Reflections On Peace

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                          "REFLECTIONS"

                             On Peace

INTRODUCTION

1. A virtue worthy of reflection is peace, which like joy is...
   a. An element of the kingdom of God - Ro 14:17
   b. A component of the fruit of the Spirit - Ga 5:22

2. Peace is a word conveying wonderful concepts...
   a. "a state of harmony, tranquility"
   b. "the absence of hostility, the absence of mental stress or
      anxiety"

3. In the Bible, the word peace is used to translate...
   a. Shalom (Hebrew) - completeness, soundness, welfare, peace - BDB
      Hebrew Dictionary
   b. Eirene (Greek) - often refers to the inner tranquility and poise
      of the Christian whose trust is in God through Christ - Nelson's
      New Illustrated Bible Dictionary

[Yet peace is a quality or virtue that is sorely needed in the world and
church today, for...]

I. NOT EVERYONE ENJOYS PEACE

   A. THE WICKED...
      1. "There is no peace, says the Lord, for the wicked" - Isa 48:22
      2. The sins of the wicked separates one from God - Isa 59:2
      3. Sinful conduct destroys friendships and familial relationships
         - Ga 5:19-21
      4. Sin prevents true peace of mind - cf. Isa 57:20-21
      -- The wicked are in dire need for peace

   B. THE TROUBLED DISCIPLE...
      1. Even faithful disciples can become troubled - e.g., Martha, Lk
         10:41
      2. Disciples lose their peace when they:
         a. Fail to simplify their priorities - Lk 10:42
         b. Become choked by cares, riches, and pleasures - Lk 8:14
         c. Succumb to the desire to be rich - 1Ti 6:10-11
      -- The righteous are often in need of peace

   C. THE CONCERNED SERVANT...
      1. Who worries about their brethren, like Paul - 2Co 2:12-13; 7:5;
         11:28-29
      2. Who becomes distressed with concern, like Epaphroditus - Php
         2:25-26
      3. Who sorrows when hearing bad news, like elders - Ac 20:37-38
      -- Even the most dedicated Christians finds themselves in need of
         peace at times

[But wherever there is a need for peace, there is...]

II. PEACE THAT SURPASSES UNDERSTANDING

   A. PEACE WITH GOD...
      1. Without God, no true peace is possible
         a. He is "the God of peace" - Ro 15:33
         b. He offers perfect peace, peace like a river - Isa 26:3;
            48:18
      2. But unforgiven sin make peace with God impossible
         a. Sin separates us from God - Isa 59:1-2
         b. Sin makes our lives like the troubled sea - Isa 57:20-21
      3. Through Jesus Christ, God offers peace to the sinner!
         a. We can be justified from our sins, and be at peace with God!
            - Ro 5:1-2
         b. God's love makes this peace possible - Ro 5:6-9
         c. In Christ, we can be reconciled with God - Ro 5:10-11; 2Co
            5:18-21
      -- Without the peace God provides, no real peace is possible

   B. PEACE WITH ONESELF...
      1. Jesus offers true peace within
         a. Peace that the world cannot provide - Jn 14:27
         b. Peace unfazed by the world and its tribulations - Jn 16:33
      2. Jesus does this by teaching us:
         a. To have faith - Mt 6:25,30; 8:26; Jn 14:1
         b. To make God and His kingdom our priority - Mt 6:31-34
         c. To simplify our lives - Lk 8:14; 10:41-42
      3. By offering prayer as the antidote to anxiety and worry
         a. Prayers of supplication and thanksgiving - Php 4:6
         b. Whereby the peace of God guards our hearts and minds in
            Christ - Php 4:7
      -- Jesus provides peace that surpasses all understanding!

CONCLUSION

1. Wonderful is the peace that God offers in Christ...
   a. Peace with God
   b. Peace with oneself

2. Do you have such peace?  Or have...
   a. Wicked practices prevented you from finding peace?
   b. Misplaced priorities robbed you of your peace?
   c. Bona fide concerns filled your heart with anxiety?

3. You can enjoy the peace that God offers...
   a. By obeying the gospel of Christ - Mk 16:15-16; Ac 2:38
   b. By joining the family of God - Ac 2:42
   c. By following Jesus as The Way to truth, life and peace - Jn
      14:6,27

Why not allow Jesus, the Prince of Peace, to give you His peace?  As
Paul prayed:

   "Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always in
   every way."
                                                    - 2Th 3:16

Dear friends and brethren, "meditate on these things" (Php 4:8)...
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