SIGNS AND WONDERS #4: JESUS IS THE PRINCE OF PEACE
INTRO TO TOPIC:
In Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, Juliet utters the well-known phrase: “What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.” Here Shakespeare implies that the names of things do not matter; only what things are. However, the truth is that you can learn a lot about a person from their names and titles.
• Example: There are over 365 names and titles of God in the Bible, and each one teaches us something about His nature. Take for example what we believe about Jesus in the Foursquare Gospel:
• Jesus is our Saviour (He died on the Cross to save us from our sins)
• Jesus is our Healer (He paid the price for our sicknesses to be healed)
• Jesus is our Baptizer with the Holy Spirit (He will give us power to be His witnesses)
• Jesus is our Soon Coming King (He is King, and will return to the Earth one day soon).
OPENING TEXT:
“For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6).
What is peace? John 16:33: Greek Eirene = inner peace, peace with people, peace with God.
Inner peace - the tranquil state of a soul
Peace with people - harmony between individuals; national tranquility; exemption from war
Peace with God - the way that leads to peace (salvation)
BIBLE STORY: JESUS IS THE PRINCE OF PEACE: (John 6:15-21)
“15 Therefore when Jesus perceived that they were about to come and take Him by force to make Him king, He departed again to the mountain by Himself alone. 16 Now when evening came, His disciples went down to the sea, 17 got into the boat, and went over the sea toward Capernaum. And it was already dark, and Jesus had not come to them. 18 Then the sea arose because a great wind was blowing. 19 So when they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and drawing near the boat; and they were afraid. 20 But He said to them, "It is I; do not be afraid." 21 Then they willingly received Him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land where they were going.”
I. STORMS ARE INEVITABLE:
• v. 18: Then the sea arose because a great wind was blowing.
• “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have PEACE. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33).
o We need to realize that storms will come – they are inevitable!
o However, Jesus wants to give us peace in those storms.
• What storm are you facing in your life?
o Relationship storm? (no peace in your relationships).
o Financial storm? Health storm? Emotional storm (no inner peace)?
o Whatever your storm, don’t forget who’s in the boat with you – Jesus!
• Peter wrote: “Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you.” (1 Peter 4:12).
II. WHEN YOU’RE IN A STORM, INVITE JESUS INTO YOUR BOAT:
• v. 21: Then they willingly received Him into the boat.
• Another time when the disciples were in a storm with Jesus, they said, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?” (Mark 4:38). Don’t we normally say the same thing when trouble comes in our lives? “Lord, don’t you care about us?”
o Just because we’re in a storm doesn’t mean God doesn’t care about us.
• Jesus said, “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.” (John 14:27).
III. JESUS WANTS TO CALM OUR FEARS:
• v. 19b-20a: they were afraid. But He said to them, "It is I; do not be afraid."
• Jesus doesn’t want us to be afraid.
o They had more faith (fear) in the storm then they did in Him!
• After Jesus calmed the storm, the disciples had a new revelation of the Prince of Peace.
o Jesus will visit us in our storms and troubles, too!
• This is one of the reasons why we should meditate on the person of Jesus Christ.
o “Faith comes by hearing the Word.” (Romans 10:17).
o The more we know who He is, the more we will trust Him.
THE BIG IDEA: Jesus never promised us a life without storms. However, He did promise to be our peace in the midst of those storms.
HOW CAN WE EXPERIENCE THE PRINCE OF PEACE?
“Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.” (Philippians 4:6, NLT).
1. DON’T WORRY ABOUT ANYTHING:
• Worry defined: to torment oneself with or suffer from disturbing thoughts.
“25 "So I tell you, don't worry about everyday life whether you have enough food, drink, and clothes. Doesn't life consist of more than food and clothing? 26 Look at the birds. They don't need to plant or harvest or put food in barns because your heavenly Father feeds them. And you are far more valuable to him than they are. 27 Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? Of course not. 28 "And why worry about your clothes? Look at the lilies and how they grow. They don't work or make their clothing, 29 yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. 30 And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and gone tomorrow, won't he more surely care for you? You have so little faith! 31 "So don't worry about having enough food or drink or clothing. 32 Why be like the pagans who are so deeply concerned about these things? Your heavenly Father already knows all your needs, 33 and he will give you all you need from day to day if you live for him and make the Kingdom of God your primary concern. 34 "So don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today's trouble is enough for today.” (Matthew 6:25-34, NLT).
2. PRAY ABOUT EVERYTHING:
• What did the disciples do in their storms? They went to Jesus. This is wisdom!
• Peter writes: “casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7).
o If you give your cares to God, then who has them? Leave them with Him!
o Put a brown paper bag up by the top of your door frame and put all of your prayer requests (troubles and problems) in there. If you start worrying about the issue, remember where they are – with God – and stop worrying!
3. THANK GOD FOR ALL HE HAS DONE:
• We usually start to worry when we focus on our problems and not on God.
• Take the time to write out a Blessing List of all the good things God has done for you.
4. PURSUE PEACE IN ALL OF YOUR RELATIONSHIPS:
• God cares a lot about peace in our relationships – and it doesn’t happen by accident!
o Romans 14:19: “Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace.”
o Heb. 12:14: “Pursue peace with all people.”
WHEN WE DO THESE THINGS, WHAT IS THE RESULT?
“If you do this, you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:7, NLT).
• Storms will come, but they don’t have to overcome you.
IT IS WELL: VIDEO CLIP
Horatio Spafford, a 43-year-old Chicago businessman, suffered financial disaster in the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. He and his wife were still grieving over the death of their only son shortly before the fire. Spafford realized they needed to get away for a vacation. Knowing that their friend and well-known evangelist Dwight L. Moody was going to be in England that fall for a campaign, he decided to take the entire family to England. His wife Anna and his four daughters sailed ahead. Urgent business delayed him so he planned to follow shortly.
The ship was struck by an iron sailing vessel and sank in 12 minutes in the cold waters of the Atlantic Ocean. His wife miraculously survived the accident, but their four daughters drowned in the tragedy. On reaching the European mainland, she cabled her husband with the sad message, "Saved alone."
Spafford then sailed to England, travelling over the location of his daughters' deaths. On this journey, he wrote the words to the hymn: "It Is Well With My Soul." (www.christianity.ca).
IT IS WELL:
When peace, like a river, attendeth my way, When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say, It is well, it is well with my soul.
It is well (it is well), with my soul (with my soul),It is well, it is well with my soul.
PRAYER: For peace.
Beausejour Community Church Website: www.beausejourchurch.ca
Pastor Chris Jordan’s Blog: http://pastorchrisjordan.wordpress.com/
