Peeled - 3

Peace

We are examining the Fruit of the Spirit and discovering characteristics of a life changed by Christ.

Here’s what we know about fruit, fruit is never grown overnight, it must be cultivated.

Picture your life like a piece of fruit. When you are peeled is the fruit sweet or sour?

We are peeling back the layers of the Fruit of the Spirit.

Many say “fruits,” however there are not 9 “fruits” of the Spirit, the Fruit of the Spirit has 9 characteristics, 9 layers if you will.

One Fruit with 9 attributes.

These Fruit taken together make up the character of Christ.

Some people try to pick and choose their way through the Fruit of the Spirit. Many pray and ask God to “give” them the fruit of the Spirit. Gifts are given. Fruit is cultivated.

Galatians 5:22-23 NLT But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!

The Fruit of the Spirit is a description of the character qualities found in Christ.

So far we have examined Love and Joy.

It has been said that love is not simply the first Fruit of the Spirit, instead love is the Fruit of the Spirit. Each element in Paul’s list is founded in love.

This week let’s examine Peace.

When Love and Joy are evident in our lives, they produce peace.

The Joy of the Lord enables us to experience Peace with God and the Peace of God.

1. Peace With God.

Romans 5:1-2 NLT Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. ² Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.

When we accept Jesus Christ into our lives, we are at peace with God.

Peace with God is only possible because of what Jesus Christ did on the cross.

Without Christ’s sacrifice on the cross we make ourselves an enemy of God. It’s our choice!

James 4:4 You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.

Romans 5:6-11 NLT When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. ⁷ Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. ⁸ But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. ⁹ And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God’s condemnation. ¹⁰ For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son. ¹¹ So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God.

Peace with God identifies that we are no longer enemies of God. But we now live under His favor.

Romans 5:1-2 NLT Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. ² Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.

Peace with God is not a feeling. It is a fact.

Ephesians 2:13-14 NIV But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ. ¹⁴ For he himself is our peace…

We have Peace With God through the Lord Jesus Christ.

Romans 5:1 NLT Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us.

Isaiah 53:5 NIV But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.

Matthew 5:9 NIV “Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called sons of God.”

The peace that Jesus spoke about is a mixture of hope, trust, and quietness in our mind and soul, all of which are brought about by being made right with God. Salvation Peace!

Peace [GREEK] 1515 eirene  i-ray’-nay = binding together what has been separated. Eirene literally pictures the joining together of things that have been broken, making them whole again.

Eirene can also convey the sense of inner rest, well-being and harmony. The ultimate peace is being reconciled with God. Having peace with God. That’s Salvation Peace.

Colossians 1:19-20 NCV God was pleased for all of himself to live in Christ. ²⁰ And through Christ, God has brought all things back to himself again—things on earth and things in heaven. God made peace through the blood of Christ’s death on the cross.

1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 NIV May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. ²⁴ The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it.

2. Peace of God.

The Peace of God is experienced by believer’s who have put their trust and hope in God.

Romans 5:3-5 NLT We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. ⁴ And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. ⁵ And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.

Matthew 5:9 NIV “Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called sons of God.”

“Peacemaking” is bringing the peace of God that we have experienced into the lives of people we meet.

What is the Peace of God?

Unlike Peace with God, which is constant and solely based on our relationship with Christ, the Peace of God ebbs and flows in our lives.

Philippians 4:6-7 NLT Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. ⁷ Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

We are commanded not to worry instead we are to pray.

We are not to pray “worry” prayers. We are to pray, telling God what we need and thanking Him for all He has done.

When we focus our prayers of being thankful, we are reminded of all God has done in the past.

Notice we entered this season of prayer with worry, but we come out with peace!

When we are reminded of what He has done, faith and hope are birthed, as we trust Him to meet the needs we now have.

When we are able to trust God completely, we are able to experience God’s peace.

Philippians 4:7 NLT Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

Without faith in Christ, it is impossible to experience the peace of God.

The peace of God is directly linked to our rejoicing in God.

Philippians 4:4-8 NLT Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! ⁵ Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon.

⁶ Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. ⁷ Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

⁸ And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.

The more we rejoice, pray, trust, give thanks the more we experience the peace of God.

When we worry and fret, get stressed or become ungrateful, we experience less of the peace of God. Not because He has removed his peace, but simply because we changed our focus!

We worry and stress over many things, and yet time and time again throughout Scripture we see God promising His peace.

We have peace with God, which is secure through Christ Jesus, and since we have peace with God we are able to enjoy the peace of God.

Having the peace of God doesn’t mean we never have any difficulties, the peace of God reveals that you live in the presence of God and fully understand His ability to meet all your needs.

The Peace of God is clinging to God’s provisions that are more than enough. His provisions are made available to us when we surrender our hearts and mind to Him.

The Peace of God is living without worry concerning our physical needs. The Peace of God comes into our lives when we go to Him and confidently commit all we have into His faithful hands.

3. The Promise of Peace.

At Christmas we all love to hear the angelic message of peace on earth: Luke 2:13-14 NIV Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, ¹⁴ “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

But the message of peace on earth is a message that needs to be proclaimed year round.

Daily we hear reports of tragedies in our world. We face personal problems and trials and we long for peace on earth.

Isaiah 9:6 NIV For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Just knowing the Christ is the Prince of Peace does not guarantee that peace will become a part of our lives. We must be connected to Him.

We must have peace with God to live in the peace of God.

Believe in Jesus as Lord, walk in faith and obedience to His Word, let the peace of Christ rule in your heart.

Colossians 3:15 NIV Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.

The peace of God is to act with decisive force in the conflict of impulses or feelings that arise in our lives.

Philippians 4:7 NLT Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

The promise is that we will experience God’s peace.

It’s His peace, not our peace!

John 14:27 NIV 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.

He promises to keep us in His peace.

Isaiah 26:3-4 NIV You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. ⁴ Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord himself, is the Rock eternal.

Notice there are two conditions to remaining in God’s perfect peace:

1. Keep your mind steadfast. This means fixing our thoughts on God.

Have you ever realized the power of your thoughts?

Many are stressed out simply because they have been allowing their minds to focus on the wrong things.

Wrong thinking leads to wrong feelings, which leads to wrong living.

Philippians 4:8 NLT And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.

2. Trust in God.

When we trust in God, we experience His peace.

His peace will protect us, will be with us, and will keep us.

Philippians 4:7 NLT Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

“will guard” – comes from the Greek word meaning to be a watcher in advance, to post a guard – it is a military term meaning to protect a camp or a castle.

As we trust in God, His peace surrounds us like a fortress.

We live in His presence and walk surrounded by His peace.

Psalm 29:11 NIV The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace.

2 Thessalonians 3:16 NLT Now may the Lord of peace himself give you his peace at all times and in every situation. The Lord be with you all.

Paul’s challenge for us to is always be full of Joy in the Lord.

The Joy of the Lord enables us to experience the Peace of God which exceeds anything we can understand.

Romans 15:13 NIV May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Today may you be filled with joy and peace as you experience the Joy of the Lord.

Are you looking for Peace?

You will never find Peace on your own.

Peace only comes through the blood Jesus shed on the cross.

Peace will only be found in the Prince of Peace, our soon coming King, Jesus Christ.

How can we have such peace?

When our hope is in Jesus, He brings peace to our lives.

Hope is giving God glory because of His promise in spite of my current circumstances.

Hope is having confidence that God is in control of everything in my life and God is in control of everything that happens to me.

When God is in control, I am able to live surround by His peace.

Closing: It Is Well With My Soul

In 1871, Horatio Spafford lived in the Lakeview suburb of Chicago with his wife and 4 daughters.

He was a prominent lawyer, a wealthy businessman, a devout Christian and a loving family man.

Horatio Spafford had invested heavily in the real estate market.

October 8, 1871 he lost everything in the Great Chicago fire.

After the fire people were wandering around the city homeless and hungry.

Horatio and Anna Spafford began doing all they could to minister to the needs of the people of their city, sacrificially helping the families in distress.

This endeavor was no short-term ministry, after 2-years the Spafford family was totally exhausted from their work, so they planned to go to Europe for a vacation and rest.

At the last minute, business kept Horatio in town, but he took his wife Anna and their 4 girls to the ship, S.S. Villa du Havre. They boarded and left harbor. Horatio expected to follow his family in a few days.

Late one night during the voyage, another ship rammed into their ship and their ship sank in 12 minutes.

Only 47 people were rescued. 226 lost their lives.

Anna was pulled from the water unconscious. She had been found floating on a piece of debris, but the 4 Spafford girls all perished in the shipwreck.

Anna sent a telegram to Horatio. Here is the telegram: “Saved Alone.”

Anna had remarked to another passenger that God had given her 4 daughters and He had taken them away and that perhaps some day she would understand why.

Horatio boarded the next ship for Europe, he was on his way to being his wife home.

The ships path on which he was traveling crossed the very point where his daughters had been lost.

The captain called Horatio to his cabin and informed him of their location.

Horatio, deeply moved, found a piece of paper from the hotel in which he stayed before the voyage and he jotted down the words to one of the most famous hymns, “It Is Well With My Soul.”

It Is Well with My Soul 

by Horatio Spafford

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,

When sorrows like sea billows roll;

Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,

It is well, it is well with my soul.

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,

Let this blest assurance control,

That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,

And hath shed his own blood for my soul.

My sin, oh the bliss of this glorious thought:

My sin not in part, but the whole

Is nailed to the cross and I bear it no more,

Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

And, Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,

The clouds be rolled back as a scroll,

The trump shall resound and the Lord shall descend,

“Even so,” it is well with my soul.