The Fruit of the Spirit: Peace John 14:23-27 Galatians 5 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is ----, ---, -----, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Relationships are tricky They can be complicated They can be frustrating Even hostile
Co-workers Neighbors Friends Family Spouses
God wants us to be at peace with others The bible reminds us that it is most important to be at peace with God A relationship with God (peace with God)… Colors our worldview Guides our decisions Helps us to live better
John 14 23 Jesus replied, “If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. 24 He who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.
Those who chose to have a relationship with Christ… Obey When it seems we are alone We have God’s peace
25 “All this I have spoken while still with you 25 “All this I have spoken while still with you. 26 But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
In the world peace is here one moment – gone the next It often eludes us It is temporary
In Christ, peace does not mean there won’t be troubles and reasons to be afraid It is that we face those issues differently because the peace of God is within us
John 16 32 “But a time is coming, and has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home. You will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me. 33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
How do we overcome the world? By knowing and accepting Christ into our hearts This peace is not one that can be learned and managed through practice and skill It is a gift from God
Romans 5 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand...
3 Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.
10 For if, when we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! 11 Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.
Jesus made a way for us to have access to God He reconciled us He paid the price for our peace If we accept Christ and his gift, we receive that peace
Since Jesus reconciled us while we were his enemies… He has the right to ask the same of us We are to be seeking peace We are to be about peace
Romans 12 17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
This world is tough Complicated Not nice enough
When we are angry and warring… We have allowed the enemy to win When we are at peace… We win God wins When we are angry and warring… We have allowed the enemy to win We have lost
We are called to accept God’s gift of peace We are called to be about peace At peace with God At peace with each other As much as possible at peace with the world