“What Makes Peace So Elusive?”

Dec.4, 2011 Ps.85:1-2,8-13/various  Play AUDIO (32 kbps mp3)

PUZZLED BY LIFE’S MISSING PEACE

•    conflict abroad and at home shows scarcity of peace

A “TOP TEN” LIST OF GOD’S PROMISES CONCERNING PEACE

•    Scripture promises help us ‘stay’ our mind on God

PEACE’S ORIGIN: FROM GOD

•    Yahweh is peace, grants peace & healing
•    Messiah to proclaim peace, make possible by His punishment
•    Jesus gives peace to disciples so hearts not troubled
•    peace made through Jesus’ blood, received by faith

GRACE AND PEACE: A BENEDICTION LIFESTYLE

•    ‘grace and peace’ the classic Christian greeting; not ‘grab-and-poke’
•    Christians to bring peace to a house where it may be rest on inhabitants

SIN-TERFERENCE: CHECK FOR BLOCKAGES

•    peace not possible alongside idolatry, witchcraft, envy, wickedness, injustice

PACKAGED WITH RIGHTEOUSNESS

•    peace the ‘fruit’ of righteousness
•    need to be governed by Prince of Peace
•    results from sanctification, putting NT teaching into practice, discipline

NOT ‘I’ BUT ‘MEE’: SELFISH OR GOD-SUBMITTED?

•    submit to God: meek will enjoy great peace
•    trust in God, let mind be controlled by Holy Spirit
•    be of one mind, members of one body, considerate, submissive, impartial
•    M-E-E: Make Every Effort to live in peace with others, at peace with God