Ladies and Gentlemen, brothers, and sisters in Christ, we gather here today to be nourished by the Word of God, to be reminded of His love and mercy, and to be stirred by His Spirit. We gather in the presence of God, in the fellowship of saints, and in the joy of shared faith. We are here not because we are perfect, but because we are imperfect, not because we are strong, but because we are weak, not because we have all the answers, but because we have questions. And it is in this gathering, in this fellowship, in this shared faith that we find strength, solace, and sustenance.
Our title for this message is: How Jesus gives us peace of mind.
We are about to immerse ourselves in the written word of God, as given to us in John 20:19-21, a passage that reverberates with echoes of peace and belief, of trust and transformation. Let us read it together:
Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. So Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.”
John 20:19-21
In this passage, we see the disciples, fraught with fear, locked behind doors. But Jesus, the embodiment of peace, breaks through their fear, their doubts, and their locked doors. He brings peace, not as the world gives, but as only He can give.
The words of Charles Spurgeon, the Prince of Preachers, resonate deeply with our passage today, "Peace is the first thing the angels sang. Peace is the mark of the sons of God. Peace is the nurse of love. Peace is the mother of unity. Peace is the rest of blessed souls. Peace is the dwelling place of eternity."
Our main points today will be Troubles Transformed Through Trust, Peace Promised in Perplexity, and Benefits Bestowed by Belief. These are the truths we will unpack, the truths we will hold up to the light, the truths we will allow to seep into our hearts and minds.
So, let us open our hearts and minds to the power of God's Word, let us be eager to receive what He has to say to us today, let us be willing to be transformed by His truth.
Let us pray:
Heavenly Father, we come before You today with hearts full of gratitude for Your love and mercy. We thank You for Your Word that guides us, for Your Spirit that empowers us, for Your Son who saves us. As we delve into Your Word today, we pray that You will open our hearts and minds, that You will speak to us, that You will transform us. Help us to trust in You, to find peace in You, to believe in You. In Jesus' name, we pray, Amen.
Troubles Transformed Through Trust
In the passage we just read, we find the disciples in a state of fear and confusion. They had locked themselves away, uncertain of what the future held for them. They were troubled, to say the least. Yet, during their troubles, Jesus appears to them, offering a message of peace and sending them out into the world.
The disciples' troubles didn't disappear at that moment. They were still living in a world that didn't understand them, a world that had crucified their leader. Yet, their perspective on those troubles was transformed. They were no longer locked away in fear but were filled with joy and sent out with a purpose. This transformation was not a result of their own strength or wisdom, but a result of their trust in Jesus.
Trust is a powerful thing. It's not just about believing that someone is telling the truth. It's about relying on them, leaning on them, putting your weight on them. When we trust in Jesus, we're not just saying that we believe in Him. We're saying that we're going to rely on Him, lean on Him, put our weight on Him. We're saying that we're going to let Him carry our troubles, and that we're going to follow where He leads.
"Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30
When we trust in Jesus, our troubles don't necessarily disappear. We still live in a broken world, and we still face challenges and difficulties. But our perspective on those troubles can be transformed. We can see them not as obstacles that are in our way, but as opportunities for God to work in and through us. We can see them not as reasons to fear, but as reasons to trust in God even more.
This transformation of perspective is not something that happens overnight. It's a process, and it's a process that requires us to continually turn to Jesus, to continually trust in Him. It's a process that requires us to let go of our own understanding, our own plans, our own desires, and to embrace God's understanding, God's plans, God's desires.
This process can be difficult. It can be uncomfortable. It can be scary. But it's also incredibly freeing. Because when we trust in Jesus, we're not just trusting in a good teacher or a wise leader. We're trusting in the Son of God, the one who conquered death, the one who offers us eternal life. We're trusting in the one who can truly transform our troubles.
So, what does this look like in practice? How do we live out this trust in Jesus, this transformation of troubles?
Firstly, we need to recognize our need for Jesus. We need to acknowledge that we can't do it on our own, that we need His strength, His wisdom, His peace. We need to admit our weaknesses, our fears, our doubts, and bring them to Jesus. We need to stop trying to carry our troubles on our own and start letting Jesus carry them for us.
Secondly, we need to spend time with Jesus. We need to read His Word, to pray, to worship, to fellowship with other believers. We need to make space in our lives for Jesus, to listen to His voice, to learn from His teachings, to grow in our relationship with Him. We need to let Jesus fill us with His peace, His joy, His love.
Thirdly, we need to follow Jesus. We need to do what He says, to go where He leads, to love as He loves. We need to let our trust in Jesus shape our actions, our decisions, our relationships. We need to let our trust in Jesus move us from fear to faith, from confusion to clarity, from troubles to transformation.
Lastly, we need to share Jesus. We need to tell others about Him, to show them His love, to bring them His peace. We need to let our trust in Jesus overflow from our lives into the lives of those around us. We need to let our transformation be a testimony to the power of trusting in Jesus.
“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me."
John 14:1
Amid our troubles, Jesus offers us peace. Amid our fears, Jesus offers us faith. Amid our doubts, Jesus offers us certainty. All we need to do is trust in Him. All we need to do is let Him transform our troubles.
Peace Promised in Perplexity
As we continue to reflect on the passage from John 20:19-21, we find ourselves drawn to the repeated phrase, "Peace be with you." The disciples were in a state of perplexity, their hearts heavy with fear and doubt. Yet, into this turmoil, Jesus spoke words of peace.
The first thing to note is how Jesus' peace is not contingent on external circumstances. The disciples were behind locked doors, their hearts pounding with fear of the Jewish leaders. Yet, Jesus' peace penetrated their physical and emotional barriers. His peace was not a promise of an easy life, free from trials and tribulations. Rather, it was a peace that transcended their immediate circumstances, a peace that anchored their hearts amid the storm.
This peace was not a passive, fleeting feeling. It was an active, enduring reality. It was a peace that calmed their fears, a peace that stilled their hearts, a peace that reassured their spirits. It was a peace that came from knowing that Jesus was with them, that He was for them, that He was in them. This peace was not a mere absence of conflict, but a presence of Christ.
The second thing to note is how Jesus' peace was not a generic, impersonal peace. It was a specific, personal peace. Jesus did not say, "Peace be upon the world." He said, "Peace be with you." His peace was not a distant, detached peace. It was a close, intimate peace. His peace was not a theoretical, abstract peace. It was a practical, concrete peace. His peace was not a peace to be merely talked about, but a peace to be tangibly experienced.
This peace was not a peace to be hoarded, but a peace to be shared. It was a peace that overflowed from their hearts to their words, from their words to their actions, from their actions to the world. This peace was not a peace to be kept to themselves, but a peace to be given away. This peace was not a peace to be enjoyed in isolation, but a peace to be enjoyed in community.
The third thing to note is how Jesus' peace was not a peace to be earned, but a peace to be received. Jesus did not say, "Earn this peace." He said, "Receive this peace." His peace was not a peace based on their performance, but a peace based on His presence. His peace was not a peace dependent on their worthiness, but a peace dependent on His worthiness.
This peace was not a peace to be worked for, but a peace to be rested in. It was a peace that freed them from striving, a peace that invited them into stillness, a peace that ushered them into rest. This peace was not a peace to be achieved, but a peace to be accepted.
The fourth thing to note is how Jesus' peace was not a peace to be understood, but a peace to be embraced. Jesus did not say, "Understand this peace." He said, "Embrace this peace." His peace was not a peace to be analyzed, but a peace to be appreciated. His peace was not a peace to be questioned, but a peace to be quieted by.
This peace was not a peace to be doubted, but a peace to be depended on. It was a peace that silenced their questions, a peace that settled their doubts, a peace that satisfied their souls. This peace was not a peace to be figured out, but a peace to be found in.
Amid their perplexity, Jesus promised peace. Amid our perplexity, He promises the same. His peace is not a peace of this world, but a peace of His Word. His peace is not a peace of our understanding, but a peace of His undertaking. His peace is not a peace of our making, but a peace of His giving. His peace is not a peace of our deserving, but a peace of His declaration. His peace is not a peace of our control, but a peace of His comfort. His peace is not a peace of our ability, but a peace of His availability. His peace is not a peace of our strength, but a peace of His sovereignty. His peace is not a peace of our peace, but a peace of His presence.
Jesus not only proclaimed that peace to the disciples of His time, but also to you and me today for the rest of our physical lives. Because it is in Jesus’ peace that we too find solace during our times of trouble. Amen!
Benefits Bestowed by Belief
As we move forward, let's turn our attention to the Benefits Bestowed by Belief. This is where we see the transformative power of faith in action, where we witness the tangible rewards that come from following Jesus.
Belief in Jesus is more than just an intellectual assent to a set of doctrines or a passive acceptance of historical facts. It is an active, dynamic, personal relationship with the living God. It is a commitment to follow Jesus, to live as He lived, to love as He loved, to serve as He served. And this kind of belief, this kind of faith, brings with it a host of benefits.
Firstly, belief in Jesus brings forgiveness of sins. This is a fundamental truth of the Christian faith, affirmed by numerous passages in the New Testament. In Acts 10:43, for instance, Peter declares this:
"To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins.”
This is not just a theological proposition, but a lived reality for countless believers. When we put our faith in Jesus, when we trust in His death and resurrection for our salvation, we are cleansed from all our sins. We are set free from the guilt and shame that sin brings. We are reconciled to God, restored to a right relationship with Him. This is a benefit of immeasurable worth, a gift of incomparable value.
Secondly, belief in Jesus brings eternal life. In John 3:16, one of the most well-known verses in the Bible, we read that "whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." This is not just life after death, but life in its fullest sense, life as God intended it to be, life in all its abundance. It is a life of joy and peace, of love and purpose, of hope and fulfillment. It is a life that begins now and continues forever.
In the words of the renowned Christian writer C.S. Lewis, "I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else." This captures the transformative power of belief in Jesus. It changes our perspective, it illuminates our understanding, it shapes our values, it guides our decisions, it determines our destiny.
Thirdly, belief in Jesus brings a new identity. In 2 Corinthians 5:17, Paul writes that "if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." When we believe in Jesus, we are not just improved or upgraded, we are made new. We are given a new identity as children of God, as citizens of heaven, as ambassadors of Christ. We are no longer defined by our past mistakes, our present circumstances, or our future fears. We are defined by our relationship with Jesus, by our faith in Him, by our love for Him.
Lastly, belief in Jesus brings the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. In John 14:16-17, Jesus promises that "I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth." The Holy Spirit is not just a force or a power, but a person, the third person of the Trinity. He is our Comforter, our Counselor, our Guide, our Teacher. He convicts us of sin, He reveals to us the truth, He empowers us for service, He produces in us the fruit of the Spirit. He is the seal of our salvation, the guarantee of our inheritance, the foretaste of our future glory.
So, let's not just believe in Jesus, let's follow Jesus. Let's not just know about Him, let's know Him. Let's not just hear His words, let's do His words. Let's not just admire His life, let's imitate His life. Let's not just proclaim His gospel, let's live His gospel. Let's not just enjoy the benefits of belief, let's embody the benefits of belief. Let's not just be hearers of the Word, let's be doers of the Word. Let's not just be consumers of grace, let's be conduits of grace. Let's not just be recipients of love, let's be reflectors of love. Let's not just be beneficiaries of forgiveness, let's be agents of forgiveness. Let's not just be partakers of eternal life, let's be promoters of eternal life. Let's not just be possessors of a new identity, let's be proclaimers of a new identity. Let's not just be indwelt by the Holy Spirit, let's be inspired by the Holy Spirit. Let's not just be Christians, let's be Christ-like. Let's not just believe, let's behave. Let's not just profess, let's practice. Let's not just talk the talk, let's walk the walk. Let’ not casually say we know Jesus, let’s accept Him and have a relationship with Him.
