“The Peace Maker”
John 14:23-31
John 14:23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. 24 He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me. 25 These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you. 26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. 27 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. 28 Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I. 29 And now I have told you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye might believe. 30 Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me. 31 But that the world may know that I love the Father; and as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do. Arise, let us go hence.
Introduction: For most people peace is a much sought after but seldom attained prize.
HUNGRY FOR PEACE
Much, if not most, of the social turmoil of our culture is due to a hunger for peace, which is sought for in all the wrong places. According to Ronald Hutchcraft, the Director of Youth for Christ in New York and New Jersey, in the next thirty minutes-
57 kids will run away from home. 29 children will attempt suicide. 22 girls under 19 years of age will receive an abortion. 14 teenage girls will give birth to an illegitimate baby. 685 teens will use some form of narcotic.
These tragic statistics reveal that we are a nation in perpetual war.
SOURCE: Glenn Pease in THE FRUIT OF PEACE http://www.intohisword.net/pauline/galatians13.shtml
Peace is.... “a conception distinctly peculiar to Christianity, the 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” (Thayer).When Jesus came into this old sin-cursed world He came to bring peace. The Father sent Him:
Luke 1:79 To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.
The peace that Jesus offers is not the absence of conflict for He tells us in John 16:33 “…that in the world ye shall have tribulation…” He doesn’t remove the conflict but calms his child in the conflict. He doesn’t remove the storm, He settles his child down in the storm. Jesus said that the His peace is different from that which the world has to offer:
REAL PEACE
My therapist told me the way to achieve true inner peace is to finish what I start. So far today, I have finished 2 bags of chips and a chocolate cake. I feel better already.
SOURCE: http://www.cybersalt.org/cleanlaugh
Two Ladies on a Train
Years ago a man found himself on a train between two ladies. And Unfortunately for him the two ladies were arguing constantly about whether the window should be open or shut. The lady farthest from the window argued that she would die of heat stroke if it wasn’t opened.
The other said she would certainly catch pneumonia if it didn’t stay closed. When the ticket taker arrived the ladies begged to him to come up with a solution. But unfortunately he didn’t have a solution. Finally the man spoke up. "First open the window. That will kill the one. Then close it. That will kill the other. Then we will have peace."
I. The Prerequisite for Peace
a. The criteria of our love for God
There can be no peace without a relationship with God. We may look for peace in many other ways and people do but you cannot have peace, the peace that Jesus speaks of here in our text, without loving God. Jesus is the “way” of peace.
Romans 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
b. The confirmation of our love for God
Genuine love for God is evidenced by obeying the Word of God. Jesus declares that a man who truly loves God, “…will keep my words…”
John 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
Acts 10:36 The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:)
c. The consequence of our love for God
We learn from the text that the Trinity is essential to our peace. We have all three persons mentioned in Jesus teaching about peace. He speaks in the first person about the Father and the Comforter (the Holy Spirit). Something wonderful and miraculous occurs when we love God and obey His Word. Notice that Jesus promises the abiding presence of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit to those who love God and keep His word.
II. The Person of Peace
None of us have seen Jesus in the flesh, heard Him speak or felt His healing touch but we can still have the peace of God for one reason. Jesus said that when He left this old world that the Father would send “another comforter” which literally means “a comforter just like Jesus.” That’s what Jesus says in verse 26:
a. The great Savior
Someone wrote: "Peace, perfect peace, in this dark world of sin? The blood of Jesus whispers peace within."
Ephesians 2:14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;
John 16:5 But now I go my way to him that sent me; and none of you asketh me, Whither goest thou? 6 But because I have said these things unto you, sorrow hath filled your heart. 7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
b. The gracious Sovereign
Four times in the NT the Father is referred to as Hebrews 13:20 Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,
Jesus declares that the Father would send the Holy Ghost (Holy Spirit) is His name in verse 26. This is the promise of the Father mentioned by Luke at the end of his gospel and also at the beginning of the book of Acts. Have you ever wondered how Jesus could keep his promise “to never to leave us or forsake us?” those we believe on His name? Here he plainly states that He is leaving them. If this a contradiction? The answer is no, is not contradictory because Jesus knows that His heavenly Father is sending “another comforter” to them that would be with them always.
c. The guiding Spirit
This indwelling presence is the third person of the godhead and is God in every way. He possesses all the character and attributes of God. He has many names in the scriptures but they all belong to the Holy Spirit. What will He do when he comes to abide in us? In verse 26 we read, “he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. In chapter 16:13 we learn more, “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.”
III. The Possession of Peace
a. Peace from Our Past
“It’s not what’s happening today that drags a man down. It’s remorse over what happened yesterday, and dread of tomorrow.” - man to bartender on Perry Mason episode. Have you had difficulty getting past your past?
“Make peace with your past so it won’t destroy your present.” ~ Paulo Coelho
“You can clutch the past so tightly to your chest that it leaves your arms too full to embrace the present.” ~Jan Glidewell
b. Peace in the Present
The present is so precious although we seldom realize it at the time. Every moment spent in worry or fear is a moment wasted when we could have peace, a peace that God says:
Phil 4:7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Someone wrote: "Peace with God brings the peace of God. It is a peace that settles our nerves, fills our mind, floods our spirit and, in the midst of the uproar around us, gives us the assurance that everything is all right."
I have a preacher friend in Dothan, Alabama named Larry Sowell. Larry has had what I would call a tragic life. He and His wife had a handicapped son who passed away very young. Sometime later Larry was told that he had cancer. It was in his bones in his left arm. So far he has had his arm removed up to his collarbone. A couple of years ago the doctors told him that the cancer was back and that more surgery was needed to remove more of his shoulder. In all the time I have known Larry he has never failed to have a smile on his face. He works at a local hospital and when he has time during the day he is constantly visiting patients to pray and offer encouragement. Larry has the peace of God which passes understanding. What he has he didn’t get from the world. There is only one source for this kind of peace. Jesus.
c. Peace for the Prospects
The world that we live is filled with trouble and tribulation and I don’t have any idea what is up ahead but I know that the God that I serve will continue to give me peace no matter what happens. Even better than that is the assurance that one of these days all of those who know Jesus will live in a place where there is perfect peace, a place called heaven.
Conclusion: The Greek word, "eirene", means "to bind" or "union". The conotation is that where there is a tie that binds, there is peace. In English, "peace," implies an agreement. Such as a "Peace Treaty." Peace is the result of enemies coming to an agreement. The Hebrew word, shalom, implies friendship, rest, security. Simply stated without God there is no peace but with God we know peace.
Far away in the depths of my spirit tonight
Rolls a melody sweeter than psalm;
In celestial-like strains it unceasingly falls
O’er my soul like an infinite calm.
Refrain:
Peace, peace, wonderful peace,
Coming down from the Father above!
Sweep over my spirit forever, I pray
In fathomless billows of love!
What a treasure I have in this wonderful peace,
Buried deep in the heart of my soul,
So secure that no power can mine it away,
While the years of eternity roll!
I am resting tonight in this wonderful peace,
Resting sweetly in Jesus’ control;
For I’m kept from all danger by night and by day,
And His glory is flooding my soul!
And I think when I rise to that city of peace,
Where the Author of peace I shall see,
That one strain of the song which the ransomed will sing
In that heavenly kingdom will be:
Ah soul, are you here without comfort and rest,
Marching down the rough pathway of time?
Make Jesus your friend ere the shadows grow dark;
Oh, accept this sweet peace so sublime!
