"PEACE NOW AND ALWAYS"
INTRODUCTION
Do you watch television more than you read the Bible and pray, more than you attend worship services, prayer meetings, fellowship with fellow Christians, read Christian literature, listen to gospel/sacred music, listen to Christian radio, and more than you talk about Jesus? No wonder many Christians are nervous wrecks. They do not spend enough time with
Jesus.
Our television screens are filled with scenes of war in Iraq, Afghanistan, and war and terrorism in other areas of our world. The three major TV networks seem to have also majored on showing some of the minority of Americans who are participating in "peace rallies." Many of which end up turning violent and destroying property and the peace of the cities where they have been held. Many disingenuous politicians have tried to divide our beloved country by using phrases like "failed diplomacy, innocent bystanders, more time, war will cost too much…" In Ecclesiastes we read that there is, "a time to love and a time to hate, a TIME FOR WAR and a time for PEACE."(Ecc. 3:8)
As a father and as a pastor, I have learned that many homes are not places of peace and are in chaos because parents have not and do not exercise consistent and loving discipline toward their children. "No" does not mean "no." I grow impatient listening to parents tell their children, "No, do not do that again!" Then again and again they repeat the warning. They try counting, yelling, etc.—But the children know that usually their parents will not follow through with the discipline, or
that it would be highly unusual for the parent to spank, ground, or discipline the child in a Biblically mandated way.(Sad to say, there are some parents who end the long, loud threats with quick physical abuse.) I am not encouraging abuse. Just good old- fashioned, consistent discipline. If you love your child you will discipline…
For over twelve to fifteen years, the world has told Saddam Hussein, "No…Stop your genocide. Stop killing your neighbors and the citizens of Iraq. Get rid of chemical and biological weapons." And in a world that
does not operate by Biblical standards, far too many ambassadors, presidents, premiers, prime ministers, dictators—Expect and accept Saddam’s lies and broken promises. They see in his stubborn defiance of authority excuses for their own sins and evil acts.
How many times must the USA and the UN warn a murderer before force is used? I for one,(And I know despite what liberal media reports, that I am in the majority.) I know that a majority of Americans stand behind President George W. Bush and our troops’ efforts to rid the world of a regime that acts on hate and threatens the lives of its enemies.(USA, Israel, and any other country that Iraq thinks it can bully.) Jesus commanded those who were kings, rulers, and soldiers to do a good job. At times that includes going to war. We must continue to pray that America
will again become "one nation under God." We must continue to pray for and to send missionaries to non-Christian lands to tell the world of the story of Jesus and his gospel of salvation.
Some whom I am addressing today may be pacifists. Over the years, I have had some interesting debates with pacifists. Pacifists have served with valor in the medical corps in many wars. There is a place in America for them to express their views—But I am thankful for a government and armed force that fights to keep not only us safe, but also countries around the
world who are helpless without our might and love for freedom. A love that originally started with love for God.
We are surrounded by a generation that has forgotten the atrocities of the World Wars, the Viet Cong, the Cold War Communist threat… A generation that does not understand that "no" means "no." We all want peace: But because of willful Bible ignorance or outright disobedience to the ways of Christ, our country and world is divided over what constitutes real peace. How soon some have forgotten the horrors of "911."
Though I can not talk about all of the aspects of peace in one sermon, I want to have you look with me at the Scripture that I just read to you from Philippians 4:4-7, and think for a while about the "peace of God."(v.7) 1. PEACE, "WHICH TRANSCENDS ALL UNDERSTNDING."(V.7) 2. PEACE THAT, "WILL GUARD YOUR(our) HEARTS AND MINDS."(V.7) 3. PEACE THAT WILL
NOT END. {"in Christ"(v.7), "And the God of PEACE will be with you."(v.9)}
I. PEACE "WHICH TRANSCENDS ALL UNDERSTANDING."
Please note that the PEACE that Jesus gives in this verse is peace in the hearts and minds of Christians. From there it should spill out and have an affect upon the world. Jesus taught that the "peacemakers" are called "the children of God."(Matthew 5:9) I understand that many in the world do not understand how a good soldier can be a peacemaker: But at times
war must be used to bring peace. Often Paul and other Bible writers use the soldier who fights the good fight as an example of the tenacity and justice that a Christian must possess and exhibit.
Peace in verse seven can be translated with several variations: tranquillity, harmony, concord(At Lexington and Concord the "shot heard around the world" was fired--To bring peace for the Colonies.), security, safety, prosperity… Worry and anxiety have no place in the heart of the Christian. Last Sunday we looked at the story of the disciples and Jesus who were on the Sea of Galilee when a violent storm threatened their boats and lives. Jesus spoke, "Quiet! Be still!"(Mark 4:39), and the sea became calm and at PEACE. Just a moment before, the disciples had accused
Jesus of not caring for their peace and safety. Their faith was strengthened on that day by the words and power of Jesus.
Jesus’ peace is not the absence of war. That type of peace will come only when the Kingdom of God is finally in place. The peace that Jesus gives "TRANSCENDS" the understanding of those who have not been born again from above into the kingdom of God. This peace only comes to those who confess their sin to Jesus. To those who confess Jesus as their Messiah, Lord, Ruler… To those who submit and commit their whole lives to the Christ who Isaiah calls the, "Prince of Peace."
The RSV translates verse six this way: "Have no anxiety about anything." If something is big enough to worry about, it is big enough to pray about. There have been scores of newspaper and television articles about how to deal with children who will be anxious about the war in Iraq, about peer pressure in school, about terrorist attacks, about the death of a classmate, about their home which is being or has been broken by divorce, about their need to wear glasses when other classmates have none, about their looks or their body weight… The list goes on and on… What do you adults and teenagers worry about? Verse six reminds us that we are to "petition" God, to direct our "prayers" to God, to "present" our "requests to God." God wants us to have a relationship with Him.
A non-believer can not understand how we can know God. Some Examples of how to know God and to gain His peace include: Admit our sin. Believe that only Jesus can save and forgive. Confess Jesus as Lord. Become a
disciple. Bible study. Prayer. Worship. Witnessing. Experience—Being kept peaceful in the trials of life. Observing fellow Christians exhibiting peace and confidence even in the worst of times. Reading good Christian literature and viewing good Christian videos and hearing good Christian music. I use the term "good," because there is a lot of false teaching in our world. Only the truth will set us free and bring true peace. These are all ways a Christian learns to lead a more peaceful life.
II. PEACE THAT "WILL GUARD YOUR(OUR) HEARTS AND MINDS.
"God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble."(Psalm 46:1) The Bible points us to Jesus who is the Good Shepherd. The shepherd who becomes the door of our sheep pen or corral. Paul and the other
apostles knew that Jesus could guard their faith in the worst scenarios. Paul said that he was in danger of death every day.
It takes courage to stand up for the right in this sin-choked world. It is not popular to go against the sinful flow of our pleasure mad, sensual world society. Jesus can GUARD our minds and hearts. Paul reminded the Church at Philippi that, "The Lord is near."(v.5) Even when we stand alone. Paul faced imprisonment, mocking, beatings, rejection, hatred… But
his relationship with God was guarded by the presence of the Holy Spirit of God. Paul was under constant pressure; yet he enjoyed peace.
Some one wrote, "Only when we set aside our own strength will the Lordreally become our strength." Alcoholics Anonymous recognizes the fact that we can not help ourselves. We can not save ourselves. We need a Higher Power to lift us from our sins. Christians believe that Jesus is the only power, the only way, the only truth, the only life example by which we can live that will bring peace.
One of the favorite phrases of Paul was, "In Christ." If we are to experience real peace, we must make a complete commitment of our lives and submit fully and totally to the Lordship of Jesus. Christ will be
"first" in our lives. He will not settle for second, third… He must be Lord of all, or he will not be Lord at all.(Remember the sayings: "Too many cooks spoil the broth." "Too many chiefs and not enough Indians."
"Too many generals and not enough soldiers." Just as the allies in Iraq have a Supreme Commander, we must make Jesus the Supreme Commander of our lives if we expect him to be able to guard our hearts and minds.("The body they may kill; God’s truth abideth still: His kingdom is forever."(A Mighty Fortress Is Our God.)
III. PEACE THAT WILL NOT END.(V.7 & 9)
This peace is not conditioned by outside experiences. It is wholly dependent upon the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Nothing can separate us from the love of God that we experience in Christ Jesus. The peace that
Jesus gives is not like the world gives.(See John 14:27) Read with me, Romans 8, "35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written: ‘For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.’ 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the FUTURE, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
I would love to talk to you about the peace that we will enjoy in Heaven—But that must wait for another sermon… Or unless you go home and do a word search on your computer using the words, "Heaven" and "peace."
Paul reminds the Philippians and us that to have peace we must, "Rejoice in the Lord."(v.4) That we are to live lives of "thanksgiving."(v.6) Later in Chapter 4 Paul tells us, "I have learned the secret of being
content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.."(v.11) Far too many Americans are not thankful. They are not content. Their minds are ruled by greed, jealousy, pride… There is real peace when we give God our best and watch Him work out the details. Faith must have works.
CONCLUSION
The War in Iraq will end.(At least for a while.) What about the war that is going on in your hearts? It can end today, if you will only trust Jesus and obey. There is always a war going on someplace in our world.
After Iraq, we know that there will be more… There will always be wars and rumors of wars: But we must be on guard lest we slip into unbelief. We know that one day Jesus will do away with war. We do not know when
that day will come—But we do know that right now the Christian may have the unique peace of Jesus, the "PEACE THAT TRANSCENDS UNDERSTANDING." The peace that the world can not give. It only comes through Jesus. Surrender to Jesus and begin to live a life of real peace now and always.
(Some ideas from the old book, "How To Win Over Worry.")
(Scripture quotes from the NIV and RSV.)
(Ron Keller 3/23/03)
