A Walk that is Worthy
Part 5
Draw Near
Text Eph 2:11-13
Note: Christmas Sunday
Intro:
This morning I would like to share few moments on a message entitled “Draw Near” It is the 5th in a series entitled “A Walk that is Worthy” in the book of Ephesians. How many enjoy a good laugh from time to time? Prov 17:22 says, “ A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up
the bones.”
Have you ever been around someone or something that makes you laugh? Laughter is contagious isn’t it.
Many people are seeking laughter in their heart when they are really needing peace. Laughter is to a wounded heart what morphine is to terminal cancer. When the medicine is gone the pain is back. Only the peace of God can truly take away the pain, not just mask it.
This morning as we continue to have conversation concerning a walk that is worthy, I want to take a look at another reason why it is to our advantage to live our lives in close proximity to the Father.
The prophecy was given of Jesus Christ in Isaiah 9:6,7
How is it to our advantage to stay close to the Prince of Peace?
? Can someone give me a definition of Peace this morning?
The dictionary defines peace as "Free from strife or in a state of tranquility; serene"
One meaning from the Greek here is “Prosperity”
So we could read this passage like this…”He is our Prosperity.”
Lets look at 3 things that come with the peace of God.
1) Peace = Rest
Isn’t sleep a wonderful thing?
Illus: I can remember growing up totally bewildered by my parents need for sleep on a Sunday Afternoon. It seemed to me as an exercise in futility. Consequently it was usually during those Sunday afternoon excursions that my parents took that we got in the most trouble.
God has offered us rest.It is only as we come close to the throne of Grace that we can truly experience rest.
This rest is exhibited in our lives in several different ways.
a) Removal of Guilt 1 John 1:7,9
b) Replacement for Fear
This morning if you are bound by fear, know that there is a replacement for this. That replacement is the Peace of God, and it comes into your life as your embrace His love.
1 John 4:16-18
Romans 8:15
2 Timothy 1:6
If you bear the name of Christ, you do not have to be controlled by fear. This morning if your life is bound up by fear, no matter what the area, you can be set free. In just a few moments you are going to be given the opportunity to experience peace.
A third rest that God gives is Reinforcement for Pain
c) Reinforcement for Pain
When we experience the rest of God he eases the pain.
We experience this easing of pain through our Close proximity to Christ. Another prophecy of Jesus describes this work of Christ.
Isaiah 53:1-3
It has been said that Christians use Christ as a crutch. If that be the case than so be it, I have to use a crutch.
But crutches are used to for use purposes…
1) To ease the pain
2) To bring allow healing
My challenge to those who make the claim that Christians are weak and use the church as a crutch is this:
The next time they go to the Dentist that ask him not to use Novocain on the basis that it is a crutch, and you want to take it straight. The second thing that the Peace of Christ brings is Resources.
2) Peace = Resources
1 Cor 9:6,8
When the peace of God reigns in our lives, we have abundant resources. This works in two different ways.
First, when we are at peace with God, our lives are not all bound up with the concerns of this world.
It frees us to be able to do what are needing to do.
Second, when we are at peace with God, we are doing His will. When our priorities are His priorities, God makes heavenly development grants available to do His work. Does this mean that the Lord desires for you to prosper? YES Does this mean that every Christian will prosper financially? NO
Close proximity to Christ brings Peace…
Peace brings resources.
Finally Peace brings reassurance.
3) Peace = Reassurance
Our text says that Jesus is our Peace. We have looked at how scripture calls Him the Prince of Peace. Our close proximity to Christ brings reassurance. This reassurance plays out in three areas
a) Confidence in access
Eph 3:12
b) Confidence in Suffering
Hebrews 13:6
c) Confidence in Need
1 John 5:14,15
d) Confident in our Position
1 John 2:28,29
The peace of God breads confidence…not in ourselves, but in God. That confidence brings about reassurance that God is at work and the Prince of Peace rules in our lives.
Conclusion
Our text this morning said that Jesus is our Peace. I said earlier that we could translate Peace to Prosperity.
So that passage could be read like this…”He is our Prosperity.” So many people toil their lives in search of the worlds prosperity which draws them away from Christ, when the prosperity that we were designed to
enjoy only comes from close proximity to Christ.
This morning do you have the Peace of Christ at work within your life?
Do you have Rest
Removal of Guilt
Replacement for Fear
Reinforcement for Pain
Do you have Resources
Are you so bound up that you cannot operate
Do you qualify for a heavenly grant
Do you have Reassurance
Confidence in Access
Confidence in Suffering
Confidence in Need
Confidence in Suffering
All of these things come when we open the package of the Peace of Christ. But the only way to enjoy that gift is be in close proximity to Him. This morning consider taking a step closer.
