The peace of God
Selective Scriptures
Introduction-
This sermon was gleamed from portions of SermonCentral thoughts and contributors.
We began the Advent season looking at Jesus being the Hope for mankind.
That hope had to be more than wishful thinking, but someone who we could put our trust in and someone who would not let us down.
Christ coming to mankind for mankind allows us to hope in the God of the universe, the creator of all things, Instead of hoping in ourselves and being lost in our sins, or looking to other people who often let us down and don’t meet expectations we put to them.
Last week, the God of the universe who we are to put our trust in also tells us that we can experience Joy that does not operate on only our happiness but an inner Joy that has nothing to do with circumstances or items, but an inexpressible joy that comes from a relationship with God.
Romans 15:13-
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may be filled with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Instead of chasing it (joy) and feeling empty when we do not have it, God tells us He desires to fill us with Joy. Joy is a gift from God to the people of God.
To experience the joy of the Lord in its fullest, you have to be a child of God.
You have to be in a relationship with the Lord.
You cannot experience the joy of the Lord without God.
So many people want God’s blessing without wanting God. They only want His blessing and His protection.
There is hope for us this morning because the God of hope gives it to us by what He has done for us.
There is joy available because joy is a gift that is available to believers.
Today we look at God’s peace. He says that He offers to fill us with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may be filled with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Phil. 4:7-
“And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ.”
The peace of God that is offered, we will not be able to understand fully in our normal human thinking.
Because He is God and we are not.
He promises to keeps our hearts, and our minds centered on Christ, who is our supplier of joy and peace.
Isaiah 9:6-
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
The Christmas story is a story of God.
From the very beginning, we see a God that had compassion for a fallen world and provided a plan of redemption that would involve His coming. It would involve His miraculous birth and His persecution, his prophetic announcement ahead of time that was recorded in God’s Word to God’s people, all the way to the cross with His death and then His glorious resurrection. His plan and His story. In His story, we also get to have a happy eternal ending. Those that accept His story and plan of redemption can not only enjoy eternal life with Him, but can enjoy the benefit of joy and peace now.
The carved out finite time where God provided all that was needed for man to have time and relationship with God. A time where peace and joy flows from the heart of God to all that would call upon His name and accept it.
Our text this morning is two verses both from the gospel of John. They are not usually Advent scriptures.
John 14:27-
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
John 16:33-
“I have told you these things, so that in me you will have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
Let’s take parts of the Christmas story and see if we can find the peace that God is wanting for His people.
The first thing we need to do is define God’s peace.
Question: "What does the Bible say about peace?"
Peace is something everyone wants, yet few seem to find.
What is peace? It can be defined as “tranquility, harmony, or security.” Depending on the situation, it could mean “prosperity” or “well-being.”
Various forms of the word peace are found 429 times in the King James Version of the Bible.
There are different types of peace, including false peace, inner peace, peace with God and peace with man.
"What is the peace of God, and how can I experience it?"
Philippians 4:7 refers to “the peace of God which transcends all understanding.” Most of Paul’s letters began with the words “Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Peace is a state of tranquility or quietness of spirit that transcends circumstances.
The term peace is described in Scripture as a gift from God and in harmony with His character (1 Thessalonians 5:23; Galatians 6:16; 1 Peter 1:2; Hebrews 13:20).
If God is peace, then to know God is to bask in His peace. The closer we draw to Him, the more of His peace we can enjoy (James 4:8).
So how do we draw near enough to experience His peace? 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 hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid”.
We come into the presence of the Lord through His Son (John 14:6). When we allow Jesus’ death and resurrection to purchase our forgiveness from God, we are counted as righteous (2 Corinthians 5:21). Our sins are forgiven because Jesus already paid the price for them. Only then can we have peace with God (Romans 4:5; 5:1; 1 John 4:10).
The initial peace that comes from having our consciences wiped clean grows as we get to know God better (Hebrews 10:22).
First Peter 1:2 says, “May God give you more and more grace and peace as you grow in your knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord”
. When we grow in understanding of the depths and riches of God’s love toward us (Ephesians 3:18–19; Romans 8:38–39), our minds and spirits begin to rest in His power and wisdom.
We begin to understand that He really will make all things work together for our good (Romans 8:28).
We learn that His purposes will be accomplished (Psalm 33:11; Proverbs 19:21; Isaiah 45:9; 46:9–11).
These shepherds in that field, on that miraculous night were symbolic of Jesus Christ the Good Shepherd, who would also humbly follow God’s will. Their sheep represent us as believers, in several ways:
Sheep cannot clean themselves. Some animals such as a cat can do that, but not sheep. Likewise, we as unbelievers were not able to clean ourselves from the filthiness of sin;
Sheep cannot defend themselves from predators. Many animals have a defense system, such as skunks and blowfish, but sheep do not. We as believers are protected from the evil one, Satan, ultimately by the power of God, and as a local church congregation by our pastor-teacher;
Sheep cannot find food and water for themselves. They depend upon the shepherd to lead them to water and green pastures, as stated in Psalm 23. We as believers depend upon the Lord for our spiritual food and water, as well as on our daily physical needs;
How do you live your life? Do you live In the peace of God or in self fear?
The promise of the coming of Christ should motivate us to live in peace with one another and with God.
We can’t wish away the conflict and terror in today’s world.
We can choose to live our lives in a different way from the world--in a way that will bring peace to us individually.
How have we missed it?
I think it is because we have not fully realized what Jesus came to bring us.
When we try to make it on our own, we forfeit peace. We fail to realize that when we come to Christ He not only becomes our Savior, but He wants to become the LORD OF OUR LIFE.
Too often when He works a miracle in our life we say, “OK, thanks, but I can handle it from here.”
We want to pick and choose. And then on our own, peace flies out the door.
We need his wisdom as to how to make daily decisions.
We need His power to be able to live an overcoming life when stresses try to tear us down.
We need his counsel when we are confused and don’t know which way to turn.
We sometimes choose just enough of Jesus to “get by” and never make Him Lord of our lives where peace flows from God.
Isaiah 48:16 says,
“I am the Lord your God who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go. If only you had paid attention to my counsel, your PEACE would have been like a river, your righteousness like the waves of the sea.”
Scripture reminds us that we don’t get peace by just doing as we please and living our lives any old way to suit ourselves. It is when we come into right standing with God and seek to follow His ways that peace will be there.
Peace comes with repentance--by turning around and going a different way.
Peace comes with turning towards God --not away from Him.
Surviving the Most Wonderful Time of the Year
For some joyous and some the hardest time of the year.
Article I read said this;
Joseph & Mary had been planning a wedding until God told them to prepare a nursery.
Joseph was planning on marrying his sweetheart, drawing up house plans, carving their marriage bed...BIG PLANS.
Mary was planning an elaborate wedding, picking out china patterns, looking for the perfect lingerie for the honeymoon...BIG PLANS.
Can you imagine a 15 year old Mary going to her 20 something fiance’ and Joseph starts talking about floor plans and wall color...Mary says, "Joe, honey, we need to talk....I’m pregnant."
Joseph could have really blown this one.
Are you not glad that they got this right?
That they listened to God more than the bad advice I am sure was going around?
Took the hard road that was right rather than the easy road that would have been wrong.
Certain things destroy the peace of God-
Assuming that God will give us everything that we want and we do not have to give back anything to God.
Thinking that we will this life with all the hurts in it without knowing disappointment from others.
Worrying is the enemy of peace, not a real comforter.
Trust comes when we set our hearts on God and we allow God’s peace to overshadow our doubts and fears.
God invites us to cast all our doubts and fears on Him and He brings us peace.
I told you before that the place in your heart for Jesus is where peace and trust lives even in times of trouble.
It becomes a lifestyle rather than a behavior that can change when we are in danger or unpleasant circumstances.
The secret place in our heart is where go to be with God.
Closing,
There is a 16 year old girl named Rifqa Bary, a girl that left the Muslim faith, not in Syria, Afghanistan, but in Ohio. Born into a strict Muslim family where her father said that he would kill her if she left the Muslim faith for Christian faith.
How does one find peace in that setting?
How does one risk their own life to pursue a faith that upsets people around them?
It is only by the grace and mercy of God.
It is only by God giving her a peace that passes all understanding, and an inner assurance that it will be alright no matter what happens.
Peace with God brings the peace of God. Repeat.
The world will continue to have wars and conflicts until Jesus comes to establish true, lasting peace, but God will give His peace to those who trust Him.
Amen.
