The Wonderful Peace Of God

THE BIBLICAL DEFINITION OF 'PEACE'

1. ‘Shalom’ – Completeness, wholeness, health, welfare, safety, soundness, tranquility, prosperity, fullness, rest, harmony; the absence of agitation or discord. Common greeting in Israel – Shalom!

2. ‘Eirene’ – A state of rest, quietness, calmness; absence of strife; the inner tranquility and poise of followers of Jesus whose trust is in God; the combination of hope, trust, and quiet of mind and soul brought about by reconciliation and relationship with God.

GOD IS THE SOURCE OF PEACE

1. Jesus said, Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. ~ John 14:27

GOD IS OUR SOURCE, AND OUR ACTIVE RESOURCE

1. You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. ~ Isaiah 26:3

* ‘Perfect peace’ – shalom shalom… (peace upon peace)

* A mind ‘stayed’ on Jesus – (to lean, rest, support, give strength, sustain)

* A person who ‘trusts in God’ has confidence in Him and whose mind ‘leans on’ God and His Word.

GIVE THE GOD OF PEACE RULERSHIP IN YOUR LIFE

1. Let the peace of God rule in your hearts… and be thankful. ~ Colossians 3:15

PATHWAY TO SUSTAINING GOD'S PEACE - 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 understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. ~ Philippians 4:6-7 (written from prison)

1. Do not be anxious about anything… Don’t fret or worry; Don’t worry about anything whatever…

* How can we not be anxious? Anxiety can be the normal reaction when we come face to face with things that threaten & lay hold of our hearts… (health, relationships, financial, political)

* What course can we take – what is the alternative?

2. But in everything…by prayer and supplication… (Pray without ceasing ~ 1Thessalonians 5:17)

* If a man does not pray about everything, he will be worried about most things. If he does pray about everything, he will not be troubled about anything beyond what is good for him. (A. MacLaren)

* Praying with all prayer ~ Ephesians.6:18: Incorporating the many aspects of prayer, including: supplication, intercession, praise, thanksgiving, travail, petition, worship, silence and stillness.

3. With Thanksgiving… Thankfulness, giving of thanks, gratitude, gratefulness to God.

* This is a powerful principle of believing life… (notice the linking; prayer & giving thanks)

* Pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. ~ 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18

* Continue earnestly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. ~ Colossians 4:2

4. Let your requests be made known unto God…

* Tell God about it… Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. ~ 1 Peter 5:7

* Praying in the face of anxiety… Give all your worries and cares to God… you can entrust all things into His hands, for He cares for you & knows what is best for you and the situations you are praying about.

5. And the peace of God, which surpasses (transcends) all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. ~ Philippians 4:7

* Peace: The inseparable result of laying everything before God in "prayer with thanksgiving."

* The “peace of God” is that which results from praying, fully trusting, confident faith in the God who loves and cares for His own… God is the Source – He IS our peace!

You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.~ Isaiah 26:3