1. Perfect Peace

2. 2 Dual Nature of Peace Absence of conflict, 1 Cor. 14:33Absence of conflict, 1 Cor. 14:33 Presence of tranquility, serenity and contentment, Isa. 32:16-19Presence of tranquility, serenity and contentment, Isa. 32:16-19 –Hebrew (shalom): “Everything that makes for a man’s highest good,” wholeness –Greek (eirene): Harmonious relations with men, nations & God, Heb. 12:14

3. 3 The Gospel of Peace Romans 10:15; Ephesians 6:15 Proclamation of salvation, Isa. 52:7Proclamation of salvation, Isa. 52:7 Jesus is our peace, Eph. 2:14; Isa. 9:6-7Jesus is our peace, Eph. 2:14; Isa. 9:6-7 –Gospel is His message of peace, Acts 10: 36; Eph. 2:17 –Yet, Christ & His gospel often produce conflict, Matt. 10:34-36 –To reject the gospel is to reject peace! Matt. 10:21-22 (Psa. 119:165)

4. 4 Pursuing Peace in our Lives 1 Peter 3:10-11 Peace with God, Col. 1:19-22Peace with God, Col. 1:19-22 –In Christ, Jno. 16:33 (Gal. 3:27) –Blood of Christ reconciles (harmony between sinners & God), Rom. 6:3-4 –Our faith, Isa. 26:3, 12; Rom. 5:1; 8:6-8

5. 5 Pursuing Peace in our Lives 1 Peter 3:10-11 Peace with Brethren, Jno. 14:27Peace with Brethren, Jno. 14:27 –Nature of the kingdom, Isa. 2:4; 11:6-9; Rom. 14:17 –When we call on the Lord with pure hearts, 2 Tim. 2:22

6. 6 Pursuing Peace in our Lives 1 Peter 3:10-11 Peace with All, Heb. 12:14; Rom. 12:18Peace with All, Heb. 12:14; Rom. 12:18 –For our part, be at peace with all –Tempted to be like world, Jas. 3:13-16 “He wronged me…I’ll never make peace with him!” Matt. 5:9“He wronged me…I’ll never make peace with him!” Matt. 5:9 “I’ll get even with him!” Matt. 5:38-42“I’ll get even with him!” Matt. 5:38-42 “He wronged me before; I’ll never trust him again!” Eph. 4:31-32“He wronged me before; I’ll never trust him again!” Eph. 4:31-32 –True wisdom makes peace, Jas. 3:17-18

7. 7 Preserving the Bond of Peace Right hearts & right basis, Eph. 4:1-6; Col. 3:15Right hearts & right basis, Eph. 4:1-6; Col. 3:15 Humility, Mk. 9:33-37, 50Humility, Mk. 9:33-37, 50 Proper view & use of our liberties, Rom. 14:17, 19 (1-5)Proper view & use of our liberties, Rom. 14:17, 19 (1-5) –Strong in conscience do not despise weak, 14:3, 14-23; 15:1-2 –Weak in conscience do not condemn strong, 14:3, 10, 13

8. 8 Perfect Peace Object of our endeavors, 1 Pet. 3:11Object of our endeavors, 1 Pet. 3:11 Be peacemakers, Matt. 5:9 (Gal. 3:26)Be peacemakers, Matt. 5:9 (Gal. 3:26) Diligently guard our unity by preserving the bond of peace between us, Eph. 4:3Diligently guard our unity by preserving the bond of peace between us, Eph. 4:3