PEACE
The Fruit of The Spirit (Part 4)
Galatians 5:22-23
• Galatians 5:16-25 (NIV)
[22] But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, [23] gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
INTRODUCTION:
Real Peace – What is peace?
What does peace make you think of? How would you describe peace?
Some would say peace is the opposite of war; peace comes when conflict and fighting ends. Peace must be made by an agreement or imposed by force. Let’s call for a cease fire and give peace a chance.
Others would describe peace as the state of law and order; we are free from reckless disturbances and disorder. Peace then offers members of the community the opportunity of prosperity.
Still others think peace is not possible in this lifetime; peace is a utopian idea that can never be a present reality. Only death brings peace. A walk through a cemetery is to be among those who “rest in peace.”
Perhaps for you peace is quiet tranquility. Peace is a calm stillness that comes after the uproar and loudness of our children leave for school or finally settle down and go to bed! Peace comes in those moments when we are in harmony with our surroundings and can rest.
Or you might describe peace as an inner assurance or calm. Peace comes as you still your heart and mind and let go of your worries and fears. Peace is the “akkuna-mattata” trouble free philosophy where you can escape from reality and just relax!
What is real peace?
The Hebrew word for peace is shalom. Shalom’s basic meaning is wholeness and well-being in all areas of life. Perhaps the best understanding of peace is found in the blessing God gave Moses for the priests to pronounce over the people. It is here that we discover what a life of peace really is and where it comes from.
• Numbers 6:24-27 (NIV)
[24] “The Lord bless you and keep you; [25] the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; [26] the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.”
Real peace is the life blessed by God. Real peace is the fullness of the life guarded and protected by God; it is the wholeness of living under the grace of God. Notice verse 27.
[27] So they will put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them.
The priestly blessing spoken over the people caused the Name of the Lord to be placed upon His people. The blessing of peace was given by being in the presence of God day by day.
Life lived apart from God is incomplete. Separated from God life is empty and without peace. Only as we live in the presence of God can we be made whole and complete. That is what it means to experience real peace.
This is why I want to end each service by praying for God’s blessing over your lives. I don’t ever want this to just be a ritual or routine. I truly want God to bless you, for His presence to be with you, for His smile to be evident in your daily life. I want His Name, the name of Jesus to be upon you throughout the week. May His presence keep you in perfect peace!
Apart from being in the presence of God it is impossible to have peace!
• Psalm 29:11 (NIV)
The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace.
Real peace—biblical peace centers in the idea of wholeness. Peace is an order established and maintained by God. Peace is a divinely-produced reality impacting and changing the present world; that which is incomplete is being made whole. God blesses us with His presence wherein there is wholeness and peace.
However, peace still awaits its final and complete fulfillment in our lives. Am I the only one, or do you sometimes find yourself in living in the midst of pandemonium instead of peace? Does serenity give way to chaos and uproar? WHAT HAPPENED TO THE PEACE?
Ruined Peace – What happened to peace?
While the Bible does not use shalom or peace to describe the heavens and the earth as originally created by God in Genesis 1-2, SHALOM IS THE BEST DESCRIPTION OF GOD’S CREATION. The Lord created our world in perfect harmony and wholeness.
• Genesis 1:31 (MsgB)
God looked over everything he had made; it was so good, so very good!
Unfortunately the peace—the wholeness and harmony which was woven into God’s original creation was ruined. The peace was broken or disturbed when Adam and Eve sinned against God. Disobedience to God’s command ruined the peace that was part of God’s design.
What happened to peace when Adam and Eve sinned?
1. Adam and Eve experience for the first time the loss of inner peace. Suddenly guilt and shame filled their hearts and peace was ruined.
2. Adam and Eve’s disobedience destroyed peace with God. The harmonious relationship they enjoyed with God in the garden was broken. Before eating the fruit they had shared an intimate fellowship with God, but afterwards they “hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden.” Instead of looking forward to spending time with God they were now afraid of His voice.
3. Adam and Eve’s sin also wreaked havoc on peaceful relationships. Their peaceful union as husband and wife was ruined. When God confronted Adam with his sin what did he do? Adam blamed his wife! Furthermore God said that conflict and strife would continue between the man and woman. As a result, not only was peace broken within the home, but as the foundation of society violence and disunity would spill over throughout humanity.
4. Adam and Eve’s disobedience broke the harmony and unity between humanity and nature. Prior to their sin Adam had worked joyfully in the garden and could freely walk among the animals as he named them. However, the curse of sin included enmity between Adam and Eve and the serpent, as well as sweat and drudgery being a part of man’s work. Where there had been peace and harmony between man and his environment, a struggle and conflict began. This conflict is so great the Bible tells us, “the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time” (Romans 8:22).
So much for the “good old days!” Peace has been ruined; it is disrupted and broken because of sin.
• Isaiah 48:22 (NIV)
"There is no peace," says the Lord, "for the wicked."
Is that the end of the story? Has peace been ruined once and for all? Can wholeness and well-being again be found in the human heart?
GOD WAS NOT LEFT POWERLESS WHEN PEACE WAS RUINED. GOD HAS MADE A WAY FOR PEACE TO BE RESTORED!
Restored Peace – How can we have peace?
Right from the beginning God has had a plan to restore shalom; the regaining of peace is the story of redemption in Christ Jesus!
• Ephesians 2:13-14 (GW)
[13] But now through Christ Jesus you, who were once far away, have been brought near by the blood of Christ. [14] So he is our peace.
Throughout the Old Testament God promised that He would one day restore peace.
• Ezekiel 37:26 (NIV)
I will make a covenant of peace with them; it will be an everlasting covenant.
• Isaiah 9:6 (NIV)
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.
• Micah 5:5 (NIV) [speaking of the one born in Bethlehem to rule]
And he will be their peace.
God’s promise to restore peace to our lives was fulfilled in Jesus! On the night He was born in Bethlehem angels made the announcement that at last peace had come to the earth.
• Luke 2:14 (NIV)
"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."
JESUS IS OUR PEACE! He came to restore peace on earth, to give us peace in our lives! JESUS IS OUR PEACE!
THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT IS PEACE. Remember first, it’s FRUIT not fruits. Love is the blossom; peace is love trusting. God has placed His Spirit, His love within our lives. Therefore, while we may still live within a world in desperate need of peace, we trust God with absolute confidence for He is our peace.
Second, don’t forget it is the fruit of the SPIRIT, not the fruit of the saints. We cannot produce the fruit. This is spiritual fruit, and peace is only produced in our lives as we are connected to Jesus. He is the life giving vine by which we receive His Spirit in our lives. Jesus said, “Apart from me you can do nothing,” but when we are connected to Him we will “bear much fruit.” (See: John 15:5).
The first step to having peace in your life is to be connected to Jesus. Jesus went to the cross and died in your place. Jesus suffered torture and the most brutal of deaths TO RESORE PEACE IN YOUR LIFE.
• Isaiah 53:5 (NLT)
But he was wounded and crushed for our sins. He was beaten that we might have peace.
You will never find real peace until you come to Jesus! Only He can restore the wholeness and harmony of life you are looking for. Jesus is our peace.
• John 16:33 (NIV)
"I have told you these things, so that IN ME YOU MAY HAVE PEACE.”
. . . You will be unshakable and assured, deeply at peace. (MsgB)
The hymn “Wonderful Peace” describes the peace God gives us through Jesus.
o I am resting tonight in this wonderful peace
Resting sweetly in Jesus’ control
For I’m kept from all danger by night and by day
And His glory is flooding my soul
Peace! Peace wonderful peace
Coming down from the Father above
Sweep over my spirit forever I pray
In fathomless billows of love
How does God bring peace into our lives through His Son Jesus? How can our peace be restored?
1. Peace Follows Grace.
The apostle Paul opens each of his letters saying “Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ,” except to Timothy Paul adds, “Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.” (See: Romans 1:7; 1 Corinthians 1:3; 2 Corinthians 1:2; Galatians 1:3; Ephesians 1:2; Philippians 1:2; Col. 1:2; 1 Thessalonians 1:1; 2 Thessalonians 1:2; Titus 1:4; Philemon 1:3; 1 Timothy 1:2; 2 Timothy 1:2)
Peace always follows grace; it never precedes it. You can’t have peace, then grace because peace can never be experience apart from the grace of God. Remember, Jesus is our peace. If you need peace the only way to find it is to come to God through Christ Jesus.
• John 14:27 (NIV)
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.
I’m leaving you well and whole. That’s my parting gift to you. Peace. I don’t leave you the way you’re used to being left—feeling abandoned, bereft. So don’t be upset. Don’t be distraught. (MsgB)
Jesus rose from the dead. He died to give us peace, but death could not hold Him. Victorious over death, Jesus returned to the Father.
But Jesus has not left us empty handed. Through the grace of God He has given us his peace!
2. Peace Comes Through Unwavering Prayer.
• Isaiah 26:3 (NIV)
You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.
• Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)
[6] Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. [7] And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
3. Peace Grows By Obedience.
• Psalm 119:165 (NIV)
Great peace have they who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble.
4. Peace Is Cultivated Through Discipline.
• Hebrews 12:11 (NIV)
No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.
