The North Shore of Lake Superior.

By Tom Shanklin

“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.” Isaiah 26:3, KJV.

In the midst of a turbulent world, peace seems to be a commodity that is in very short supply. But I want to encourage you today. You can have peace!

All around us, there is turmoil—in the political system, in the streets of our cities, and in the nations of the world. Some of the turmoil may be even closer to home—in your family, on the job, in your finances and health, or you may be experiencing the pain of rejection because of your faith in Jesus. Jesus put it this way, “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33, KJV.

God’s Word tells us that He will keep us in perfect and constant peace, a peace that we can have in spite of the circumstances. Let me share three thoughts with you concerning the peace of God.

1. Peace comes from knowing Jesus Christ. The Scripture says, “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:” Romans 5:1, KJV. When Jesus died on Calvary, He died to give us peace. The chastisement of our peace was upon Him. (Is. 53:5) He took the punishment so that we could be reconciled to God and have peace. When we turn to God in faith through Jesus Christ, He removes our transgressions and gives us His peace. What a wonderful gift that peace is in our lives!
2. We must maintain that peace. Even though peace has been given to us as a gift, we are in charge of maintaining it in our lives. Our minds must be “stayed” on the Lord. We must steadfastly look at the cross and the resurrection. We must constantly “see” what Jesus has done for us. Instead of focusing our attention on all the problems in this world and our own personal challenges of life, we must put our trust in the Lord. In other words, we must have faith. To maintain peace, we must maintain faith. This requires living in God’s Word and putting it into practice in your daily life.
3. You can carry God’s peace to others in this troubled world. “Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.” John 20:21, KJV. Jesus came to bring peace. You, too, are called to bring peace to a troubled world. Because Jesus lives in us, we literally carry God’s peace wherever we go. We are not called to exude anger and judgement to others, we are commissioned to take the peace of God to an anxious and troubled world. Peace is an actual spiritual substance that you can release to others in your daily life. You can communicate peace through your words and release it through your spirit.

There is much more about God’s peace in our new podcast. The sermon notes are here, too, so check it out. I believe that it will minister to your need right now.

I want you to know that Susan and I are praying for you. You have a great treasure from the God of Peace! May His peace be released in your life today, as your mind is stayed upon the Lord and you trust in Him.

Sermon Notes…

HOW TO WALK IN PERFECT PEACE

“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.” Isaiah 26:3, KJV.

Main Thought: By receiving Jesus Christ and abiding in Him, you can walk in perfect peace and bring peace a troubled world.

OT—Shalom—conveys the image of wholeness, unity and harmony relationally, also prosperity, health and fulfillment. It is often spoken of as coming as a result of the presence of God.

NT—Eirene—first meant the prosperity life possible when there is no war. Later, was extended to mean inward personal peace. In the NT, it is peace related to one’s relationship with God.

Factors in your life that cause stress. Example: debt. Example: marrying a unbeliever. But you cannot completely overcome stress, but you can still have inner peace.

“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33, KJV.

I. JESUS CAME TO BRING PEACE

“Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.” Isaiah 53:4-6, KJV.

• “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:” Romans 5:1, KJV.
• “For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;” Ephesians 2:14, KJV.
• “And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.” Colossians 1:20, KJV.
• “For thus saith the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel; In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength: and ye would not.” Isaiah 30:15, KJV.
• “And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever.” Isaiah 32:17, KJV.
• “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6, KJV.

“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” John 14:27, KJV.

The God of Peace:

• Shall be with you. Phil 4:9
• Will sanctify you wholly. 1 Thes. 5.23
• Will make you perfect. Heb. 13:20
• Will bruise Satan under your feet. Romans 16:30

Rembembrance—2 Pet. 1:13 putting you in remembrance, do this in remembrance, 2 Pet 1:9 hath forgotten

II. YOU HAVE A PART IN MAINTAINING THAT PEACE

By keeping your MIND on the Lord.

Stayed—to lean upon, rest, support, brace oneself. Keeping your mind on the Lord. Distractions of the world, the flesh and the devil. Media, politics, sports, meditating on problems, what other people are doing that you don’t like. Worshipping the idols of entertainment, etc. Stayed means keeping your focus on the Lord and the truth of His Word. There is no other way to trust in Him.

“For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.” Romans 8:6, KJV.

Impulses of the flesh; impulses of the Spirit. Anger is generally an impulse of the flesh. 2 Cor. 10:3-5

“Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.” Psalms 1:1-3, KJV.

“Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.” Psalms 119:165, KJV.

“If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.” John 15:7, 8, KJV.

Gal 5—the fruit of the Spirit is peace. It comes out of your relationship with God.

TRUST—much of the strife in our minds come because we are not trusting God. We are overly concerned about what people are doing to us because we are not trusting God as our source. Example: politics.

I will fear no evil, for thou art with me. Ps 23.4

Henry Vanderbush and the motorhome story. How much is your peace worth?

“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” Philippians 4:6-8, KJV.

Don’t be so focused on what others are doing that you lose your peace. Keep your own nose clean.

III. YOU HAVE BEEN ORDAINED TO BRING PEACE

“Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord. Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.” John 20:19-23, KJV.

• “And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!” Romans 10:15, KJV.
• “And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;” Ephesians 6:15, KJV. WAGE PEACE!
• “Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.” Matthew 5:9, KJV.

You carry the peace. We fight not against flesh and blood. We are not called to carry an angry banner against the world. We are to bring God’s peace to them that they to might know the God of peace. God’s inward peace in us is manifested in how we treat others. Harmony within. Harmony with others.

“Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:” Hebrews 12:14, KJV.

CONCLUSION—COME TO JESUS!

“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30, KJV.

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