The Way Of Christ - The Way Of Peace

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                          "THE WAY OF CHRIST"

                            The Way Of Peace

INTRODUCTION

1. The Way Of Christ is also the way of peace...
   a. As foretold by Isaiah, the Messiah would be the Prince of Peace
      - Isa 9:6-7
   b. As claimed by Jesus Himself, He offers a peace unlike any other
      - Jn 14:27; 16:33

2. The word peace conveys 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

[The inner tranquility and poise found in The Way Of Christ begins
with...]

I. PEACE WITH GOD

   A. WITHOUT GOD, NO TRUE PEACE IS POSSIBLE...
      1. He is "the God of peace" - Ro 15:33
      2. He offers perfect peace, peace like a river - Isa 26:3; 48:18

   B. UNFORGIVEN SIN MAKES PEACE WITH GOD IMPOSSIBLE...
      1. Sin separates us from God - Isa 59:1-2
      2. Sin makes our lives like the troubled sea - Isa 57:20-21

   C. THROUGH JESUS, GOD OFFERS PEACE TO THE SINNER...
      1. We can be justified from our sins, and be at peace with God!
         - Ro 5:1-2
      2. God's love makes this peace possible - Ro 5:6-9
      3. In Christ, we can be reconciled with God - Ro 5:10-11; 2Co
         5:18-21

[Once we have peace with God, other forms of peace are possible.  E.g.,
The Way Of Christ provides...]

II. PEACE WITH SELF

   A. JESUS OFFERS PEACE WITHIN...
      1. Peace that the world cannot provide - Jn 14:27
      2. Peace unfazed by the world and its tribulations - Jn 16:33

   B. JESUS PROVIDES SUCH PEACE...
      1. Through His teaching (i.e., the Word)
         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
      2. Through His intercession (i.e., prayer)
         a. As we offer prayers of supplication and thanksgiving - Php
            4:6
         b. Whereby the peace of God guards our hearts and minds through
            Christ - Php 4:7

[By obeying His Word and being fervent in prayer, Jesus offers us the
true antidote to anxiety and worry:  a peace that surpasses all
understanding!  But there is more, The Way Of Christ also provides...]

III. PEACE WITH OTHERS

   A. PEACE WITH MANKIND...
      1. Jesus breaks down the barriers between mankind - Ep 2:13-17
      2. He removes the racial, social and national barriers - cf. Ga
         3:28

   B. PEACE WITH FAMILIES...
      1. Jesus provides peace for families seeking love and stability
      2. Following Jesus' doctrine leads to peace in the family - cf.
         Col 3:18-21

   C. PEACE WITH BRETHREN...
      1. Jesus provides peace between brethren
      2. Following Jesus' doctrine will lead to harmony among brethren
         - cf. 1Pe 3:8-12

   D. PEACE WITH CHURCHES...
      1. Jesus offers peace for the ills of denominationalism
      2. Heeding the prayer of Jesus is the cure for denominationalism
         - cf. Jn 17:20-23; 1Co14:33

   E. PEACE WITH ENEMIES...
      1. Jesus shows us how to have peace with our enemies
      2. Through precept and example, Jesus shows us how to make peace
         - cf. Mt 5:44; Lk 23:34

CONCLUSION

1. The Way Of Christ is truly the way of peace, for Jesus helps us to
   have...
   a. Peace with God
   b. Peace with self
   c. Peace with others

2. But is important to do this in the right order...
   a. Peace with God must come first, for there is no peace for the
      wicked - Isa 48:22
   b. Peace with self comes next, otherwise peace with others is
      complicated by our own turmoil
   c. Peace with others naturally comes last, as we are then able to be
      "peacemakers" - Mt 5:9

Have you made peace with God (by obeying the gospel of Christ)?  Have
you found peace within (by growing in the grace of Christ)?  Are you
making peace with others (by growing in the knowledge of Christ)?

The Way Of Christ invites you to follow Jesus as He leads you to the way
of peace...

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