Good Ground: Peace

Scripture References: Galatians 5:22; Colossians 1:15-20; John 14:27; John 20:19-22; Romans 5:1; Philippians 4:7; Jeremiah 29:7

Intro: Welcome. Today in our "Good Ground" series on the Fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22), we focus on Peace. In our current age marked by debilitating anxiety (fueled by information overload and uncertainty), the Spirit's fruit of peace is desperately needed. But what is this peace? It's far more than just the absence of conflict; it's the deep wholeness God intends for us.

Key Points:

1. Defining Peace: Shalom/Eirene: The biblical concept (Hebrew: Shalom; Greek: Eirene) means more than tranquility. It signifies completeness, wholeness, well-being, flourishing – everything restored and functioning as God designed. It's taking brokenness and making it whole.
2. Peace is Christ-Centered & Achieved (Col 1:19-20): Peace isn't an abstract idea; it's centered in Jesus Christ. All fullness dwells in Him, and through His blood shed on the cross, He reconciled all things to God, making peace. He is our peace (Eph 2:14).
3. Why Peace is Crucial: Anxiety is rampant. We inherently long for the Shalom we lost in Eden – wholeness and connection with God. Jesus emphasized peace, especially before His death, knowing His disciples would need it.
4. Jesus Gives His Peace (John 14:27): His peace transcends worldly peace (which is often temporary, conditional, superficial). Christ's peace is unearned, eternal, deep, and guards our hearts and minds (Phil 4:7).
5. Dimensions of Peace:
   • Spiritual Peace (Peace WITH God): By nature, we are separated from God. Christ's cross ends the hostility, reconciling us (Rom 5:1). This is foundational.
   • Inner/Relational Peace (Peace OF God): The Spirit brings heart-level wholeness, resilience, and tranquility amidst turmoil, enabling peace with others.
6. How We Receive Peace: In Jesus, By the Spirit:
   • Peace WITH God: Through surrender and faith in Christ's finished work on the cross.
   • Peace OF God (Inner/Relational): Jesus appeared to His anxious disciples after the resurrection, spoke "Peace be with you," and breathed on them, saying, "Receive the Holy Spirit" (John 20:19-22). Peace is imparted and sustained by the Holy Spirit dwelling within us.

Conclusion: True peace—Shalom—is the wholeness and well-being found only in relationship with God, achieved by Jesus Christ on the cross. It's a fruit produced and sustained in us by the active presence of the Holy Spirit, addressing both our separation from God and our inner turmoil.

Call to Action: If you lack peace with God, surrender to Jesus today. Receive the reconciliation He purchased. If you lack the inner peace of God, ask for a fresh infilling of the Holy Spirit. Open your heart to receive His breath, His life, His Shalom. Let His peace rule.

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Good Ground: Peace (Colossians 1:15-20)
with Mike Young