ATTITUDES FOR GODLY DEVELOPMENT: “PEACE”

• Today, many of you are carrying heavy things that no one else can see.
  • Financial pressures
  • Unanswered prayers
  • Strained relationships
• The peace that Scripture speaks about is not shallow.
  • It is not surface level.
  • It is deep and it is sustaining.
• The world offers distraction—Jesus offers .
• The world offers temporary relief—Jesus offers anchored .
• John 16:33: “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”
• Notice this that in the middle of trouble— Jesus offers peace.
  Not after the storm.
  Not when everything settles down.
  But right in the middle of it.
  Peace Rejoices in God’s Work, Not Personal Control.
• Here is a key fact that I want us to remember: It is only through Jesus living in one’s heart that we can have true Biblical peace.

The Source of True 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.
• That means there are two different kinds of peace: There is worldly peace— And there is Biblical peace.
• Matthew 11:28-29: 28 Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
• Notice—Jesus didn’t say, “Come to religion.” – Jesus didn’t say, “Come to rules.” -Jesus said, “Come to Me.”

What is a Yoke?

• When Jesus says, “Take my yoke,” He is saying something very powerful: He is saying to us.
  – “Walk with Me.”
  – “Be joined to Me.”
  – “Let Me guide your life.”

The Presence of Peace in Fear

• John 20:19 19 That Sunday evening the disciples were meeting behind locked doors because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders. Suddenly, Jesus was standing there among them! “Peace be with you,” he said. 
• Peace is not the absence of fear— Peace is the presence of Jesus in the middle of fear.
• When Jesus steps in—peace steps in, and everything changes.

“To live under the Lord’s sovereign protection and care brings immeasurable comfort, joy and the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension.”  ~ John MacArthur ~

The Calling to Live in Peace

• Matthew 5:9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”
• A peacemaker is someone who:
  – Brings calm into chaos
  – Brings unity into division
  – Brings healing into brokenness

1. Peace Encourages – John 16:33

• Speaks hope instead of fear
• Brings calm instead of panic
• Reminds others that God is still in control

2. Peace Trusts – Peace is built on trust. You cannot have peace if you are trying to control everything.

• Philippines 4:6-7 6 Don’t worry about anything; 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.

3. Peace Restores – Peace heals what is broken. Jesus restored people:

• He restored Peter after failure
• He restored relationships
• He restored humanity through the cross
• Peace doesn’t ignore pain—it brings healing to it

4. Peace Invests – Peace is active—not passive. Just a few minutes ago I referenced Jesus’ sermon on the mount.

• Matthew 5:9 God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God (NLT)
• Matthew 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. (NIV)

Peacemakers invest in:

• Relationships
• Unity
• Growth

They don’t wait for peace—they create it

“The peace Jesus gives us is not a promise to remove the pain and stress of daily living. Those troubles are inevitable, and they will not be removed from us until the Lord comes again. The peace He offers is a calm, unafraid, unruffled confidence that, having placed our lives in His hands, all is well. Nothing can harm our innermost being. Nothing can shake us from the intimate connection we’ve established with the Lord of the universe through our saving faith in Him. It’s a peace we have despite external circumstances – a peace that cannot be destroyed. Dr. David Jeremiah, Pastor of Shadow Mountain Community Church in San Diego, and the founder of the Ministry Turning Point Ministries. Book – “Overcomer.”

• 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.”
• Notice: Jesus doesn’t promise an easier path; He promises His .
• Then Jesus adds, “Do not let your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”
• That is not a command to suppress emotion—it is an to rest in Him. Peace Rejoices in God’s Work, Not Personal Control.

• Acts 15:36–41
• “Peace” valued redemption over efficiency and his personal feelings.
• John 21 – Jesus restoring Peter
• Jesus restored Peter after denial—not privately hiding him but publicly recommissioning him: “Feed My sheep.”
• On the cross, Jesus prayed, “Father, forgive them.” That is peace under pressure.
• What we should see clearly in these passages of scripture is that Peace Seeks Restoration, Even When It’s Costly.
• Peace isn’t pretending hurt didn’t happen—it’s choosing forgiveness anyway.
• Peace leaves a legacy of faithful people.

The sharp disagreement between Paul and Barnabas over John Mark seemed like a broken relationship at the time—but that wasn’t the end of the story.

• Colossians 4:10 “Mark, Barnabas’s cousin… If he comes to you, welcome him.”
• 2 Timothy 4:11 “Bring Mark with you… for he is helpful to me in my ministry.”
• Peace leaves a legacy by shaping people who remain .
• That’s what peace does—it focuses on people, not just outcomes, and leaves behind a legacy of transformed, faithful lives.

A clear pattern:

• Peace encourages
• Peace trusts
• Peace celebrates
• Peace restores
• Peace invests in people

• Barnabas was not the source of that peace – He was simply a – Jesus is the source.
• It was that same peace that steadied Jesus as He faced the cross.

“The peace Jesus gives us is not a promise to remove the pain and stress of daily living. Those troubles are inevitable, and they will not be removed from us until the Lord comes again. The peace He offers is a calm, unafraid, unruffled confidence that, having placed our lives in His hands, all is well. Nothing can harm our innermost being. Nothing can shake us from the intimate connection we’ve established with the Lord of the universe through our saving faith in Him. It’s a peace we have despite external circumstances – a peace that cannot be destroyed. Dr. David Jeremiah

• Hebrews 13:20–21 “Now may the God of peace who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great Shepherd of the sheep, and ratified an eternal covenant with his blood—may He equip you with all you need for doing His will. May He produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, every good thing that is pleasing to Him. All glory to Him forever and ever! Amen.”

Lord Jesus, I admit that I am a sinner. I know that the penalty of my sin is physical, spiritual, and eternal death. I acknowledge that I can’t do anything about my situation. But I know that You came to pay the penalty for my sin. I trust in You alone as the One who died in my place. I repent of my sin and trust in You alone as the only One who can place me in an eternal relationship with the living God. I desire to be Your child. I desire to live as Your child. In Your name. Amen.

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