Pastor Jeremias Antonetty
1. Peace is not common in our day Peace is something that is not very common in our day because we are so involved and occupied with so many things. It is God's will for us, as it is possible, to live in peace with all men and to keep the unity of the Holy Spirit in our relationships with one another. 2. A Microwave society We live in a fast pace society, [microwave society], everything is moving so quickly that we don't take time to pray things through, and so we are prompted to make rash decisions. When Jesus chose the twelve disciples the Bible clearly states that he came down from the mountain after prayer. Luke 6:12-13 12 Now it came to pass in those days that He went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. 13 And when it was day, He called His disciples to Himself; and from them He chose twelve whom He also named apostles: (NKJ) 3. Jesus in one accord with the Father His heart and mind were in one accord with the Father pertaining to the will of God. Jesus took his time to make sure that he would not miss God in his decisions. And would not allow anyone to rush him into making decisions that would prove later on not to be the will of God. The women caught in adultery John 8:3-11 3 Then the scribes and Pharisees brought to Him a woman caught in adultery. And when they had set her in the midst, 4 they said to Him, "Teacher, this woman was caught in adultery, in the very act. 5 "Now Moses, in the law, commanded us that such should be stoned. But what do You say?" 6 This they said, testing Him, that they might have something of which to accuse Him. But Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with His finger, as though He did not hear. 7 So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, "He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first." 8 And again He stooped down and wrote on the ground. 9 Then those who heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one, beginning with the oldest even to the last. And Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. 10 When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, "Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?" 11 She said, "No one, Lord." And Jesus said to her, "Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more." (NKJ) Prayer in the life of the believer Prayer is an essential part of the Christian life because it's the lifeline of the entire person. When our communication with God is in right standing, peace is not absent in our spirit, soul and body. "And the peace of God which goes beyond all understanding will guard our hearts and minds in Jesus Christ." If there is anything that hinders the flow of the Holy Spirit, it is the lack of prayer. [Through prayer we'll see God's Spirit move] 4. Jesus brought peace to his disciples Jesus came to bring peace to those whom he chose to bear fruit. The fruit of righteousness is peace, and when the establishment of peace is settled in our lives there is joy and confidence with full assurance. The peace of God is a refuge for the heart and mind protecting them from all danger, confusion and perplexities. 5. The kingdom of God is peace The Apostle Paul said that the kingdom of God is righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, with this in mind we must come to a deeper comprehension that the kingdom of God is within us with all authority and power, and we have not received a kingdom that can be shaken. 6. The God of peace Holiness is a byproduct of being with God in the same way peace is a byproduct of righteousness, which is simply right standing with God. God declares himself a Holy God, a perfect God, the living God, the God of power, the God who performs miracles, a loving God, a pure God. All these proclamations of God are 100 percent true without error, in the same way he declares himself the God of peace. 7. A lifestyle of peace Righteousness and peace are coequal because God is righteous and he is peace. One cannot exist without the other. Obedience to the commands of God will bring forth a great flood water of cleansing and purification, which will result in a lifestyle of holiness. 8. God hungers for the obedience of his children Isa 48:18 Oh, that you had heeded My commandments! Then your peace would have been like a river, and your righteousness like the waves of the sea. (NKJ) Spiritual enjoyments are ever joined with holiness of life in regard to God's will. It will make the misery of the disobedient the more painful, to think how happy they might have been. And there is assurance given of salvation out of captivity. Those whom God designs to bring home to himself, he will take care of, and they will lack nothing for their journey. This is applicable to the grace laid up for us in Jesus Christ, from whom all good flows to us, as the water to Israel, which flowed out of the rock, and that Rock was Christ. 9. Christ the prince of peace Isa 9:6 For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 10. Christ dismisses us in peace Mark 5:34 And He said to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction." (NKJ) 11. Christ the governor of peace Isa 9:7 Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this. (NKJ) 12. Christ the perfect peace Isa 26:3 You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. (NKJ) 13. Christ the maker of peace Isa 45:7 I form the light and create darkness, I make peace and create calamity; I, the LORD, do all these things.' (NKJ) Isa 27:5 Or let him take hold of My strength, that he may make peace with Me; and he shall make peace with Me." (NKJ) 14. Christ our righteousness and peace 2 Cor 5:21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. (NKJ) Rom 5:1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, The Greek word for justified in Romans 5:1 1342 dikaios (dik'-ah-yos); from 1349; equitable (in character or act); by implication, innocent, holy (absolutely or relatively): KJV-- just, meet, right (-eous). The Greek word for peace in Romans 5:1 1515 eirene (i-ray'-nay); probably from a primary verb eiro (to join); peace (literally or figuratively); by implication, prosperity: KJV-- one, peace, quietness, rest, + set at one again. Isa 32:17 The work of righteousness will be peace, and the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance forever. (NKJ) Matthew Henry Commentary Peace and quietness shall be found in the way and work of righteousness. True satisfaction is to be had only in true religion. And real holiness is real happiness now, and shall be perfect happiness, that is, perfect holiness forever. The good seed of the word shall be sown in all places, and be watered by Divine grace; and laborious, patient labourers shall be sent forth into God's husbandry. The Hebrew word for work in Isaiah 32:17 4639 ma` aseh (mah-as-eh'); from 6213; an action (good or bad); generally, a transaction; abstractly, activity; by implication, a product (specifically, a poem) or (generally) property: KJV-- act, art, + bakemeat, business, deed, do (-ing), labor, thing made, ware of making, occupation, thing offered, operation, possession, X well, ([handy-, needle-, net-]) work (ing, -manship), wrought. 7965 shalowm (shaw-lome'); The hebrew word for peace or shalom (shaw-lome'); from 7999; safe, i.e. (figuratively) well, happy, friendly; also (abstractly) welfare, i.e. health, prosperity, peace: KJV-- X do, familiar, X fare, favour, + friend, X great, (good) health, (X perfect, such as be at) peace (-able, -ably), prosper (-ity, -ous), rest, safe (-ty), salute, welfare, (X all is, be) well, X wholly. 5656 `abodah (ab-o-daw'); The hebrew word for quietness or `abowdah (ab-o-daw'); from 5647; work of any kind: KJV-- act, bondage, + bondservant, effect, labour, ministering (-try), office, service (-ile, -itude), tillage, use, work, X wrought. 8252 shaqat (shaw-kat'); a primitive root; to repose (usually figurative): KJV-- appease, idleness, (at, be at, be in, give) quiet (-ness), (be at, be in, give, have, take) rest, settle, be still. 983 betach (beh'takh); The hebrew were for assurance from 982; properly, a place of refuge; abstract, safety, both the fact (security) and the feeling (trust); often (adverb with or without preposition) safely: KJV-- assurance, boldly, (without) care (-less), confidence, hope, safe (-ly, -ty), secure, surely. Christ gives us rest Matt 11:28 "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (NKJ) Matthew Henry says We are likely to seek and find, when we seek with affection, and seek in tears. But many believers complain of the clouds and darkness they are under, which are methods of grace for humbling their souls, mortifying their sins, and endearing Christ to them.
GO TO NEXT BOOK				Page Top