SERMON OUTLINE:
(1). The source of peace is God. (3a)
(2). The discipline of peace is a steadfast mind (vs 3b)
(3). The secret of peace is a heart filled with trust (vs 3c-4)
SERMON BODY:
Reading: Isaiah chapter 26 verses 3-4
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law”.
• The opposite of love is hate.
• The opposite of joy is sorrow
• The opposite of peace is worry, anxiety, fretfulness, concern.
Ill:
• A very worried, anxious, fretful looking Native American Indian walks into a bank;
• He looked at the bank manager and said;
• “Grass gone, well dry, sheep dead”
• The bank manager took him into the back room & the Indian opened up his security box;
• It contained a number of gold nuggets.
• The Indian the replied:
• “Grass green, well full, sheep happy”
• Now the man’s circumstances had not changed;
• But now he realised he had the resources to overcome his circumstances.
• That knowledge removed his worry, anxiety, fretfulness and concern.
• Quote: The Scottish preacher George Morrison defined peace as:
• “The possession of adequate resources”.
Ill:
• In other words if there is enough money in your bank account;
• You don’t worry when the postman delivers bills.
Now earthly resources are important:
• That is why we go to work to earn enough money to buy these assets;
• But in themselves earthly resources are never enough;
• They may make for a comfortable lifestyle;
• But they cannot bring into our lives that quality of peace that we are need in our lives.
• And of course they were never meant to!
• That is why the Bible calls us foolish when we look to earthly resources;
• For satisfaction, for quality of life and as a means of attaining peace;
• God himself is the source of our peace!
• And apart from him we will never experience true peace of heart and mind.
BACKGROUND TO CHAPTER 26:
• In Isaiah chapters thirteen to twenty-seven;
• We have a number of prophetic messages from the Lord;
• The messages are for a variety of nations, but primarily the nation of Babylon;
• Who will rise up to crush Judah and destroy Jerusalem.
• Isaiah first warns all these nations individually;
• That God is over them and will take away their glory because of their sins.
• Having delivered his messages to these particular nations,
• Isaiah then, beginning with chapter twenty-four,
• Looks to the much more distant future.
• He looks to the destruction and judgement of the whole world.
• But these chapters are not all gloom and doom;
• In Isaiah chapter 26 we are breaking into a ‘song of praise’ to God:
• The theme of the song is ‘Trust’.
• And the song can be summarised in four visual word pictures:
• Picture 1: A strong city (vs 1-6).
• Picture 2: A level path (vs 7-11).
• Picture 3: A woman in painful or excessive labour of birth (vs 12-18).
• Picture 4: A life-giving dew on the ground (vs 19-21).
• We are going to pick up on that first picture ‘a strong city’:
• And gain some insights regarding knowing God’s peace in our lives.
VERSES 1-6: A STRONG CITY.
• Isaiah is making a contrast in this song (chapter 25);
• And the previous song (chapter 25)
• In the previous song (chapter 25) Israel’s enemy Moab has been destroyed;
• Now in contrast in his song (chapter 26);
• The city of God is ‘strong’ (vs 1) and ‘lofty’ (vs 5)
• When this passage of scripture was penned;
• Isaiah and his contemporises mainly lived in an agricultural world of towns and villages;
• And the large cities were places of power and wealth.
• In times of war people fled to these walled cities for protection.
• Verse 2 reminds us that the ‘righteous’ may run through ‘open gates’ into the city;
• To find safety and protection from the enemy.
Isaiah lifts up his eyes and through the lens of prophecy looks to the future:
• In verse 1 he uses the expression ‘in that day”.
• Elsewhere in the Bible it is called “the Day of the Lord”.
• We do not know exactly when that day is,
• We do know it is an unspecified period of time in the future.
• The prophet Isaiah is encouraging these people with the knowledge that;
• One day God will set up his Kingdom;
• His enemies will be defeated and the New Jerusalem will be impregnable.
• Isaiah paints for the people a picture of hope and a time of peace;
Ill:
• I like that story about the boy and his father;
• Who were planning to go on a dad & son fishing trip for the next day.
• That evening as the father was putting his son to bed,
• The boy hugged his father and said, "Daddy, thank you for tomorrow."
Isaiah prophecies that for the righteous (God’s people):
• Their enemies will be defeated.
• And they will experience future hope and a time of peace;
Note: Isaiah chapter 26 verse 3:
• We read about ‘perfect peace’.
• In the Hebrew it is just one word repeated: “shalom shalom”,
• Hebrew, repetition communicates intensity.
Quote: F.B. Meyer:
"Understand, dear soul, that it is thy privilege to live inside the double doors of God's loving care. He says to thee, 'Peace, peace.' If one assurance is not enough, He will follow it with a second and a third."
Note: For us to experience the peace mentioned in verses 4-5:
“3 You will keep in perfect peace
those whose minds are steadfast,
because they trust in you.
4 Trust in the LORD for ever,
for the LORD, the LORD himself, is the Rock eternal.”
• For us to experience the peace mentioned in verses 4-5:
• We need to note three things:
(1). The source of peace is God. (3a)
• “YOU will keep in perfect peace”.
• God himself is the source of peace.
Ill:
• The world in which we live offers a range of medications and treatments;
• For those who are troubled;
• ill: Put the words ‘experiencing peace’ into Amazon;
• You will find hundreds and hundreds of books giving you advice.
• And while some of these may provide a temporary fix from anxiety & fear;
• And they may or may not give some good advice;
• They do not bring lasting peace that Bible is talking about.
One of the many titles of God in the Bible is the “God of peace”
• i.e. Judges chapter 6 verse 24;
• “So Gideon built an altar to the LORD there and called it The LORD is Peace”
• i.e. The benediction in the book of Hebrews (chapter 13 verse 20);
• “May the God of peace”.
Question: What does the Bible mean by that word ‘Peace’?
Answer:
• THE OLD TESTAMENT word for peace is the Hebrew word "Shalom";
• It is understood around the world to mean "peace."
• It is a word used to both greet people and to bid them farewell,
• But it means much more than "hello or goodbye" or even “peace”
• Hebrew words go beyond their spoken pronunciation.
• Each Hebrew word conveys feeling, intent and emotion.
• Shalom is more than just simply peace;
• It is a complete peace.
Ill:
• According to Strong's Concordance the word ‘Shalom’ means:
• ‘Completeness, wholeness, health, peace, welfare, safety soundness, tranquillity,
• Prosperity, perfectness, fullness, rest, harmony, the absence of agitation or discord.’
Ill:
• THE NEW TESTAMENT has a number of words that are translated for ‘peace’;
• The word I want to focus on is called “Eirene”.
• ill: If you know anyone called ‘Irene’,
• Then this is where their name comes from – it means ‘a woman of peace’.
Now together those two words ‘Shalom’ & ‘Eirene’ translated as peace:
• Do not imply inactivity or passiveness.
• i.e. sitting by the beach and enjoying a cool drink and hearing the waves gently roll by.
• That may be a peaceful situation but it is not the meaning of these biblical words.
The words in the Bible translated into English as ‘peace’ actually mean:
• God working out his will in order to bring calmness & stillness, order & structure,
• In all he does he brings peace that is calmness & stillness, order & structure.
Some examples:
(a).
• Peace in the bible is associated with being one with God;
• Before we were converted we were enemies, at war with God but now….
• i.e. Romans chapter 5 verse 1:
• “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith,
• We have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
• God has brought calmness & stillness, order & structure to our relationship with himself.
(b).
• Peace in the bible is associated with being one with each other;
• i.e. Colossians chapter 3 verse 15:
• “For as members of one body you are all called to live in peace”
• Peace in the bible is about being united, being one, being complete,
• He has made Jew & Gentile, free & slave, rich & poor and made us one.
• He has brought calmness & stillness, order & structure into our relationships.
(c).
• Peace in the bible exists even when there is conflict and problems going on around.
• ‘Eirene’ and ‘shalom’ have this state of tranquillity despite problems.
• i.e. Philippians chapter 4 verse 6-7:
• “His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus”
Ill:
• Frances Havergal lived in the mid-19th century.
• She was a talented Christian who wrote many well-loved hymns,
• Such as “Take My Life, and Let It Be Consecrated Lord to Thee”
• Her relatively short life was filled with many difficult challenges.
• When she was eleven, her mother died.
• Soon after her mother’s death her father remarried.
• And Frances’s stepmother came between her and her father, causing deep hurt to the girl.
• As a young adult, Frances became chronically ill.
• Even to get up from her bed was painful.
• Yet she continued to live actively, especially in her song writing ministry.
• During one of her periods of illness, she composed these words:
“Like a river glorious, Is God’s perfect peace,
Over all victorious, In its bright increase;
Perfect, yet it floweth, Fuller ev’ry day;
Perfect, yet it groweth, Deeper all the way.
Stayed upon Jehovah, hearts are fully blessed;
Finding, as he promised, Perfect peace and rest.”
• Perfect peace in the midst of severe physical pain, that’s beyond our comprehension.
• It’s a gift from God.
Note: The source of peace is God!
(a).
• i.e. Seven times in the New Testament the word “peace” is listed as an attribute of God;
• (Rom.15:33, 16:20; 1 Cor.14:33, 2 Cor.13:11, Phil.4:9, 1 Thes.5:23, Heb.13:20),
(b).
• i.e. Three times in the New Testament;
• Peace is a primary component of the Gospel message;
• (Rom.10:15, Eph.6:15, Ac.10:36).
(c).
• In fact every New Testament book except 1st John;
• Exhorts Christians to the attainment of and instruction to grow in peace.
• i.e. 1 Peter chapter 3 verse 11:
• “He must turn from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it.”
(d).
• And many New Testament books contain a salutation (a greeting used in a letter);
• Invoking a blessing of “Peace”.
• i.e. Galatians chapter 1 verse 3:
• “Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ”.
(e).
• And the Old Testament contains many assurances of abundant peace;
• To those who love and worship the LORD.
• i.e. Psalm 29 verse 11:
• “The LORD gives strength to his people; the LORD blesses his people with peace”.
(2). The discipline of peace is a steadfast mind (vs 3b)
• N.I.V.: “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast”
• Living Bible: “Whose thoughts are fixed on you!”
• Amplified Bible: “Whose mind [both its inclination and its character] is stayed on You”.
Ill:
• Author George Bernard Shaw went to visit the sculptor Sir Jacob Epstein;
• The artist showed the writer around his studio,
• George Bernard Shaw noticed a huge block of stone in the corner of the room;
• And asked Epstein what his intention was for the granite.
• Epstein replied:
• “I don’t know yet. I’m still making plans.”
• Shaw responded.
• “You mean you plan your work? Why I change my mind several times a day!”
• The sculptor then said:
• “That’s all very well with a four-ounce manuscript, but not with a four-ton block.”
Transition:
• Before putting the chisel to the stone,
• Epstein wanted to be certain of his purpose and direction.
• What did he want to achieve with the stone?
• What singular direction would he go?
There is a similar principle that ought to guide the Christian.
• What is the direction of his mind?
• On what does he place his affections?
• What (and whom) does he desire to please?
Ill:
Philippians chapter 4 verses 5-8:
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
• Notice that having talked about overcoming worry;
• Having talked about knowing God’s peace standing guard over our hearts and minds;
• Paul goes on to say if you want to keep that peace;
• You must be disciplined with your mind, so in verse 8 he says:
8 Finally, brothers and sisters, 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”
• Who and what we allow to influence our hearts and minds;
• Will often determine the measure of peace we will experience.
Ill:
• The word translated into English as “steadfast”:
• Means “to support” or “to lean” to place one’s weight on another.
• Which means that the individual’s mind is supported by another.
• He is made firm, made strong by another.
• The directions and purposes of a Christians life;
• Are kept and shaped and moulded by God Himself.
• So to be “steadfast of mind”;
• Means more than just being careful with our thoughts (though it also includes that).
• “Steadfast” points toward a commitment of the will,
• To focus on God and his ways.
(3). The secret of peace is a heart filled with trust (vs 3c-4)
“You will keep in perfect peace
those whose minds are steadfast,
because they trust in you.
4 Trust in the LORD for ever,
for the LORD, the LORD himself, is the Rock eternal.”
• Trusting and leaning goes hand in hand.
• i.e. Proverbs chapter 3 verses 5-6.
• “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding;
• in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths”
Ill:
• A Church Pastor received a call from another church;
• They offered him a salary four times what he was receiving.
• They offered him a company car, and the use of a house complete with swimming pool.
• Oh…….and the Church was based in the Bahamas!
• When one of his Church leaders heard that he had received such an offer;
• He straight away popped round to speak to the pastor
• He knocked on the door of the Pastors house and the Pastors son opened it;
• “Is your dad in”, asked the Church leader.
• The son replied, “Yes, but he is in the study praying for guidance!”
• “Well, is your mum in”, asked the Church leader.
• The son replied,
• “Yes, but she is upstairs, packing the suitcases!”
When it comes to life:
• Do not merely rely on human understanding!
• We are not to turn first to our own limited point of view,
• Our own ideas or way of thinking,
• But rather we are to seek out God's wisdom and lean on him!
Ill:
Philippians chapter 4 verses 5-8:
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, brothers and sisters, 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”
• Having talked about overcoming worry;
• Having talked about knowing God’s peace standing guard over our hearts and minds;
• Having talked about the need to focus and what is godlike.
• Paul goes on to say the secret of knowing that peace;
• Is to trust in God – to put our information in to application.
So in verse 9 he says:
9 “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.”
Ill:
• Matthew chapter 6 contains the story of the wise and foolish builders;
• The ONLY difference between the two builders is;
• One applied truth and the other just knew it!
Notice the description of God in verse 4 to those who trust in him:
• He is a “Rock eternal”.
• “An everlasting Rock”
Ill:
• In contrast to God we constantly lose control over life’s situations;
• We are constantly tossed backward and forward by life’s circumstances;
• And therefore we so often lose our peace.
• In the life of the Christian God is the only constant,
• All else is subject to change.
• God alone is perfect and never-changing.
• Therefore if we trust, if we lean on him;
• We keep our peace whatever formidable obstacle we might face.
Ill:
• On Wednesday we drove past Stonehenge.
• Stonehenge is a prehistoric monument located in the English county of Wiltshire,
• It is one of the most famous sites in the world,
• Stonehenge is composed of a circular setting of large standing stones set within earthworks
• Archaeologists believe the stone monument;
• Was constructed anywhere from 3000 BC to 2000 BC,
• Making them about 4 to 5,000 years old.
• These enormous rocks have lasted and stood the test of time;
• Because of their content – they are solid rock.
God is our eternal rock, our everlasting rock:
• Only he remains constant in an ever changing world;
• Those whose minds and hearts are set on him will know his peace in their lives.
• Or as Frances Havergal put it:
“Every joy or trial falleth from above,
Traced upon our dial by the Sun of Love;
We may trust Him fully all for us to do.
They who trust Him wholly find Him wholly true.”
• He is a foundation to build our life on;
• And a rock in which we can hide.
Ill:
• "Rock of Ages" is a popular Christian hymn by Reverend Augustus Montague Toplady;
• Written in 1763 and first published in The Gospel Magazine in 1775.
• Tradition says the hymn was written when Augustus Toplady;
• Was walking in the gorge of Burrington Combe in the Mendip Hills in England.
• Toplady, a preacher in the nearby village of Blagdon,
• Was travelling along the gorge when he was caught in a storm.
• Finding shelter in the cleft of the rock,
• He is said to have scribbled down the initial lyrics on a playing card.
• God is a foundation to build our life on;
• And a rock in which we can hide and shelter;
• And know his peace despite the storms of life!
