The Gospel of Peace: Finding True Tranquility in Christ

 

Summary

In Romans 10:15, Paul speaks of the "gospel of peace," a profound concept that addresses the world's deepest need. Despite nearly 2,000 years of Christian teaching, there remains confusion about the true nature of the gospel. This confusion leads to personal and global unrest. The gospel, however, is the answer to this turmoil, offering peace that transcends human understanding. The Christian message is rooted in the life and teachings of Jesus Christ, who came to bring peace to a world in desperate need of it. This peace is not merely the absence of conflict but a profound inner tranquility that comes from a right relationship with God.

The world often misunderstands peace as simply the absence of war or conflict. However, biblical peace is an inward state of rest and contentment, a heart at leisure from itself. This peace is possible even in a world full of sin and chaos, as it is rooted in the blood of Jesus, which whispers peace within. The lack of peace in the world is due to sin, which disrupts our relationship with God, ourselves, and others. Sin leads to restlessness, fear, and a wrong view of self, making us the center of the universe and leading to conflict with others.

The gospel of peace addresses these issues by reconciling us to God through Jesus Christ. It is only through the cross that we can find true peace, as it deals with the root cause of our unrest—sin. By believing in the gospel, we are justified by faith and have peace with God. This peace transforms our view of ourselves and others, allowing us to live in harmony with those around us. It is a peace that persists despite circumstances, offering hope and joy even in the face of death.

Key Takeaways:

- The gospel of peace is not merely the absence of conflict but an inner tranquility that comes from a right relationship with God. This peace is rooted in the life and teachings of Jesus Christ, who came to bring peace to a world in desperate need of it. [06:38]

- Sin is the root cause of the world's lack of peace, disrupting our relationship with God, ourselves, and others. It leads to restlessness, fear, and a wrong view of self, making us the center of the universe and leading to conflict with others. [17:57]

- The gospel of peace addresses these issues by reconciling us to God through Jesus Christ. It is only through the cross that we can find true peace, as it deals with the root cause of our unrest—sin. [44:54]

- By believing in the gospel, we are justified by faith and have peace with God. This peace transforms our view of ourselves and others, allowing us to live in harmony with those around us. [50:04]

- The peace offered by the gospel persists despite circumstances, offering hope and joy even in the face of death. It is a peace that the world cannot give or take away, rooted in the assurance of eternal life with God. [55:03]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:11] - Introduction to Romans 10:15
- [00:29] - The Gospel of Peace
- [01:03] - Confusion About the Gospel
- [01:53] - The Origin of the Christian Church
- [03:36] - The Message of the Apostles
- [04:28] - The Purpose of Christ's Coming
- [05:30] - The Announcement of Peace
- [06:38] - The Biblical Concept of Peace
- [09:57] - The World's Need for Peace
- [17:57] - Sin as the Root Cause of Unrest
- [25:01] - Wrong Relationship with God
- [30:16] - Wrong View of Self
- [37:36] - Conflict with Others
- [44:54] - Reconciliation Through the Cross
- [50:04] - Transformation Through the Gospel
- [55:03] - Peace in the Face of Death

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: The Gospel of Peace

Bible Reading:
1. Romans 10:15 - "And how shall they preach except they be sent? As it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace and bring glad tidings of good things."
2. John 14:27 - "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."
3. Ephesians 2:14-17 - "For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; and that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: and came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh."

Observation Questions:
1. According to Romans 10:15, what is the significance of those who preach the gospel of peace? How does this relate to the concept of being sent? [00:11]
2. In John 14:27, how does Jesus describe the peace he gives compared to the peace the world offers? [06:52]
3. What does Ephesians 2:14-17 say about how Jesus has made peace between different groups of people? [44:17]
4. How does the sermon describe the world's misunderstanding of peace, and what is the biblical definition of peace? [10:51]

Interpretation Questions:
1. Why does the sermon emphasize that the gospel of peace is not just the absence of conflict but an inner tranquility? How does this understanding affect a believer's life? [12:21]
2. How does sin disrupt our relationship with God, ourselves, and others, according to the sermon? What are the consequences of this disruption? [17:57]
3. In what ways does the cross of Christ address the root cause of unrest and bring about reconciliation and peace? [44:54]
4. How does the peace offered by the gospel persist despite circumstances, and what hope does it provide in the face of death? [55:03]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current understanding of peace. How does it align with the biblical concept of peace as described in the sermon? What changes might you need to make in your perspective? [10:51]
2. Identify an area in your life where sin might be causing unrest or conflict. How can you apply the message of reconciliation through the cross to this situation? [17:57]
3. Consider a relationship in your life that lacks peace. How can the gospel of peace transform your view and approach to this relationship? [50:04]
4. How can you cultivate a heart at rest and a mind at peace in your daily life, especially in times of stress or uncertainty? [13:29]
5. Think about a recent situation where you felt anxious or fearful. How can the assurance of peace with God help you face similar situations in the future? [53:19]
6. How can you be a messenger of the gospel of peace in your community or workplace? What practical steps can you take to share this message with others? [00:11]
7. Reflect on the hope and joy that the gospel of peace offers in the face of death. How does this assurance impact your daily life and interactions with others? [55:03]

Devotional

Day 1: Inner Tranquility Through a Right Relationship with God
The gospel of peace is not just about the absence of conflict; it is about achieving an inner tranquility that stems from a right relationship with God. This peace is deeply rooted in the life and teachings of Jesus Christ, who came to bring peace to a world in desperate need of it. Unlike the world's understanding of peace, which often equates to the absence of war or conflict, biblical peace is an inward state of rest and contentment. It is a heart at leisure from itself, possible even in a world full of sin and chaos. This peace is rooted in the blood of Jesus, which whispers peace within. [06:38]

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 ways can you focus your mind on God today to experience His perfect peace?


Day 2: Sin as the Disruptor of Peace
Sin is the root cause of the world's lack of peace, disrupting our relationship with God, ourselves, and others. It leads to restlessness, fear, and a wrong view of self, making us the center of the universe and leading to conflict with others. This disruption is why the world often finds itself in turmoil, as sin distorts our understanding of peace and our place in the world. By recognizing sin's role in disrupting peace, we can begin to address the underlying issues that prevent us from experiencing true tranquility. [17:57]

James 4:1-2 (ESV): "What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel."

Reflection: Identify a specific area in your life where sin is causing unrest. How can you seek God's help to address this today?


Day 3: Reconciliation Through the Cross
The gospel of peace addresses the issues of sin by reconciling us to God through Jesus Christ. It is only through the cross that we can find true peace, as it deals with the root cause of our unrest—sin. By believing in the gospel, we are justified by faith and have peace with God. This reconciliation transforms our view of ourselves and others, allowing us to live in harmony with those around us. The cross is the ultimate symbol of peace, bridging the gap between humanity and God, and offering a path to true reconciliation. [44:54]

Colossians 1:19-20 (ESV): "For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross."

Reflection: How can you actively participate in the reconciliation process with someone you are in conflict with, reflecting the peace of the cross?


Day 4: Transformation Through the Gospel
By believing in the gospel, we are justified by faith and have peace with God. This peace transforms our view of ourselves and others, allowing us to live in harmony with those around us. The transformation brought about by the gospel is profound, as it shifts our focus from ourselves to God and others. This shift enables us to see the world through a lens of peace and reconciliation, fostering relationships that reflect the love and grace of Jesus Christ. [50:04]

2 Corinthians 5:17-18 (ESV): "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation."

Reflection: In what ways can you allow the gospel to transform your interactions with others today?


Day 5: Peace in the Face of Death
The peace offered by the gospel persists despite circumstances, offering hope and joy even in the face of death. It is a peace that the world cannot give or take away, rooted in the assurance of eternal life with God. This peace provides a profound sense of security and hope, knowing that nothing can separate us from the love of God. Even in the most challenging times, the peace of the gospel remains steadfast, offering comfort and assurance of God's eternal promises. [55:03]

1 Thessalonians 4:13-14 (ESV): "But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep."

Reflection: How can you embrace the peace of the gospel in a current situation that feels uncertain or fearful?

Quotes



The message of the Christian church is that the greatest need of the world is the gospel, but that means that we must know what it is, what it says, what it teaches, what it has to offer. And as I've been suggesting, the best way to discover that is to go to it itself. [00:01:48]

The greatest need in the world at this moment is peace. Now don't misunderstand me. We must be quite clear as to the meaning of the word peace. The moment I say the greatest need in the world tonight is peace, I can imagine some people saying, quite right, it's about time you began to deal with that sort of subject. [00:10:36]

The world thinks of peace as the mere absence of war. That's how the world defines peace. It thinks of peace as a condition in which men are no longer fighting. The world indeed tends to think of peace in terms of avoidance of problems, getting rid of difficulties in order that we may go on living the life we want to live. [00:11:10]

The biblical idea of peace is this: it's that a man has a quiet heart, a quiet mind, a heart at leisure from itself, a heart at rest. The hymn we've been singing, one of the hymns we've been singing, puts it very well: peace, perfect peace, in this dark world of sin. [00:12:44]

The whole cause of restlessness in the human heart tonight is that men and women make themselves the center. God? What's God? Well, God is somebody I can turn to if I'm very ill or my wife's ill or my children are ill or if I happen to be shipwrecked in mid-Atlantic and there's nobody near. [00:31:27]

The gospel gives you peace in this world not by changing the world but by changing you. That's the wonder and the amazement of it. Peace, perfect peace, in this dark world of sin and all the other questions that you asked and sang with far loved ones far away with walls and all peace possible. [00:47:19]

Being justified by faith, says Paul to the Romans, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. You believe this message and you'll have peace with God. You'll no longer be afraid of God with that craven fear, the fear that has torment. [00:47:44]

The moment you believe this message, the moment you have a new birth and a new nature, you get a right view of yourself. You realize that you are your own greatest enemy and that it's your own selfishness and self-centeredness that has produced most of your problems. [00:50:04]

The gospel does not only that, it helps you to see other people right. The people who used to be jealous of and envious of them felt that they were jealous and unfair to you and you hated them and you did this and that. You know, once you are changed, you'll see them differently. [00:51:06]

The peace of God that passes all understanding shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. I don't care what your circumstances are. I don't care what they are. In nothing be anxious, nothing at all. Doesn't matter what. Oh, but you say you don't know my... I don't care what your circumstances are. [00:53:11]

Once you've had a glimpse of Heaven, this world can never make you lose your peace. Once you know that you don't go out into outer darkness and endless misery and remorse but to the glory of God and of him, if you have got a glimpse of it, you'll never lose your peace again. [00:55:22]

God sent his son into the world to give us this peace, a peace which the world can not only not give us, it can never take it from us. It's a peace in spite of everything, hell included. It is the peace of God that passes all understanding. [00:59:42]

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Transcript
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