My Peace I Give Unto You Series

• Tragedy comes into every life. The details vary, but the experience does not. (adapted from a sermon by Bruce Allen)

9. That brings us to the difficult question of whether it’s even possible to have peace in the world we live in. Many people would say that it is not. It’s only as we examine the perspective of God’s word that we come to understand how that peace is not only possible, but should be normal in the life of the person who has the Spirit inside. Let’s read our text for this morning.

Cell #4--

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

Prayer---

Cell #5--

I. The Source of True Peace

1. To properly understand peace, we need to understand where true peace comes from. The source is quite unexpected for those who view God as nothing more than a crutch for those who aren’t strong enough to make it on their own.

2. Having said that, peace is described here as a fruit of the Spirit. In other words, peace ultimately comes from God not from us. The Hebrew concept of shalom is much more positive than merely the absence of conflict. It speaks of wholeness and well-being that includes our relationship with God and loving harmony with others. Paul spoke of both "peace with God," because we were justified by faith and "the peace of God," which goes beyond human understanding (Romans 5:1) (NAC)

3. In fact, in today’s world of stress, frequent misunderstanding and pain, you aren’t going to find the peace you need for today apart from God. The only place you and I will experience the true peace we long for is in God Himself. To put it another way. . .

Cell #6--

"In the world we live in, if peace depended upon us, there would be no peace."

4. If it’s not clear enough in Galatians 5 that the peace we long for comes from God, it is even more clear in the words of Jesus. Consider what Jesus said to His followers in John 14:27. Read along with me either on the screen or in your Bibles. Look at what Jesus said. . .

Cell #7--

"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." (John 14:27 NIV)

5. It doesn’t take too much study to see that peace was important to Jesus. However, upon closer examination the source of the peace Jesus was speaking about comes from God Himself. Let me show you what I mean by sharing two very significant observations about what Jesus says in this passage.

Cell #8--

Jesus described the peace He was talking about as, "My Peace."

(2nd part) He experienced this peace on this night before the crucifixion.

1) Look closely at what Jesus said. Notice how He described this peace that He wanted them to experience. (Cell 8 #1), Jesus described the peace He referred to here as "My Peace." If you look closely you will see that it was not only His peace, but He specifically said that He was giving it to them. The peace in question here is supernatural & it’s available to those who are followers of Christ.