Finding True Peace: A Divine Gift from God

 

Summary

In today's gathering, we explored the profound concept of peace as a fruit of the Spirit, delving into its biblical roots and practical application in our lives. We began by acknowledging the world's relentless search for love, joy, and peace, often in the wrong places. True peace, or "shalom," is not merely the absence of conflict but a state of wholeness and fulfillment that only God can provide. This peace is not achieved through human effort but is a divine gift, a fruit of the Spirit that grows within us as we walk with God.

We examined peace through the Scriptures, starting from Genesis, where God's original design was perfect harmony. Sin disrupted this peace, but God's mission has always been to restore it through Jesus, the Prince of Peace. We learned that peace is not found in external circumstances or political figures but in a relationship with God. The peace of God transcends understanding and guards our hearts and minds, even amidst life's challenges.

Experiencing this peace begins with the mind. The battle for peace is internal, and it starts with renewing our minds through God's Word and prayer. As we align our thoughts with God's truth, we find perfect peace, a peace that the world cannot offer. This peace is cultivated by walking in the Spirit, allowing God's presence to transform our inner being.

Finally, we discussed extending peace to others. As peacemakers, we are called to live out this peace in our relationships and communities. This requires humility, forgiveness, and a commitment to unity. The church should be a beacon of peace, reflecting God's love and grace to a world in turmoil. By embracing our role as peacemakers, we fulfill our calling as children of God, bringing His peace to a broken world.

Key Takeaways:

- True Peace Comes from God: Peace is not merely the absence of conflict but a divine gift that brings wholeness and fulfillment. It is a fruit of the Spirit, cultivated through a relationship with God, not through human effort or external circumstances. [44:10]

- The Battle for Peace is Internal: Experiencing God's peace begins with renewing our minds. The battle for peace is fought within, and victory comes through aligning our thoughts with God's truth and walking in the Spirit. [49:52]

- Peace Transcends Understanding: God's peace guards our hearts and minds, providing stability and assurance even in life's challenges. It is a peace that surpasses human understanding and is rooted in God's presence. [56:23]

- Peacemakers Reflect God's Character: As children of God, we are called to be peacemakers, extending God's peace to others. This requires humility, forgiveness, and a commitment to unity, reflecting God's love and grace to the world. [01:03:04]

- The Church as a Beacon of Peace: The church should be a community of peace, living out the fruit of the Spirit in unity and love. By embracing our role as peacemakers, we fulfill our calling and bring God's peace to a broken world. [01:06:56]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [37:54] - Introduction to 21 Days of Prayer
- [39:55] - Praise Report and Generosity
- [41:36] - Introduction to the Fruit of the Spirit
- [42:43] - Examining Peace in Scripture
- [44:10] - Understanding Shalom
- [45:47] - The Promise of Peace
- [47:23] - Peace Beyond Politics
- [48:50] - Experiencing God's Peace
- [49:52] - The Battle Within
- [51:39] - Spirit, Soul, and Body
- [52:30] - Perfect Peace vs. Imperfect Peace
- [54:47] - Prayer as the Pathway to Peace
- [56:23] - Guarding Hearts and Minds
- [58:40] - Extending Peace to Others
- [01:03:04] - The Role of Peacemakers
- [01:06:56] - The Church as a Community of Peace
- [01:11:06] - The Gospel of Peace
- [01:13:31] - Invitation to Prayer and Baptism

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: The Fruit of Peace

Bible Reading:
1. Galatians 5:22-23 - "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law."
2. Isaiah 26:3 - "You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you."
3. Philippians 4:6-7 - "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

Observation Questions:
1. According to Galatians 5:22-23, what are the characteristics of the fruit of the Spirit, and how is peace described among them?
2. In Isaiah 26:3, what is the condition for experiencing perfect peace, and how does it relate to trust in God?
3. How does Philippians 4:6-7 describe the process of obtaining God's peace, and what role does prayer play in it?
4. In the sermon, how is the concept of "shalom" explained, and how does it differ from the common understanding of peace? [44:10]

Interpretation Questions:
1. What does it mean for peace to be a "fruit of the Spirit," and how does this influence our understanding of how peace is cultivated in our lives? [41:36]
2. How does the sermon explain the internal battle for peace, and what role does renewing the mind play in this process? [49:52]
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that peace transcends understanding, and how does this impact our response to life's challenges? [56:23]
4. How does the role of peacemakers, as described in the sermon, reflect God's character, and what practical steps can believers take to embody this role? [01:03:04]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a recent situation where you sought peace through external circumstances. How can you shift your focus to seeking peace through your relationship with God instead? [48:50]
2. Identify a specific area in your life where you struggle with anxiety or unrest. How can you apply the principles from Philippians 4:6-7 to experience God's peace in that area?
3. Consider a relationship in your life that lacks peace. What steps can you take to be a peacemaker in that relationship, and how can humility and forgiveness play a role? [01:03:04]
4. The sermon emphasizes the importance of renewing the mind. What practical steps can you take this week to align your thoughts with God's truth and experience His peace? [49:52]
5. How can you contribute to making your church a community of peace, and what specific actions can you take to promote unity and love within your church family? [01:06:56]
6. Think of a person or group in your community who is experiencing turmoil. How can you extend God's peace to them, and what resources or support can you offer?
7. Reflect on the concept of "shalom" as wholeness and fulfillment. How can you pursue this holistic peace in your personal life, and what changes might be necessary to achieve it? [44:10]

Devotional

Day 1: True Peace as Divine Wholeness
True peace, or "shalom," is not simply the absence of conflict but a profound state of wholeness and fulfillment that only God can provide. This peace is a divine gift, a fruit of the Spirit that grows within us as we cultivate a relationship with God. Unlike the fleeting peace the world offers, God's peace is enduring and transformative, bringing a sense of completeness to our lives. It is not achieved through human effort or external circumstances but is a result of walking closely with God and allowing His Spirit to work within us. [44:10]

Isaiah 26:3-4 (ESV): "You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock."

Reflection: In what areas of your life are you seeking peace through your own efforts or external circumstances? How can you invite God to bring His divine peace into these areas today?


Day 2: The Internal Battle for Peace
Experiencing God's peace begins with the mind. The battle for peace is internal, and it starts with renewing our minds through God's Word and prayer. As we align our thoughts with God's truth, we find a peace that the world cannot offer. This peace is cultivated by walking in the Spirit, allowing God's presence to transform our inner being. The victory in this battle comes from consistently choosing to focus on God's promises and truths, rather than the chaos and distractions of the world. [49:52]

Romans 12:2 (ESV): "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."

Reflection: What thoughts or beliefs are currently hindering your experience of God's peace? How can you intentionally renew your mind with God's truth today?


Day 3: Peace Beyond Human Understanding
God's peace transcends human understanding and guards our hearts and minds, providing stability and assurance even amidst life's challenges. This peace is not dependent on external circumstances but is rooted in God's presence and promises. It offers a sense of security and calm that surpasses what the world can comprehend, allowing us to navigate life's storms with confidence and hope. By trusting in God's sovereignty and goodness, we can experience this peace that defies explanation. [56:23]

Colossians 3:15 (ESV): "And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful."

Reflection: When faced with life's challenges, how do you typically respond? How can you allow the peace of Christ to rule in your heart in these situations?


Day 4: Reflecting God's Character as Peacemakers
As children of God, we are called to be peacemakers, extending God's peace to others. This requires humility, forgiveness, and a commitment to unity, reflecting God's love and grace to the world. By embracing our role as peacemakers, we fulfill our calling and bring God's peace to a broken world. Our actions and attitudes should mirror the character of Christ, promoting reconciliation and harmony in our relationships and communities. [01:03:04]

Matthew 5:9 (ESV): "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God."

Reflection: Is there a relationship in your life where you need to act as a peacemaker? What steps can you take today to promote reconciliation and unity in that relationship?


Day 5: The Church as a Community of Peace
The church should be a beacon of peace, living out the fruit of the Spirit in unity and love. By embracing our role as peacemakers, we fulfill our calling and bring God's peace to a broken world. The church is called to reflect God's love and grace, serving as a community where peace is cultivated and shared. As members of the body of Christ, we are to work together to create an environment of harmony and support, demonstrating the transformative power of God's peace to those around us. [01:06:56]

Ephesians 4:3 (ESV): "Eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."

Reflection: How can you contribute to making your church a community of peace? What specific actions can you take to foster unity and love within your church family today?

Quotes



Peace is not found in any president or political party. It is found in the God of peace, the Prince of peace, the Lord of peace. I also wanna say to you who are watching online, because people watch them all around the country, I want you to just know, if you are in a church where every time the preacher preaches, it's like a parent, Fox News, or MSNBC, or CNN, you're in the wrong church. [00:47:23] (32 seconds)



The battle you must win is the battle within. The Bible says that the man thinks in his heart, so is he. Romans 12 verse two, do not be conformed to the pattern of this world, but be transformed. Here it is, by the renewing of your mind. The renewing of your mind. And so it's so important that you are every day going to the word of God, every day spending time with God, renewing your mind. [00:50:35] (27 seconds)



Focus on the Lord, his presence. When you have his presence, you have his peace. The Lord is there. He's near to the brokenhearted. Remember, peace is not the absence of problems. It's the presence of Jesus. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious. The word anxious means to pull apart. In your mind, in your heart, you're just pulled apart. [00:54:37] (24 seconds)



Prayer is the pathway to God's peace. All right? By prayer and petition. Now, we all know what a petition is. People are always asking you to sign a petition. And I'm not saying that's bad, but I don't sign many petitions. Because as sure as I do, it'll be a petition from one of our members. And out of 15,000 plus, it'll be a petition against another member. [00:55:10] (24 seconds)



And so it says, blessed are the peacemakers. That's proactive. He didn't say, blessed are the peaceful. That's passive. No, you got to do your part. You got to work at it. God's not the author of confusion. Look at this, 1 Corinthians 14, 33. For God is not a God of disorder, but of, everybody say it, of peace. [01:04:46] (20 seconds)



And I wish I had time to preach it. I'll preach it maybe in the weeks to come. But here it is. All of the fruit mentioned, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control are lived out in community. You have to be patient with one another. You have to love one another. You have to have peace with one another. All of them are lived out in community. [01:06:41] (22 seconds)



Thank you for the blood of Jesus. We plead the blood of Jesus over us, over our church family, over all of our families, over every marriage, every home, over our children and our children's children. I plead the blood of Jesus over our testimony and witness in every city where you've placed us. God, I pray right now thanking you for peace that we have with God, that we can come together and we can call you our Father. [01:20:37] (30 seconds)



We trust you with all of our heart. We lean not to our own understanding. In all of our ways, we're gonna acknowledge you, thanking you that you're gonna direct our path. God, we pray this peace for others, for those who don't know you. We pray, as you've told us, for the peace of Jerusalem. Lord, we pray for peace in the Middle East. We pray for these hostages to be released, and for families to get closure. [01:21:27] (28 seconds)



And I pray right now, thanking you for the promise of heaven, a place of peace. A perfect peace where there's no more sin, no more death, no more crying, no more pain. I thank you for a place where you'll wipe every tear from our eyes. And so Lord, we look forward to that day, but thank you that you bring peace to us even now, even in this world of chaos. [01:23:28] (24 seconds)



Chatbot

  • I'm an AI bot trained specifically on the sermon from Jan 19, 2025. Do you have any questions about it?

Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?