Peace

* Editor's note: the audio quality is poor in some spots due to apparent issues with the microphone. In most cases it is just a brief interruption. There is one case that lasted for 20-30 seconds where there was essentially no audio. This segment was removed from the recording.

Peace (ISA 52:7) How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth! I. peace: 1. Freedom from, or cessation of war or hostilities; that condition of a nation or community in which it is not at war with another. 2. Freedom from civil commotion and disorder; public order and security. 3. Freedom from disturbance or perturbation (esp. as a condition in which an individual person is); quiet, tranquility, undisturbed state. 4. Freedom from quarrels or dissension between individuals; a state of friendliness; concord, amity. 5. Freedom from mental or spiritual disturbance or conflict arising from passion, sense of guilt, etc; calmness. II. The Christian has a responsibility to desire, seek, make and keep peace. MAT 5:9; 1PE 3:10-11; ROM 14:19; 1TH 5:13; 1TI 2:1-2. A. At times, this objective will be difficult to achieve. ROM 12:18; PSA 120:7. B. True peace is obtained through familiarity with God through Jesus Christ. JOB 22:21; 2PE 1:1-2; ISA 26:3. III. As with other things, God's standards and means for peace may not agree with human wisdom and understanding. PHIL 4:6-7; PRO 3:5. IV. Jesus Christ Himself is the capital of peace. Through Him, peace is possible between sinful man and our holy God. ISA 9:6-7; LUK 2:14. A. The peace which Christ established and represents is of a different nature than that which the world promotes. JOH 14:27; LUK 12:51-53. B. The peace wrought by Christ was primarily between God and man, not universal peace among men. ROM 4:23-5:1, 7-10; COL 1:19-22; ISA 53:5. C. Jesus Christ's obedience and death also removed the enmity that separated Jew and Gentile under the law. EPH 2:13-17. D. Knowing there is a state of peace between God and you because of Jesus Christ is the foundation of peace in your soul which frees you to abundant living in hope. JOH 10:10. V. The world desires peace but it is a peace realized at any cost, including righteousness. A. True peace cannot be divorced from righteousness. PSA 85:10. B. Righteousness must take precedence over the pursuit of peace between men. Righteousness is not to be sacrificed on the altar of comfortable relations. ISA 32:17; JAM 3:17-18. 1. Peace is the delight of the meek and the meek are those who are humble to God and His righteousness. PSA 37:11 c/w ZEP 2:3; NUM 25:7-13. 2. The High Priesthood of the Lord Jesus Christ underscores this principle. HEB 7:2. 3. The Adamic nature cannot grasp this concept nor yield to its merits. ROM 3:17. C. The intake of Bible doctrine is essential to true peace. PSA 119:165; PRO 3:1-2. D. Where the word of God is an alien, so too is peace. 2CH 15:3-6. E. Paul’s faith and practice best gives us the company of the God of peace. PHIL 4:9. VI. The ungodly strive for and enjoy a peace of sorts, but it is a Satanic counterfeit which is disrupted by righteousness. LUK 11:21 c/w JDG 18:7. A. The child of God is not to seek after the counterfeit peace that this world promotes which Peace 3-3-24 Page 1 of 2  trashes standards of righteousness to reduce all men to accept base lusts. ROM 12:2; 8:6. B. It is the false prophet who proclaims this world's concept of peace. JER 6:13-14. C. The end of peace without righteousness is destruction. 1TH 5:3. D. Beware of the deceiver with a plastic olive branch of peace. PSA 28:3; NEH 6:1-3. E. False security and peace is the bait used to build political power. DAN 8:25. F. The desire for peace over principle led to the crucifixion of Christ. MAT 27:24. G. Peace at the expense of righteousness is short-lived. JDG 14:15 c/w 15:6; JOH 11:47-48. VII. True and lasting peace is only found in conformity to Jesus Christ. If, while seeking His peace, our lives are cut short, we have yet a great hope and security. ISA 57:1-2. A. Following Christ may be viewed by the ungodly as belligerence. ACT 21:28. B. If you get flak while seeking the peaceable fruit of righteousness, you are probably over the target and enjoying the fellowship of His sufferings. JOH 15:18; PHIL 3:10. C. When the burden seems unbearable, remember PHIL 4:6-7. 1. This peace passes all understanding. It is a perfect peace. ISA 26:3. 2. This peace should rule in our hearts, a governing principle of our walk. COL 3:15. 3. As it rules in our hearts, we will not be undone by turmoil or conflict. Do not let the madness of others rob you of this peace. Like Christ’s joy, it can only be surrendered. JOH 16:22. 4. “This peace will keep our hearts and minds through Christ Jesus, it will keep us from sinning under our troubles, and from sinking under them; keep us calm and sedate, without discomposure of passion, and with inward satisfaction.” (Mr. William Harris, Matthew Henry's Commentary) D. Know Christ, know peace. No Christ, no peace. VIII. (NUM 6:24-26) The LORD bless thee, and keep thee: The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace. Peace 3-3-24 Page 2 of 2