dealing with what is known as the Upper Room Discourse 13-17

2. These are great and well know chapters but there context gives us clarity.

3. Chapter 13 – A Call to Service

a. John says this:

b. Now before the feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that His hour had come that He should depart from this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end. (John 13:1 )

c. Jesus demonstrates His love for His disciples by washing their feet.

d. Jesus ends this chapter with three very important steps…

i. He identifies the traitor.

ii. He gives a new commandment.

By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.

—John 13:35

iii. He prophesies Peter’s denial and sets the stage for his reinstatement as an Apostle.

4. Chapter 14 – A Call to Peace

a. Jesus begins this chapter with a phrase that we also find in our text – Let not your hearts be troubled…

b. Jesus gives us his most famous I AM statement, I am THE WAY…

c. This chapter ends with Jesus leaving and giving us HIS peace.

5. Let me just mention the rest of the discourse…

a. Chapter 15 – The Challenge to Abide

b. Chapter 16 – The Challenge to Stand with the aid of the Holy Spirit

c. Chapter 17 – The Great High Priestly Prayer of Jesus

6. All the while, Jesus was suffering tremendous agony and pouring peace out on His followers.

B. The Definition Of Peace

1. A state of national tranquility – the absence of the rage and havoc of war

2. Harmony and concord peace between individuals

3. Security, safety and prosperity fostered by peace

4. The state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ

5. The state of the righteous after death

C. The Importance Of Peace

1. How importance is peace to the LORD Jesus Christ?

2. Looking at Scripture, we find the term peace in 26 of the 27 NT Books (1John is the only exception)

3. Jesus Christ Himself went to the cross in order to purchase a place in heaven for you and me with His own blood – so that we might have peace!

4. I would conclude that peace is of the utmost importance to the Savior!

D. Application To The Church

1. While Jesus was with them, the Apostles were able to find perfect peace.

2. It was only when they thought he was not with them that they panicked.