lostnowfoundk's Blog

CARRYING THE PEACE OF GOD
Kristen Tee (2012)

(Matthew 5:9) “Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called children of God.”

    1. To be a peacemaker, we need to be a peacecarrier.

    2. What is a peacecarrier and what is a peacemaker?

• Isaiah 9:6-7
  • Peace is found in Jesus
  • The Kingdom of God is a Kingdom of peace
• Peacecarrier
  • Someone who carries the peace of God in their lives (ie. Jesus Christ lives in them)
• Peacemaker
  • Someone who ushers in the kingdom of God and His peace in Christ Jesus

3. To be called a child of God, is to be filled with the Holy Spirit. We become one with God in the Father, Son and Spirit. As sons and heirs, we receive the promises given to Jesus, receive His kingdom and share in His glory.

• (Romans 8:14-17) “For those who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs – heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.”

(Philippians 4:4-9) ⁴Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! ⁵ Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. ⁶ Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. ⁸ Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. ⁹ 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.

   1. What does the peace of God do? (Philippians 4:7,9)

           a. Transcends all understanding

• Spirit gives wisdom and revelation that we might know the Son and the Father better (Ephesians 1:17)

            b. Sanctifies us so we may be kept blameless for our Lord Jesus (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24)

• (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24) “May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.”

           c. Guards our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus

• We are marked in Him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13-14)
• (Isaiah 26:3) “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.”
• (Ephesians 2:8) “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God”

         d. Is given to us to be with us, and left with us (also John 14:27)

• This is the peace of Jesus and of His kingdom and inheritance which we share in (John 17:24, Romans 8:14-17)

   2. How do we eagerly desire this spiritual gift of peace? (1 Corinthians 14:1, Philippians 4:4-9)

THAT OUR HEARTS AND MINDS MAY BE GUARDED IN THE PEACE OF JESUS

• Rejoice in the Lord always (v.4)
• Let your gentleness be near to all (v.5)
• Know that the Lord is near (v.5)
• Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. (v6)

THAT THE GOD OF PEACE WILL BE WITH US

Search for, discern, and take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of us (Philippians 3:12-13). Meditate on these things.

Whatever is TRUE
(the Word of God)

• Greek: aléthés
• What cannot be hidden, which is found to be true even after being fully tested

Whatever is NOBLE
(the glory of God)

• Greek: semnos
• Honorable, revered, deeply respected and being viewed as majesty and of gravity/great importance

Whatever is RIGHT(EOUS)
(the cross and how the Lord sees those he created)

• Greek: dikaios
• What is just in the eyes of God, righteous
• (Acts 10:15) “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean”
• Righteousness is freely given to all through faith in Christ Jesus (Romans 3:21-24)
• (Psalm 122:6) “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem…”

Whatever is PURE
(obedience to the Word of God)

• Greek: hagnos
• Holy, free from sin, prepared for worship/purified
• (Psalm 119:9) “How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word.”

Whatever is LOVELY
(what inspires love)

• Greek: prosphilés
• Whatever is dear to us, acceptable, pleasing to us

Whatever is ADMIRABLE
(the goodness of God)

• Greek: euphémos
• Well reported  of, spoken in a kindly spirit, of good repute

Whatever is EXCELLENT
(the standard of living that God upholds and Jesus demonstrates)

• Greek: arête
• Moral virtue, upright

Whatever is PRAISEWORTHY
(God’s will)

• Greek: epainos
• Commendation that is appropriate because it relates to God’s will, worthy of praise

Put into practice anything learned, received, heard from, or seen in Christ or in those who follow Him and proclaim His true words.

(John 14:25-27) “All this I have spoken to you while still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit; whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

HOW DOES THE HOLY SPIRIT WORK IN US THE PEACE OF GOD (John 14:25-27)

1. The peace of God is given through Jesus Christ His Son, and the Son is revealed to us by the Holy Spirit (John 16:14)

2. The Holy Spirit keeps us stayed in Christ Jesus, sanctifies us and instructs us in His way

• The Holy Spirit seals us in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 1:13-14)
• The Holy Spirit sanctifies us to stand as blameless before our Lord Jesus Christ
  (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24)
• The Holy Spirit advocates for us and intercedes for us (Romans 8:26-27)
• The Holy Spirit will guide us into all truth because He speaks the very words of God and teaches them to us (John 16:13, 14:16, 26, Ephesians 1:17-18)

3. The Holy Spirit dwells within us and cries out “Abba, Father” so we may share in the peace of the Father’s kingdom as children of God (Romans 8:14-17)