Scripture Reading: Hebrews 12:12-17
Pursue Peace (#1)
Intro.
1. Misunderstood peace leads to a false sense of security, Jer. 6:13-15.
2. Because Judah was not at peace with God (sin) she did not have genuine peace at all, 6:15.
a. Peace with God must exist for genuine peace among God’s people.
b. Peace with God’s people is hindered when not at peace with God.
3. If we misunderstand peace we will most likely mistake a counterfeit peace for the real thing.
I. DEFINING PEACE.
A. Dual Nature of Peace (difference between cease fire and 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, and 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, and God), Heb. 12:14.
b. God’s people are securely at peace in midst of conflict, 32:18-19.
II. PURSUING PEACE IN OUR LIVES.
A. Must Pursue Peace With God, Col. 1:19-22.
1. Peace with God is obtained “in” Jesus, John 16:33 (Gal. 3:27).
2. Blood of Christ brings reconciliation (harmony and peace between sinners and God) (Rom. 6:3-4; Acts 22:16).
3. Our faith is necessary, cf. Isa. 26:3, 12; Rom. 5:1; 8:6-8.
B. Must Pursue Peace with Brethren, John 14:27.
1. Nature of Christ’s kingdom, Isa. 2:4; 11:6-9; 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 (James 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 like God does, James 3:17-18.
By: Joe R. Price
Posted June 24, 2021
_______
Power Point Show MP3 audio
Scripture Reading: Isaiah 11:6-10
Pursue Peace (#2)
Intro.
1. In Part 1 we learned that peace has two components, the absence of conflict and the presence of tranquility.
2. Christians pursue peace with God, with brethren, and with everyone.
3. Part 2 explores the “bond of peace” we share in Christ (Eph. 4:3).
I. THE BOND OF PEACE AMONG BRETHREN (Keeping peace among us), Matt. 5:9.
A. Peace is Preserved by Good Hearts that Follow Truth, 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 and there is peace.
B. Peace is Preserved by Humility, Mark 9:33-37.
1. Pride, selfishness, lack of faith, carnality cause disputes, 1 Cor. 3:3-4.
2. Humility is essential to keeping peace.
a. Peace toward brethren is toward Christ and Father, 9:36-37.
b. Maintain our influence of righteousness by maintaining peace (through humble service, not arrogant demands), 9:50.
C. Peace is Preserved by the Proper Use of Our Liberties, Rom. 14:19.
1. Stop disputing over things that are indifferent to God (14:1-5).
2. Strong in conscience: Don’t despise the weak in conscience and use your liberty in a way that presses him to violate his conscience, 14:14-23; 15:1-2.
3. Weak in conscience: Don’t condemn the strong in conscience and disrupt peace, 14:1, 10, 13.
Conclusion
1. Peace must be the object of our endeavors, the prey that we crave (seek) and pursue, 1 Pet. 3:11.
2. Be a peacemaker by making peace with God, Matt. 5:9 (child of God, Gal. 3:26-27) and by diligently guarding the bond of peace between us (Eph. 4:3).
By: Joe R. Price
Posted July 8, 2021