The Images of Jesus Christ
Title: Christ our Peace!
Introduction
With the recent events in the Middle East, we wonder at the chaos and are in search of peace. Perfect peace is found in Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 2:14a says, “For He Himself is our peace!”
Isaiah 9:6-7 Read. Jesus is called the Prince of peace.
Nothing outside of Jesus Christ brings peace. Only Jesus truly satisfies is not a cliche but a profound truth.
Peace is part of the fruit of the Spirit- Gal. 5:22 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self control. Against such there is no law.
The true mark of a Christian is the amount of fruit he/she bears. Matthew 7:16 “By their fruit you shall know them.”
Jesus in His teaching on the Sermon, the beatitudes said “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God” (Matt. 5:9). Why will they be called sons of God? Because they are like their Savior, Jesus, the Prince of peace. They reflect God. 1 John 4:17b “as He is, so are we in this world.”
We are peacemakers not peacekeepers!
Peacekeeping is false peace. It is temporary and not lasting, it depends on conditions which are always external. Many countries embark on diplomatic peacekeeping missions and become allies, they exchange commodities and sign peace agreements which are conditional. It is passive and not active.
In peacekeeping missions, it is okay to pretend, to sweep things under the carpet so as not to rock the cradle. Let sleeping babies sleep; of leg sleeping dogs lie. It does not visit the root of the problem, it deals with the surface issues. ( example: African marriage peace keepers)
A peacemaker visits the root of the problem. A peacemaker is willing to resolve both internal and external turmoil or chaos in order to establish peace with oneself and others. It exposes the false impression, it exposes the deception, the “fakeness” the idolatry of the heart before making peace with oneself.
Peacemaking: peace rules in the heart; peace is active not passive; it is resolute in truth; it is patient and fore bearing.
Jesus did not bring passive peace. He was not a peacekeeper. If He was a peacekeeper, He would have been on the good books of the Pharisees and Sadducees. He would have aborted His mission.
John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”
Jesus is saying; “I bring rest and stillness of heart to you. It is not the absence of double, but it exists in spite of trouble.” It pushes through. It is a rugged decision to keep believing and to keep trusting the Person who has spoken, the One who is on the inside of me that I know has a great plan. I know He is working it out for my good; I know I can trust Him; I know He cannot fail. It is a place of surrender to His perfect will.
The psalmist says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” Psalm 46:10. Why should we be still? Verse 11 says, ‘The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.”
Be still! Stop striving; stop fighting; stop fearing. Be still!!!
Paul said, “nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom i have believed and I am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that day.” 2 Timothy 1:12
The word peace in the Greek term is “Eirene” where we get the name Irene. Eirene is a verb meaning to reconcile, to be at peace, rest, harmony, the tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, fearing nothing and content with God’s perfect will. It is the blessed state of the devout.
Eirene is the root word for “serene” – inner rest, reconciliation with God affected by placing ones faith in Christ.
The word peace in the Hebrew term is “Shalom.” We call it Peace in English but the true definition of Shalom is much more than the word Peace.
Shalom in Hebrew means: to make full restitution, to restore, to make whole.
Shalom is an overall sense of fullness and completeness in mind, body, and estate; it means well being, tranquility, a state of completeness where nothing is lacking.
In Arabic it is called “Salam”
Peace is an essential characteristic of the Messianic kingdom “The word which God sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ- He is Lord of all.” Acts 10:36
William Barclay (1907-1978), a Scottish theologian once said, “Peace Is everything which will make his mind pure, his will resolute and his heart glad. It is that sense of the love of God, which, even if his body is tortured, can keep a man’s heart serene.”
Back to our main text: Ephesians 2:14-18
“For He Himself is our peace…”
Jesus Christ all by Himself is our peace! When we have Him, we are eternally secured.
The absence of Peace is the absence of the Son of God in our lives.
Reasons for lack of Peace
1. Sin-Isaiah 48:22
2. Unbelief-Hebrews 4:11
3. Pride-
4. Ignorance –
5. Lack of fruitful prayer life – in the place of prayer, we lay hold of God’s willingness. It is when heaven kisses the earth. It reminds us of our dependence on God. It brings us to a place of relationship and knowledge of God.
6 Reasons to choose Him as our Peace
1. He settled the quarrel between us and the Father- Ephesians 2:14-18; Col. 1:19-22
2. He has conquered Satan on our behalf and destroyed its works: 1 John 3:8
3. We are assured of victory- 1 John 5:4; 1 Cor. 15:57
4. He is our hiding place- Psalm 32:7
5. His peace is perfect because He is the Prince of peace- John 4:13-14; Isaiah 44:2-3
6. He assures us of answered prayers- 1 John 5:14
John 16:33 says, “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”