The Fruit Of The Spirit - Peace Series

THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT - PEACE

INTRODUCTION

Refer to:

Wk 1 – Choose Freedom – Gal. 5

Wk 2 – Intro to Fruit of Spirit – contrast with works of flesh

Wk 3 – Fruit – Love – its characteristics 1Cor 13

Wk 4 – Fruit – Joy – Untouched by our circumstances

Humor Illustrations

.My therapist told me the way to achieve true inner peace is to finish what I start.

So far today, I have finished 2 bags of chips and a chocolate cake.

I feel better already.

(Source: http://www.cybersalt.org/cleanlaugh)

•a four-year-old and a six-year-old presented their mom with a houseplant. They had used their own money to buy it and she was thrilled.

The older of them said with a sad face, "There was a bouquet at the flower shop that we wanted to give you. It was real pretty but it was too expensive. It had a ribbon on it that said ‘Rest in Peace,’ and we thought it would be just perfect since you are always asking for a little peace so that you can rest.

(Source: http://www.sermoncentral.com

•The Great Need of Peace

oNeed to know the Prince of Peace

The Great Absence of Peace

•A famous French historian estimated that there had been 3,313 years of war in contrast to 227 years of peace from the 15th century BC to his own day. The world has seen 13 years of war for every year of peace…

(http://www.sermoncentral.com )[Henry Gariepy, 100 Portraits of Christ, (Victor Books, 1987), 121-2].

Hungry for Peace

Much, if not most, of the social turmoil of our culture is due to a hunger for peace, which is sought for in all the wrong places. According to Ronald Hutchcraft, the Director of Youth for Christ in New York and New Jersey, in the next thirty minutes-

57 kids will run away from home.

29 children will attempt suicide.

22 girls under 19 years of age will receive an abortion.

14 teenage girls will give birth to an illegitimate baby.

685 teens will use some form of narcotic.

These tragic statistics reveal that we are a nation in perpetual war.

(Source: http://www.sermoncentral.com - Glenn Pease in THE FRUIT OF PEACE

What is this Peace Like

•It’s origin is God

o1 Thess 5:23 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

oIt is the nature of the presence of the Holy Spirit to produce Peace

oGal 5:22 But athe fruit of the Spirit is blove, joy, peace…

•It’s nature

oIt is beyond human comprehension

Phil 4:7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

oIt preserves

Phil 4:7 b will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

oIs to be experienced in abundance

Ps 37:11 But the meek shall inherit the earth, And shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.

Ps 72:7 In His days the righteous shall flourish, And abundance of peace, Until the moon is no more.

Jer 33:6 Behold, I will bring it health and healing; I will heal them and reveal to them the abundance of peace and truth

oIt is experienced in the midst of turmoil and conflict

•It’s Impact in our life is directly proportional to our Knowledge of Christ

o2 Pet 1:2 Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord,

•It requires the surrendering of our will

oCol 3:15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.

•It required a disciplined mind

oIsa. 26:3 Thou wilt keep him in perfectb peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.

o(Constrast)” A double minded man is unstable in all his ways” James 1:8

•It Flourishes where an atmosphere of God Consciousness and Thankfulness is cultivated

o Phil 4:6,7 6 iBe anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with jthanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and kthe peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

oIllustration: Bob Russell writes, “I really believe the most important step in developing inner peace is to quit complaining and start praising.”

•It is preserved through obedience

oPhil 4:9 The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.

•It is a sign of maturity

o2 Cor 13:11 Finally, brethren, farewell. Become complete. Be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.