Enjoying God’s Peace on Earth | Bible Study | Mike Prah
We can easily become discouraged when we see so little peace around the world. The conflicts, chaos, confusion, and corruption of the world are a threat to peace. But Christ is the author of peace, the only way to peace, and the only One who can give us peace.
The Bible reminds us:
“Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew 6:34 (NIV)
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” John 16:33 (NIV)
BARRIERS TO PEACE
Sin creates a barrier between mankind and God. Sin entices us with the promise of peace, only to punish us with troubles. The following scriptures highlight some of the enticements that sin provides to lead us away from God and into our false version of peace, which only leads to worry, fear, frustration, and stress.
FALSE GODS OR IDOLS
“I will establish your borders from the Red Sea to the Mediterranean Sea and from the Sinai Desert to the Euphrates River. I will put the people living in the land under your control, and you will force them out of your way. Never make a treaty with them and their gods. Never let them live in your land, or they will make you sin against me and trap you into serving their gods.” Exodus 23:31-33 (GW)
MATERIALISM OR RICHES
“Certainly, the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. Some people who have set their hearts on getting rich have wandered away from the Christian faith and have caused themselves a lot of grief. But you … must avoid these things. Pursue what God approves of: a godly life, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness.” 1 Timothy 6:10-11 (GW)
MAKING A DECISION WITHOUT GETTING WISE COUNSEL
God: “I gave them this command: Obey me, and I will be your God and you will be my people. Walk in obedience to all I command you, that it may go well with you. But they did not listen or pay attention; instead, they followed the stubborn inclinations of their evil hearts. They went backward and not forward.” Jeremiah 7:23-24 (NIV)
GREED
“People who long to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction.” 1 Timothy 6:9 (NLT)
It is possible to be at peace with God and not enjoy the peace of God. We can enjoy the peace of God by rejecting the barriers to peace and embracing the Prince of Peace
ENJOYING GOD'S PEACE ON EARTH
1. WE CAN ENJOY PEACE ON EARTH BECAUSE JESUS IS THE AUTHOR OF PEACE
“God is not a God of disorder but a God of peace.” I Corinthians 14:33 (GW)
“Now may the God of peace—who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great Shepherd of the sheep, and ratified an eternal covenant with his blood—may He equip you with all you need for doing His will. May He produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, every good thing that is pleasing to Him. All glory to Him forever and ever! Amen.” Hebrews 13:20-21 (NLT)
“Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” Philippians 4:9 (NIV)
“Now may the God of peace make you holy in every way, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again” 1 Thessalonians 5:23 (NL)
“Now may the Lord of peace himself give you his peace at all times and in every situation. The Lord be with you all.” 2 Thessalonians 3:16 (NLT)
“You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in You, all whose thoughts are fixed on You!” Isaiah 26:3 (NLT)
2. WE CAN ENJOY PEACE ON EARTH BECAUSE JESUS IS THE ONLY WAY TO PEACE WITH GOD
“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” Romans 5:1 (NIV)
Justified means “made right with God.”
“There is no peace for the wicked,” says the Lord.” Isaiah 48:22 (NLT)
“She [Mary] will give birth to a son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus, because He will save his people from their sins” Matthew 1;21 (NIV)
“Once you were separated from God. The evil things you did showed your hostile attitude. 22 But now Christ has brought you back to God by dying in his physical body. He did this so that you could come into God’s presence without sin, fault, or blame.” Colossians 1:21-22 (GW)
3. WE CAN ENJOY PEACE ON EARTH BECAUSE JESUS IS THE ONLY ONE WHO CAN GIVE US THE PEACE OF GOD
A. We Experience God's Peace Through A Relationship with Jesus Christ
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. Of the greatness of His government and peace there will be no end.” Isaiah 9:6-7 (NIV)
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What two things will never end according to Isaiah 9:6-7?
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According to the following verses, how do we experience the God’s peace?
“God was also pleased to bring everything on earth and in heaven back to himself through Christ. He did this by making peace through Christ’s blood sacrificed on the cross.” Colossians 1:20 (GW)
Jesus: “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.” John 14:27 (NIV)
“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. 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.” Philippians 4:6-7 (NLT)
“When I lie down, I go to sleep in peace; for You alone, O Lord, keep me perfectly safe.” Psalm 4:8 (GN)
“Let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful” Colossians 3:15 (NLT).
B. We Experience God's Peace As A Result of Our Willing Engagement With The Holy Spirit
"7 In fact, it is best for you that I go away, because if I don’t, the Advocate won’t come. If I do go away, then I will send him to you.13 When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth ... 15 The Spirit will tell you whatever He receives from me. 33 I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth, you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” John 16:7, 13, 15, 33 (NLT)
“The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness” Galatians 5:22 (NIV)
C. We Experience God's Peace Through Submission and Obedience of God's Word
Notice the connection between obedience and peace in the following Scripture passages.
“If only you had paid attention to my commands, your peace would have been like a river, your well-being like the waves of the sea.” Isaiah 48:18 (NIV)
“There is lasting peace for those who love your teachings. Nothing can make those people stumble.” Psalm 119:165 (GW)
“When a person speaks what God has revealed, he speaks to people to help them grow, to encourage them, and to comfort them.” 1 Corinthians 14:3 (GW)