PEACE
I. The Meaning of Peace.
A. The Greek word, "eirene", means "to bind" or "union".
1. The conotation is that where there is a tie that binds, there is peace.
2. The beginning of unity is union. Unity comes when two make peace.
B. The English word, "peace," implies an agreement. Such as a "Peace Treaty."
1. When world leaders want to make peace, they sign a pact, or a treaty.
2. Peace is the result of enemies comimg to an agreement.
C. The Hebrew word, shalom, implies friendship, rest, security.
1. If we have agreement, and we become friends, I am no longer afraid, and am now secure.
2. I am now at rest, because he who was my enemy is now my friend, and so we have peace.
II. The Need of Peace.
A. The peace of a conscience at enmity with God.
1. There is no peace for those who are against God (Isa. 48:22).
There is no peace with oneself, if there enmity with God.
God does not allow a man at war with Him, to be a peace with everyone else, and with himself.
Men want a convictionless peace. That is, the ability to live as they please, without the conviction of sin.
They don’t want the peace of God, but peace from God.
2. Those who are turned from God do not know the way of peace (Rom. 3:10-17; 18).
They do not know the God of peace, nor the peace of God, niether can they be free from the peace FROM God.
They share their misery, by being swift to shed blood, and having feet swift to run to mischief.
And, though they deny Him, yet in their miserable hearts, they can’t get away from God’s wrath.
3. They are against any who seek peace (Psa. 120:6-7).
They deny the God of peace, and flee from the peace of God, and are angry at those who seek peace.
Those who hate peace, hate those who love peace.
There is a need for peace. The peace of a conscious at enmity with God.
B. The peace of a heart at fellowship with God.
1. The peace of salvation.
(Rom. 5:1) "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ."
(Eph. 2:14-15) "For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace."
2. The peace of walking in the spirit.
(Rom. 8:4-6) "That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace."
(Gal. 5:22) "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith."
3. The peace of obedience to God.
(Rom. 14:17) "For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost."
(Rom. 14:19) "Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another."
(Psa. 119:165) "Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them."
(Isa.48:18) "O that thou hadst hearkened to my commandments, then had thy peace been as a river, and thy righteousness as the waves of the sea."
4. The peace of revival.
(Psa. 85:4-8) "Turn us, O God of our salvation, and cause thine anger toward us to cease.
Wilt thou be angry with us for ever? wilt thou draw out thine anger to all generations? Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee?
Show us thy mercy, O LORD, and grant us thy salvation. I will hear what God the LORD will speak: for he will speak peace unto his people, and to his saints: but let them not turn again to folly."
III. The Provision of Peace.
A. Peace with God (Eph. 2:11-15).
1. The separation between carnal men, and holy God has been bridged (v. 12-13).
The gulf that separated me from God my Lord,
It was so vast a crossing I could never ford,
From where I stood to His demands its seemed so far.
I cried, "Dear Lord, I cannot reach to where you are."
Then He came to me. When I could not get to where He was, He came to me.
2. The barrier of sin has been removed (v. 14).
"But your iniquities have separated you between you and your God..."
Sin has broken the fellowship. Sin has built a barrier. Sin keeps us from having peace with God.
But, the barrier has been removed, and so making peace.
3. The enmity between us has been reconciled (v. 15-19).
He has reconciled us to God. He has slain the enmity thereof.
We are no longer strangers, and outcasts, but fellowcitizens...
4. All the barriers have been removed, and we now have access to the Father (v. 18).
There is no reason we cannot have peace with God.
All that is needed to have peace with God has been provided.
B. The Peace of God (Phil. 4:6-7).
1. There is no need to be anxious, or worried, when the peace of God is available.
The peace of God is provided to those who are mindful of the God of peace (v. 8-9).
2. The God of peace will work in you the Peace of God.
The God of peace will protect you (Rom. 16:20).
The God of peace will be with you (2 Cor. 13:11).
The God of peace will sanctify you (1 Thes. 5:23).
The God of peace will work in you (Heb. 13:20-21).
C. The Way of Peace (Rom. 3:10-17).
1. Christ’s person (Isa. 9:6; Eph. 2:14).
Jesus is our peace. Know Jesus, know peace. No Jesus, no peace.
"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for thou art with me..."
He gives us His peace (John 14:27).
2. Christ’s work (Eph. 2:14-15; Col. 1:20).
Christ’s atoning work has made peace. He has removed the enmity between us, and the Father.
His blood bought us, and brought us peace.
3. Christ’s preaching.
He preached peace to my need of salvation (Eph. 2:14-17).
He preached peace when I needed revival (Psa. 85:4-8).
He preached peace to the storms in my life (Mark 4:39).
