The Peace Of God

And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:7

Think of those brief moments that represent Peace for you …experiences in nature, with family, friends, at work ...times of complete freedom …quiet, pure, alive what is peace?

True, perfect, pure, unaltered peace... is that what the Garden of Eden was like?

WHAT IS PEACE?

“Peace is that brief glorious moment in history when everybody stands around reloading.”

Symbols of peace ( שׁלם )

the combination of a dove with an olive branch in it’s mouth is often used as a symbol of peace.

Consider peace as a fruit of the Spirit? Isn’t peace a situation or scenario… can I really bear “peace” as a fruit in my life?

Were we meant to have peace all the time? If we pursue it, will we find it?

the first time the world was without peace

…but not the last

the first time without peace

…but not the last

Let us then pursue what makes for peace and for mutual edification.

Romans 14:19

If we pursue it, will we find it?

FIRST, Peace with God

Rom. 5:1: Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ

Col. 1:20:and through him God was pleased to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, by making peace through the blood of his cross.

Then, inward Peace can follow

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

That is unhindered by the world’s strife:

John 14:27:Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.

John 16:33: I have said this to you, so that in me you may have peace. In the world you face persecution. But take courage; I have conquered the world!”

Finally, Peace Between one another

Eph. 2:13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

14 For he is our peace; in his flesh he has made both groups into one and has broken down the dividing wall, that is, the hostility between us.

Finally, Peace Between one another

Eph. 2:15 He has abolished the law with its commandments and ordinances, that he might create in himself one new humanity in place of the two, thus making peace,

16 and might reconcile both groups to God in one body through the cross, thus putting to death that hostility through it.

17 So he came and proclaimed peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near

Finally, Peace Between one another

Eph. 4:3:making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Heb. 12:14:Pursue peace with everyone, and the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.

Finally, Peace Between one another

not merely as the elimination of discord or absence of conflict, but as the harmony and true functioning of the body of Christ

Rom. 14:19: Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.

1 Cor. 14:33: for God is a God not of disorder but of peace.

How do we experience Peace? The Peace Meal

Genesis 26:26–31

Meanwhile, Abimelech had come to him from Gerar, with Ahuzzath his personal adviser and Phicol the commander of his forces. Isaac asked them, “Why have you come to me, since you were hostile to me and sent me away?” They answered, “We saw clearly that the LORD was with you; so we said, ‘There ought to be a sworn agreement between us’—between us and you.

How do we experience Peace? The OT Peace Meal

Let us make a treaty with you that you will do us no harm, just as we did not molest you but always treated you well and sent you away in peace. And now you are blessed by the LORD.” Isaac then made a feast for them, and they ate and drank. Early the next morning the men swore an oath to each other. Then Isaac sent them on their way, and they left him in peace.

How do we experience Peace?

It was customary that when a binding agreement (covenant) of friendship, or at least peace, was made between individuals or tribes, they would eat a meal together to demonstrate or seal that friendship. This custom was probably what developed into the covenant meal that later became part of the covenant-making process.

How do we experience Peace?

When Laban and Jacob made a covenant (binding agreement) of peace with each other at Galeed, also called Mizpah, they ate a meal together: “He offered a sacrifice there in the hill country and invited his relatives to a meal. After they had eaten, they spent the night there” (Genesis 31:54).