Sermon Central
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Perfect Peace For An Imperfect World
Contributed by Craig Benner on Dec 9, 2009 (message contributor)
Summary: Don’t look for peace in things, it is part of the fruit of the Spirit. First find Him, the author of peace and then let this fruit grow in your life.
Perfect Peace
Text---Eph. 2:11-22
Isa. 9:6
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:
Eph. 2:14a
For he is our peace......
Rivalry is not a new issue. Since Lucifer and his attempt to take Gods’ place in the heavens; even Adam and Eve and Cain and Abel, all wrestled with the control issue.
The only real answer to all of this problem is to accept Christ as the PEACE of your life.
In the last 400 years of history, there has only been 30 years of tranquility (times without any major wars happening).
I. The Peace of God es the Answer to all the Battles that exist.
Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
He wants to give us peace. He has already sent Peace, through His Son, but many still refuse to accept Him.
The peace according to the world, depends upon circumstances.
The peace of God is unalterable.
II. The Peace of God is a Sign of our Reconciliation
God has never been an enemy of man, but He has always been an enemy of sin.
Unfortunately, many have a mental picture of God as a powerful being who only wants to punish.
When we do not have peace, it is not Gods’ fault. The truth is that we have drifted and left our peace behind.
Israel left God to serve idols and lost their peace.
The enemy knows our weaknesses and tries to get us to seek vengence when we have been done wrong. To salvage the peace in our hearts, we must resist this temptation
Prov. 25:21,21 tells us to show kindness even in those times.
Romanos 12:17-21 says not pay evil for evil.
Matthew 5:44 states that we should pray for those who persecute us.
III. The Peace of God and its Results
Remember that Peace is part of the fruit of the Spirit.
It only grows on the tree that is called the cross. You must deny yourself, crucify yourself, for this fruit to mature and increase in your life.
The cross was bitter for Christ, but became ever so sweet for us.
Phil. 4:7--source of keeping power
And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Isa. 53:5--His wounds bought our peace
But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
Isa. 26:3--You can be kept in perfect peace
Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.
-the key is to keep your thoughts in check and always full of Him.
