What’s your definition of peace? Most people describe peace as a sense of calmness, fearlessness, or the absence of anxiety. Peace could also be described as the absence of war or difficult times. In this message, “Peace Unto All”, Pastor Eric walks us through what it looks like to have true peace in our lives, why it’s so hard for us to obtain, and provides us with a handful of takeaways, obtained from scripture, to help us achieve peace in our own lives!
These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world, you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” - John 16:33
Did you know it’s possible to have the peace of God in any and every situation? In the verse John 16:33, Jesus says “that in ME you may have peace.” You can have peace despite the disturbances within your life! When you are in a relationship with Jesus, you can have peace despite everything that is going on within the world.
What does true inner peace from God look like? Simon Peter, in the book of Acts, Chapter 12, demonstrates just how powerful the peace of God can be. Simon Peter is apprehended, placed in a prison cell guarded by more than a dozen guards, and sentenced to death! But despite this obvious tribulation in this life, he chooses to relax and sleep peacefully, fully trusting in God. An angel of the Lord does come to rescue Simon Peter but has difficulty waking him up because of the peaceful state of relaxation Simon Peter has entered. This is what true inner peace from God looks like! Unfortunately, many of us have never experienced this level of peace.
Why don’t we have the peace God planned for us? God wants us to experience peace, but we must be in a proper relationship with Him to experience His peace within us. The enemy is constantly trying to draw us away from a proper relationship with God. The enemy wants us to be separated from God. Our iniquities… our immoral behavior… our sin… is separating us from God’s peace.
But your iniquities have separated you from your God; And your sins have hidden His face from you So that He will not hear. -Isaiah 59:2 (NIV)
What does your relationship with God look like? If you are struggling with a lack of peace yourself, maybe you need to review your proximity to God. We are all searching for inner peace. Sometimes we pursue peace in self-help books, podcasts, and videos. For others, it may be counseling, therapy, or prescription medications. There’s nothing wrong with any of these pursuits, but we need to know that true inner peace only comes from a close relationship with God. God just wants your whole heart and soul. He wants your willingness to give Him your life. God wants to give us His peace!
Here is what you need to know about peace based on scripture:
1. THERE IS PEACE ON EARTH
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. John 14:27 (NKJV)
2. GOD’S PEACE IS GIVEN TO YOU
Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you… -John 14:27 (NKJV)
3. TROUBLE DOESN’T HAVE TO TROUBLE YOU
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. -John 14:27 (NKJV)
4. FEAR IS A PERSONAL DECISION
…neither let it be afraid. -John 14:27 (NKJV)
Unwrap the gift called peace! Let God’s peace rule in you.
And let the peace of God rule in your hearts… -Colossians 3:15 (NKJV)
There are so many more wonderful takeaways from this message, “Peace Unto All”, I invite you to view this message in its entirety at this link: https://youtu.be/l1mCso0hnzU
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