Today I want to give you a peek at the first half of Adrian Warnock’s sermon notes from a sermon called Blessed are the Peacemakers. You’ll then be given an opportunity to link to read the conclusion. Remember, this probably was fleshed out to a 25-30 minute sermon; so read slowly and carefully. Adrian is part of the leadership team at Jubilee Church in London, England.
1. What is peace? At one level the absence of war. Cost of a lack of peace is huge: Peace is the most expensive commodity “Defense” spending 1.8 Trillion US Dollars for top 15 countries. Could end poverty overnight. More to Peace than war not happening!
“Shalom” =the absence of internal anxiety and external war:
Not alienation but acceptance
Not chaos but order
Not disruption but security
Not discord but harmony
Not danger but safety
Not anger but self-restraint
Not fear but the rest of faith
Not timidity but confidence
Not anxiety but calm
Not disorder but self-discipline
Not sense of being alone but being part of a people
Not loneliness but being known
Not a stranger but family
Not sickness but health
Not poverty but wealth
Not agitation but a settled spirit
Not hostile but friendly
Not bitter but reconciled
Not separated but together
Not broken but repaired
Not immature but complete
Not damaged but whole
Not ruined but restored
Not distressed but total well-being
Not full of clamour but quiet
Not restless but satisfied
Not inpatient but content.
Not insecure but in a covenant relationship
Peace is not just something between people but something that is inside of us too. Real need of world for peace is not just physical remedy but a spiritual one. PEACE comes from the presences of God. If we want to be peacemakers we must first have peace ourselves! If you haven’t experienced real peace you find it hard to give peace. If not at peace with God you are restless.
Sin breaks peace “Passions at war in you”
2. How do we get peace?
a. WITH GOD
Our God is a god of peace. Purpose of Jesus Coming was to bring peace.
Real peace needs a change of nature. Must be reconciled first to God
As we heard we are “by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.”
At enmity with ourselves, each other, but more than that with God. Nothing we can do to put that right: he sees our righteousness like filthy rags
BUT GOD > two of the best words in the Bible “rich in mercy” “because he loves us…because he loves us!” NO OTHER REASON Allowed us to share in the benefits of Jesus resurrection, and turned aside his own wrath, with it being satisfied in the death of Jesus on the cross! GLORIOUS Gospel of peacemaking with God!
Propotiation — Jesus paid the price so we could be justified. satisfied the wrath of an offended person and brings reconciliation.
Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 5:1).
Spiritual peace is all about becoming more aware of the presence of God
b. Within ourselves
In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety. (Psalm 4:8).
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).
I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world. (John 16:33).
“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:23
You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Isaiah 26:3
The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:5–7).
So for example, We grieve but not in the same way as those who have no hope
Christianity 201 