The Peace Of God

The Peace of God

John 14:27

Online Sermon: http://www.mckeesfamily.com/?page_id=3567

“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.”

On the verge of His violent execution Jesus’s final testament was to offer divine peace to those who believe in Him. Just hours before facing one of the most “horrific means of torture” and death ever devised, the burden Jesus felt was not for Himself but to “solidify the souls of His followers” with a sense of overwhelming peace. Despite knowing the grueling details of His impending arrest, mockery, floggings, desertion and subsequent crucifixion for humanity’s iniquities (Isaiah 53); Jesus told the disciples to not fear for striking the heal of the Shepherd would result in Satan receiving an unrecoverable, fatal wound of eternal damnation (Genesis 3:15; Revelation 20:7-10). What Jesus offered to the disciples before He went to the cross was not a worldly “peace of mind” that is here today and gone tomorrow but divine peace that transcends all circumstances and understanding. Like the disciples there are times when the wolf seeking to devour us will instill fear in our hearts (1 Peter 5:8). Even as Christians we often wonder if feelings of peace are possible when the turbulent waves of oppression, financial burdens, physical ailments and the unknown are crashing our hopes and dreams! If you struggle with feeling an overwhelming sense of terror or lack indescribable joy in your life then keep reading for He who laid His life down for us sheep has not only secured your victory over the power of sin but through the Holy Spirit offers you His divine peace!

Peace of Christ

Christ’s dying bequest to those who believe in Him was that they might receive “the unruffled, calm, the profound peace of the Eternal Son of God.” Since we live in a fallen world where chance happens to everyone (Ecclesiastes 9:11) managing the fear of the unknown has become a multibillion dollar industry. Even though the world promises “peace of mind” from acquiring insurances and hoarding wealth, trusting in what is here today and gone tomorrow does little to secure either present or eternal peace (Matthew 6:19-21)! Eternal peace comes from knowing that it was not Satan, Pilate, Herod, the Jews or the soldiers that were in charge on Good Friday (John 10:18) but the sovereign, Alpha and Omega (Revelation 22:13)! Fear lodges in our hearts the moment we forget that He who bought our lives offers us reconciliation and divine peace (1 Corinthians 6:20). Let me tell you a story about a starving soldier.

“At the close of the Civil War, a troop of Federal cavalry were riding along a road between Richmond, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. Suddenly they saw a poor wretch of a soldier, clothed in the ragged remnants of a Confederate uniform, coming out of the bush. He called to the captain of the cavalry unit who drew in and waited for him. “Can you help me?” the soldier called out. “I am starving to death. Can you give me some food?” “Starving to death?” questioned the captain. “Why don’t you just go into Richmond and get what you need?” The soldier explained, “I do not dare go into Richmond because if I did I would be arrested. Three weeks ago I became so discouraged because of our losses that I deserted from the southern army, and I have been hiding in the woods ever since, gradually making my way north, hoping for a chance to break through to Federal lines. If I should be caught by southern soldiers, I would be shot for deserting the army in time of war.” The captain asked, “Haven’t you heard the news?” “What news?” “Why, the war is over. Peace has been made. General Lee surrendered to General Grant at Appomattox two weeks ago. The Confederacy is ended.” “What!” said the soldier, “Peace has been made for two weeks, and I have been starving in the woods because I didn’t know it?” This is what it means to have peace with God. It means that the Lord Jesus Christ made peace nearly two thousand years ago for those who are given to him by the Father. They do not have to make their peace with God.”

The Good News is that the same personal peace that Jesus shared with God the Father in heaven that enabled Him to face and endure the cross with undying love is available to everyone who believes in Him!

Christ’s Peace is an Unshakeable Foundation

The peace that believers receive from Christ is built on a sure foundation! When we face the unknown future, our hearts are not to be troubled and filled with fear because the foundation of the cross is unshakeable. When Christ atoned for our sins on the cross the wrath of God towards us was paid in full and a bridge to have an intimate relationship with the Father became guaranteed and unshakeable for those who are justified by faith. The world’s granting of peace, one that is based on the shifting sands of culture and self-reliance, is “a conditional, negotiated and contractual matter, whereas that of Jesus is unconditional and incalculable.” Our eternal union with God is not built on one’s imagination or of one’s dreams but on the truth that since “God punished Christ in my stead” I am pleasing and acceptable to Him! We are to conquer the fear of the unknown by focusing on the love of Christ that is unshakable and always available to those who draw nearer to their Savior. Read what Apostle Paul wrote to the church of Rome concerning our unshakeable foundation of peace: