We all desire more peace, who doesn’t want peace!?

• Want things like world peace.
• We want things like peace in our relationships.
• If you’re a parent of young kids, you just want some peace and quiet!

“But what if peace isn’t just the absence of noise and chaos? What if real, lasting peace comes from somewhere else entirely different?”

[Matthew 5:9]

“God blesses those who work for peace for they will be called the children of God.”

WE WANT THE PEACE WITHOUT THE PROCESS OR THE PAIN

[Phillipians 4:6-7]

“ Don’t worry about anything (What are you anxious about?); instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”

So what does it look like to work for peace?

• Peace in me

Before you can be an agent of peace you first need to be a person of peace.

[John 14:27]

“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.”

[Romans 5:10]

“For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son.”

Peace comes when you welcome God into your life  and create daily quiet spaces for God to connect with us.

• Peace around me

[Romans 12:17]

“Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable.”

[Matthew 18:15–17]

“If another believer sins against you, go privately and point out the offense. If the other person listens and confesses it, you have won that person back. 16 But if you are unsuccessful, take one or two others with you and go back again, so that everything you say may be confirmed by two or three witnesses. 17 If the person still refuses to listen, take your case to the church. Then if he or she won’t accept the church’s decision, treat that person as a pagan or a corrupt tax collector.

3. Peace through me

[2 Corinthians 5:18-20]

“And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him. 19 For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation. 20 So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!”

[But working for peace doesn’t always result in peace]

The disciples were warned they would face persecution for the sake of Christ.

[Matthew 5:10-12]

“God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers. 12 Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way.”

[Romans 12:18]

“Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.”

We are warned that persecution is coming so that we know we’re on the right path!

[2 Timothy 3:12]

“Yes, and everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.”

[Matthew 7:24-26]

“Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. 25 Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock. 26 But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. 27 When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.

Application Questions

1. What stood out to you from this message and why?
2. What is one thing God is telling you to START doing because of this message?
3. What is one thing God is telling you to STOP doing because of this message?
4. How will this message change how you act at home, at work, and in your relationships?