Perfect PeacePerfect Peace

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Dual Nature of PeaceDual Nature of Peace

• Absence of conflict, Absence of conflict, 1 Cor. 14:331 Cor. 14:33

• Presence of tranquility, serenity and Presence of tranquility, serenity and contentment, contentment, Isa. 32:16-19Isa. 32:16-19– Hebrew (Hebrew (shalomshalom): “Everything that makes ): “Everything that makes

for a man’s highest good,” wholenessfor a man’s highest good,” wholeness

– Greek (Greek (eireneeirene): Harmonious relations ): Harmonious relations with men, nations & God, with men, nations & God, Heb. 12:14Heb. 12:14

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The Gospel of PeaceThe Gospel of PeaceRomans 10:15; Ephesians 6:15Romans 10:15; Ephesians 6:15

• Proclamation of salvation, Proclamation of salvation, Isa. 52:7Isa. 52:7

• Jesus is our peace, Jesus is our peace, Eph. 2:14; Isa. 9:6-7Eph. 2:14; Isa. 9:6-7– Gospel is His message of peace,Gospel is His message of peace, Acts 10: Acts 10:

36; Eph. 2:1736; Eph. 2:17– Yet, Christ & His gospel often produce Yet, Christ & His gospel often produce

conflict, conflict, Matt. 10:34-36Matt. 10:34-36– To reject the gospel is to reject peace!To reject the gospel is to reject peace!

Matt. 10:21-22 (Psa. 119:165)Matt. 10:21-22 (Psa. 119:165)

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Pursuing Peace in our Lives Pursuing Peace in our Lives 1 Peter 3:10-111 Peter 3:10-11

• Peace with God, Peace with God, Col. 1:19-22Col. 1:19-22– In Christ, In Christ, Jno. 16:33 (Gal. 3:27)Jno. 16:33 (Gal. 3:27)

– Blood of Christ reconciles (harmony Blood of Christ reconciles (harmony between sinners & God), between sinners & God), Rom. 6:3-4Rom. 6:3-4

– Our faith, Our faith, Isa. 26:3, 12; Rom. 5:1; 8:6-8Isa. 26:3, 12; Rom. 5:1; 8:6-8

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Pursuing Peace in our Lives Pursuing Peace in our Lives 1 Peter 3:10-111 Peter 3:10-11

• Peace with Brethren,Peace with Brethren, Jno. 14:27Jno. 14:27

–Nature of the kingdom, Nature of the kingdom, Isa. 2:4; Isa. 2:4; 11:6-9; Rom. 14:1711:6-9; Rom. 14:17

–When we call on the Lord with pure When we call on the Lord with pure hearts, hearts, 2 Tim. 2:222 Tim. 2:22

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Pursuing Peace in our Lives Pursuing Peace in our Lives 1 Peter 3:10-111 Peter 3:10-11

• Peace with All, Peace with All, Heb. 12:14; Rom. 12:18Heb. 12:14; Rom. 12:18– For our part, be at peace with allFor our part, be at peace with all

– Tempted to be like world, Tempted to be like world, Jas. 3:13-16Jas. 3:13-16• ““He wronged me…I’ll He wronged me…I’ll never make peace never make peace

with him!” with him!” Matt. 5:9Matt. 5:9• ““I’ll get even with him!” I’ll get even with him!” Matt. 5:38-42Matt. 5:38-42• ““He wronged me before; I’ll never trust him He wronged me before; I’ll never trust him

again!” again!” Eph. 4:31-32Eph. 4:31-32

– True wisdom makes peace,True wisdom makes peace, Jas. 3:17-18Jas. 3:17-18

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Preserving the Bond of PeacePreserving the Bond of Peace

• Right hearts & right basis, Right hearts & right basis, Eph. 4:1-6; Eph. 4:1-6; Col. 3:15Col. 3:15

• Humility, Humility, Mk. 9:33-37, 50Mk. 9:33-37, 50

• Proper view & use of our liberties, Proper view & use of our liberties, Rom. Rom. 14:17, 19 (1-5)14:17, 19 (1-5)– Strong in conscience do not despise weak, Strong in conscience do not despise weak, 14:3, 14:3,

14-23; 15:1-214-23; 15:1-2– Weak in conscience do not condemn strong,Weak in conscience do not condemn strong,

14:3, 10, 1314:3, 10, 13

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Perfect PeacePerfect Peace

• Object of our endeavors, Object of our endeavors, 1 Pet. 3:111 Pet. 3:11

• Be peacemakers, Be peacemakers, Matt. 5:9 (Gal. 3:26)Matt. 5:9 (Gal. 3:26)

• Diligently guard our unity by preserving Diligently guard our unity by preserving the bond of peace between us, the bond of peace between us, Eph. 4:3Eph. 4:3