1. Ephesians 2:14-18 (NKJV) 14 For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, 15 having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making

2. Ephesians 2:14-18 (NKJV) peace, 16 and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity. 17 And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near. 18 For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.

4. Abundance of Peace Ephesians 2:14-18

5. Abundance of Peace Our study this morning is one that is geared towards this 2014 theme We have been studying the abundant spiritual blessings of God These are things that we may not think of often, but are certainly blessings nonetheless

6. Abundance of Peace Have you ever had someone ask you what you would wish for if you had only one wish? Many say that their one wish would be world peace It seems to be an important thing for most everyone

7. Abundance of Peace We need to understand that peace begins with God God is the author of peace (I Cor. 14:33) “The Lord will bless His people with peace” (Ps. 29:11) The world cannot offer peace

8. Abundance of Peace God offers peace to His children through justification (Rom. 5:1) Ephesians 2:14-18 Gospel is the gospel of peace (Rom. 10:15; Eph. 6:15) Let’s consider some things about the blessing of peace…

9. Abundance of Peace 1. The peace of God is different Jesus acknowledged that the peace that God offers is different from that of the world John 14:27 – “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.”

10. Abundance of Peace 1. The peace of God is different The world looks for peace in the form of temporary pleasure Drugs, alcohol, sex, money, and fame are all the world’s version of peace Anyone who has dealt with those things and stopped will tell you they are not the solution

11. Abundance of Peace 1. The peace of God is different When the doctor tells you that you have terminal cancer, there is no peace that the world can offer When you lose a loved one in this life, there is no peace from the world When you find yourself in financial ruin, can the world give you peace?

12. Abundance of Peace 1. The peace of God is different The world offers a false peace, a false comfort, a false hope (Ps. 28:3) The peace of God is different, it is real, it is eternal, it is a peace which “surpasses all understanding” (Phil. 4:7) It’s a peace that only God can give and the world cannot match it

13. Abundance of Peace 2. The peace of God is for His children We must understand that this peace that God offers is something that only His children know John 16:33 – “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace” Romans 5:1 – “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ”

14. Abundance of Peace 2. The peace of God is for His children Psalm 29:11 – “The Lord will bless His people with peace” Isaiah 48:22 – “‘There is no peace,’ says the Lord, ‘for the wicked’” Peace is one of the spiritual blessings found in Christ and a fruit of the Spirit(Eph. 1:3; Gal. 5:22)

15. Abundance of Peace 3. The peace of God resides in our hearts It is our hearts and minds that the peace of God affects in this life Colossians 3:15 – “And let the peace of God rule in your hearts…” Philippians 4:7 – “and the peace of God…will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus”

16. Abundance of Peace 3. The peace of God resides in our hearts Isaiah 26:3 – “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You” Do you know why we view our childhood as such a great time of life? Romans 8:6 – “For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace”

17. Abundance of Peace 4. We are to share His peace We have a responsibility to carry out this message of peace in the world today We do that obviously through teaching the peace that God offers through Jesus Christ Remember it is called the “gospel of peace” (Rom. 10:15; Eph. 6:15)

18. Abundance of Peace 4. We are to share His peace Jesus said “Blessed are the peacemakers…” (Matt. 5:9) Paul encouraged us to “pursue the things which make for peace” (Rom. 14:19) Peace is a fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22)

19. Abundance of Peace 4. We are to share His peace We are taught to strive for peace within the body of Christ (Eph. 4:3; II Tim. 2:22) God hates “one who sows discord among brethren” (Prov. 6:19) We should also seek peace with all men (Rom. 12:18; Heb. 12:14)