And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:7
Think of those brief moments that represent Peace for you …experiences in nature, with family, friends, at work ...times of complete freedom …quiet, pure, alive what is peace?
True, perfect, pure, unaltered peace... is that what the Garden of Eden was like?
WHAT IS PEACE?
“Peace is that brief glorious moment in history when everybody stands around reloading.”
Symbols of peace ( שׁלם )
the combination of a dove with an olive branch in it’s mouth is often used as a symbol of peace.
Consider peace as a fruit of the Spirit? Isn’t peace a situation or scenario… can I really bear “peace” as a fruit in my life?
Were we meant to have peace all the time? If we pursue it, will we find it?
the first time the world was without peace
…but not the last
the first time without peace
…but not the last
Let us then pursue what makes for peace and for mutual edification.
Romans 14:19
If we pursue it, will we find it?
FIRST, Peace with God
Rom. 5:1: Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ
Col. 1:20:and through him God was pleased to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, by making peace through the blood of his cross.
Then, inward Peace can follow
Phil. 4:7: And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
That is unhindered by the world’s strife:
John 14:27:Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.
John 16:33: I have said this to you, so that in me you may have peace. In the world you face persecution. But take courage; I have conquered the world!”
Finally, Peace Between one another
Eph. 2:13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
14 For he is our peace; in his flesh he has made both groups into one and has broken down the dividing wall, that is, the hostility between us.
Finally, Peace Between one another
Eph. 2:15 He has abolished the law with its commandments and ordinances, that he might create in himself one new humanity in place of the two, thus making peace,
16 and might reconcile both groups to God in one body through the cross, thus putting to death that hostility through it.
17 So he came and proclaimed peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near
Finally, Peace Between one another
Eph. 4:3:making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Heb. 12:14:Pursue peace with everyone, and the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.
Finally, Peace Between one another
not merely as the elimination of discord or absence of conflict, but as the harmony and true functioning of the body of Christ
Rom. 14:19: Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.
1 Cor. 14:33: for God is a God not of disorder but of peace.
How do we experience Peace? The Peace Meal
Genesis 26:26–31
Meanwhile, Abimelech had come to him from Gerar, with Ahuzzath his personal adviser and Phicol the commander of his forces. Isaac asked them, “Why have you come to me, since you were hostile to me and sent me away?” They answered, “We saw clearly that the LORD was with you; so we said, ‘There ought to be a sworn agreement between us’—between us and you.
How do we experience Peace? The OT Peace Meal
Let us make a treaty with you that you will do us no harm, just as we did not molest you but always treated you well and sent you away in peace. And now you are blessed by the LORD.” Isaac then made a feast for them, and they ate and drank. Early the next morning the men swore an oath to each other. Then Isaac sent them on their way, and they left him in peace.
How do we experience Peace?
It was customary that when a binding agreement (covenant) of friendship, or at least peace, was made between individuals or tribes, they would eat a meal together to demonstrate or seal that friendship. This custom was probably what developed into the covenant meal that later became part of the covenant-making process.
How do we experience Peace?
When Laban and Jacob made a covenant (binding agreement) of peace with each other at Galeed, also called Mizpah, they ate a meal together: “He offered a sacrifice there in the hill country and invited his relatives to a meal. After they had eaten, they spent the night there” (Genesis 31:54).
How do we experience Peace? The NT Peace Meal
The Passover meal that the Lord ate with his disciples was actually a covenant meal, because His death on Calvary would bring peace between God and those who believed in Christ: “In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you” (Luke 22:20)
How do we experience Peace?
Partaking of the “Peace-Meal” regularly: can you think of anything more true, more noble, more right, more pure, more lovely, more admirable—more excellent or praiseworthy—
How do we experience Peace?
When we partake of the “Peace-Meal” each week we are proclaiming our Peace with God, the Peace that we will strive to live in our lives and the Peace that we will endeavor to keep with one another
If you pursue it, you will find it?
