Before my vacation I taught you that if you want to be a power packed Christian
· you have to do what Jesus did
· and that means you have to clean house
· and get rid of the junk in your life
see, its only once we’ve got cleaned up that we get released into power
So we started to consider the passage in Galatians 5
· where Paul gives us a clear litmus test of our Christianity.
· Its a list of core values for Christians
· It’s what Christian people are supposed to look like
Galatians 5:22-23 (NLT) But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives, he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Here there is no conflict with the law.
See, these characteristics are an essential part of the Christian experience!
· they may develop at different rates in different people,
· but they must be developing in all of us
· And I’ll go as far as to say this:
· If the “fruit of the Spirit” is not growing in your life,
· then there is a major problem with your faith
· and you relationship with Jesus
To be a Christian means that you’ve taken on board a new belief system
· and those new things you believe in
· should produce some new behavior patterns:
For example: if you’re saved,
· you shouldn’t be messing around with the old stuff anymore
· if you’re saved you shouldn’t be thinking the same old way
· and you certainly shouldn’t be treating the people around you like you used to
· See, there’s a link between what you believe and what you do
We were created to be a dwelling place for the Spirit of God.
· And without Him in our lives things quickly get out of hand,
· See, the Fruit of the Spirit affects everything that you are involved in,
· including your relationship with God.
So while the secret to successful living
· starts with a relationship with Jesus
· it’s empowered by the presence of the Holy Spirit in your life
John 15:4 (KJV) Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
What’s Jesus saying here?:
· You can’t do it your way!
· You need me
· You need to be connected to me
· And to be connected to me, you might well have to break some other connections…..
Now we’ve talked about Love and Joy
· And tonight I want to talk about peace
I guess if I asked you all for a Bible verse about peace,
· one of the first that would come to mind is in Luke 2:
Luke 2:13-14 (KJV) And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
Before we know it, we’ll be in the Holiday season
· and we’ll see the Christmas cards bearing the greeting, “Peace on Earth!”
· But when we look at world events
· Those words have a hollow ring to them
in all the years of recorded human history
· less than 8% of that time can be described as years of peace.
· In fact since 3600 BC the world has known only 292 years of peace.
· And during this period there have been 14,531 wars
· in which 3.64 billion people have been killed.
If you traded all the money that’s been spent on war for gold
· you could wrap a band round the equator 97 miles wide and 33 feet thick.
· there have been nearly 1700 arms races since 650 BC
· and only 16 did not end in war.
· more than 8,000 peace treaties have been signed since1500 BC until now
· and every one of them was supposed to remain in force forever.
· But the average time they actually remained in force was only 2 years.
Wars in history have been fought for absolutely idiotic reasons
· Back in 1249, there was soldier serving in the army of Bologna , Italy
· He deserted – and joined up with the army in a neighboring city called Modena
· and took with him an old, broken bucket used to water horses.
Now the City of Bologna
· But it waived all rights to the deserter – but they wanted their bucket back
· And when they didn’t get it they went to war
· And the war lasted for 22 years!
Here’s another example of how a disagreement over something trivial
· can destroy peace
There was a large silver star on top of the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem
· It had been there for years
Now, the church was shared by the Roman Catholic and the Greek Orthodox Churchs
· Back in the 1800’s, the Catholics decided to replace the star.
· But the Greek Orthodox guys refused.
· And they were supported by Russia
· While the Roman Catholics were supported by France
At the time - Turkey ruled over Palestine
· And when Turkey
· Russia declared war on Turkey
Immediately France and England lined up with Turkey
· And that how the Crimean War began
· It lasted from 1853 to 1856.
· And at the end of the war - the star came down!
It’s ironic that in the birthplace of the Prince of Peace
· has almost always been involved with conflict and war?
When TV cameras take the world to Bethlehem at Christmas
· this year there will be hoards of armed soldiers
· watching the crowds that gather to worship the Prince of Peace.
· The Arabs greet one another with “Salaam”
· and the Jews greet one another with “Shalom”
· – both meaning “peace” –
· but they go right on fighting!
See, if we’re really honest, the human race has never known peace.
· No peace treaty that man has ever devised has been kept.
And yet that Bible verse from Luke 2 says something
· that seems to contradict the facts that we see all around us
· – “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
How can we square the angels’ announcement of peace
· with the hard reality we see everywhere around us?
The answer is found in the next couplet of the angels’ announcement
· – “good will toward men.”
This promise does not mean that because Jesus came
· there will be good will AMONG men
· (that depends too much on US!);
it means that because Jesus came
· there will be good will TOWARD men
· – as far as GOD is concerned.
Luke 2:14 (NIV) Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.
The truth is that left to our own devices
· human beings just don’t get along with each other.
The courts are full of people who can’t get along.
· People fight and bicker.
· people criticize each other.
· People tear each other down.
· People have difficulty living in harmony and peace with one another.
· But into this violent mess of a world
· Jesus came personally
· to bring "peace on earth, good will TOWARD men."
Here’s the thing tonight
· Unless you have allowed the Prince of Peace to have control of your life,
· you have no peace!
How many times have you heard – or said – something
· or done something
· or told someone else to do something
· just to ‘keep the peace’?
But with God in your life, you can have peace with others
· Why?
· because you have peace with Him!
So HOW DO YOU HAVE PEACE IN THE MIDDLE OF MODERN LIFE?
· First, let’s define “peace” according to the Bible – because most people don’t!
The ancient Biblical words for peace Don’t mean “the absence of tension or conflict,”
· They mean “the tranquility of order.”
· In other words, while there may be chaos all around us,
· a person with God’s Spirit on the inside remains at peace
· because there is “ORDER” in his or her life.
What did Jesus say?:
John 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that IN ME ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
There are three aspects of “PEACE” in the believer’s life:
#1: PEACE WITH GOD
DISOBEDIENCE always brings a feeling of disorder to your life
Romans 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
most of societies problems today
· stem from a lack of personal peace with our Creator.
We hear so much about peace in our communities
· but we can’t have peace in the community without first having inner peace.
· We have to deal with this first
· before we ever attempt to tackle peace in the community.
Most peace problems at large would be taken care of
· if people would only take care of the missing peace within their own hearts.
· And there is only one way this can happen,
Now, there are some things that are essential for us to understand
· for a person to obtain genuine peace with God
People are just not aware of their need for God.
· They’re blinded by their own goodness.
You ask someone if they go to church anywhere.
· A typical answer is along these lines:
· “No, I don’t go to church, but I am a good person,
· and I’m just as good as those who do.”
· I never told lies,
· I have never stolen, never drank,
· I’m as honest as the days are long,
· and that’s more than you can say for some of your religious people.”
Someone who thinks like just doesn’t see
· that man also has to be right in the eyes of God.
It doesn’t matter a jot how we treat the people around us
· If we don’t get it right with God,
Many people feel
· that just as long as they keep the laws of the land
· and treat the people around them fairly - then they’re ok.
Even if you have a perfect driving record,
· and had always been perfectly honest in preparing your taxes,
· and can say that you’ve never harmed anyone in your life,
· you still can’t claim to be perfect
· if God’s being ignored and left out of your life.
How we treat each other is very important,
· but it comes second to how we treat the Lord.
· It is the second commandment.
· Put God first,
· and he will equip you to treat your neighbor right.
The next issue is this.
· Our past lives destroy our peace
· when the Spirit of God begins to convict us
· we discover that our past lives have been badly spoiled
· by our offences against God’s law.
Before the Spirit of God comes into our soul - we can’t it.
· But when the Spirit of God comes in,
· We find that’s all is not as well as we had beleived
· And it destroys our inner balance
· And we have no peace.
God is never indifferent towards sin.
· If, we’re not in a place where God can justify us,
· We’re in a state in which God has to condemn us.
Hear this:
· if you’ve never been born again,
· if you’ve never given your heart to Jesus
· you are in a state of condemnation.
· You’ll spend eternity in permanent separation form him’
· And there will be no way for you to come back
The only way to get out of that state of eternal condemnation
· is to get in to Jesus Christ.
· You have to be born again!
· This is the only way you will ever be able to have peace within!
#2 Apsect of Peace: PEACE OF GOD
DIFFICULTIES can bring a feeling of disorder to your life,
· But only if you look at them from the wrong perspective
Philippians 4:6-7 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
We talked about this at length last time
· remember the Worry Meter
How much never happens?
Things that never happen…………...….. 40%
Things that can‘t be changed by worry… 35%
Things turn out better than expected…… 15%
Petty insignificant fretting……………… 8%
Legitimate cause for concern…………… 2%
TOTAL…………………………………100%
So, I’m going to move on
#3 Aspect: PEACE ON EARTH
DIFFERENCES with others can bring a feeling of disorder to your life,
· if you look at them with the wrong perspective
Luke 2:24 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
Since relationships are where we live out our everyday lives,
· let’s talk about what a person filled with God’s Spirit acts like!
Proverbs 29:8 (LB) Fools start fights everywhere; wise men try to keep the peace.
Matthew 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
Because peace is not “the absence of tension or conflict,”
· but “the tranquility of order,”
you’ll never achieve peace by …AVOIDING the problem.
· Unresolved conflict is like termites in a relationship;
· Sooner or later it will bring the house down.
· Pretending the problem doesn’t exist is not peacemaking,
· it’s cowardice!
You’ll never achieve peace by … APPEASING the problem.
· God doesn’t expect you to be a doormat!
· Jesus never backed off from a legitimate issue.
· Peace at any price is not legitimate peace!
· See, When I swallow my feelings all the time, my stomach keeps score.
SO: HOW TO I GET TO BE A PEACEMAKER? (P.E.A.C.E.)
P - Plan a Peace Conference
The reason most world peace conferences don’t work
· is the same reason many relationships don’t work
· someone has to be willing to make the first move!
Matthew 5:23-24 So if you are about to place your gift on the altar and remember that someone is angry with you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. Make peace with that person, then come back and offer your gift to God.
If you are a Christian, you’re supposed to take the initiative in seeking peace,
· whether you’re the offender or you’ve been offended.
· Why?
· The longer you wait to resolve a relationship problem the bigger it gets.
E - EMPATHIZE WITH THEIR FEELINGS
The 2nd reason most world peace conferences don’t work
· is that no one is willing to look at the problem from the other perspective.
· We refuse to see things thru someone else’s eyes
· It’s the same in relationships!
1 Peter 3:8 (NLT) Finally, all of you should be of one mind, full of sympathy toward each other, loving one another with tender hearts and humble minds.
The first thing you do is LISTEN!
· Why?
· Listening shows you care!
Old couple seeking divorce (woman deaf).
Lawyer’s questions:
Do you have grounds?
· Yes, 40 acres.
Do you have a grudge?
· Yes, a double garage
Does he beat you up?
· No, I’m up before him every day.
What’s the problem here?
· He doesn’t communicate!
When someone is hurting you, please remember:
· HURT PEOPLE HURT PEOPLE!
· Look beyond the hurt that you're receiving and ask,
· “What is hurting them that's causing them to hurt me?“
Did you know that the key to intimacy is CONFLICT?
· If you never have any conflict you always exist on a superficial level.
· But when you deal with conflict in a positive way and resolve it,
· it creates greater understanding,
· brings you closer and makes you stronger.
A - Attack the Problem, Not the Person
Proverbs 10:10 (NLT) People who wink at wrong cause trouble, but a bold reproof promotes peace.
Ephesians 4:15 Instead, by speaking the truth in a spirit of love, we must grow up in every way to Christ, who is the head.
Anytime there’s ongoing conflict,
· somebody’s hiding something!
· The truth always sets you free!
You're never persuasive when you're abrasive.
· You don't get your point across by being cross!
· You've got to stop fixing the blame
· in order to start fixing the problem.
C - Cooperate as Much as Possible
Compromise is essential in every human relationship!
· Try to find areas of common ground,
· and find places where you can be flexible.
Romans 12:18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
James 3:17 (NLT) But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and good deeds. It shows no partiality and is always sincere.
More marriages die from inflexibility than from anything else!
I don't believe incompatibility exists.
· Almost any two people are compatible if they try to be.
· Your marriage, your partnership, your friendship is what you are willing to make of it.
E - Emphasize Reconciliation, not Resolution
Reconciliation means to reestablish the relationship.
· Resolution means to resolve every issue.
· And you're just not going to do that!
But, you can disagree without being disagreeable.
· You can have unity in a relationship without having uniformity.
· You can walk hand in hand without seeing eye to eye.
· You can have reconciliation without having resolution of every difference.
When two people agree on everything, one of them isn't necessary.
· In courtship, opposites usually attract.
· Once they're married, the opposites attack.
· So you have to get back on track by emphasizing reconciliation rather than resolution.
2 Corinthians 5:18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
Reconciliation is a synonym for being a peacemaker.
· When you attempt to be a peacemaker
· - you're doing the work of God.
· When you're restoring relationships,
· - you're doing the work of God.
Q: WHO DO YOU NEED TO RECONCILE WITH TODAY?
Human beings are incapable of sustaining “the tranquility of order” without help beyond themselves.
· You can’t produce the fruit of the Spirit without God’s Spirit!
Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Do you need peace with God (for salvation)?
· Do you need the peace of God (for a troubled mind)?
· Do you need peace on earth (for a troubled relationship)?
YOU CAN HAVE IT IN THE HOLY GHOST!
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