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Sunday Worship 19 September 2021 : "The Fruit of the Spirit: Peace"

Text: Galatians 5:22-23; John 16; Philippians 4
19 September 2021

INTRODUCTION

1. The longing for Peace

a) A natural thing for people in war-torn countries
b) Where there is a high crime rate

2. The Pax Romana

a) The Peace of Rome in the days of the first century
b) Rome’s Peace was achieved with an iron fist
c) Any trouble was put down with ruthlessness

PEACE WITH GOD

1. State of Enmity with God

a) Without Christ   (Ephesians 2:12a)
b) Aliens from the commonwealth of Israel   (Ephesians 2:12b)
c) Having no hope   (Ephesians 2:12c)
d) Without God in the world   (Ephesians 2:12d)

2. Peace obtained

a) He Himself (Christ the Lord) is our peace   (Ephesians 2:14)
b) Reconciled them both to God   (Ephesians 2:16a)
i) In one body   (Ephesians 2:16b)
ii) Through the cross   (Ephesians 2:16c)
c) Putting to death the enmity   (Ephesians 2:16d)
d) We have peace with God through Christ   (Romans 5:1)

ADDRESSING THE PROBLEM OF WORRYING

1. The problem of anxiety/ worry

a) The Lord Jesus had to address this issue pointedly
b) Many worried needlessly

2. Admonition of the Lord Jesus Christ

a) Worrying about life
“Do not worry about your life”   Matthew 6:25a
b) Uselessness of worrying
i) “Which of you by worrying
Can add one cubit to his stature?”   Matthew 6:27
ii) “Why do you worry about clothing?”   (Matthew 6:28)
c) Stop worrying
i) “Therefore do not worry…”   (Matthew 6:31)
ii) “Do not worry about tomorrow”   (Matthew 6:34)

THE NEED FOR PERSONAL PEACE

1. A Personal sense of Peace

a) Peace of heart
b) Peace of mind

2. The Problem of feeling Troubled

a) The thought of Death
“Let not your heart be troubled”   John 14:1a
b) Feeling of being orphaned
“I will not leave you orphans”   John 14:18

3. The Promise of Peace

a) Description of the peace the Lord Jesus gives
i) The gift of peace
“Peace I leave with you”   John 14:27a
ii) The Lord’s kind of peace
“My peace I give to you”   John 14:27b
iii) The world
“Not as the world gives
do I give to you”   John 14:27c
b) Effects of this gift of peace
i) The heart
“Let not your heart be troubled”   John 14:27d
ii) Fear
“Neither let It be afraid”   John 14:27e
iii) Words that bring peace
“These things I have spoken to you,
That in Me you may have peace”   John 16:33a
iv) Good cheer
In the world you will have tribulation:
“But be of good cheer,
I have overcome the world”   John 16:33

THE FRUIT OF PEACE

1. Encouragement not to be anxious

a) Anxiety felt
b) Addressing anxiety
“Be anxious for nothing”   Philippians 4:6

2. Encouragement to pray

a) Pray about everything
“In everything by prayer and supplication,
With thanksgiving, let your requests be made known
To God”   Philippians 4:6b
b) Peace of God will serve as a guard
“And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding,
Will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus”   Philippians 4:7

3. The God of Peace

a) The Practice of Meditation   (Philippians 4:8)
i) Things that are true
ii) Noble
iii) Just
iv) Pure
v) Lovely
vi) Good report
vii) Virtuous
viii) Praiseworthy
b) The Practice of faith
i) Learned
ii) Received
iii) Heard
iv) Seen
“These do, and the God of peace will be with you”   Philippians 4:9

CONCLUSION

1. Thank God

a) We already are at peace with God through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ
b) There is a special work of the Spirit of God in our life that will result in Peace

2. Challenges for us:

a) To cease worrying
b) To pray
c) To meditate
d) To practise our faith