142 Sermon Illustrations on Peace

Years ago a major art gallery sponsored a competition for painters. They were offering prizes for the best painting on the subject of "Peace." As attenders browsed through the entries, most had decided that one certain painting was almost sure to win. It portrayed this lush green pasture under a vivid blue sky, with the cows grazing lazily and a little boy walking through the grass with his fishing pole over his shoulder. It really made you feel peaceful. But it came in second. The painting that won was a real surprise. The scene was the ocean in a violent storm. The sky was ominous, the lightning was cutting across the sky, and the waves were crashing into the rock walls of the cliffs by the shore. No peace. But you had to look twice to understand what was going on. There, about halfway up the cliff, was a birds' nest, tucked into a tiny hollow in the rock. A mother bird was sitting on that nest - with her little babies, tucked underneath her, sleeping soundly. That was peace!

Well, I'm Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A WORD WITH YOU today about "Peace In The Midst Of The Storm."

That was the title of the prize-winning painting - and rightly so. Because peace is not just the absence of a storm - it is peace in the middle of the storm. The kind of peace many of us could use right now -the kind of peace that you can have right now - if you're resting where you ought to be.

As our headlines have become dominated with new dangers ... as so many hearts have been struggling with new anxieties, new fears ... we're ready for the incredible peace offered in Psalm 46. I call it "Good News for Troubled Times." It's our word for today from the Word of God. Maybe it should be our word for every day right now!

"God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble." So, the more troubled things are, the more present God makes Himself. The psalmist then says, "Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging." Everything's collapsing - things that have always been there for us. But no fear. Why? "God is our refuge and strength."

The psalm continues: "There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells." Where does God live today? In those who belong to Him through faith in Jesus. So this is about you. "God is within her, and she will not fall ... Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall ... the Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress." Then, as everything seems to be melting down, God says, "Be still, and know that I am God."

OK, turn off the news, leave those other voices, and get where you can just be with God. And realize that as long as you're in His hands, there's no such thing as out of control. He is still God and you are still His!

And if you have never given yourself to Jesus, the Man who died for you, there's never been a better time than this. With so much changing, with so much uncertainty, it is so great to know you are safe in a relationship with Him. If you've never begun that relationship, tell Him you want to today. And, if you will, let me send you the booklet I wrote about it called "Yours For Life." Just let me know you want it.

When you are nesting in the care of the Lord Jesus Christ, you can rest through any storm. You belong to the One who can give you peace in the middle of the storm.

________________

Copyright © Ron Hutchcraft Ministries, Inc., PO Box 400, Harrison, AR 72602. Used by permission. Written by Ron Hutchcraft. 'Practical Answers to Real Life Issues'

*

1. I heard the bells on Christmas day

Their old familiar carols play,

And wild and sweet the words repeat

Of peace on earth, goodwill to men.

2. I thought how, as the day had come,

The belfries of all Christendom

Had rolled along th'unbroken song

Of peace on earth, goodwill to men.

3. And in despair I bowed my head:

“There is no peace on earth,”I said,

“For hate is strong and mocks the song

Of peace on earth, goodwill to men.”

4. Yet pealed the bells more loud and deep:

“God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;

The wrong shall fail, the right prevail,

With peace on earth, goodwill to men.”

5. Then ringing, singing on its way,

The world revolved from night to day–

A voice, a chime, a chant sublime

Of peace on earth, goodwill to men.

[Tune “Waltham”]

*

“but glory, honor, and peace to everyone who works what is good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For there is no partiality with God.” (Romans 2:10-11 NKJV)

Human Equality In The Sight Of God

• peace — Prov 3:2, 17 — instead of anguish

• worketh good — as the fruit of faith — Jam 2:17, Gal 5:5-6, 1 Pet 1:7

• no…persons [partiality] — no acceptance of the countenance, or outward appearance (Vaughan); i.e., no partiality

• with God — before God; i.e., in the judgment of God

No respect o persons with God

I. A terrible truth for all the ungodly among the great

II. A comfortable truth for all the pious among the poor

Who is rewarded by God? — He who … — Gerok

I. Fears Him in humble penitence

II. Trusts Him in filial faith

III. Does righteousness in grateful love

The white feather of pease — A family of Quakers from Pennsylvania settled at the west in a remote place, then exposed to savage incursions. They had not been there long before a party of Indians, panting for blood started on one of their terrible excursions against the whites, and passed in the direction of the Quaker’s abode; but though disposed at first to assail him and his family as enemies, they were received with such open-hearted confidence, and treated with such cordiality and kindness as completely disarmed them of their purpose. They came forth not against such persons, but against their enemies. They thirsted for the blood of those who had injured them; but these children of peace, unarmed, and entirely defenceless met them only with accents of love, and deeds of kindness. It was not in the heart even of a savage to harm them; and on leaving the Quaker’s house the Indians took a white feather and stuck it over the door, to designate the place as a sanctuary not to be harmed by their brethren in arms. Nor was it harmed. The war raged all around it; the forest echoed often to the Indian’s yell, and many a white man’s hearth was drenched in his own blood, but over the Quaker’s humble abode gently waved the white feather of peace, and beneath it his family slept without harm or fear.

“Every sin, when newly committed, amazes and terrifies the soul, though the sense of it soon wears off. How shall we be able to bear the anguish of all our sins together, when conscience, which forgets and extenuates none, brings them to our rem e m brance?” — Adam

“The torture of a bad conscience is the hell of a living soul.” — Calvin.

Two pastors’ wives were visiting and sewing their husbands pants.

One wife said: My husband is just beside himself, he does not know what to do anymore and he is so tired and depressed he said he is ready to just give up and resign.

The other wife said: I am sorry to hear that because my husband has never been happier. Our membership is growing and we are out of our financial burden, we have such a large and loving congregation. Life could not be any better than it is right now.

One woman was mending the seat of her husbands pants, the other was mending the knees.

What ever your situation in Life is… What are you wearing out, your seat or your knees?

He is our peace

who has broken down ev’ry wall,

He is our peace, He is our peace.

He is our peace

who has broken down ev’ry wall,

He is our peace, He is our peace.

Cast all your cares on Him

for He cares for you

He is our peace, He is our peace.

Cast all your cares on Him

for He cares for you

He is our peace, He is our peace.

Sermon in series on the Beatitudes. Matthew 5:9

ARE YOU A PEACEMAKER?

=====================

I. Most people love peace.

II. Biblical background to peace.

A. Peace is one of the blessings of obedience to God.

B. Peace is something the Messiah brings.

C. Biblical peace is comprehensive.

D. Three foundational areas where we are called to make peace.

III. Barriers to peace.

A. Pessimistic worldview is common for Christians.

B. Grace is hard.

IV. Practical ways to attain P.E.A.C.E. [adapted from Rick Warren]

P - PLAN A PEACE CONFERENCE.

E - EMPATHIZE WITH THEIR FEELINGS.

A - ATTACK THE PROBLEM NOT THE PERSON.

C - COOPERATE AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE.

E - EMPHASIZE RECONCILIATION NOT RESOLUTION.

V. Beating swords into plowshares. [illustration from Liberia]

In his Turning Point daily devotional for July 7, David Jeremiah shared these insights: “‘You do not get stomach ulcers from what you eat,’ said one doctor. ‘You get ulcers from what is eating you.’ John Calvin put it equally well when he said, ‘those who are extremely anxious wear themselves out and become… their own executioners.’

“If you’re worried today, take time to reflect on the wonderful names of God and of Christ as revealed throughout the Scripture. For example, Judges 6:24 says, ‘then Gideon built an altar there unto the Lord, and called it’ (lit: Jehovah-Shalom) (KJV). Jehovah is a Hebrew name for God, and Shalom is the word for peace. The New King James Version says that Gideon named his altar “The-Lord-Is-Peace.” In the Contemporary English Version, it is called: “The Lord Calms Our Fears.”

“Your God is Jehovah-Shalom. He will keep those in perfect peace whose minds are stayed on Him (Isaiah 26:3). He gives peace like a river (Isaiah 48:18), and Psalm 119:165 promises, ‘Great peace have those who love Your law.’ Jesus, our Prince of Peace, promised, ‘Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you… Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid’ (John 14:27).”

1. Through the love of God, our Saviour,

All will be well;

Free and changeless is His favour –

All, all is well.

Precious is the blood that healed us,

Perfect is the grace that sealed us,

Strong the hand stretched out to shield us –

All must be well.

2. Though we pass through tribulation,

All will be well;

Our is such a full salvation –

All, all is well.

Happy when in God confiding,

Fruitful if in Christ abiding,

Holy through the Spirit guiding –

All must be well.

3. We expect a bright tomorrow –

All will be well;

Faith can sing through days of sorrow,

All, all is well.

On our Father’s love relying,

Jesus ev’ry need supplying,

Or in living or in dying –

All must be well.

[Tune “Ar Hyd Y Nos” (All Through the Night)]

*

Peace on earth — that’s what everybody wants. But nobody can guarantee external peace because nobody can control other people or circumstances. Nations sign and break peace treaties with frightening regularity. Couples lament that there would be peace in their home “if only he/she would shape up.” No one can guarantee peace at home or on the job site. However, we should always strive to be peacemakers. Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God” (Matthew 5:9). Paul instructed, “If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men” (Romans 12:18).

But let’s face it: Peace with others isn’t always possible, because peace doesn’t just depend on us. Peace on earth is what we want; peace with God is what we have; the peace of God is what we need.

Peace with God is something you already have (Romans 5:1). It’s not something you strive for; it’s something you received when you were born again. The Prince of Peace reconciled you to God by shedding His own blood.

The peace of God is something you need to appropriate daily in your inner world in the midst of the storms which rage in the external world (John 14:27). There are a lot of things that can disrupt your external world because you can’t control all your circumstances and relationships. But you can control the inner world of your thoughts by allowing the peace of Christ to rule in your heart on a daily basis (Colossians 3:15). There may be chaos all around you, but God is bigger than any storm. I keep a little plaque on my desk which reminds me: “Nothing will happen to me today that God and I cannot resolve.”

The peace of Christ will rule in your heart when you “let the word of Christ richly dwell within you” (Colossians 3:16). And when you turn to Him in prayer, “the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7).

Prince of Peace, rule in my heart today. Give me Your peace and make me a peacemaker in all my relationships.

The world as a whole knows no lasting peace, nor will it ever until Jesus returns. All the Nobel peace prize winners combined haven’t brought the world one day of peace. In 1945 the United Nations formed with the mission to “have future generations free from the scourge of war”. There has never been ONE day of peace in the world since.

The 20th Century was bloodier than all of man’s history combined There are no less than 33 wars going on right now, with more about to start Hundreds of thousands of unborn children are murdered every year Divorce, suicide, depression and murder are at all time highs Why? Because we have the wrong definition of peace.

Peace is NOT the absence of conflict. Man-made peace made is just the time when everyone stops to reload!

We also approach peace from the wrong end. We try to start with the top down: bring nations to peace, and it will result in peaceful individuals. God starts in the hearts of individuals and works out. True peace begins in the heart of the individual and only on God’s terms. If God changes the heart, the behavior changes; if the behavior of individuals changes, then communities change, society changes, and nations change.

Jesus came to give peace, but on His terms.

John 14:23-27 Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him. He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine but the Father’s who sent Me. “These things I have spoken to you while being present with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. 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, neither let it be afraid. (NKJV)

God’s peace is beyond human understanding because humans only deal with externals, God deals with the motives, intents and attitudes of the hearer.

Philippians 4:6-7 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (NKJV)

God’s peace is beyond UNREGENERATE human wisdom. Real peace is exposing the sin behind the conflict; and applying repentance and righteousness to the situation. Let’s do a little “behavior” math:

(Heart + repentance) – sin x righteousness = PEACE

True peace cannot be separated from PURITY:

James 3:16-18 For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. (NKJV)

Hebrews 12:14 Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: (NKJV)

We live in a time of turmoil and uncertainty. Peace can only be found on God’s terms no matter what level it is on: personal, community, national or global.

Lord God, help us to see that You are the only source of peace. Mankind has tried his own way for thousands of years with no success. Instill in us the meaning of true peace. In the Name of the Prince of Peace, Amen.

Contemplation: Have world events robbed you of your peace? Have personal events robbed you of peace? Do you have a true understanding of where real peace originates? Are you at peace with God first?

Application: God is the only source of peace. The closer you are to Him, the more peace you will have. Determine that you will do whatever it takes to make regular, substantial time to spend with God in prayer and Bible Study.

• What is the most obvious Bible truth you have learned today?

• What change in your life needs to be made concerning this truth?

• What specific thing will you do today to begin that change?

When a volunteer from the United Kingdom met a young Middle Eastern man in Jerusalem’s old city and invited him to a Bible study, he had no idea he was talking to the son of a key figure in the Hamas terrorist organization.

And while the volunteer surely hoped Masab Yousef would hear the Gospel and accept Christ, he had no clue how that invitation -- and Yousef’s decision for Christ four years later -- would eventually reverberate throughout the Middle East and perhaps even the world.

“These guys were just going out and asking people to come for the Bible study,” Yousef told Baptist Press. “I didn’t even understand his English. He was talking to me by signals and I understood the invitation from his signals.”

But in 2000, Yousef, who now prefers to be known as “Joseph,” was an open-minded 22-year-old Muslim, clean-shaven and dressed in jeans instead of the traditional garb of Palestinian Arabs. Despite his preference for Western ways, Joseph was the eldest son of Hassan Yousef, a prominent lawmaker in the Palestinian parliament, and as such the heir-apparent to his father’s position of influence in Palestinian circles.

That simple, almost anonymous invitation to visit a Bible study eventually transformed Joseph’s life, and now he is sending shock waves throughout the Middle East as he publicly declares his faith in Christ. He may be the best-known Muslim to ever publicly announce his decision to follow Jesus.

“Sometimes we don’t know the importance when we go out to invite people to come to Bible study,” Joseph said. “Sometimes we think this is wasting time. This guy had no idea who I was.

“They studied the Bible with me and figured out who I was only five months later,” Joseph added. “They got to know me and even got to know my father. He invited them to our house and they had no idea that he was one of the top leaders of the Hamas organization.”

Joseph said he agreed to attend the Bible study because he was curious.

“I didn’t have enough knowledge about Christianity. I was open-minded,” he said. “I never had in my mind in that moment that I would go this far, to become a believer. I had studied history and thought this would be a good chance to study, to meet new international people and see what they are saying. It was definitely not about Christianity.”

Joseph’s story is a powerful reminder that followers of Jesus Christ should share the Gospel freely and never miss an opportunity to invite a stranger to church, said Matt Smith, the pastor of Barabbas Road Church in La Jolla, California, which is hosting Joseph as he announces his faith in Christ to the world.

“He was invited to a Bible study -- to me this is profound,” Smith said. “Some guy didn’t know who Joseph was. This guy was just a normal Christian. He wasn’t an apologist. He wasn’t a specialist. He was just a normal Christian who invited someone to a Bible study.

“In the Bible study, they didn’t try to argue,” Smith added. “They just shared the love of Christ, and he went home and read his Bible. This is such a testimony to all us Christians that we need to present everyone with the simple Gospel. This is a call for everyone to stand out.”

Smith, 29, leads a young congregation in one of the most affluent and highly educated cities in the United States. Smith said the church, which launched in February 2008 and now draws about 75 people to weekend services, knows that the truth of the Gospel and the power of loving service to others can penetrate even the hardest, most skeptical heart.

“When he was exposed to the Word of God, the Holy Spirit did a work on him and look what happened,” Smith said.

Joseph came to the United States because his decision to follow Jesus meant losing his life in Ramallah on the West Bank. As the son of a senior Hamas leader, he has been unable to find work in America and depends on the generosity of Barabbas Road members to get by.

“Just to stop and think for a minute about announcing your Christianity; you feel sick immediately because it’s crazy,” Joseph said. “You’re not just saying goodbye to a religion, to a tradition. You are saying goodbye to a culture, to a civilization, if you can call it that. Even the process of taking your skin off your bones might be easier than saying goodbye to your mother and to everybody, especially when you are a well-known figure in your society and everybody has high expectations that one day in the future you will be one of the leaders.

“Suddenly you are starting from scratch and canceling everything you have in society,” Joseph explained. “But when it started, I was ready for any circumstances. I thought about the worst conditions that could happen as consequences after my announcement. But -- and I tell you this is a miracle, this is how God works -- you carry the cross and rely on Him completely and He takes care of everything.

“This may be the first case that a well-known Muslim just goes to the public and says, ‘I am a Christian,’” Joseph said. “Many Muslim sheiks, many Muslim imams may be converted to Christianity but they keep that a secret. They didn’t announce it because it is very embarrassing for them and for their families. They were afraid for their lives.

“But I decided to declare Jesus in front of the world, so He declares me in front of the Father,” Joseph said. “That was the main reason. I am going to be just worshiping God in a very special way by doing this.

“When Jesus says ‘carry your cross and follow me,’ it wasn’t to put a cross on your shirt and keep walking the street.”

The power that transformed his heart and gives him the courage to publicly declare his faith in Jesus is the only hope for an end to the violence that plagues the Middle East, Joseph said.

“I have met politicians. I have met presidents and prime ministers. I have met all the leaders of that region,” Joseph said. “None of them have a magical solution for this issue. They are leading people but they don’t know where they are going.

“Even if they have a way out of this endless circle of violence between the two nations, none of them have the courage to do it,” he added. “Both sides have many parties and every party has its own agenda. There are no strong leaders in that region who can make brave decisions.”

The real path to peace in the Middle East, Joseph said, is the same path -- the only path -- a human heart can follow to find deep, lasting peace.

“Jesus is not going to give them a political solution, but He has changed me and He can change those people to a better people. He can teach them how to forgive, how to love,” Joseph said. “Everybody on both sides is hurt -- not only Israelis, not only Palestinians. If we can teach them how to forgive and move on and love their enemies, for the next two generations, we can build a new leadership for both sides to be able to live together.

“Now, as it is, there is no hope for them but Jesus. It’s that simple.”

”Rest for Your Souls” — Matthew 11:28-30

Scripture reading, Psalm 91:1-7

A. A Gracious Invitation

1. Bible full of invitations

a. Isa 1:18, Come now let us reason …

b. John 6:37, Him that cometh to me …

2. The scripture text is also an invitation; an invitation of God through Christ to man, with three parts

a. Address — to whom it is given

b. Condition — how to accept

c. Promise — what will be received

B. Addressed to the “Weary”

1. Is there any other word which so describes the world … ?

a. wars and rumours of war, both hot and cold

b. insurrections and world tensions

2. This is the context of these words, “labour and heavy laden” – laden with

a. cares

b. sorrows

c. worries, anxieties

3. Is this invitation, therefore, not all-inclusive? Yes, each one of us can be found in this description.

C. Condition: “take my yoke … learn of me … yoke is easy”

1. Christ diagnoses the cause of this weariness

a. rebellion against God

b. man naturally, since Eden, rebellious

2. the solution

a. learning of Christ who is meek and lowley

b. the condition is submission to God

3. Who can meet this condition?

a. it is easy, says Jesus, so that none need be excluded

b. anyone who humbles oneself can meet this condition

c. another way of expressing this is accepting Jesus by faith as one’s own Saviour

D. Promise: “Rest”

1. Not merely a phisical matter

a. bodily rest is not the same as peace and rest of mind

b. this is rest for the soul

c. this is the rest which, known to us or not, we are seeking

2. The poet, A. Legge, had found this rest when he wrote

Rest of the weary, joy of the sad;

Hope of the dreary, light of the glad;

Home of the stranger, strength to the end;

Refuge from danger, Saviour and Friend.

3. Yes, with Jesus Christ as Saviour, we can have this rest. Is it any wonder that the slave trader, John Newton, after his conversion wrote

How sweet the name of Jesus sounds

In a believer’s ear

It soothes his sorrows, heals his wounds,

And drives away his fear.

It makes the wounded spirit whole,

And calms the troubled breast;

’Tis manna to the hungry soul,

And to the weary rest.

E. As we conclude this morning, how will we respond to Jesus’ invitation?

1. it is so applicable to us

2. it speaks to each one of us

Weary of earth, and laden with my sin,

I look to heav’n and long to enter in;

But there no evil thing may find a home,

And yet I hear a voice that bids me “Come” (C. Goudimel)

3. what will we do with this invitation?

Have you noticed that every one of the nine Christian Church Epistles begins with the same invocation? “Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” From such a heart as Paul’s it was no mere wish, but an earnest, loving prayer. It is always appropriate, and particularly so at the beginning of a new year. There are three great truths comprised in it, namely, the fatherhood of God, the lordship of Christ, and the true blessing of the Christian believer. It will mean much if we enter the new year with these great truths in mind.

We are living in such times as never were before. Awful convulsions have shaken the world. Millions have died in recent world wars. Thrones have fallen. Sweeping changes have come. Science has now put into men’s hands powers of almost unlimited possibility either for racial good or racial destruction. The war-haunted world is a smoldering volcano. It is not strange that apprehensive feelings should cling around us as we peer into the future, and that we fall back with relief on the doctrine of the divine sovereignty. Yet somehow even that is not enough. We need the further truth that the God who is sovereign is also “our Father”. All our life will feel safer and gladder; the enigmas of human history will assume a kindlier aspect; and the big universe itself will become friendlier, if we go into the new year with this precious truth in mind, that the sovereign God is our Father, ever-loving, ever-present, compassionately interested in all our concerns, and ever pursuing through our changeful earthly vicissitudes His purpose for our ultimate good.

But see now the absolute lordship of Christ in this Pauline benediction. Admittedly, the Greek word kurios here translated “Lord” is used in the New Testament as a mere honorary title not unlike the English “Sir”; but it is also used as the equivalent of the Old Testament “Jehovah”. It is in this latter sense that Christ is Lord in the sense in which God alone can be Lord. If proof of this were needed, it is here in this very benediction. The “grace” and “peace” are to come from “God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ”. Such close association of our Lord’s name with that of God, and such implied identity in the imparting of grace and peace, would be sheer blasphemy if Christ were not co-equal with the Father. May we never cease to marvel that our Saviour and Lord is the eternal Son of God Himself, in whom there is the perfect union of human sympathy and divine power! He is Lord of history.

The vast turmoils and evolutions of our day are but the predicted pre-cursors of His own return in kingly authority, to establish His worldwide millennial empire. We are thinking realistically He may return this year! Paul prays that “grace” and “peace” may be given to us. These are two lovely words. Grace here is the imparting to us of God’s holy love.

That other word, “peace”, here means well-being in general. How often we Christians misunderstand our real needs! How often we think that if only we had more money, higher position, greater gifts, or perhaps better health, we should be much better off! No, our real need is “grace and peace.” Thank God, they can be ours through all the coming days.

He goeth before you into Galilee. — Mark 16:7.

I will go before you into Galilee. — Matthew 26:32.

Tell my brethren that they go into Galilee. — Matt. 28:10.

The very word Galilee is suggestive of peace — as H. V. Morton has written, “Even were it possible to dissociate it with the ministry of Jesus, it would still_ be a lovely word whose three syllables suggest the sound of water lapping a shore.” It would take the disciples several days to travel, but those days would give time for peace to .settle over their minds, and by the lakeside, Jerusalem and its distractions, would seem to be far away. The quiet hour around the Lord’s table is your Galilee and mine. We come from the disquieting turmoil of our daily life, its harrowing toil and unfriendly folk, and well it is for us if the Lord’s day seems as far removed from the days of the week as Galilee from Jerusalem. We come because He has bid us come and has promised that we shall see Him.

Here, 0 my Lord, I see Thee face to face;

Here faith can touch and handle things unseen;

Here would I grasp with firmer hand Thy grace,

And all my weariness upon Thee lean. — H. Bonar

The Secret of Joy and Peace by J. Sidlow Baxter

“joy and peace in believing.” Rom. 15:13.

It is no mere wishful thinking, but sober truth, that we Christian believers are the only people on earth who have found the secret of real joy and peace.

There are many others who think, or for the time being feel, that they have found the secret in sects or faiths other than that of strictly New Testament Christianity; but they are deluded. Of course, there is a certain uplifting or calming influence in adhering to any high-aspiring religious sect or philosophy; but what sad collapses and pathetic disillusionments often come later, when those fair-seeming false refuges are tested by the deeper sorrows of human experience, or by the persistent, hereditary perversity of the human heart! What distressful eye-openings of this kind we ourselves have witnessed from time to time!

But this does not happen to those of us who know and trust and love and possess the Lord Jesus as our Saviour. We are “born again” of the Holy Spirit, and “the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts.”

We’ve found a joy in sorrow,

A secret balm for pain,

A beautiful tomorrow

Of sunshine after rain:

We’ve found a branch of healing

Near every bitter spring,

A whispered promise stealing

O’er every broken string.

There cannot really be joy or peace of that kind in any but a Christian heart; for until the sin-problem has been dealt with, there cannot be a right relation with God; and there is no solution of the individual sin-problem apart from Christ. Only in Him is there atonement for sin, and real reconciliation to God. Only in Him is there the new standing of “justification” before God, and the new birth from above. Only in Him do we have covenant access to the heavenly Throne, and find ourselves “accepted in the Beloved.” Only in Him is there the joy which outmatches all sorrow, and the “peace which passes all understanding.”

Dear fellow-believer, let us rejoice this day that we have found such “joy and peace in believing.” It is better to have this spiritual joy and peace in our hearts than all the material emoluments and embellishments which could ever come our way. These are treasures which will outlive the grave, and outlast the years, and outshine the sunset.

Yes, let us rejoice; but let it be with no such conceit as that of the old-time Pharisees who imagined themselves the objects of an arbitrary divine favouritism. Let us rejoice in grateful humility that in purest grace God has opened our eyes to see, and our minds to know, and our hearts to possess that which we never, never deserved to see and know and possess. And let us this day be prayerfully concerned for those who as yet — millions of them — have never found this “joy and peace in believing”, especially those who are deceived by plausible heresies and specious cults. Lord, increase our own “joy and peace in believing.” Lord, make us earnest in our prayers for those who still have not found!

Citizens of York are being asked to sign a treaty promising never to shoot Scots with a bow and arrow.

Under an ancient by-law, which has never been repealed, York people can “legally” shoot Scotsmen with a bow and arrow within the city walls.

But a couple from the city are walking 240 miles to Edinburgh to present the Lord Provost with a “peace treaty”.

Ewan and Gill Main have asked York residents to sign their treaty in a bid to improve Anglo-Scottish relations, and raise money for Survive, a charity which helps child victims of sexual abuse.

Each signatory must promise to never shoot a Scotsman with a bow and arrow, and to make Scots feel welcome in York.

Mr. and Mrs. Main will set off on September 8, 2006, and hope to arrive in Edinburgh two weeks later, reports the Scotsman.

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Source: Ananova, http://www.ananova.com

And the peace of God, which passeth all ‘understanding, shall keep (guard or garrison) your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. — Philippians 4:7.

A garrison has two things attending it. It is exposed to assaults of enemies; and safety lies in it from their attempts. So with our souls — they are exposed to temptations, assaulted continually; but if there be a garrison in them, or if they be kept in a garrison, temptation shall not enter, and consequently we shall not enter into temptation. Now, how is this done? Saith He, “The peace of God shall do it.” What is this peace of God? A sense of His love and favor in Christ Jesus. Let this abide in you, and it shall garrison you against all assaults whatever. Lay in a store of gospel provisions, that may make the soul a defended place against all assaults. — John Owen.

The peace that comes when He is near,

the rest He gives so free from fear,

The hope in Him so bright and clear,

is more than tongue can tell. — J. E. Hall.

The wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. — James 3:17.

Philip Henry often would quote Luther’s story of the two goats that met upon a narrow bridge over deep water: “They could not go back; they durst not fight. After a short parley one of them lay down and let the other go over him, and thus no harm was done. The moral, he would say, is easy: Be content if thy person is trod upon for peace’s sake; thy person, I say, not thy conscience.”

We would — and O confirm the power —

With meekness meet the darkest hour,

By shame, contempt, however tried,

For Thou wast scorned and crucified.

Tranquillity. Do you know what they call a hammock strung between two pine trees here in Florida — a moving mosquito target. Some say that the mosquito is our state bird. The strange thing for us is that in our part of Florida, mosquitos are rare. I call the hammock tranquillity.

What is your mind’s eye picture of tranquillity? Maybe it’s a day’s vacation — for your boss! Maybe it’s a day all to yourself — no kids, no spouse — just you. For me, this picture sounds good: sitting on the porch of a mountainside chalet in Switzerland overlooking a valley of lush grass while listening to old records of the YPCA quartet! (some of you younger ones are asking, “what’s a record?” Ask grandpa.)

Dream your own tranquil setting, but for most of us, that’s all it will be — a dream. The goal is to discover tranquillity right now in real time. Paul had the right idea when he said this in Philippians 4:11 (NIV) “… for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.” Don’t you wish we could reach that state? Notice that he said “learned.” It doesn’t come naturally — you have to work at it. It’s a worthy goal.

I believe that our personal tranquillity come first from a strong faith in God through Jesus Christ, but also through an attitude change that allows us to look for the positive things in life and dwell on them. There’s a lot of negativity in the air — avoid it! Tranquillity is achievable — go for it.

This is a good way to illustrate that our only hope for peace and happiness is Jesus.

MATERIALS NEEDED: One (1) piece of rectangle paper. {Copy paper works great}

There once was a man who was searching to find true happiness. So he began to think of things that could make him happy. (Fold paper into an angle {Top corner to the edge of the opposite side-then another angle to resemble the shape of a house.) He decided to build a house. For sure he would find happiness if he had the perfect house.

And he was happy-for awhile, but he began to get bored and thought what he really needed was a sailboat. (Unfold one angle to resemble the triangular shape of a sailboat.) He sailed all around the world and saw a lot of really interesting things, but then he began to get bored again.

He saw a jet fly overhead and wanted his own plane, so he got himself an airplane.(Fold paper back into house from, fold paper together, bend sides down like wings to make a paper airplane.) He flew from country to country, yet he still find the peace he was searching for.

He sat down one day and thought and thought. He finally got a wonderful idea! He would make a rocket and go into outer space! Surely he could find happiness there! (Completely tear off wings from plane. The paper should resemble a rocket.) So he flew off into the sky and flew around the moon. Yet he still could not find the happiness and peace he had longed for.

Finally, when he came home, he met a man who seemed to have this peace and happiness. He asked the man, “How can I find this peace and happiness? I have a house, a sailboat, an airplane, even a rocketship, but I still am not happy. Where can I find what I am searching for?” The other man smiled and said, (Unfold paper. It should be a cross.) Until you find Jesus, you will never find true joy and peace.

Reconciliation is a homely word for making up after a quarrel. This is done by taking away the cause of the quarrel; unless this is done, there may be an uneasy truce -but there can be no real reconciliation.

In the hostility between God and sinners (Rom 5:10), the root cause, sin, was put away by the death of Christ, and thus the way was clear for reconciliation.

Much the same is the expression “making peace” (Eph. 2:15); indeed, so closely is Christ involved in the process that he can be said to be “our peace” (Eph. 2:14).