I. What Is Peace?
A. Definition
1. To agree
2. A state of tranquility or quiet
3. Freedom from disquieting or oppressive thoughts or emotions
4. Harmony in personal relationships
5. A pact or agreement to end hostilities
B. A Low View Of Peace
1. To agree, but not necessarily wholeheartedly
2. A state of tranquility or quiet, but with the clear possibility of immediate conflict
3. Freedom from disquieting or oppressive thoughts or emotions…
a. Perhaps by choosing to ignore things that ought to be thought about
b. Perhaps by medication, addiction, distancing ones’ self from responsibility
4. Harmony in personal relationships…
a. Perhaps for personal gain
b. Love not necessarily a part of that harmony
C. Some Popular Thoughts & Ideas
1. Enforcing a cessation of warfare
a. I.E. peace-keeping forces
b. Good, but not really the highest ideal. Doesn’t create harmony, love; does prohibits war
2. Agreements, truces, treaties to cease from warfare
a. Rarely is brotherly love present
b. Treaties often in place for financial or geographical gain
c. Treaties often exist to prevent mutual annihilation
D. The Bible’s Definition Of Peace
1. To agree with God… about your condition, His holiness and truth, etc.
2. A state of tranquility or quiet…that comes from being at peace with God
3. Freedom from disquieting or oppressive thoughts or emotions…because peace comes from being in right relationship with God
4. Harmony in personal relationships
a. Right relationship w/God brings right relationships w/others
b. Peace is a result of going through the Beatitudes of verses 3-8.
5. A pact or agreement to end hostilities…
a. God has offered a pact to end hostilities between God and man
b. God offers peace to man, but on His terms
II. The Reason For Lack Of Peace
A. Peace Is A Heart Issue, Not An External Situation
1. Bible says that man is at enmity (war) with God
2. Turn to Romans 8:5-8
3. To be carnally minded is death.
4. Why can’t the natural man please God? B/c they live for themselves
5. The natural man lives a life outside of true consideration of God
6. They are self governing, and can never reach God’s highest ideal
7. The natural man will always have a tainted view/approach towards peace
a. Man often tries to treat the symptom through education, financial motivation, etc.
b. man can bring temporary relief, but he can’t bring true peace
8. He often does the best he can, but lacks what is needed for true peace with fellow man, b/c he does not have true peace with God
9. A man cannot know peace when he is at war with God
10. Peace only is known by those who have surrendered to God
11. It is folly for man to fight with God.
12. What can man hope to gain? Eternal separation? That is Hell: eternal separation from God
B. How To Have Peace With God
1. Natural man is described as not having peace with God. Read Romans 3:10-18
2. Natural man described as being universally guilty before God. Read Romans 3:19, 20
3. God has offered His peace agreement: man’s sins can be paid for by another: Jesus
4. Man can have his offenses forgiven, and hostilities can be forgiven and ended.
5. Peace with God can be established. Read Romans 5:1
6. Colossians 1:20 (Jesus)…made peace through the blood of His cross.
C. Man Can Then Have The Peace Of God
1. Galatians 5:22, 23 “…the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness, self-control.
2. The natural man is self-influenced, or spiritually influenced from evil forces.
3. The Christian has the opportunity to be influenced and indwelt by God
4. The Christians then…
a. Have peace with God
b. Have the peace of God
c. Possess the peace that God gives, and consequently desires to see peace among men.
5. The one who has this peace wants to bring this peace to others.
6. God wants the conflict to end between…
a. God and man
b. Man vs. man, nations vs. nation, etc.
III. What Is The Work Of A Peacemaker?
A. Not Educating The Illiterate- Good, But Secondary
B. Not Standing Between Enemies- Good, But Not Best
C. Not Feeding The Hungry- Important, But Peace More Important
D. Bringing People To Jesus Christ, The “Prince Of Peace”
1. 2 Cor. 2:19b, 20 (God) has committed to us the word of reconciliation. 20Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God.
2. A peacemaker ultimately points people to “The Prince of Peace”, Jesus Christ.
E. Are You A Peacemaker?
1. True happiness comes from being a peacemaker.
2. One who can influence for peace.
3. One who knows the peace that he tries to bring
4. A peacemaker is more than one who stops quarrels; he brings people to God
5. A peacemaker might become involved in great conflicts.
6. Real peace can never be found in a compromise with evil.
7. Man’s biggest need is to be reconciled to God