Sermon March 30

 

CERRO GORDO CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN

March 30, 2025

 

Peace

John 14:26-27

 

Today we are looking at the third fruit of the spirit. When we conclude today, we will be 1/3 of the way through these fruits of the spirit we have been given to help us face or enjoy the different things we all face in life. In the passage from John we read today we see Jesus promising the disciples that the Holy Spirit will come and provide several things that will make them able to accomplish everything God is about to entrust them with.

 

The Holy Spirit will remind the disciples of everything Jesus had said and taught. Jesus was trying to prepare them for what was about to happen. Jesus also promised they would have something that everyone wants but is so hard to have, Peace.

 

When you think of peace what is the first thing that comes to mind? If we took a few minutes and went around the room we might get several different answers. It probably has a lot to do what is going on in your life right now. For some it may have to do with what is going on at home or with your family. There may either be a special peace you are experiencing because the Lord has through the Holy Spirit given you a measure of that special peace Jesus promised as you deal with a health concern or and some loss that has left a huge void.

Perhaps when you think of peace you think of the condition of the world or our nation or even our community. At the most recent annual conference there were those voicing concern over the lack of peace between some congregations within our denomination and how we can get peace and unity back.

 

We will see a common theme that develops with each an every one of the fruits of the spirit. We will tie those all together after we have looked at all 9. Jesus knew there was 2 kinds of peace. The kind the world offers and the kind that God offers through the Holy Spirit. The peace Jesus was talking about wasn’t the kind nations seek for the world. It isn’t the kind that states or communities purse or the kind people seek with their own strength. What Jesus was offering and talking about is the peace each and every person longs to have and experience on a personal level. A peace that is unlike anything this world claims to offer. It is real because God is providing it.

 

If we can experience Gods peace on a personal level most of the other cares and concerns, we have on a weekly, monthly, even yearly basis will take care of themselves because we know the God who created the universe is the one really in charge.

 

So how often do we experience Gods peace on a regular basis? Are we to often overwhelmed by the things swirling around our lives, our nation, our world and do we allow those things to steal the peace Jesus promised the Holy Spirit would provide? If we answer yes this happens to often in my life, what will it take for us to allow Gods peace to be more dominant in our lives, to be real in our lives?

 

Jesus was telling the disciples don’t trust in the things of this world, trust in me. In 2 Thessalonians the 3^rd chapter the 16^th verse we see this encouragement being given to the church, “Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with you all.”

 

Contentment and peace may not be the exact same thing but Paul had experienced about everything bad or negative a person could experience. In spite of this he says one of the most incredible statements I have ever heard or read. In the book of Philippians Paul says this “I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation.” Maybe you can honestly say you are in a place like Paul was when he made this statement but I must admit I’m not there as often as I should be or as often as God is telling me I could be. Paul concludes this statement, this encouragement with what has been one of my life verses for a long time. He says in the 4^th chapter the 13^th verse “ I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.’ I actually used the King James Version of the 13^th verse if you are looking at the NIV and see it’s a little different.

 

So, the 3^rd fruit of the spirit mentioned is peace. We have read that Jesus has promised the Holy Spirit will provide peace to all of his followers. We have seen in 2^nd Thessalonians that Paul says we can have peace at all times and in every way. And we see that Paul is living proof that the Holy Spirits peace is real and available by what he honestly said in Philippians 4: 13. So it’s up to you and me to allow the Holy Spirit the ability to give us this fruit of the spirit that will make our lives so much easier to deal with. The way to start living in this peace, if you aren’t already, is to ask the Holy Spirit to make it grow more and more every day in your heart and soul. As with all of the fruits of the spirit they are for us to receive and have flowing through us at all times and in every way. Claim Gods peace today and may God Bless you.