Know Peace; No Peace
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Know Peace; No Peace
Know Peace; No Peace
Introduction:
We are living in difficult and turbulent times. From the uneasiness and unrest in the Ukraine, Russia, etc. to the unknowns in our country’s economical, political, and medical climate to the daily curveballs life throws at us such as a car breaking down, losing a loved one or losing a job, etc.
It’s so easy to get wrapped up in the news of who is doing what and the opinions of self-proclaimed experts of what should be done in various situations whether on the news or social media. Many individuals get their peace and happiness from what they are being told (putting their faith in others). Unfortunately, I believe, as Christians, we need to pay more attention to what Jesus is saying to us rather than self-proclaimed expert strangers.
Is our peace and joy coming from the opinions and reports from others or from our relationship with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ?
How do we know where we are getting our peace?
Maybe you’re like Lucy:
In one Peanuts cartoon Lucy says to Charlie Brown, “I hate everything. I hate everybody. I hate the whole wide world!”
Charlie says, “But I thought you had inner peace.”
Lucy replies, “I do have inner peace. But I still have outer obnoxiousness.”
You may be here today and totally relate to Lucy whether it’s inward peace and outward obnoxiousness or inward obnoxiousness and outward peace. Either way, that’s not true peace. True peace will be evident both inside and outside.
This morning I want to share what it looks like when we get our peace from Jesus and how we can make sure we are continuing to do so.
Body:
I. Where does our peace come from? Jesus!
Ephesians 2:14a (CSB)
14 For he is our peace, who made both groups one and tore down the dividing wall of hostility.
Paul is talking here in Ephesians 2 that Jesus Himself came and brought peace between Jews and Gentiles in the Body of Christ and restored the relationship with man to God. He made peace from two groups that highly disliked/hated the other and brought them together by His sacrifice on the cross. That sacrifice was made for you and me as well and gives us the opportunity to choose Jesus and have the opportunity to be reconciled to God and for Jesus to be our peace! Peace with what? Ourself, our past, others, God, etc. Having peace with God means we have given Him control of our life and we recognize that He has everything under control even when we don’t understand.
I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world.”
Our peace cannot come from any man, woman, or child. It can’t come from a political party or politician. It can’t come from your spouse or being a parent. It can’t come from your job or position. And it can’t come from your church or ministry you are involved in. Why? Because people will let you down! Jesus is the only One who will never leave you or forsake you!
Therefore, our peace can only come from Jesus Christ and from Him alone!
I’d like to tell you a story about Sarah Winchester:
Thousands of people each year visit the Winchester Mansion in San Jose, California. This massive structure was built by Sarah Winchester, the widow of the gun company owner. For thirty-eight years, from 1884 until her death in 1922, the house was under constant construction. Teams of carpenters, masons and other workers were employed around the clock. Various stories have been told about the reason for this unusual practice. Most center on Mrs. Winchester’s belief that she either was haunted or would be haunted by the ghosts of those killed by her husband’s weapons unless she kept building her house. Others claim that she thought she would not die as long as building continued.
Whatever the reason, she continued ordering more renovations and construction as long as she lived. There are more than 10,000 windows in the Winchester Mansion, doorways and stairs that lead to blank walls, and some 160 rooms in total. It is estimated that she spent more than $70,000,000 in today’s money on largely pointless construction—all in a desperate search for peace that was ultimately doomed to fail.
Many people today are seeking peace through equally fruitless means. They turn to pleasure, drugs, alcohol, immorality, wealth and other dead end avenues. Like the staircases that lead nowhere in the Winchester Mansion, pursuing such paths will never bring peace. Instead we find peace when we follow the path that God has given us in His Word. Those who keep the law of God in their hearts and obey it in their actions add peace to their lives. Rather than seeking peace as an end, we should seek to follow Christ. When we do we will find that peace comes as a side effect that we receive from Him.
No matter what you do or where you go or who you surround yourself with, you will not find peace from anyone or anything other than Jesus Christ Himself!
Have you accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior today? That is how to are able to make Jesus Christ your peace!
II. What does the peace of God do for us? It guards our heart and mind!
7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Heart = trust, hope, faith cf. distrust, hopelessness
Mind = reason, thoughts cf. worry, doubt
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not rely on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways know him,
and he will make your paths straight.
We are tempted to run to our default when difficult things happen rather than to Jesus even after asking Jesus to be our peace.
Where do you find your peace and safety?
On August 13, 2004, Hurricane Charley brought fierce destruction to areas of Florida. During the storm, 25-year-old Danny Williams went outside to seek protection under the branches of a 55-year old banyan tree. Friends and family said that the protective branches of the spreading tree had been a favorite peaceful place for the Fort Meyers man. But on that day, his place of safety became a death trap. The tree fell on Williams and killed him.
Sometimes, the places and situations we look to for protection can ultimately be the most harmful.
We need to change our attitude and mentality when we go through difficult and trying times.
Jail schedule/TC schedule = you can’t change your circumstance around you; but you can change the way you respond to your surroundings and change your perspective.
We often find ourselves in a lifestyle similar to being in a structured environment such as a program or jail. When certain times come or certain things happen, we revert to our default mentality. WE HAVE TO STOP DOING THIS!!
What does the Bible say about our minds?
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.
III. How do I keep living in the peace from God?
3 You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!
We can keep our focus on our circumstance/situation or we can keep our focus on Jesus.
Focusing on the circumstances cause us to worry, doubt or try to take matters in our own hands which results in making things worse.
Focusing on Jesus helps us to trust in Him and remember/think about His faithfulness and goodness.
Take every thought captive!
We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ.
Conclusion:
What are you facing today?
Where is your heart? trusting in...
Where is your mind? thinking on...
Where is your focus? on circumstance or Jesus?