NOTES: PEACE

Introduction
– We live in a day and age where things are often turbulent and uncertain.
– Around us we see wars, conflicts, economic pressures, rising costs, and concerns about the future.
– It can often seem easier to default to worry, anxiety, and stress than it is to walk in peace.
– Yet I believe the Lord wants to replace worry with His peace, anxiety with His peace, and stress with His peace.
– God has not called us to live under the weight of fear and uncertainty.
– He desires that we experience His peace in every area of our lives.
– Today I would like to share about:
– Peace with God
– The Peace of God
– Peace in God

1. PEACE WITH GOD
– Romans 5:1
‘Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.’
– Because of what Jesus accomplished on the cross, we can have peace with God.
– Before salvation, we are separated from God and living apart from His purposes.
– Through Christ, that separation is removed and we are brought into a right relationship with Him.
– Peace with God means the conflict between us and God has been settled.
– We no longer strive against Him; we belong to Him.
Paul’s Example
– Before his conversion, Saul was actively opposing God and persecuting Christians.
– Acts 9:1-2 describes Saul as breathing threats and murder against the disciples.
– Then he encountered Jesus on the road to Damascus.
– Everything changed.
– The man who was once opposed to God became a servant of God.
– He moved from being at war with God to being at peace with God.
God’s Desire For Us
– Acts 22:14 says:
‘The God of our fathers has chosen you that you should know His will, and see the Just One, and hear the voice of His mouth.’
– God wants each of us:
– To know His will.
– To see Jesus clearly.
– To hear His voice.
– God’s will is His best plan and purpose for our lives.
Peace with God through salvation
– Part of God’s wonderful offer of salvation is peace with Him.
– If we have surrendered our lives to Christ, this peace is ours.
– If you are feeling as if there isn’t peace between you and God, feel free to pray the prayer of salvation at the bottom of this email, and you can experience this Peace with God.
– Send a mail to Pastor Andrew at andrew@alivetogod.com if you have prayed this prayer today, and someone at Alive to God will pray for you.
– Because once there is peace with God, we can begin to experience the Peace of God.

2. THE PEACE OF GOD
– Philippians 4:7
‘And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.’
– Peace is more than the absence of trouble.
– It is a supernatural calm and wholeness that comes from God.
– The Greek word for peace (eirene) carries the idea of wholeness and completeness.
– God’s peace joins together the broken pieces of our lives.
Jesus Gives Us His Peace
– John 14:27
‘Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you.’
– Notice that Jesus does not simply give peace.
– He gives His peace.
– It is not manufactured by our own efforts.
– It is not found through worldly methods or temporary solutions.
– It comes directly from God Himself.
The God of Peace
– 1 Thessalonians 5:23
‘Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely.’
– The God of peace gives His peace to His children.
– There is no substitute for God’s peace.
– The world offers temporary relief.
– God offers lasting peace.

What Breaks Down God’s Peace?
Looking Elsewhere
– Jeremiah 2:13
‘They have forsaken me, the spring of living water, and have dug their own cisterns.’
– We lose peace when we look to other sources instead of God.
Trusting In Ourselves
– Isaiah 26:3
‘You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in You.’
– Peace grows when trust grows.
Worrying
– Philippians 4:6-7
‘Do not be anxious about anything…’
– Anxiety and peace cannot occupy the same throne in our hearts.
– Worry focuses on the problem.
– Prayer focuses on God.

What Builds God’s Peace?
Draw Near To God
– James 4:8
‘Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.’
– The closer we draw to God, the more we experience His peace.
Trust His Faithfulness
– Lamentations 3:22-23
‘Great is His faithfulness.’
– God’s faithfulness never changes.
Stand On His Promises
– Psalm 119:165
‘Those who love Your instructions have great peace.’
– God’s Word strengthens our faith and brings peace.
Rest In His Love
– God’s perfect love drives out fear.
– The more we understand His love, the more secure and peaceful we become.
Focus On His Unchanging Nature
– Hebrews 13:8
‘Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.’
– Circumstances change.
– God never changes.

3. PEACE IN GOD
– Peace with God gives us relationship.
– The peace of God gives us inner calm.
– Peace in God teaches us how to live and rest in Him.
God Is Our Refuge
– Psalm 46:1
‘God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.’
– Psalm 62:8
‘Trust in Him at all times… God is a refuge for us.’
– When we make God our refuge, we discover deeper levels of peace.
Dwelling In His Presence
– Psalm 91:1
‘He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.’
– God wants us to live close to Him.
– His presence is the place where peace grows.
– The closer we remain to Him, the more His peace fills our lives.
Resting In God
– As we focus on God and trust Him, we learn to rest.
– Rest is not inactivity.
– Rest is confidence in God’s goodness and faithfulness.
– We can remain peaceful even when circumstances around us are not.
Rejoicing In The Lord
– Philippians 4:4-7
‘Rejoice in the Lord always…’
– Rejoicing shifts our focus from our problems to God’s faithfulness.
– Thanksgiving opens the door for God’s peace to flood our hearts.
– Prayer, gratitude, and trust all work together to strengthen peace within us.

Conclusion
– God wants us to experience peace.
– First, peace with God through salvation.
– Then the peace of God that guards our hearts and minds.
– Finally, peace in God as we learn to make Him our refuge and resting place.
– The Lord does not want us controlled by fear, anxiety, or worry.
– He wants us to walk in His supernatural peace.
– John 14:27
‘Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.’
– May we continually look to Him, trust Him, and experience the wonderful peace that only He can give.

Prayer of Salvation

Lord Jesus,
I know I have sinned in my thoughts, words and actions.
There are so many good things I have not done.
There are so many sinful things I have done.
I am sorry for my sins and turn from everything I know to be wrong.
I know You gave Your life on the cross for me.
Gratefully I give my life back to You.
I ask You to come into my life.

Come as my Saviour to cleanse me.
Come in as my Lord to control me.
Come in as my Friend to be with me,
and by Your grace, I will serve You
all of the remaining years of my life in obedience.
Thank You Lord.

I now acknowledge You as the One and only true Living God.
Amen

If you have prayed this prayer, we would like to bless you with a PDF booklet called WELCOME INTO THE FAMILY OF GOD. Simply click here to download your copy.

By Pastor Michael Roebert
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