True Peace: A Gift from the Prince of Peace
Summary
Peace is a profound and precious state, often likened to a pearl of great price. True peace, the peace of God, is a blessing that surpasses all understanding and is a gift from the Prince of Peace. However, there exists a counterfeit peace, the peace of the devil, which is deceptive and ultimately ruinous. This false peace is often rooted in ignorance, thoughtlessness, carnal security, superstition, or unbelief. It is a peace that ignores the reality of sin and the need for reconciliation with God. Such peace is fragile and will vanish when faced with the truth of God's judgment.
The peace of God, on the other hand, is a deep and abiding peace that comes from being reconciled with God through Jesus Christ. It is a peace that is not dependent on external circumstances but is rooted in the assurance of God's love and the certainty of salvation. This peace is a blessing that brings joy, humility, courage, and readiness for heaven. It is a peace that guards our hearts and minds, keeping us secure in the midst of life's storms.
To experience this true peace, one must come to God through Jesus Christ, trusting in His atoning sacrifice and yielding to the Holy Spirit. It is a peace that is available to all who are God's people, those who have been bought with the precious blood of Christ and have been born again to a living hope. This peace is a promise that endures through all of life's challenges and remains with us into eternity.
Key Takeaways:
- True peace is a precious gift from God, surpassing all understanding and rooted in reconciliation with Him through Jesus Christ. It is not dependent on external circumstances but is a deep assurance of God's love and salvation. [29:03]
- The peace of the devil is a deceptive counterfeit, often rooted in ignorance, thoughtlessness, or unbelief. It ignores the reality of sin and the need for reconciliation with God, leading to ultimate ruin. [12:19]
- God's peace is a blessing that brings joy, humility, courage, and readiness for heaven. It guards our hearts and minds, keeping us secure in the midst of life's storms. [31:26]
- To experience true peace, one must come to God through Jesus Christ, trusting in His atoning sacrifice and yielding to the Holy Spirit. This peace is available to all who are God's people, those who have been bought with the precious blood of Christ. [33:59]
- The promise of God's peace endures through all of life's challenges and remains with us into eternity. It is a peace that is solid and abiding, founded on eternal truth and guarded by the God of holiness. [42:03]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:12] - Introduction to Peace
[01:07] - The Pearl of Peace
[02:14] - Seeking Rest
[03:29] - Counterfeit Peace
[04:48] - The Peace of the Devil
[07:00] - The Strong Man's Palace
[09:32] - Outward Peace
[12:00] - False Peace and Ignorance
[15:40] - Thoughtlessness and Security
[19:25] - The Danger of Complacency
[23:26] - Superstition and Unbelief
[27:00] - Awakening from False Peace
[28:26] - The Lord's Peace
[33:25] - Peace from God
[38:17] - Peace in the Storm
[42:03] - Eternal Peace
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Luke 11:21-22 - "When a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace: But when a stronger than he shall come upon him, and overcome him, he taketh from him all his armour wherein he trusted, and divideth his spoils."
2. Psalm 29:11 - "The Lord will give strength unto his people; the Lord will bless his people with peace."
3. Isaiah 26:3 - "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee."
#### Observation Questions
1. What does Luke 11:21-22 suggest about the nature of peace when a "strong man" is in control? How does this relate to the concept of false peace mentioned in the sermon? [07:00]
2. According to Psalm 29:11, who is the source of true peace, and what does this imply about the nature of peace that God provides? [28:26]
3. How does the sermon describe the difference between the peace of God and the peace of the devil? [04:32]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. In what ways does the sermon suggest that false peace can be deceptive and ultimately ruinous? How does this relate to the idea of carnal security? [18:51]
2. How does the sermon explain the process of obtaining true peace through Jesus Christ? What role does the Holy Spirit play in this process? [33:59]
3. What does the sermon imply about the relationship between peace and external circumstances? How does this compare to the peace that God offers? [31:26]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you experienced a false sense of peace. What were the circumstances, and how did you eventually recognize it as false? [12:19]
2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of being reconciled with God through Jesus Christ to experience true peace. What steps can you take this week to deepen your relationship with Christ? [33:59]
3. Consider the areas in your life where you might be relying on external circumstances for peace. How can you shift your focus to the assurance of God's love and salvation? [31:26]
4. The sermon warns against the peace that comes from ignorance or thoughtlessness. How can you actively seek knowledge and understanding of God's truth in your daily life? [15:40]
5. How can you cultivate a mindset that is "stayed on" God, as mentioned in Isaiah 26:3, to experience perfect peace? What practical steps can you take to trust in God more fully? [29:03]
6. Identify a specific storm or challenge you are currently facing. How can you apply the promise of God's peace to guard your heart and mind in this situation? [38:17]
7. The sermon describes God's peace as enduring through all of life's challenges. How can you remind yourself of this promise during difficult times? [42:03]
Devotional
Day 1: The Gift of True Peace
True peace is a profound gift from God, surpassing all human understanding. It is not contingent on the ever-changing circumstances of life but is deeply rooted in the reconciliation with God through Jesus Christ. This peace provides an unwavering assurance of God's love and the certainty of salvation, offering a sense of stability and calmness amidst life's chaos. It is a peace that transforms the heart, bringing joy, humility, and courage, and prepares believers for the eternal kingdom. This divine peace is a promise that endures, a steadfast anchor in the storms of life. [29:03]
"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid." (John 14:27, ESV)
Reflection: In what areas of your life are you seeking peace from external circumstances rather than from your relationship with God? How can you shift your focus to embrace the peace that comes from reconciliation with Him?
Day 2: The Deception of False Peace
The peace of the devil is a deceptive counterfeit, often rooted in ignorance, thoughtlessness, or unbelief. It is a false sense of security that ignores the reality of sin and the need for reconciliation with God, leading ultimately to ruin. This counterfeit peace is fragile and will crumble when confronted with the truth of God's judgment. It is a peace that lulls individuals into complacency, blinding them to the spiritual dangers that lie ahead. Recognizing and rejecting this false peace is crucial for those who seek the true peace that only God can provide. [12:19]
"For they have healed the wound of my people lightly, saying, ‘Peace, peace,’ when there is no peace." (Jeremiah 6:14, ESV)
Reflection: Are there areas in your life where you might be experiencing a false sense of peace? How can you discern and address these areas to align more closely with God's truth?
Day 3: The Blessings of God's Peace
God's peace is a blessing that brings joy, humility, courage, and readiness for heaven. It is a peace that guards our hearts and minds, keeping us secure in the midst of life's storms. This divine peace is not just an absence of conflict but a profound sense of well-being and wholeness that comes from being in right relationship with God. It empowers believers to face challenges with confidence, knowing that they are held in the loving hands of the Creator. This peace is a foretaste of the eternal joy and rest that awaits in heaven. [31:26]
"And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful." (Colossians 3:15, ESV)
Reflection: How does the peace of God influence your response to life's challenges? What practical steps can you take to let this peace rule in your heart daily?
Day 4: The Path to Experiencing True Peace
To experience true peace, one must come to God through Jesus Christ, trusting in His atoning sacrifice and yielding to the Holy Spirit. This peace is available to all who are God's people, those who have been bought with the precious blood of Christ and have been born again to a living hope. It is a peace that transforms lives, bringing a deep sense of purpose and direction. Embracing this peace requires a willingness to surrender to God's will and to walk in obedience to His Word. It is a journey of faith that leads to a life of abundance and fulfillment. [33:59]
"Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." (Romans 5:1, ESV)
Reflection: What steps can you take today to deepen your trust in Jesus and yield more fully to the Holy Spirit's guidance in your life?
Day 5: The Enduring Promise of God's Peace
The promise of God's peace endures through all of life's challenges and remains with us into eternity. It is a peace that is solid and abiding, founded on eternal truth and guarded by the God of holiness. This peace is not fleeting or temporary but is a lasting assurance that sustains believers through trials and tribulations. It is a peace that transcends human understanding, offering hope and comfort in the face of uncertainty. As believers hold fast to this promise, they are equipped to navigate the complexities of life with grace and confidence. [42:03]
"You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you." (Isaiah 26:3, ESV)
Reflection: How can you cultivate a mindset that is focused on God to experience His perfect peace more fully in your daily life?
Quotes
Peace is a condition of things greatly to be desired to dread no outward disturbance and to feel no inward storm who does not desire such a state peace has been called a Pearl and rightly for it is precious and smiles with soft mild Radiance beding the heart that wears it it is indeed a pearl of great price he that hath it hath more than riches if his peace be in very deed the true Pearl he who wears it in his breast is one of the favored sons of God. [00:00:44]
Every precious thing in this world is sure to be counterfeited if the government mint issues gold and silver money Rogues will be found to make spurious coin the more a thing is cried up the more is there need of caution that you are not taken in with base imitations of it Satan is the ape of God and whatever God does he tries to do the like with his enchantments hence while there is a peace more precious than the gold of ofir there is another Peace which is worse than worthless. [00:03:37]
The heart of man is not lawfully Satan's Palace but he has made it so by capture in his pride he loves to dwell in the m midst of his captured stronghold that he may vaunt himself over the most high from whom he has taken the heart of his creature Satan values a conquered human heart as a palace he takes pleasure in domineering over the soul which he is forcibly rent away from God that he may dwell securely he covers himself with armor and he keeps constant watch and Ward hence the house is quiet. [00:07:19]
This peace is often merely outward men put on the air of Peace when they do not feel it in their hearts you will often meet with irreligious men who tell you that they are perfectly happy and then ask what do they want with Christ they feel themselves all right what need have they of a new birth they are getting on so well without God's blessing that they do not care to seek it their laughter is loud their gests are endless their cares sit lightly upon them they appear to have no anxiety for the faults of the past. [00:09:30]
To many this peace comes through ignorance they do not know those terrible truths which would make peace impossible they know not that sin is a deadly Viper and therefore they toy with it as with a bird they are scarcely conscious that they have committed any sin worth mentioning but if the light of God's law were turned upon them they would see that they are guilty before God and exceeding vile they are not innocent as they suppose but guilty before the Living God. [00:13:46]
The psalmist says the Lord will bless his people with peace here we have the Lord's peace I trust numbers of you are now enjoying it a man of God Lay Dying but he was very calm yay more he was supremely happy he filled the house with cheerfulness all who came to see him knowing that he was about to die as he well knew himself went away edified and comforted by the interview with this Thrice happy man one said to him friend how is it that you have such peace he answered I can see no ground or cause for it save this it is written thou will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on thee because he trusteth in thee. [00:28:26]
The peace of God which pth all understanding is a sacred God to the soul it shall keep our hearts and Minds by Christ Jesus the value of Peace as keeping the heart and mind is exceeding great it Wards off all sorts of evils and preserves us unto the day of the Lord's appearing the more you enjoy peace with God the better false peace is as Stupify and deadly as opium even the smallest drop of this sleeping mixture may be mischievous to the spirit but you may soon embibe so much of this false confidence that it may deaden the conscience and create a fatal Hardness of Heart. [00:31:26]
Note next that this peace only comes from God the Lord will bless his people with peace you cannot get that peace apart from the Lord himself it is of no use trying to work it out of yourself you say I will get better I will keep the law I will do this and do that you will never dig peace out of the soil of your own works you cannot spin peace out of your own bowels as a spider spins her web you must go to the Lord for peace and there is only one way in which you can go to him Jesus says I am the way go to the father through Jesus Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit trust the father rest in Christ yield to the Holy Spirit and you shall have the peace that God gives. [00:33:59]
The Lord will bless his people with peace as I turned my text over last night it seemed to me to be a very wonderful passage it is a sort of revolving text like a gun which is always loaded and may be perpetually discharged it is a flowing Fountain ever beginning with fresh streams the Lord will bless his people with peace we have had peace with God these 40 years yes but we have a promise of Peace for today suppose we should live another 40 years we shall still have the same promise the Lord will bless his people with peace. [00:38:17]
When you must go upstairs and lie down upon your last bed to rise no more then even then the Lord will bless you with his everliving peace and when you wake up at the sound of the last Trump the Lord will still keep you in perfect peace there remaineth a rest for the people of God ever is this the heritage of his believing ones being justified by faith we have peace with God whatsoever shall befall our race according to the dark page of Prophecy whatever if Terror shall break forth throughout the endless ages of the yet to be the Lord will bless his people with peace. [00:42:03]
I have done when I have said the following words first let us inquire whether we are resting on a false or a true foundation am I addressing a stranger to this Tabernacle here here today for the first time I would not wish to do anything but real good and yet I should like to search you to the foundation is your hope built on a false piece then I would like to overthrow it and leave no stone upon another refuges of Lies must be swept away before refuges of Grace will be sought if you take shelter behind a bowing wall and a tottering in fence I would desire to lend a hand towards sending it over for over it will go before long and it had better go while you can seek another shelter. [00:42:03]
Your living Soul has personally to do with the Living God come to him this morning if you have never been before come at once delay no more do you shrink do you want an introduction do you need a friend to go with you to Heaven's High Court behold the Son of God waits to be your mediator and intercessor come you to the father through the son and you will in no wise be cast out get get a Hope Oh My hearer which will last you to the last get a Hope which you can die with I charge you by the Living God and by Christ Jesus who will surely come to judge the quick and the dead get a confidence which will endure the test of death judgment and Eternity seek to have boldness in the day of judgment no small matter this make sure work for the day of trouble trial how can you be sure unless your trust is built upon the foundation which God himself has laid behold the all sufficient sacrifice rest in the Divine experation the lamb slain from the foundation of the world. [00:45:58]
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