02/11/2025
Many of the Judges raised up by God to help Israel reigned during times of strife. Some had peace during their tenure. Elon judged Israel 10 years. Why was there peace? Can we have peace?
• From the pattern we have observed throughout the book of Judges thus far Israel is in a state of fear, suffering, and oppression when they chose to live in rejection of God.
• They find peace when they return to God and live faith and obedience to Him. Can we find peace today in our lives?
1. Peace comes through Jesus Christ. Colossians 1:20 tells us that Christ’s death on the cross, His blood, makes peace available to all those who believe in Him.
• Peace was the message of Christ-John 16:33.
• Paul calls Christ our peace as One who destroys barriers. (Col. 1:20) “Through” stress that Christ was the means for our reconciliation with God that resulted in a declaration of peace.
• This reconciliation occurred on the basis of the cross. The need for divine intervention in vs. 21.
• Restoration carries the idea “we are considered enemies by God. The only way to change this is a death with the shedding of blood (Hebrews 9:22).
• When Jesus died on the Cross, shedding His blood for us, He was doing the necessary thing to make spiritual peace possible.
• Romans 5:1-“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God, through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
2. Sin (disobedience) robs us of peace. Isaiah 48:22-“There is no peace for the wicked, saith the Lord, unto the wicked.”
• God promised that those who would listen to His admonitions would have peace like a river (48:18) but that promise was not given to those who make a decision not to commit their way to God.
• Today, God will bless His church (Israel in Isaiah), but that is not a warrant for individual Christians to believe they can live ungodly lives just because they are a part of the church.
• Without God there will not be peace in our lives. Christ is the Prince of Peace. Sin separates us. (1 John 1:3,6)
• Psalm 34:14- “Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.” A willful decision must be made: reject sin, choose righteousness.
3. The peace God offers comes through the work of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22). Grace and peace are connected (Gal. 1:3)
• Grace is fundamental, “peace” is its result. The order is never reversed. Grace (God’s divine unmerited favor) is how sinners are received and cleansed from guilt and sin.
• This is grace is extended time and time again to those who already have this grace. Grace continues to work in our lives (John 1:16).
• The result of this grace is peace. Peace (shalom) is the condition of well-being when God is our friend, and all is well with us.
• The condition of peace is objective, the peace established by God through Christ, but it produces also the corresponding subjective realization of peace, rest, satisfaction, and happiness that flow from the possession of this peace.
• The Givers (Source) of this peace is God and Jesus Christ. The peace we long for comes from a Source “outside” of us!
4. The Results of Peace- Philippians 4:7-“and the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
• This takes us back to vs. 6, “to be anxious about nothing.” Don’t be “drawn tight” or “distracted.” Distraction comes from being worried or anxious about life.
• Paul simply says to pray! (vs. 6) Trust God! Remember God’s blessings brings assurance He will meet our present needs. It also fosters a sense of gratitude.
• The result of prayer, trusting God is fully experiencing the peace of mind that only an unconditional faith in God can give.
• “passeth (excels) all understanding” means any kind of understanding that one can arrive at in any normal way. The peace that God gives is beyond any natural ability to understand.
• This peace guards (keeps-KJV) or protects our heart and mind. “Heart” is our way of thinking, will, and feelings. “Mind” is the faculty of perception. Together they indicate the whole personality.
• This “peace” changes our views, attitudes and actions! This guarding is by Christ because of our relationship with Him.
C. What can we learn?
1. Peace is a choice. It is more than an absence of conflict.
2. Believers are encouraged to pursue peace in their relationships with others. Romans 12:18 advises, "If it is possible on your part, live at peace with everyone." This pursuit of peace involves forgiveness, reconciliation, and the active promotion of harmony within the community of faith and beyond.
3. Peace is seen as a stabilizing force in the life of a believer, providing strength and comfort in times of trial. Colossians 3:15 exhorts, "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, for to this you were called as members of one body. And be thankful."
