Greetings in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, Saviour, and our Peace. Yes, Jesus is our Peace even in perilous times like this, with our nation at war, with people hungry, homeless, dying in our streets - Jesus is our Peace. This is a time of year that is happy for some, depressing for some, and for many, the credit card statements will bring deep depression later. Christmas for most isn't at all what God meant it to be. Loneliness will overwhelm a multitude, and not just in the prisons. Not just in the nursing homes and hospitals. Not just in the alleys. Not just the brave men and women on the frontlines for our country. That same loneliness will close in on many people sitting on a church pew. Oh don't you know that's not God's plan for any of you? Lift up your head to Heaven and know this - the Peace of God came to earth in the flesh (Jesus), and the religious bunch crucified Him. He was born in a manger bringing peace on earth and goodwill to men. Even though He was crucified, He arose on the third day and made it possible for YOU to have a relationship with God that will bring you PEACE. As the Holy Spirit brings this message we'll cover 3 parts: the definition of peace, the disruption of peace, and the restoration of peace. Oh praise God that's the shouting part! Our title for this message is, "THE PEACE OF GOD".
Sister George and I have several scriptures we pray over on different days of the week. Each of those sets of scriptures come under the name of Jehovah. For example, Jehovah Shalom - Shalom is Hebrew for "peace". Most people when they see the word "peace" think of a time without war. Peace means much more when it's "The Peace of God"! You see, the peace of God passeth ALL under-standing. If I could produce you a movie about the harmony, feeling of well being, wholeness, settled, calmness, being free of anxiety - it wouldn't be good enough. Why? Because that peace of God is something you have to experience yourself - it passeth ALL understanding. Our brains, no matter how high the IQ, can't comprehend or start to put into words the overwhelming effect "the Peace of God" has on us. Jesus was that Peace born in the form of a baby. No psychiatrist can prescribe a drug that can copy it! No beer joint can sell you a drink that can make you feel that peace! No man or woman can bring it to their relationship! You can't buy it! You can't copy it! It came to earth over 2000 years ago and it is free for the asking. Jesus told us in John 14:1, "Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me." The devil can offer you a counterfeit that is a false peace only for a short season, but it will lead only to destruction and eternity in torments. You see, he (the devil) was jealous of the relationship Adam and Eve had with God, with each other, with all of nature in the Garden of Eden. The lamb could lay down with the lion and not be lunch. No blood was shed, no one was hungry or cold. Adam and Eve spent time together and walked with God. Adam didn't have to work blisters on his hands and Eve didn't have to iron any clothes. J God gave a summary statement concerning His work in Genesis 1:31, "every thing... was very good". Did you hear that? EVERY-THING WAS GOOD! Then satan set out to steal "The Peace Of God".
The devil succeeded in disrupting that peace. Adam and Eve listened to his lies and they brought sin into that place of Peace. That sin came through disobedience. The perfect harmony was broken! Man's relationship with God was broken! At that time Adam and Eve lost their inner peace that a true relationship with God brings. They felt ashamed because guilt entered into the world (Genesis 3:8). That intimate relationship with God was lost. Sin through disobedience brought separation. They didn't look forward to talking to God, and because of sin they tried to hide (Genesis 3:10). I don't guess any of you have been dodging the preacher or the assembling together lately, have you?!? This is where every argument between a man and woman first started - direct out of hell and instigated by the father of lies - Adam blamed Eve for HIS sin (Genesis 3:12). Every argument, every war was started on that day - the door was open, the Peace of God had left. Let me tell every one of you sons and daughters of God something, "Every argument is straight out of hell and displeasing to God!" From that day forth there would be arguments, grueling work, painful childbirth, bloodshed, sickness, disease and death. Through man's disobedience satan stole "The Peace Of God".
Now let me tell you the Good News. God already had a plan of restoration. Peace would be regained by the virgin birth of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. God would dwell among us in the form of a baby named Jesus! Redemption came into the world and He would defeat satan at Calvary, offering Peace to mankind. It was prophesied by David (Psalm 2:8-9), by Isaiah (Isaiah 9:6-7), and Ezekiel predicted it (Ezekiel 34:25, 37:26). Then Micah prophesied of Jesus' birth, stating "this Man shall be the peace" (Micah 5:5). His birth was proclaimed by the Angels - God's Peace had now come to earth (Luke 2:14). Jesus came to destroy all the works of satan (I John 3:8). He came to break down barriers, to remove all of them that keep us from living peaceful lives (Ephesians 2:12-17). Jesus gave this peace to the disciples before going to the cross (John 14:27, 16:33). He gave His life and arose victorious over every power and principality, making peace possible (Colossians 1:20, 2:14-15). If we believe in Him we can have peace with God (Romans 5:1). He made the peace possible, but will you accept it and walk in obedience? The Old Testament tells us that there is NO PEACE for the wicked (Isaiah 57:21, 59:8, Jeremiah 6:14, 8:11). I could go on and on with scriptures to back that up. Sin will steal "THE PEACE OF GOD".
I told you earlier that "the peace of God passeth all understanding". YOU can have that peace! Read Philippians 4:6-8 and know that Jesus restored that peace - don't worry about anything - Jesus is able to keep you. Dwell on truth, honesty, pureness, virtue - just the lovely things from God, and you'll live in peace. Jesus left us the Holy Spirit who will produce fruit in your life, one of them being peace (Galatians 5:22, Romans 14:17, Ephesians 4:3). After coming to Christ you must seek the filling of the Holy Spirit and pray for peace - let peace rule your hearts (Colossians 3:15). Seek peace and pursue it (II Timothy 2:22, I Peter 3:11) and do your best to live in peace with all men (Romans 12:18, I Thessa-lonians 5:13, Hebrews 12:14). That Peace of God is available to you right now � even if you don't know God, if you are backslid away from God, if you're in the valley feeling all alone. Sinner, you must believe that Jesus the Son of God died for you and arose on the third day. If you believe that you'll truly confess and turn from sin. Backslider, Jesus is waiting for you with open arms and a robe of righteousness - call out to Him and He'll meet you on the road back. Oh my weary brothers and sisters in the valley, the Lord is your Shepherd and you shall not want! He made all your pastures green to lay in! He has stilled the angry waters of life! You've let these things weary you and you've forgotten who you are, where your power is, and where "the Peace of God" is! Just whisper "JESUS". Peace, be still. I pray "THE PEACE OF GOD" on each of you and expect good reports!
Merry CHRISTmas! Bro. Don George
