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Scripture Reading:  Isaiah 26:1-9

Perfect Peace

Intro.

1.  Jer. 6:13-15 – Peace is often misunderstood, which can cause a false sense of security.

2.  6:15 – Because Judah was not at peace with God (sin), did not have genuine peace at all!

  a.  Peace with God must exist for peace among God’s people to be approved & flourish!

  b.  When one is not at peace with God, peace with God’s people is adversely affected.

3.  If we misunderstand peace we are more likely to mistake a counterfeit peace for the real thing!

I.  DEFINING PEACE.

  A.  Dual Nature of Peace (difference between “cease fire” & peace).

    1.  Absence of conflict – 1 Cor. 14:33.

    2.  Presence of tranquility, serenity, contentment – Isa. 32:16-19.

      a.  Product of righteousness:  Quiet­ness, confidence, & safety.

        1)  Hebrews (shalom):  “Everything that makes for a man’s highest good,” wholeness; “completeness, soundness, welfare, peace.”

        2)  Greeks (eirene):  Harmonious relationships (with men, nations, & God) – Heb. 12:14.

      b.  God’s people are securely at peace in midst of conflict– 32:18-19.

  B.  The Gospel’s Relationship to Peace.

    1.  Jesus is our peace – Eph. 2:14 (Isa. 9:6-7).

      a.  The gospel is a message of peace - Acts 10:36; Eph. 2:17.

      b.  Yet, Christ & His gospel often brings conflict!  Matt. 10:34-36

        1)  Those unprepared for the conflict the gospel brings are likely to misinterpret that conflict & accuse Christians of not being “peace-lovers” because they “contend earnestly for the faith.”

        2)  Fact:  Those who reject truth are rejecting peace!  Matt. 10:21-22 (cf. Lk. 12:52-53); Psa. 119:165

II.    PURSUING PEACE IN OUR LIVES.

  A.  Must Pursue Peace With God – Col. 1:19-22.

    1.  Peace with God is obtained “in” Jesus – Jno. 16:33 (Gal. 3:27).

    2.  Blood of Christ brings reconciliation (harmony & peace between sinners & God) - (Rom. 6:3-4; Acts 22:16).

    3.  Our faith is necessary – cf. Isa. 26:3, 12; Rom. 5:1; 8:6-8.

    4.  When one is alienated from God (by his sins) he cannot expect to have a peaceful relationship (unity/fellowship) with God’s people! – Eph. 5:11 (2 Ths. 3:6, 14-15)

  B.  Must Pursue Peace with Brethren – Jno. 14:27.

    1.  The condition of Christ’s kingdom – Isa. 2:4; 6-9; Rom. 14:17.

    2.  Peace is possible among those who are calling on the Lord with a pure heart – 2 Tim. 2:22.

  C.  Must Pursue Peace with Everyone – Heb. 12:14; Rom. 12:18.

    1.  Christians are in conflict with the world’s values, goals, etc.

    2.  Yet, we are to strive for peace with men whenever possible.

    3.  But we are tempted to think like the world (Jas. 3:13-16):

      a.  “I’ll never make peace with him; he wronged me!” – Matt. 5:9

      b.  “I’ll get even with him!” – Matt. 5:38-42

      c.  “He wronged me once, I’ll never trust him again!”–Eph. 4:31-32.

    4.  True wisdom makes peace – Jas. 3:17-18.

III. THE BOND OF PEACE AMONG BRETHREN (Maintaining peace among us) – Matt. 5:9.

  A.  Peace is Preserved by having Right Hearts & Basis – Eph. 4:1-6.

    1.  Hearts:  Hearts ruled by the peace of God – Col. 3:15 (decide, direct, control, cf. Phil. 4:6-7).

    2.  Truth:  Peace at the expense of truth is not Bible peace! – 4:3-6

      a.  Forfeit peace with God when we abandon truth.

      b.  Peace cannot rule where truth does not abide – Col. 3:15-16.

    3.  Walk by the same rule (truth) with good hearts & there is peace.

  B.  Peace is Preserved by Humility – Mk. 9:33-37.

    1.  Disputes are caused by pride, selfishness, lack of faith, etc. 

    2.  Humility needed to keep peace.

      a.  9:36-37 – Our peace toward brethren is toward Christ & Father.

      b.  9:50 – Maintain our influence of righteousness by maintaining peace (through humble service, not arrogant demands!)

  C.  By Properly Viewing & Using Our Liberties – Rom. 14:19.

    1.  Stop disputing over things indifferent to God (14:1-5).

    2.  Strong in conscience:  Don’t despise the weak & use liberty in a way that presses him to violate his conscience – 14:14-23; 15:1-2.

    3.  Weak in conscience:  Don’t condemn strong & disrupt peace (14:1, 10, 13).

Conclusion

1.  Peace must be the object of our endeavors, the prey that we crave (seek) & pursue – 1 Pet. 3:11.

2.  Be a peacemaker by making peace with God – Matt. 5:9 (son of God, Gal. 3:26-27).

3.  Diligently guard the bond of peace between us (Eph. 4:3).