Peeled 5 - Kindness

Week 5 of our Series Peeled.
This week Pastor Jason Mayo shares on the Fruit of Kindness.

Intro

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

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

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

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

e.     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.

f.      These Fruit taken together make up the character of Christ.

g.     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!

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

We tell our kids to be kind!

i.      Do they even know what that means?

j.      Do we show them or tell them what it means?

k.     Do we know how to explain it in a way that our kids understand and that we remember as adults to always live with kindness?

What is Kindness?

l.       A kind deed: favor; the quality or state of being kind.

m.    Doing things for others 1. Because it’s the right thing, 2. Without expecting anything in return.

n.     Greek: chrēstotēs – involves sincere and active consideration for others. It includes not wanting to hurt anyone or cause anyone pain.

o.     Of the 17 times the word is used in the new testament, eight times it describes the character of God, whose kindness leads us to repentance, who out of His incomparable riches and kindness gave us salvation in Christ. Ephesians 1:7

p.    In English the word kind comes from the root word “kin” which originally meant to treat others as though they were kin.

q.     I think that really puts into perspective Matthew 22:39 where Jesus says the 2^nd greatest commandment is to love your neighbor as you love yourself.

r.      It also puts into perspective:

Ephesians 4:32 Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.

God’s Kindness

s.     Throughout the Bible God is described as having kindness.

Psalm 145:17 The Lord is righteous in everything he does; he is filled with kindness.

Romans 2:4 Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?

t.      We see that God is full of Kindness and his kindness is obviously intended to encourage, uplift and save us.

u.     He also wants us to have the same kindness towards others.

Christian.

v.     The word Christian means to be Christ Like.

w.   If this is the case, we know that Jesus, who is the Christ, is also God, so we are to be like God as well.

x.     If this is true, we also need to not only have, but show the same Kindness that God has shown to us.

Titus 3:3-5 3 Once we, too, were foolish and disobedient. We were misled and became slaves to many lusts and pleasures. Our lives were full of evil and envy, and we hated each other. 4 But—When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, 5 he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit.

y.    An unkind person is hostile and punitive or indifferent.

z.     They reduce life to a set of rules and if you keep the rules everything will be just fine but if you don't obey the rules I don't have to have mercy upon you.

aa.   Kindness does not reduce life to a set of rules.

bb.  Kindness shows compassion even to those who break the rules.

Actions Speak Louder Than Words!

cc.   When we say we are Christ like, we should also be doing our best to show His characteristics in our life.

1 Corinthians 13:4 Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud

dd.  In Paul’s description of love, he gets 4 words into his description and tells us love is Kind.

ee.   In other words, love treats others as if they were kin.

ff.    When we love others, it should also be flooded with joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control.

gg.   In every characteristic we should have from God, the Holy Spirit should always be cultivating the fruit of the spirit in our lives.

hh.  Each layer of the fruit of the spirit can be traced back to what I believe is one of the greatest character traits, His LOVE for us!

The Challenge.

ii.     When we claim to be and call ourselves Christians we cannot pick and choose which part of the fruit we want to have cultivated, we must allow the Holy Spirit to cultivate each part in our lives.

2 Timothy 2:24 A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people.

jj.     Sometimes, He is able to cultivate some parts easier than others because we all have our strengths and weaknesses.

kk.  When we allow the Holy Spirit to cultivate the Fruit of The Spirit in our lives, we begin to reflect Christ in more areas of our lives than we realize.

Philemon 1:7 Your love has given me much joy and comfort, my brother, for your kindness has often refreshed the hearts of God’s people.

ll.     If we took out ‘your’ at the beginning of that scripture and put your name in, would the scripture remain true as we read it?

mm.                 As difficult as it is, we have to get to a point in our lives that each and every time we face anything, we must stop and think before we respond or react so that the Kindness the Holy Spirit is cultivating in our life is never dimmed or hidden and we always reflect the heart of God.

Proverbs 3:3 Never let loyalty and kindness leave you! Tie them around your neck as a reminder. Write them deep within your heart.

2 Corinthians 6:6 We prove ourselves by our purity, our understanding, our patience, our kindness, by the Holy Spirit within us, and by our sincere love.

 

Peeled 4 - Patience

Patience

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, Joy and Peace.

This week let’s examine Patience.

1. Patience is the Character of God. 

What is patience?

·      More than something we need while driving!

·      More than the ability to tolerate frustrating people!

Think about this, when we belittle people, we are actually exposing our pride. We call others names because in our minds we are better than them, or more intelligent, or have more common sense.

But in reality Pride has caused us to consider ourselves better than someone else. So it’s not patience we need, it’s forgiveness for our Pride.

Webster’s: Patience is bearing pain or trials without complaint: showing self-control: calm: steadfast, persevering

Internet: Patience is the capacity to accept or tolerate delay, trouble, or suffering without getting angry or upset.

In the NT there are two words translated patience.

[Greek] Makrothumia (3115) mak-roth-oo-mee’-ah

longsuffering, patience

Longsuffering describes the character of God.

Exodus 34:5-6 NLT Then the LORD came down in a cloud and stood there with him; and he called out his own name, Yahweh. ⁶ The LORD passed in front of Moses, calling out, “Yahweh! The LORD! The God of compassion and mercy! I am slow to anger and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness.”

When we allow the Holy Spirit to produce patience (longsuffering) in our lives, we are developing the quality of self-restraint when we are provoked. The more we allow patience to be cultivated in our lives, the more we become like the character of God.

Romans 2:1-4 NLT You may think you can condemn such people, but you are just as bad, and you have no excuse! When you say they are wicked and should be punished, you are condemning yourself, for you who judge others do these very same things. ² And we know that God, in his justice, will punish anyone who does such things. ³ Since you judge others for doing these things, why do you think you can avoid God’s judgment when you do the same things? ⁴ Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?

2 Peter 3:9 NLT The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.

Patience is who God is, it’s His character.

2. Patience cannot be developed without adversity.

[Greek] Hupomonē (5281) hoop-om-on-ay

endurance, constancy; - enduring, patience, patient, continuance

Vine’s – literally an abiding under – it is patience that grows only in trial.

James 1:2-5 NIV Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, ³ because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. ⁴ Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. ⁵ If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.

Perseverance is the Greek word Hupomonē, it’s the ability to abide under pressure.

As you study scripture’s about patience you begin to understand that patience is forbearance under suffering and endurance in the face of adversity.

Patience is the ability to keep on keeping on.

The ability to be consistent when times are good, when you are suffering, when you are being tested, when people are getting on your last nerve, no matter what outside circumstances you find yourself facing, you are constant. You are patient.

The Fruit of Patience is never grown overnight, it is cultivated.

Patience is often developed in our lives in the midst of difficulties.

Want to see if you are Patient? Notice how you respond in difficult times. Trials and tests help find a person. How you react under pressure is the real you.

As we go through trials and difficulties in life, we may not realize it but trusting in God during these times allows patience to be cultivated in our lives.

So many times we run when we face difficulties. Or we decide this church is not for us, or we become offended, bitter, jealous or even filled with hate.

What we fail to realize is that perhaps God allowed us to go through this difficulty to develop patience in our life. When we run away, or get upset, we miss a chance to build the character of God in our lives.

We grow in the tough times, not the easy times. If we run from the difficult times we will seriously hinder our growth.

The Fruit of Patience is never grown overnight, it is cultivated.

Patience is cultivated in our lives in the midst of difficulties.

3. The Reward of Patience.

The Chinese Bamboo Tree
In the Far East the Asian people plant a tree known as the Chinese Bamboo. During the first four years they water and fertilize the plant despite seeing little or no results. Then during the fifth year, they again water and fertilize the tree - and in five weeks' time the tree grows ninety feet! The obvious question to ask is: Did the Chinese bamboo tree grow ninety feet in five weeks, or did it grow ninety feet in five years? The answer is: It grew ninety feet in five years.

You see if at any time during those five years the people would have stopped watering and fertilizing the tree, it would have died. Many times our dreams and plans appear as if they are going nowhere, and we are tempted to give up and quit trying. But on the contrary, we must keep watering and fertilizing those dreams and plans God's placed inside us. Because we know that if we do not quit, if we show perseverance and endurance, we will also reap a harvest.

James 5:7-11 NIV Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. ⁸ You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. ⁹ Don’t grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!

¹⁰ Brothers and sisters, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. ¹¹ As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.

Our motivation for patience is harvest time.

The Lord is coming to reap a harvest.

Romans 8:18-25 NLT Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later. ¹⁹ For all creation is waiting eagerly for that future day when God will reveal who his children really are. ²⁰ Against its will, all creation was subjected to God’s curse. But with eager hope, ²¹ the creation looks forward to the day when it will join God’s children in glorious freedom from death and decay. ²² For we know that all creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. ²³ And we believers also groan, even though we have the Holy Spirit within us as a foretaste of future glory, for we long for our bodies to be released from sin and suffering. We, too, wait with eager hope for the day when God will give us our full rights as his adopted children, including the new bodies he has promised us. ²⁴ We were given this hope when we were saved. (If we already have something, we don’t need to hope for it. ²⁵ But if we look forward to something we don’t yet have, we must wait patiently and confidently.)

Hebrews 10:36 NLT Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised.

James 1:12 NLT God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

Revelation 2:7 NIV To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.

Revelation 2:11 NIV The one who is victorious will not be hurt at all by the second death.

Revelation 2:17 NIV To the one who is victorious, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give that person a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to the one who receives it.

Revelation 2:26 NIV To the one who is victorious and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations—

Revelation 3:5 NIV The one who is victorious will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out the name of that person from the book of life, but will acknowledge that name before my Father and his angels.

Revelation 3:12 NIV The one who is victorious I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will they leave it. I will write on them the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on them my new name.

Revelation 3:21 NIV To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne.

Revelation 21:6-7 NIV He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life. ⁷ Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children.

2 Peter 1:3-9 NLT By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. ⁴ And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires.

⁵ In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God’s promises. Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, ⁶ and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness, ⁷ and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone.

⁸ The more you grow like this, the more productive and useful you will be in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁹ But those who fail to develop in this way are shortsighted or blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their old sins.

Illustration: Andrew Jackson

The story is told that Andrew Jackson’s boyhood friends just couldn’t understand how he became a famous general and then President of the United States. They knew of other men who had greater talent but who never succeeded. One of Jackson’s friends said, “Why, Jim Brown, who lived right down the pike from Jackson, was not only smarter but he could throw Andy three times out of four in a wrestling match. But look where Andy is now.” Another friend responded, “How did there happen to be a fourth time? Didn’t they usually say three times and out?” “Sure, they were supposed to, but not Andy. He would never admit he was beat—he would never stay ‘throwed.’ Jim Brown would get tired, and on the fourth try Andrew Jackson would throw him and be the winner.”

Picking up on that idea, someone has said, “The thing that counts is not how many times you are ‘throwed,’ but whether you are willing to stay ‘throwed.’” We may face setbacks, but we must take courage and go forward in faith. Then, through the Holy Spirit’s power we can be the eventual victor over sin and the world. The battle is the Lord’s, so there is no excuse for us to stay “throwed”! 

adapted from Our Daily Bread

Galatians 6:9 NIV Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

James 5:7-11 MSG Meanwhile, friends, wait patiently for the Master’s Arrival. You see farmers do this all the time, waiting for their valuable crops to mature, patiently letting the rain do its slow but sure work. ⁸ Be patient like that. Stay steady and strong. The Master could arrive at any time.

⁹ Friends, don’t complain about each other. A far greater complaint could be lodged against you, you know. The Judge is standing just around the corner.

¹⁰ Take the old prophets as your mentors. They put up with anything, went through everything, and never once quit, all the time honoring God. ¹¹ What a gift life is to those who stay the course! You’ve heard, of course, of Job’s staying power, and you know how God brought it all together for him at the end. That’s because God cares, cares right down to the last detail.

The story of a Moth

There was once a young boy in the first grade that had to do an insect collection project. The young boy was very excited when he found his first moth, still in its cocoon. The young boy broke off the stick that the cocoon hung from, put it in a jar, and brought it to school. Day after day the little boy would stop to look at the cocoon time and time again throughout his day. But it was taking too many days, too much time for the moth to make its way out of the cocoon. The young boy had become so attached to this moth that it was very difficult for him to watch the moth struggle to make its way out of the cocoon.

Finally, the young boy could handle the pain no longer. So, one day at recess, while everyone else was out of the room, the young boy took some scissors and snipped a little bit of the cocoon to make it easier on the moth. Later that afternoon, the young boy became very excited because the moth had made quite a bit of progress getting out of the cocoon. Soon the moth would be free.

Again, the next day, while everyone was out at recess, the boy once more took a pair of scissors and snipped a piece of the cocoon off. After all, he was just trying to help the moth out. Not long after that, the moth was completely free of the cocoon. The boy waited in anticipation for the moth to begin to fly around the jar but the moth wasn’t flying. As the boy moved in for a closer look, he noticed that the moth looked funny. His wings were kind of wet, and he looked awkward. But the boy wasn’t too worried. He thought, “pretty soon that moth will get strong and begin to fly.” After all, his moth was the first one in the whole class to come out of its cocoon. The other kids didn’t know the secret this young boy did. If you snip the cocoon, your moth will be free sooner.

As the other kids opened their jars, their moths flew high into the sky with brightly colored, strong wings. But as the little boy opened his jar, his moth didn’t fly… it couldn’t. For you see, the struggle that the moth goes through to become free of the cocoon is the very thing that makes their wings strong enough for flight. And although it was very hard to watch this process, it was this struggle that made the moth strong.

Sometimes a loving heavenly Father looks down and says, “I see your pain and struggles.” And you say, “God why don’t you stop this? Get me out of this jar! It’s not fair!”

And sometimes it’s a loving heavenly Father who would give anything to snip the cocoon and get you out of the process. But you asked Him to make you like Jesus. To make you strong; to give you enough spiritual stamina to fly above stuff. And so, if He makes it easy for you every time, you will never learn that. Never.

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.