-Tonight, we are continuing our series on the fruit of the Spirit as found in Galatians 5:22-23
-Last week we looked at joy
-Tonight we are going to look at peace
-Peace can seem like a very difficult trait to have
-The world teaches hatred
-The world lives in hatred.
-A proper definition of the word “peace” here may be helpful
-Jewish word “shalom” means “order and well being”
-Connotes a sense of security and foundation
-So, true peace is a sense of order and well-being to life
-Just as with joy, peace is an inner attitude, not based on outward circumstances
-This is why I chose the Kiwi to symbolize the fruit of peace
-Rough exterior, but smooth interior
-Let me remind you of what I said last week
-These fruit are gifts of the Spirit
-Enabled by Him, not by us
-But, they can be cultivated by us and given a fertile environment to sprout and grow
-Perfect peace is only found in obedience to God and assurance that He is in control
-This is the way we till the ground for this peace to grow in our lives
-Isaiah 48:17-18
-Tonight, let’s look at three types of peace the Spirit enables us to have
I. Peace With God
-This is peace in the spiritual area of our lives
A. It comes at salvation
-We stop warring against God and His ways for our lives
-Romans 5:1
B. It comes from God
-He puts us in right relationship with Him
II. Peace In Ourselves
-This is peace in the emotional area of our lives
A. It refuses to look to the past
-Past sins are not dredged up
-The forgiven ones, anyway
B. It refuses to look to the present
-The circumstances happening around us
-This is the nearsighted problem
-Philippians 4:6-7
-Helen Keller once said, “I do not want the peace which passes understanding, I want the understanding which brings peace.”
C. It continually looks to the future
-With faith in God
III. Peace Towards Others
-This is peace in the relational area of our lives
-Harry Emerson Fosdick once said, "Hating people is like burning down your own house to get rid of a rat."
-Romans 12:18
-Matthew 5:9
A. How it is not found
1. Ignoring the conflict
2. Appeasing others
B. How it is found
1. Being a peacemaker
-Psalm 34:14
a. Take the initiative
-Take the first step
b. Act quickly
-Ephesians 4:26
c. Separate the problem from the person
-The problem is not the person, it is their action
-Which could be caused by misunderstanding
-Which could be caused by sin
d. Be willing to compromise
-Without letting go of convictions
e. Seek reconciliation
-Not just resolution
-That’s what God through Christ did with us
-II Corinthians 5:18
2. Being a peacekeeper
a. In your own relationships
-Sometimes, we need to work at keeping the peace with others
b. In the relationships of others
-Sometimes we need to step into the midst of the conflicts of others
-Especially those of fellow believers
-We do so, not with a desire to draw ill will towards us, though it may happen, but to draw those at ill will to God and each other
CONCLUSION
-Colossians 3:15
