INTRODUCTION
• SLIDE #1
• When you think of the word “peace”, what comes to mind? Do you think of tranquil settings, that relaxing day in the hammock in the back yard under the shade tree?
• Do you think if the kids being at a babysitter for a few hours?
• Maybe peace for you is being out on the lake fishing?
• The dictionary defines peace as follows: Freedom from war, mental calm, law and order, state of harmony
• How many of us would love to experience these things in our lives?
• There are different places and relationships in which we seek peace.
• There is peace between countries; there is peace at home, and peace on the job, just to name a few.
• There is one relationship in which being at peace will determine more than if we are going to end up sleeping on the couch.
• There is one relationship in which it benefits us tremendously to be at peace.
• If we are not in a peaceful relationship with our creator, we will struggle with experiencing true peace in other areas of our lives.
• There are a multitude of people who are not experiencing peace in their lives because they are at war with God.
• I do not think that many people realize how important it is for us to be at peace with God.
• Many more do not realize they are not at peace with God because they consider themselves to be good people.
• As we look at Colossians 1:21-23 today, we are going to learn some things about the issue of being at peace with God.
• Let’s start with verse 21.
• SLIDE #2
• Colossians 1:21 (ESV) And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds,
• SLIDE #3
SERMON
I. Reasons we need peace with God.
• The first thing we need to understand is that we have a definite need for peace with God.
• It is so easy to take God for granted because we do not see Him or speak to Him as we do other people.
• Think how easy it is to take your relationship with your spouse or children for granted, and you can see and speak with them.
• When you are dealing with the invisible God, it makes it easy to neglect our relationship with Him.
• In our text we are given three reasons as to why we need to be at peace with God. These three reasons are shared universally by all mankind.
• When we look at these reasons on the surface, some would object saying that they did not apply in their case.
• As we look at these three reasons as to why we need to be brought back into a peace-relationship with God, I hope we will realize how important being at peace with God is for us.
• SLIDE #4
A. We were formally alienated.
• Before we give our lives to Jesus, we are alienated from God. This means that we are separated from or estranged from Him.
• It is like being separated from someone we were married to. We start off with a good relationship, and then something happens to destroy the relationship.
• In our relationship with God, sin is our mistress
• SLIDE #5
• Our dilemma when we are outside of Jesus is described in Ephesians 2:1-5
• Ephesians 2:1–5 (ESV) And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—
• Until you are immersed into Christ you are still alienated from God. In verse 20, we are told that the blood of Jesus is where we find our peace with God.
• Until you put on Christ, you are alienated from Him, the relationship is one of being separated from Him.
• SLIDE #6
• Galatians 3:27 (ESV) For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
• The second reason we NEED to re-establish peace with God is:
• SLIDE #7
B. Our minds were hostile toward God.
• When we think of this point, how many of us would readily admit that before we came to Christ, that our minds were hostile toward God?
• What this is saying is that we were strangers to God’s ways of thinking and as a result of that, we lead a life of sin.
• What you think and what you believe is important because thoughts lead to actions.
• This hostility can manifest itself in outright rebellion against God to the subtle ways of ignoring God in everyday life.
• Wrong theology leads to wrong living. If you do not believe me, look at the Muslim extremists; look at the cults that have ruined the lives of many.
• SLIDE#8
• Romans 8:7–8 (ESV) For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
• Our minds set us against God.
• The third reason we need to re-establish peace with God is:
• SLIDE #9
C. We were engaged in evil deeds
• This sounds harsh doesn’t it? What are evil deeds? What comes to mind when you think of evil deeds? In Romans 1:18-32, there is a pretty good list of some of the extreme forms of evil.
• There are only two kingdoms, the kingdom of God and the kingdom of Satan.
• Everything that we do that is in opposition to God is considered an evil deed. It is not just the extreme cases we tend to ease our minds with. An evil deed is ANYTHING that stands in opposition to what God has told us.
• The mind set on the flesh leads to deeds of the flesh.
• Let’s look at verse 22.
• SLIDE #10
• Colossians 1:22 (ESV) he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him,
• SLIDE #11
II. Reasons we can receive peace.
• Can one just stand before God when it is all said and done and negotiate their own terms of peace with Him? Can one dictate to God what He will and will not accept as far as terms for being at peace with Him are concerned?
• Can one pay for peace with Him?
• Can one tell God right now that He is going to be at peace with me now on my terms?
• WE need to realize a couple of things concerning receiving peace with God.
• SLIDE #12
A. Peace is a gift from God.
• The peace we can have with God is a gift given to us from God. He is the gift-giver. He is the one who sets the terms and makes the offer to us.
• SLIDE #13
• Romans 6:23 (ESV) For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
• God does want to be at war with you, He wants to be in a peaceful relationship with you.
• Until you have experienced it, you cannot imagine how good life is when you are right with God, when you are in a peaceful relationship with Him!
• We also need to realize:
• SLIDE #14
B. Our peace was secured by the death of Jesus.
• Verse 22 tells us that we were reconciled to God through the death of Jesus.
• You did not purchase your gift so you cannot dictate the terms of acceptance.
• Jesus paid it all as the old hymn reminds us!
• Let’s turn to verse 22!
• SLIDE #15
• Colossians 1:22 (ESV) he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him,
• SLIDE #16
III. The benefits of peace with God.
• There are many benefits to being at peace with God. Here are just four of them. ONLY 3 IN IN BULLETIN
• SLIDE #17
A. Peace allows us to stand before God.
• Since we are sinners, we cannot stand before God on our own accord, we need to be in a right relationship with God so that we can stand before Him. We can only do this if we care covered by the blood of Jesus!
• To “present” means to “place before, or entrust”
• Because of Jesus, we have been placed before Jesus. We will not get run off by security. Try to see the President without an appointment and see what happens. Try to stand before God on your own and see what happens.
• SLIDE #18
• Ephesians 5:27 (ESV) so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.
• SLIDE #19
B. Peace with God makes us holy.
• When you belong to God, you are something special, you have a special purpose. Holy, in this context means to set aside to be dedicated to God.
• SLIDE #20
• 1 Peter 1:14–16 (ESV) As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”
• SLIDE #21
C. Peace with God makes us blameless before God
• We are perfect in the eyes of God. God’s grace takes up the slack for us. God sees us through the blood of Jesus.
• Blameless means that accusations just roll off us. Though Jesus, in God’s eyes, we are without blemish!
• SLIDE #22
• Philippians 2:15–16 (ESV) that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.
• SLIDE #23
D. Peace with God makes us beyond reproach.
• Beyond reproach goes beyond blameless.
• It means not only that we are without blemish, but also that no one can bring a charge against us (cf. Rom. 8:33). Satan, the accuser of the brethren (Rev. 12:10), cannot make a charge stick against those whom Christ has reconciled.
• SLIDE #24
• Romans 8:33 (ESV) Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies.
• Let’s finish with verse 23
• SLIDE #25
• Colossians 1:23 (ESV) if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister.
• SLIDE #26
IV. Keeping a state of peace with God.
• Most every gift needs to be maintained. Being in a peaceful relationship with God is no different. Here are three things we need to do in order to maintain peace with God.
• SLIDE #27
A. We are to continue in our faith.
• To “continue” means to abide in. If you want to stay in a peaceful relationship with God, you cannot forsake your faith. You are never given vacations from God.
• SLIDE #28
• John 8:31 (ESV) So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples,
• SLIDE #29
B. We are to remain established and steadfast in our faith.
• We need to grow in Christ and know why we believe what we believe.
• We need to stand firm in our faith, we cannot fall under pressure all the time.
• SLIDE #30
C. We are to cling on to the hope of the Gospel.
• What are you clinging to for the future? We need to believe in the promises of scripture; we need to place our hope and faith in the Word of God!
CONCLUSION
• When you are at war with God, it will affect every other area in your life in a bad way.
• A right relationship with God is the foundation for everything else you will do in life.
• When you accept Jesus, you are telling God that you are surrendering your life to Him on His terms!
• Are you ready to be at peace with God?
