A Life Of Peace
What is peace?
The dictionary defines it it as “...a state of harmony characterized by the lack of violent conflict and the freedom from fear of violence. Commonly understood as the absence of hostility...” (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peace) But is peace really possible? Yes! Jesus came to bring peace on Earth “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” (Lk. 2:14).When we read these passages we tend to think about Xmas time, the Nativity, angels, etc. But have we really looked at what this text says? What type of peace is this text really talking about? Luke here is talking about Peace with God. God wants everyone to have peace with Him. In our lesson today we will see: Number 1, to know peace you have to know the source of peace- Jesus, Number 2, Christ ends the war between sinful man and God, Number 3, Christ gives us peace with ourselves, and Number 4, how do we gain peace with God. Let’s get started!
To Know Peace You Have to Know the Source of Peace- Jesus
Part 1
In life if you want anything you must go to the right source. You want dry cleaning you go to a dry cleaners. You want Pizza, you go to a pizza restaurant. If you want peace you must go to Jesus. Let’s open our Bibles to Is. 9:6. The Bible says
“For unto us a Child is born,Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father,
Prince of Peace.”
We find in this text that Jesus was born to be the Prince of PEACE. While on Earth as a man, Jesus let people know who He was, and is still today, the Prince of Peace. Let’s open our Bibles to Jn. 14:27. The Bible says
“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you;
not as the world gives...Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”
Jesus is talking to people who had already believed who He was and now He was promising them peace. Jesus’ peace takes away our troubles and our fears. But this peace is for only people who follow Jesus. Look at verses 15, 23-24.
“15 If you love Me, keep My commandments. 23 Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him. 24 He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine but the Father’s who sent Me."
To be a follower of Christ means you obey Him. Followers of Christ have heard the message of Christ and believed it to the point of obedience. In turn followers of Christ enjoy the presence of God, the presence of Jesus, and the presence of the Holy Spirit in their lives. Followers of Christ truly love Christ. And we show our love to Christ when we obey Him, not just simply saying it. John 16:33 says:
"These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
Jesus came to bring peace to those who follow Him.
To Appreciate Peace We Must Understand War
Part 2
War generally involves two parties. There is a war between sinful man and God. Let’s open our Bibles to Romans 5:10 and 11,
"For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. 11 And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation."
When we are living in a sinful state we are enemies with God. The Bible says,
“Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, That it cannot save; Nor His ear heavy, That it cannot hear. 2 But your iniquities have separated you from your God; And your sins have hidden His face from you, So that He will not hear (Is. 59:1-2).
Every time we sin we separate ourselves from God. This is war. Jesus came to end the war between man and God. How did Jesus give man a chance to be at peace with God?Jesus shed His blood to provide peace for mankind, Let’s look at Ephesians 2:14-18. The Bible says,
"For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, 15 having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, 16 and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity. 17 And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near. 18 For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father."
Let’s look at Col. 1:20. The Bible says,
“and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself,
by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven,
having made peace through the blood of His cross.”
So we see here that when Jesus died on the cross His blood washes away our sins. Lets look at Acts. 22:16. The Bible says,
“And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized,
and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.”
We find in this text when are baptized into water we are coming in contact with the blood of Christ. These people who baptized are at peace with God and are called Christians. The Bible say in Acts 11:26 “...And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch. Christians are reconciled to God. God has done His part, therefore peace has to be struck with us. Therefore only those who obey Jesus’ word can have peace.
Christ gives us peace with ourselves (Jn. 16:33)
Part 3
In Christ we have a peaceful center, so we can sleep at night. Because we know we have God and He considers us very highly. The Bible says, Matthew 10:29-31 “...But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 Do not fear therefore...”. And in 1 Pt. 5:7, “...casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you”. We don’t have to worry about food, shelter, or clothing as long as we are doing our part with seeking to do God’s will. The Bible say in Matthew 6:25,
“Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life,
what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body,
what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?
“33 But seek first the kingdom of God and
His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you."
God’s peace will also guard our minds. The Bible says in Philippians 4:6-7,
"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication,
with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;
7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding,
will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus”.
So how do we gain peace with God? There are 5 steps
Part 4
According to the Bible these are the terms of peace with God. First: We must Hear that Jesus is the Son of God. The Bible says in Romans 10:14,
“14 How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed?
And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard?
And how shall they hear without a preacher?”
The “hear” or “hearing” refers to not just listening to the auditory sounds of Jesus, but the understanding and acceptance of Jesus' message. Therefore we must believe the message of His death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. Second we must believe that Jesus paid it all when He died for us. The Bible says in Mark 16:15-16
“15 And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.”
We must believe that Jesus is the Son of God, that He died for our sins, and rose from the grave. And we must believe He is in Heaven and is going to return back to take Christians back home to Heaven. If we believe His message then we must take step three. We must Repent of our sins. The Bible says in Luke 13:3 “ I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.” To repent means we are changing our sinful ways of living. We have to stop doing wrong and being at war with God. Then the fourth step we must take is that we must Confess to anyone who asks that we believe Jesus is the Son of God. The Bible says in Matthew 10:32-33 “32 Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. 33 But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven.Then fifthly we must be baptized into Jesus Christ. Again the Bible says in Mark 16:15-16,
“15 And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.”
Baptism is watery grave where you are immersed into water, reenacting what Jesus did. Jesus died, was buried and was resurrected back to a new life. In the same way, Baptism is the death of your old ways, old person, and burying them, and then you are raised back to a new life on Earth looking forward to going to Heaven. After this we must stay faithful to God until we die or Jesus comes back to home to Heaven. These are God's terms of peace.
Will you sign your peace treaty with God? Do you want it? Do you need it? Let God Provide you with peace in your life and in death.
This is how let God provide food for your soul, and this is how you gain peace with God and in your life.
