The God of Peace

Preacher:
Date: December 26, 2016

Bible Text: Philippians 4:9 | Speaker: Dr. Harold J. Sala | Series: Guidelines For Living | Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me–put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:9

A comedian making light of God’s instruction to Noah, mimics his response to God’s call, saying, “What do you want, God? I didn’t do nuthin’!” That was supposed to be humor, but it underlines a pretty common belief that God won’t bother you if you don’t bother Him. Sadly enough, individuals who prefer to live independently of their Maker live in rebellion against Him and are the real losers, not because of God’s wrath but because of the blessings which they are denied.

Only those who really know God come to an understanding of how great is His love and compassion towards them who fear Him and walk in the light of His Word. I’ve been thinking of some of the qualifying phrases which describe God’s nature. For example, Jeremiah records the words of God Himself, who said, “I am the LORD, the God of all mankind.” Then God asked the question, “Is anything too hard for me?” (Jeremiah 32:27). It’s a truth which is comforting when we have needs and knock on heaven’s door in prayer.

But what most speaks to my heart are three phrases found in the New Testament which describe God as “the God of peace,” “the God of all comfort,” and “the God of hope.” First, let’s take that phrase found five times in the New Testament, “The God of peace.” In his letters to the church at Rome, Philippi, and Thessalonica—places where Paul had ministered—he refers to God as the God of peace. Then the writer of Hebrews ended his letter with this blessing: “May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever” (Hebrews 13:20-21).

What you may not know, which people knew in the first century, is that knowing God as the God of peace stood in direct opposition to pagan gods, who were anything but peaceful. Their wrath had to be satisfied through sacrifices, sometimes even the sacrifice of infants, whose deaths were supposed to assuage the wrath of God.

If there is one thought which can revolutionize your thinking and your concept of God it’s the understanding that God is a God of peace, that as the writer of Hebrews stresses, the very gift of His Son, who came to our planet and lived, died and rose again, was a gift of peace.

When Jesus was crucified at the hands of the Roman soldiers, He left behind a pretty small estate: a seamless robe which had been woven by hand, probably by one of the women who ministered to Him; but He did leave a legacy of peace. He said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:27).

The Greek word for peace, eirhna, means “to bind together.” In addition to the translation “peace” it also means “harmony” and “tranquility.”

If you find yourself at war with God, it’s time to stop fighting. The truce was declared 2000 years ago. Stop running and hiding in the jungle of fear and misunderstanding and realize God does love you, and that there is peace and tranquility for those who come to know and love Him. Paul wrote to the Ephesians and said, “He himself [referring to Christ] is our peace…” (Ephesians 2:14). It’s still true for all who come to know the God of peace.

Resource reading: Ephesians 2

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