Intro: Peace, it seems like a fairy tale. Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran, tsunamis, hurricanes, tornados. How can there be peace? It seems the longer our lives last the more chaotic our lives become. Have you ever thought that the rise in conflict both at home and abroad is due to the absence of Peace with God?
Really think about what I am saying. The Hebrew word for peace is Shalom. It is a word that is still to this day as a cordial greeting between Hebrew people. It was and is not merely a greeting. It is instead a blessing that desires the wellness and wholeness of the person it is spoken to.
I. Peace with God
A) The declaration of war
It was in the garden of Eden that the first shots were heard. Adam and Eve had been created to walk with God. But they decided that wasn’t enough room for adventure and investigation. They thought that God was just a big old grumpy Heavenly Father that didn’t want them to have any fun.
What Adam and Eve did not realize when they disobeyed God for the first time they were causing all out war on planet earth.
The spiritual war had begun.
Before Adam and eve sinned they were at peace with God. They were whole complete, because they were designed to know God. After the disobedience they were hollow and hopeless because something was missing.
Romans 8.6,7 tells us why they were hollow, helpless
“For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, because the mind set on the flesh is hostile towards God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so,
Ever wonder why you “can’t” do such and such no matter how hard you try? If you have not subjected yourself to the finished work of Jesus, or if you are saved and not surrendered you will not be able to do what is God’s will!!
Warren Wiersbe defined condemnation this way “God declares us sinners, which is a declaration of war.”
When Adam and Eve were declared by god as sinners the first shot of the war killed both spiritually. Their minds were set on the flesh they could not do what God commanded.
The good news comes from the centerpiece painting God’s masterpiece. When the cross is central and we allow Jesus blood to cover our sins, endless peace is the result.
B) The declaration of peace
Warren Wiersbe “Justification means God declares us righteous, which is a declaration of peace.”
It is not something we deserve, it is similar to the King Ralph movie where John Goodman becomes king of England. It was definitely not something he deserved but he was declared king anyway.
God delares us righteous by the shed blood of Jesus.
2 Corinthians “He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalv, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”
Dr David Jeremiah (His study Guide Fruit of the Spirit)
The word for peace in the Greek language is iranay. It means, “to join together.” It’s a picture of two opposing forces that have been separated, that now have been reconciled. That’s what our peace in Jesus Christ is all about. We who were at enmity with God have been brought together by Jesus Christ. He is our peace. That’s why when Jesus was brought into the world as our Savior, the angels said, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace...”(Luke 2:14). He is the Prince of Peace because He is the One who solved the enmity between us and God. Accept Him and you have peace with God.
But accepting Jesus doesn’t automatically mean you have the peace of God. Peace with God means you can do God’s will, you can be pleasing to God by living a life of faith.
Peace of God means that when everyone else is freaking out because of the circumstances in life, you have the peace of God smack dab in the middle of the chaos.
The peace of God means that you do not allow the Chaos to control you.
How do we access the peace of God
II. Peace of God
A) Powerful Rule of Christ
Romans 10.9,10 tells us we accept Him as Savior and Confess Him as Lord
For Him to fight our battles and carry our burdens He must first be our Servant King.
B) Permanent Trust in Christ
Isaiah 26:3
"The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace, because he trusts in You."
C) Practical Prayer life
Philippians 4:6-7, 9 "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
. . . The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you."
D) Purposeful Practice of God’s Word
Psalm 119:165 “Great peace have those who love Your law, and nothing causes them to stumble.”
III. Problems in the world
Where do problems come from? Conflict, not the presence of it by the way we approach it. (John 16.32, 33)
Do you approach the conflict in your everyday life with the powerful promise of Peace with God? Do you also face the same conflict with the peace of God.
Peter did both. Acts 12.6 Peter was sleeping on the night he was to be executed. 12.7 tells us that he was sleeping so soundly that an angel had to jab him in the ribs to wake him up.
Peter could do this because he had Peace with God. Death held no mystery for Peter, he knew that His redeemer lived and had given him endless peace. He also had because of his practical Christian lifestyle the peace of God. When Christianity is not just part of your life but it is your life then you can have the peace Peter had sleeping in a dungeon right before he was to die.
Do you have that type of peace. The conflict and turmoil was raging, but Peter was at complete and total calm. Because the prince of peace was right in the middle of his muck.
Conclusion: How can I know If I have peace with God and the peace of God.
Simple God’s word says that Jesus gives peace without end. God’s peace is a permanent peace not based on circumstances, difficulties, disappointments, discouragements etc.
It is simply based on trusting and depending on God to supply your every need!!!
Do you have God’s endless peace?
