PEACE: FALSE AND TRUE
“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you: not as the world gives do I give you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” John 14: 27
I. THE PEACE THAT THE WORLD GIVES IS TEMPORARY!
The false peace that self-righteousness gives. Example: the Pharisee.
“Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God I thank You that I am not like other men---extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or ever as this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.” Luke 18: 10-12.
The false peace that worldly wealth gives. Example: the rich farmer.
“Then He spoke a parable to them, saying: ’The ground of a certain rich man yielded plentifully. And he thought within himself saying, ’What shall I do, since I have no room to store my crops?’ So he said, ’I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build greater, and there I will store all my crops and my goods. And I will say to my soul, ‘Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease: eat, drink, and be merry.’ But God said to him, ’Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?" Luke 12:16-20.
The false peace that worldly praise gives. Example: King Herod.
“So on a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat on the throne and gave an oration to them. And the people kept shouting, ‘The voice of a god and not of a man!’ Then immediately an angel of the Lord struck him, because he did not give glory to God. And he was eaten by worms and died.” Acts 12:21-23.
II. THE PEACE THAT GOD GIVES IS ETERNAL!
True peace is found in a Person: the Lord Jesus Christ!
“For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation between us.” Ephesians 2:14.
True peace an enduring gift that can only come from God..
"Peace I leave with you, My Peace I give to you: not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” John 14:27. Notice, the peace that Christ gives is continual, "Peace I leave with you." Not given and later taken away but left with us.
True peace is strengthened by fellowship with Christ.
“Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews. Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them ‘Peace be with you.’ When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then disciples were glad when they saw the Lord.” John 20: 19-10.
III. HOW TO KEEP TRUE PEACE CONSTANT
The secret to continuing peace is keep our eyes on the Lord, obey His teachings, and walk in His will for our lives.
“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee, because he trust in Thee,” Isaiah 26:3.
“The Lord will give strength to His people” The Lord will bless His people with peace.” Psalm 29:11.
“And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which you were also called in one body, and be thankful.” Colossians 3:15.
