Fruit of the Spirit - Peace

Galatians 5:22-23 - “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” 

Central truth

God has set us free from the chains of anxiety and fear and wants us to 1) experience His peace, and 2) share that peace with a broken world that desperately needs Him.  

Peace is…

an inner stability, a harmony between how we feel and the truth of God’s Word, a fulness of well being or completeness, andan inner security regardless of what we may be going through. 

Peace is NOT…the absence of trouble, suffering or persecution. 

2 Timothy 3:12 - “Indeed, all who want to live in a godly way in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” 

John 16:33 - “These things I have spoken to you so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” 

Isaiah 26:3 - “The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace, Because he trusts in You.” 

2 Thessalonians 3:16 - “Now may the Lord of peace Himself continually grant you peace in every circumstance. The Lord be with you all!” 

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, nor let it be fearful.” 

1 Peter 3:15 - “But sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence.” 

What if His fruit is the practical, enabling way in which we are to carry out the second greatest commandment to love our neighbor as ourselves? 

Matthew 5:9 - “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” 

Romans 12:18 - “If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.” 

2 Corinthians 13:11 - “Finally, brethren, rejoice, be made complete, be comforted, be like-minded, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.” 

1 Peter 3:11 - “He must turn away from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it." 

“Know God, know peace.  No God, no peace.” 

The number one way you can be a peacemaker is to share the love and truth of Jesus Christ.

2 Corinthians 5:17-18 - “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation;

2 Corinthians 5:19-20 - “that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.”

Two Ditches of Being a Peacemaker

1. We can think being a peacemaker means that we never engage others, even when there is evil or error. 

2 Timothy 3:16-17 - “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.” 

2 Timothy 4:2 - “Preach the Word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.” 

2. We are always eager to fight, and when we engage others we don’t do it with the love of Christ, nor do we do it for the purpose of edification or reconciliation. 

John Stonestreet: “Too many believers are more interested in making a point than making an influence.” 

Ephesians 4:29 - “Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.” 

Three Critical Things to Consider BEFORE Engaging Someone

• Are our words intended to edify (build up)?
• Is it the right moment?
• Will it give grace to those who hear? 

Galatians 5:1 - “It was for freedom that Christ set us free, therefore do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.”  

Application

1. Meditate on, trust in, and obey His Word.

Philippians 4:9 - “As for the things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.” 

2. Remember…and be thankful!
   
   Psalm 105:5 - “Remember the wondrous works that he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he uttered.” 

Colossians 3:15 - “And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.” 

Philippians 4:4-7 - “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentle spirit be known to all people. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and pleading with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” 

3. Fight for margin! 

4. Pray. “Come apart before you come apart.”

Philippians 4:6-7 - “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and pleading with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”