PEACE

HEBREWS 12:14

“Pursue peace with all people.”

Solomon Mangeni, 18th September 2010

PEACE ILLUSTRATION

Two painters each painted a picture to illustrate their concept of peace:

I. The first chose his scene as a still serene lake among the far off mountains.

II.The second painted a thundering waterfall with a fragile birch tree bending over the foam; at the fork of a branch, almost wet with the cataract’s spray a robin sat on its nest.

JESUS’ EXPERIENCE

Mark 4:37-38

A fierce storm

Beating against the boat, almost full with water

Jesus is frantically woken ‘don’t you even care that we are going to drown?’

NOTE:In a trouble sea; Jesus was at ease – PeacefulV 39- On waking up, He stills the wind

PEACE WONDERFUL PEACE

The word Peace in the Old testament carried more of an external concept, Israel was at peace with the neighbouring tribes.. etc but in the NT, it carries more of an internal meaning, it is more of a heart issue

It is called a fruit of the Spirit,

Ask: What can I do about the presence or lack of a fruit?

PEACE IRONY

• How Ironic that we have to FIGHT for Peace.

Eleanor Roosevelt in a voice of America broadcast:

“It isn’t enough to talk about peace, one must believe in it, and it isn’t enough to believe in it, one must work at it.”

The Peace that Christ won for us also requires effort, hard work and constant self examination. (Bible study guide Q1 2010 pg. 30)

PEACE IRONY

The inventor of the first Nuclear bomb was asked if there was or could there be any antidote to this deadly weapon and he said, “Yes there is one; PEACE.”

Ques%ons

How powerful is peace?

How needful is peace?

How desired it?

How available?

At what cost?

SEEKING AFTER PEACE

Recent history reports the 20th century as having been the most murderous, with war taking responsibility for over 180million lives.

World leaders then thought and formed the league of nations, then United nations, all these to try and bring Peace – How successful?

Jeremiah 8:11(NLT) “ they offer superficial treatment for my people’s mortal wound. They offer promises of peace when all is war.”

ROOTS OF PEACENot only are people looking for international peace, we are in dire need for personal peace.

Personal peace is the root of real peace, world lasting peace – this is what God offers us.

Peace  series:

• Peace robbers I

• Peace Robbers II

• Pursuing Personal peace

• Agents of Peace

PEACE WITH GOD

Romans 5:1 Therefore having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our lord Jesus Christ.

Jesus has made it possible for us to be God’s children in fact friends – all hostilities ceased!

There is no better news than this to any sinner (of whom I am chief).

Better news than;

• A promotion

• a salary increase

• Better than a tax cut

PEACE? NO PROBLEM

Named bag.

Big Mistake:

One thing we mustn't do is to equate peace with a life without problems.

Rare is a person, even the most faithful Christian who goes through life without trials, pain and suffering, indeed some folk seem to have more than their share of suffering.

BUT: Peace, real peace has more to do with how we handle the situations than with the situations themselves.

REAL PEACE

Peace has to do with the deepest trust in a loving and caring God who knows what you are going through and has promised not to forsake you but carry you through, no matter what comes your way.

(Bible study guide Q1 2010 pg. 33)

DETERMINATION FOR PEACE?

Romans 12:18 “ If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men”

Sure/possible?

You mean even at home?

Strange as it may seem, the most difficult place for many of us to be Christians is at home, how tragic when Home should be the one place in the world where we all should have peace.

Even for world peace.. Pray [Jeremiah 29:7]

WAR AT HOME?

Vietnam story:

Two young men were in a battle during the days of the Vietnam war. Bullets were flying , bombs were exploding. All of these didn’t seem to bother one of the soldiers. When his friends asked how he could remain so calm, he replied that it reminded him of home!

WAR AT HOME?

May be at this point you might be thinking; preacher, you don’t know what you are talking about, at our home (just like the soldier’s), it seems like constant war. What can I do?

Romans 12:18 [NLT] “ Do your part to live in peace with everyone as much as possible.

I have my part to play

You have yours

Let each one do his/her part

NB.  If  wars  can  be  spread,  so  should  peace!

PEACE EVERYWHERE

Peace  starts  in  individual  hearts;

PSALM 131:2 says; ‘I have stilled and quieted my soul. [Read NLT]

'Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business...' (1Thessalonians 4:11 NIV).

'Be still, and know that I am God...' (Psalm 46:10 NIV).

'The fruit of righteousness will be peace; the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever' (Isaiah 32:17 NIV).

PEACE EVERYWHERE

Matthew 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers…. . . shall be called children of God.

Our father God loves peace, as his children must do likewise.

We talk of a lack of peace at work, at church, etc but of course with no peace in our hearts it is only natural not to have peace at home, work, church. We  cannot  give  what  we  don’t  have.

PEACEMAKERS WILL PLANT SEEDS OF PEACE AND REAP A HARVEST OF GOODNESS. James. 3:18

GOD’S PROMISES OF PEACE

Psalms 56:11 In God I’ve put my trust, I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?

Psalms 91:5 you shall not be afraid of the terror by night nor of the arrow that flies by day.

Psalms 112:7 Trust in God, cast out fear.

GOD’S PROMISES OF PEACE

When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your your sleep will be sweet. [Proverbs 3:24].

Isaiah 41:10 fear not for I am with you. Do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Peace Peace wonderful peace,

Coming down from the Father above,

Sweep over my spirit forever I pray,

In Fathomless billows I pray.

WARREN CORNELL

THANK YOU

May God Bless you