Jesus Gives Us Peace
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Introduction
Introduction
If we are going to serve the Lord well in this life, peace is an absolute necessity.
The absence of peace in the life of the believer indicates a lack of faith and trust in the Lord.
I know this is true, because I have had moments in my life where my lack of peace was directly related to a lack of faith.
This week in my personal time with the Lord I read Proverbs 21:31.
Proverbs 21:31
31 The horse is prepared for the day of battle, But deliverance is of the Lord.
This verse clearly spells out where human responsibility and faith meet.
We prepare.
We get the horse ready for battle.
But we do so with the awareness that ultimate deliverance, ultimate safety, is of the Lord!
He is the one who will win the victory.
We have peace when we fulfill our responsibility and trust God to do what He has promised.
This tells us that there are two parts to peace.
Part one is our responsibility.
We must prepare for the difficulties and trials of life.
How? We’ll get to that.
Part two is our faith in God.
We must trust that God will do what He has promised.
How do we know that?
Scripture.
Scripture reveals God’s past faithfulness.
God doesn’t change.
Therefore, we trust that the God of yesterday is the God of today and tomorrow!
We trust the faithfulness of our God.
Principle:
Through Jesus Christ every believer can live in peace.
Guidance:
To live in peace we must understand how it works.
Outcome:
Understanding and living in peace transforms our lives.
To understand how peace works we must know three things.
#1. We must understand that…
1. Peace Has A Presence vv. 25-26
1. Peace Has A Presence vv. 25-26
25 “These things I have spoken to you while being present with you.
26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.
As Jesus is talking to His disciples here He makes the obvious point that He is still with them bodily.
Throughout His public ministry, Jesus was preparing His disciples for the time when He wouldn’t be with them anymore.
In the beginning of chapter 14, Jesus said He would go away.
When that time comes, the helper will be sent.
Helper – παράκλητος (paraklētos) advocate; helper; intercessor. advocate (legal) n. — a person who acts as a spokesperson or representative of someone else’s policy, purpose, or cause; especially before a judge in a court of law. Noun, nominative absolute, singular, masculine.
Helper – παράκλητος (paraklētos)
This helper is going to minister to us on our Lord’s behalf.
He is going to be our advocate, our intercessor.
3 times in Scripture the Holy Spirit is called our guarantee.
The Holy Spirit is all the proof we need that we are in Christ!
We have peace with God through Christ.
We know that we have peace with God because the Holy Spirit dwells in us.
The presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives gives us peace when the trials come!
Look at what Ephesians 1:13-14 says.
Ephesians 1:13-14
13 In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise,
14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.
This is where our peace comes from!
It comes from the presence of God!
It comes from the Holy Spirit living in us!
We have been sealed!
We have the Holy Spirit living in us as the guarantee of our redemption!
Our responsibility here is to trust in Jesus!
There can be no peace apart from the presence of the Holy Spirit.
He takes up residence in our lives when we trust in Christ.
If we want peace, we must have the Holy Spirit!
Peace is found in the presence of the Holy Spirit.
Repeat - Read Aloud
The Holy Spirit teaches us and reminds us of what Christ has said.
The Word of God brings peace to our troubled hearts.
Peace is possible.
It is possible because we belong to Jesus.
Sing with me
“I Am His And He Is Mine”
His forever, only his.
That is what peace is about.
To understand how peace works we must know three things.
#1. Peace has a presence.
#2. We must understand that…
2. Peace Has A Purpose v. 27
2. Peace Has A Purpose v. 27
27 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.
What did Jesus leave?
Peace.
This means that If we do not have peace, we are not walking with Jesus!
He has left us peace.
This also means that Peace is possible for the child of God!
Whose peace is it?
It is His.
This is not our peace. It is not a peace we make or a peace we discover.
Peace is found in the presence of Jesus through the person of the Holy Spirit operating in our lives.
This peace has been given to us.
This word peace is a present, active, indicative.
What that means is that Peace is the present possession of the believer.
We have peace!
Last year we read Romans 5:1 every single week.
Romans 5:1
1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
We have peace with God.
It is also possible for us to have the peace of God.
This is what Philippians 4:6-7 famously talks about.
Philippians 4:6-7
6 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.
We have peace with God and we have the peace of God.
Jesus states here that His peace is not like the peace of the world.
What peace does the world offer?
Here is the definition of peace according to
1peace \ˈpēs\ noun
[Middle English pees, from Anglo-French pes, pees, from Latin pac-, pax; akin to Latin pacisci to agree—more at PACT] 12th century
1: a state of tranquillity or quiet: as
a: freedom from civil disturbance
b: a state of security or order within a community provided for by law or custom 〈a breach of the peace〉
2: freedom from disquieting or oppressive thoughts or emotions
3: harmony in personal relations
4 a: a state or period of mutual concord between governments
b: a pact or agreement to end hostilities between those who have been at war or in a state of enmity
5 —used interjectionally to ask for silence or calm or as a greeting or farewell—at peace: in a state of concord or tranquillity
What all of these definitions have in common is a focus on freedom from something.
The world’s definition of peace could be summed up like this.
Peace is the absence of conflict whether internal or external.
That is the world’s idea of peace.
That is not the peace Jesus gives us.
What then is the peace Jesus gives.
Go over to John 16:33.
John 16:33
The peace Jesus offers is not the absence of conflict!
Our peace is not in the world, it is not in the absence of war or turmoil.
Our peace is in Christ Himself!
Our peace comes from the reality that He has overcome the world!
Our peace lies not in the present, but in the certain future victory of Christ!
Because He has overcome the world, we are able to do what the rest of 14:27 describes.
Go back there with me.
READ v. 27
These are imperative commands given to us by Jesus.
Do not let your heart be troubled.
Do not let your heart be afraid.
Troubled – ταράσσω (tarassō) to be disturbed. v. — to be or become characterized by distress, affliction, danger, or need. Finite verb, present, passive, imperative, third person, singular.
Troubled – ταράσσω (tarassō)
Afraid – δειλιάω (deiliaō) be cowardly; be afraid. to be timid v. — to be lacking conviction or boldness or courage. Finite verb, present, active, imperative, third person, singular.
Afraid – δειλιάω (deiliaō)
What’s interesting here is that “troubled” is passive and “afraid” is active.
Here’s what that means.
When we are not actively trusting God with our problems, we are passively allowing ourselves to be distressed by them.
Repeat
When we choose not to operate in courageous faith, we are choosing to live in fear.
Repeat
This verse tells us something very important.
This is our lesson here.
The purpose of peace is the removal of doubt and fear!
Repeat - read aloud
However, peace is not possible if we are allowing ourselves to be distressed and choosing to live in fear!
Here is the conclusion we draw from this verse.
Peace is a choice.
We can choose doubt and fear.
Or.
We can choose the peace that passes understanding.
Peace comes when we choose to trust our God.
He is our solid rock.
Sing with me
“The Solid Rock”
What are we standing on?
Christ our solid rock?
Or sinking sand?
One day we are going to stand faultless before the throne.
May we live in faithful service to Him now.
To understand how peace works we must know three things.
#1. Peace has a presence.
#2. Peace has a purpose.
#3. We must understand that…
3. Peace Has A Permanence v. 28
3. Peace Has A Permanence v. 28
28 You have heard Me say to you, ‘I am going away and coming back to you.’ If you loved Me, you would rejoice because I said, ‘I am going to the Father,’ for My Father is greater than I.
Because our peace is in Christ.
Because the Holy Spirit gives us peace.
Because peace is found in the presence of Jesus.
Because all of these things are true…
Peace will be ours for eternity.
How can we be confident of that?
Faith.
We believe that Jesus Christ is going to return for us.
We believe that we will be with Him forever.
Why do we believe this?
Jesus promised these things.
Go with me to the beginning of this chapter.
John 14:1-3
We are going to be where Jesus is!
1 Thessalonians 4:17 ends with these words.
1 Thessalonians 4:17
1 Thessalonians 4:17 (NKJV)
17 And thus we shall always be with the Lord.
Notice the theme.
Let not your heart be troubled.
Don’t be troubled!
The Holy Spirit lives within you!
He teaches us truth! He reminds us of what God’s Word says!
Don’t be troubled!
Jesus is going to return!
Right now He is preparing a place for us in the Father’s house.
He is going to return.
He is going to take us to Himself.
We will be with Him forever.
1 Thessalonians 4:18 says this.
1 Thessalonians 4:18
18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.
Brothers and sisters, take comfort in this truth.
Jesus Christ, the one who died to redeem us, is coming back for us.
Here is our lesson.
In the presence of Jesus, peace will be ours for eternity.
Repeat - read aloud
What should our response to this truth be?
Zechariah 9:9 is a prophecy of the coming of the Messiah.
This is what it says.
Zechariah 9:9
9 “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King is coming to you; He is just and having salvation, Lowly and riding on a donkey, A colt, the foal of a donkey.
This same joy over the first coming of Christ should be ours at His second coming!
Rejoice people of God! Shout for joy you redeemed!
Your King is coming!
He. Is. Coming.
Sing with me
“What If It Were Today?”
That last verse asks us some pretty pointed questions.
If Christ came today, would He find us faithful and true?
Would He find us watching in gladness without fear?!
Signs of His coming multiply.
Watch for the time is drawing nigh.
O brothers and sisters. May we be ready for the return of Christ.
Turn with me to 1 Corinthians 11:23-32
This is a time for believers to remember the price that was paid. To be reminded of the penalty of sin. Taking part of communion does not save you. This is simply a way for us to be reminded of what Christ has done. If you know the Lord as savior this morning, please join us in bread and juice as we remember Jesus Christ. These are only symbols, they represent the body and blood of our Savior. Examination – verses 26-32
OBSERVANCE OF COMMUNION
OBSERVANCE OF COMMUNION
1 Corinthians 11:23-32
The Bread (His Body) vv. 23-24 “The Old Rugged Cross”
So I'll cherish the old rugged cross
Till my trophies at last I lay down
I will cling to the old rugged cross
And exchange it some day for a crown
The Cup (His Blood) v. 25 “Are You Washed In The Blood?”
Are you washed in the blood
In the soul cleansing blood of the Lamb
Are your garments spotless are they white as snow
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb
Conclusion
Conclusion
It is possible to have peace, even in the middle of life’s most difficult circumstances.
To have peace we must know the Prince of peace, we must give our burdens to Him in prayer, and we must remember that we will be with Him for eternity.
Personal:
Peace is essential in our personal lives. Without it we will be paralyzed with fear and unable to serve Christ effectively. We must give your burdens, cares, and concerns to Jesus.
Relationships:
If we are not at peace with what God has called us to and where He has placed us, we will not be able to reach out to others. We are going to be takers, not givers. Peace is required for contentment to be possible. We must trust God with our friendships.
Parenting:
So often it seems that our lack of peace in parenting is directly tied to a lack of trust in Christ. We think it is our responsibility to manage and control everything. It’s not. That’s the responsibility of our heavenly Father. We can have peace in parenting when we trust God with our children. By the way, this will help them have peace as well. We must daily lay our children before the throne of grace.
Marriage:
Peace in marriage comes when we bring our spouse before Christ instead of trying to change them on our own. We are not the Holy Spirit, we are not the conscience for the ones we love. God is at work in them, trust Him to do that work. We must pray for and support our spouses.
All of these really have the same commitment.
COMMITMENT:
I will bring every burden, every care, and every concern to God in prayer.
Repeat - read aloud
Peace begins with faith in Christ.
If you have never trusted in Him alone for salvation, do it now.
A heart that is troubled and afraid can never know peace.
So what do we do about that?
We must accept the peace Christ has already given.
Faith is the ultimate source of peace.
We must trust that God has a reason plan and purpose for all things.
We also trust that God wins!
He is going to return and we will enjoy eternal peace!
Here is our final thought for today.
Trust Jesus, give your burdens to Him, and you will have peace.