"True Peace"

True Peace
Brian Reid
April 29, 2007

Image, never worrying about anything again. Image, never, ever having another care or concern in your life. Image, never being scared to face any day, by yourself. Image, living with complete and total joy, always. Well, that’s Peace; that’s True Peace.

Have you ever meet someone with that sense of peace?
In this church; I think of Verna, Helen, Sanky, Larry and many others.

Sometimes, we meet other Christians, and they have it. Sometimes, we meet other Christians, and we know we want it. And, sometimes, we meet other Christians, and we wonder, how they got it; True Peace.

It may seem impossible to you, for we all have concerns; it’s easy to get discouraged about life’s circumstances, get depressed about our life-situation, and often we take things too seriously.

But, from our Call To Worship and the offering introduction, in Philippians 4:4-9, Paul tells us to simply turn to God in prayer, the Prince of Peace, to receive that joy that accompanies peace.

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.”

“Always be full of joy, in the Lord. I say again – rejoice (return to joy). Tell God what you need and thank Him for what He has (already) done for you. If you learn to do this, and do it continually, you will experience God’s peace; which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand or comprehend. His peace, this True Peace, will guard your hearts and minds, as you live in Christ Jesus.”

A portion of the legacy of love, that Jesus left, to His followers (His disciples – then, and all of us – now) was, and is, Peace.

This peace, given by Jesus, can be compared to peace of this world.

This world’s peace is thought of, in negative terms – the absence of war, conflict and strife. Christ’s concept of peace is positive – peace in the midst of trouble. Our hearts can be calm and fearless in this time, or any time of stress, because of the total peace given by the Prince of Peace.

Even when the circumstances of life are adverse, the believer can ‘rejoice in the Lord.” The presence of Christ, the meaning that He gives to life, and the hope, which He inspires, are all reasons for rejoicing; with True Peace being the end-result.

Our Peace is found in God, through Jesus. And we thank God for the Hope he gives us and for the Peace he bestows upon us. That peace, comes because our Christian joy, is not affected by our present situations, in which we find ourselves. That peace creates joy within our hearts. That peace is found in Christ alone.

From John 14:23-27;
“Jesus replied, "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. He who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.

All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. 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 was preparing His disciples, for His impending departure. He told them about the House of Many Mansions (14:2), He promised to send the Holy Spirit to train, comfort, and lead the saints on their Homeward Journey. Jesus assures the disciples, that, all those who love Him, will live a life of obedience to him; and those who do not love Jesus, will not will follow His instructions; and not receive True Peace.

Jesus promised that He and His Father will come and live among those marked by love. Christ says that the Counselor, the Advocate, the Comforter, the Holy Spirit will come and teach them all the things they need to know, and remind them of all the things promised.

But, the important verse of this whole section, is verse 27; “Peace, I leave with you; my peace, I give unto you.”

Ya’ know, we all get presents and gifts from a variety of people – family, friends and others. But, everyone once in a great while, a gift is given that simply astounds us, amazes us, overwhelms us and takes our breath away.

As Christ was about to depart, he leaves a most precious gift to the disciples; and that gift is transferred to us today.

That gift is a 3-fold gift of peace: Peace with God, Peace with our fellow humans, and finally (and maybe more important for some) – Peace within ourselves.

Jesus says; “I do not give to you, as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

Sweet peace is the gift of God’s love. It is a glad and joyous absence of trouble, as we abide with Him and He abides in us. It is a wonderful peace that sweeps over the spirit forever; in an immeasurable haze of love and an endless and unlimited - calm. You can rest confidently, in Jesus’ control, where you are kept from all danger.

1 Peter 1:8
“You believe in Him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy.”

Our blessed Lord bring us peace in three different ways

1. Peace with God, through His restoration and atonement. We have peace with God, because Christ gave His life as atonement, as a payment for our sins – and we are reconciled back to God.

Romans 5:1
“Since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God, through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Psalm 40:3
“He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God.”

2. Our blessed Lord brings us Peace with our fellow human-beings.

Christ is our living peace. This statement should cause us to stop and do some serious thinking; because we live in an age, which knows little or no peace. There is war and hatred. There is conflict and unrest. There is violence and pain. There is communication failure and mental breakdown. But, Christ is our living peace – through His gift of salvation. Yes, It is only through acceptance of salvation – by means of Christ, that God’s peace is extended and realized.

Psalm 29:11
“The Lord blesses His people with peace.”

Christ is the answer to war, to racial hatred, to poverty and hardship; as we see Christ in others. (x2)

3. Our blessed Lord brings us Peace within Ourselves.
It is through the knowledge and assurance of sins forgiven, the promise of eternal life, and the confidence to face life, that we find that peace within us.

2 Thessalonians 3:16
“May the Lord of peace, give you peace at all times, and in every way.”

Ultimate joy and the Peace that comes with it, is from Christ dwelling within us. True Peace is knowing that God answers prayers. True Peace comes from knowing that God is in control of our lives. True Peace is confident assurance, in all circumstances, through God’s Holy Spirit. The Peace of God moves into our hearts and comforts us in times of conflict. He brings calmness in our hearts, harmony within ourselves, and freedom from trouble and conflict; True Peace.

Conclusion

And even though, out there in the real world, people are still struggling with uncertainty (about their future), facing hatred (among their neighbors) and feeling pain (within their hearts); in here, in this church; inside the walls, of God’s protection – we have eternal peace…

But, how do we get it? Jesus answers you;

“Rejoice in the Lord always, delight in His presence, gladden your hearts with His love; again I say return to His everlasting joy.

Allow yourself to know, and perceive, and understand, and recognize God’s unselfishness, God’s considerateness, God’s forbearing spirit. For, the Lord is near – He is coming soon!

Do not fret or have anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer, with definite and specific requests, with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants and needs known to God.

And, God’s peace will be yours, that tranquil state of a soul, assured of its salvation, through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God, and content with its earthly lot, of whatever sort that is, that peace of mind, which transcends all understanding, shall garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

For the rest of you, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of reverence, and is honorable and seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and pleasant and gracious, if worthy of praise, think on, and weigh, and take account of these things – fix your mind on them.

Practice what you have learned and received, and heard and seen in Me, and model your way of living on it, and the God of peace – of untroubled, undisturbed well-being; will be with you.”


“If you really love Me, you will keep My word, and obey my teaching; and My Father will love you as well. Then, my Father and I will make Our home, Our abode, Our dwelling place with you.

Any one of you, who does not really love Me, will not observe or obey My teaching; and your peace will not be realized.

And the instruction which you hear and heed, is not Mine, but comes from the Father, My Father, who sent Me.

I tell you these things, while I am still with you.

And, the Comforter, the Counselor, the Helper, the Advocate, the Strengthener, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf, He will teach you all things. And He will cause you to recall, remind you of, and bring to your remembrance – everything I have told you.

Peace, I leave with you; my own Peace I now give and bequeath to you.

Not as the world gives, do I give to you.

So, do not let your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid – stop allowing yourself to be agitated and disturbed; and do not permit yourself to be fearful and intimidated, or act cowardly or unsettled.”

For, Peace, I leave with you; my Peace I give unto you.

Let us Pray;

God, we ask for Your peace, which surpasses all our understandings, we ask that You watch over our hearts and minds, as we grow in the knowledge and love of You, and of Your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. May You grant to us the blessings of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and may you dwell amongst us, and remain with us always, in True Peace. Amen.