PEACE

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

There are three applications of in the believer’s life:

1. PEACE GOD

• always brings a feeling of disorder to your life

• Romans 5:1 “1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,”

• This kind of peace is a sense of order

2. PEACE GOD

• can bring a feeling of disorder to your life, if you look at them with the wrong perspective

• Philippians 4:6–7 “6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

• This kind of peace is a sense of order

3. PEACE WITH

• with others can bring a feeling of disorder to your life, if you look at them with the wrong perspective.

• Luke 2:14 “14 “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.””

• This kind of peace is a sense of orderSince relationships are where we live out our everyday lives, let’s talk about what a person filled with God’s Spirit acts like!

• Proverbs 29:8 (LB) Fools start fights everywhere; wise men try to keep the peace.

• Matthew 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

• Because peace is not “the absence of tension or conflict,” but rather “the tranquility of order,” you will never achieve peace by …

• the problem.Unresolved conflict is like termites in a relationship; it will eventually bring the house down. Pretending the problem doesn’t exist is not peacemaking, it’s cowardice!

• the problem. God doesn’t expect you to be a doormat! Jesus never backed off from a legitimate issue. Peace at any price is not legitimate peace! When I swallow my feelings all the time, my stomach keeps score.

HOW TO BE A PEACEMAKER (P.E.A.C.E.)

P – a Peace Conference

• Matthew 5:23-24 23 So if you are about to place your gift on the altar and remember that someone is angry with you, 24 leave your gift there in front of the altar. Make peace with that person, then come back and offer your gift to God.

E – with Their Feeling

• 1 Peter 3:8 (NLT) Finally, all of you should be of one mind, full of sympathy toward each other, loving one another with tender hearts and humble minds.

• The first thing you do is ! Why? Listening shows you care!

• When someone is hurting you, please remember:HURT PEOPLE HURT PEOPLE! Look beyond the hurt that you’re receiving and ask, “What is hurting them that’s causing them to hurt me?“

• Did you know that the key to intimacy is ? If you never have any conflict you always exist on the surface level. But when you deal with conflict in a positive way and resolve it, it creates greater understanding, brings you closer and makes you stronger.

A – the Problem, Not the Person

• Proverbs 10:10 (NLT) People who wink at wrong cause trouble, but a bold reproof promotes peace.

• Ephesians 4:15 (TEV) Instead, by speaking the truth in a spirit of love, we must grow up in every way to Christ, who is the head.

C – as Much as Possible

• Compromise is essential in every human relationship! Try to find areas of common ground, and places where you can be flexible.

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

• James 3:17 (NLT) But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and good deeds. It shows no partiality and is always sincere.

E – Reconciliation, not Resolution

• 2 Corinthians 5:18 “18 Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation,”

• WHO DO YOU NEED TO RECONCILE WITH TODAY?

• Philippians 4:7 “7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”