PEACE

THIS WEEK: Peace
• The Bible instructs us to let peace rule in our hearts. This is so important in our current circumstances!
• Throughout history, people have watched and listened to what Christians do and say in times of uncertainty and fear. It’s no different today—people are watching!

1. SO WHY IS PEACE SO HARD TO ACHIEVE?
• The world we live in is broken and many are seeking justice without understanding love, peace, and reconciliation. If Jesus isn’t our model for justice, peace is unattainable.
○ The Bible tells us that God is just. This means that He is fair and impartial.
○ We can experience peace when we leave judgement to God.

• When justice is viewed strictly as punishment, we miss God’s heart and intent. Seeking justice now becomes punitive or revengeful based on an individual’s perception of right and wrong.
○ The Lord requires us to do justice, love mercy and walk humbly before Him. (Micah 6:8) We are to treat others fairly, particularly those who may be in less fortunate situations such as widows, orphans, the poor, and aliens or strangers.
○ This requires having the peace of God dwell in our hearts.

2. WE ARE TO BE RULED BY PEACE.

Colossians 3:15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.

• Peace is a choice. Paul says to let the peace of Christ rule in our hearts.
○ Peace = quietness, rest; a deep trust in God. When we allow His Spirit to rule our lives, we experience His peace.
○ Rule = act as an umpire, to arbitrate.

• What does peace rule or arbitrate? Our hearts and actions.
○ Peace is to rule over our sin nature. There is a battle between flesh and Spirit.
○ Whenever there is something to be decided, choose things that make for peace.

Galatians 5:16-17 16So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want.

• The Spirit:
○ He commands and empowers us to love others—even our enemies.
○ He commands and empowers us to forgive.
○ He commands and empowers us to trust Jesus for all things.
○ He commands and empowers us to be peacemakers.

3. WE ARE TO BE PEACEMAKERS!

Matthew 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
○ Every Christian is meant to be a peacemaker.
○ Why? Because peace leads to reconciliation, and we have been given the ministry of reconciliation. Therefore, we are designed to be peacemakers.

• It’s peace, not appeasement; it’s peacemaker, not peacekeeper.
○ Peacemakers strive to create peace and attempt to reconcile things and people that are at odds with one another. To make the person or situation whole is God’s heart.
○ Peacekeepers may strive to keep peace at any cost to avoid conflict. The cross was not peace at any cost, but peace at the highest cost! Death.

Colossians 1:19-20 For God was pleased to have His fullness dwell in Him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.
○ Jesus reconciled us to the Father, making peace available through the cross.
○ As disciples, we are to reconcile the lost and separated from God back to Him.

John 14:27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
○ Jesus’ peace is supernatural and part of the fruit of the Spirit.
○ We are to bring His peace to this world—this is what makes us different!

PRACTICAL STEPS
 Keep your eyes on God by abiding in Him.
 Surrender your anger and fear.
 Acknowledge things are broken, and sympathize with those who’re hurting.
 Share the message of peace and hope—not sarcasm and judgement.
 Be a reconciler/peacemaker.

QUESTIONS TO REFLECT AND DISCUSS:
Passages to consider: Galatians 5:16-26; Philippians 4:6-8
Icebreaker: What is your favorite way to relax in the summer?

1. What challenged you from this week’s sermon?
2. Read John 14:23-27 and John 16:32-33. In these passages, what is Jesus telling us about peace? (Before or after group, you might read John 16. John 13-17 are powerful passages from Jesus.)
3. What has been your picture of “peace”? a) When you are peaceful, what is absent? What is present? B) How does your version of peace fit with or differ from what Jesus is saying?
4. What can be peace-stealers for you? (What brings anxiety or frustration?)
5. Look at Colossians 3:15, Matthew 5:9, 1 Peter 3:10-12, Philippians 4:6-7. What is our part in peace? What is God’s part in peace?
6. In what area or relationship will you seek peace as you walk with the Spirit this week? What might that look like for you?