Golden Pillar Class Study, teacher Dave Licon.
Jesus said he would give us peace that isn’t like the world gives. The religious world has their own brand of peace. Like it says in the Old Testament, they say peace but there is no peace. People think they have peace but don’t because they’re still wicked with sin in their heart. Religion gives people a false hope of peace but Jesus says that isn’t his peace. Don’t turn again to folly. This reminds us of the woman taken in adultery that Jesus didn’t condemn but told her to “go and sin no more” (John 8:11). The formula to have peace is to not turn again to folly. The psalmist said salvation is close to those who respect (fear) the Lord. Brother Dave said he was one of the church brats that grew up in the church. He didn’t respect God when he wasn’t saved. There came a time when he prayed God would help him to be saved. He walked into church and saw the saints in the choir who looked like angels to him. Before he had looked at them through a jaundiced eye of his suspicions, attitudes, and bitterness. Now he had respect for God and salvation was close to him.
Psalm 85:8-13…hear what God…will speak: for he will speak peace unto his people…but let them not turn again to folly. Surely his salvation is nigh them that fear him; that glory may dwell in our land. Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed…Truth shall spring out of the earth; and righteousness shall look down from heaven. …Lord shall give…good; and our land shall…increase. Righteousness shall go before him; and shall set us in the way of his steps.
When God saves us, we’re translated from the kingdom of darkness where we were surrounded by sin, cussing, bitterness, and only living for ourselves. God wants glory to dwell in our land. A big part of that is the peace we have. In religion they tell you about mercy but don’t tell you the truth. They lie to you and say you’re alright when you’re in your sins. There’s no peace for the wicked. You will find mercy and peace when you find truth at the Church of God. Mercy and truth meet. And righteousness and peace have kissed each other – they’re inseparable. God wants us to keep this way in our land.
Colossians 1:13-14 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:
The peace God gives is through righteousness. If we’re not right with God, we don’t have peace. When Brother Dave was saved, one of the first things he noticed was the peace he had because Jesus took away all his sins.
Romans 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
The enemy can’t get us to act like we did in sin so he’ll attack our peace with storms of life: grief, anger, things people say or do. Jesus is Prince of peace and he calms the storms. The Lord wants us to dwell in peaceable and quiet resting places.
Isaiah 32:17-18 And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever. And my people shall dwell in a peaceable habitation, and in sure dwellings, and in quiet resting places;
Jesus was asleep on a pillow in the ship during the storm. He knew they weren’t going to sink. He said “Why are ye so fearful?” He wasn’t condemning them. It’s a challenge to not be fearful in the storms. We have storms or mind battles – from people, loved ones who are ill, loss of employment, or something that is really disturbing. What do we do in storms?
Mark 4:35-40…And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they…say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? And he…said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased…he said…Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?
The floods of water are people that bring trouble against us.
Psalm 93:3-4 The floods have lifted up, O Lord, the floods have lifted up their voice; the floods lift up their waves. The Lord on high is mightier than the noise of many waters, yea, than the mighty waves of the sea.
A tumult is confusion and violent agitation of mind or feelings. Mind battles can be violent when they come to us.
Psalm 65:7 Which stilleth the noise of the seas, the noise of their waves, and the tumult of the people.
Jesus has perfect peace for all mankind that is gentle and mild – perfect peace. He wants us to learn of him.
Matthew 11:28-30 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…find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
How do we keep this gentle and mild attitude or mindset? When anger comes, we can cease from anger. Paul said, I die daily. Ceasing from anger is part of dying daily. Forsake wrath means to renounce and turn away completely. Wrath is burning anger or rage. When we were in sin, anger would boil in us and we’d say we were going to get even. We didn’t know how to handle anger. Anger is a natural human emotion that isn’t sin but Jesus gives us control over it. We have to say “no” and stop being angry. We have to pray for the Lord to help us to die to anger. Paul said, “Be angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath” (Ephesians 4:26). We have to let anger die or it becomes a grudge and bitterness. Jesus said “fret not.” Fret is to be irritated or worried. We were proud, selfish, angry and wrathful when we were in sin. The enemy wants to possess our vessel. It’s like you have a rental property that someone breaks into and you can’t get them out. When you finally get them out, you take possession. God wants us to take possession of our home away from the devil for God’s glory. We only take possession (inherit the earth) by being meek. The meek delight in the abundance of peace.
Psalm 37:8-11 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil. For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the Lord…inherit the earth. For yet a little while…wicked shall not be…shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be. But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.
Sometimes we carry our cares but don’t realize. Brother Dave’s grandma said to rake leaves. He said he was done but she saw he missed leaves. He thought he’d done a good job but wasn’t thorough. God wants us to give all our cares to him.
Philippians 4:6-8 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… whatsoever things are true…honest…just…pure…lovely…of good report; if there be any virtue…praise, think on these things.
There’s a blessing in the abundance of peace the Lord gives us by being meek.
Matthew 5:1-5…Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
We sow peace in our life instead of anger, getting even, or saying poor me. That produces righteousness in us.
James 3:17-18…wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.
Live peaceably with everyone. Let God take care of vengeance. Heaping coals isn’t like we want harm to come to people. When we do right to someone when they did wrong to us, convictions falls on them like coals so they feel ashamed.
Romans 12:19-21 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
We’re corrected to keep peace. Exercising peace makes our peace and connection to God stronger. Bitterness robs our peace.
Hebrews 12:11-14 Now no chastening…seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby…And make straight paths for your feet, lest…lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed. Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:
We can let peace rule in our hearts and it will bring unity.
Colossians 3:15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.
The Prince of peace was spit on and didn’t say anything to defend himself. Thinking of what Jesus did helps us keep our peace.
Isaiah 53:7 He was oppressed…afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth…as a sheep before her shearers…openeth not his mouth.
Isaiah 26:3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.
False religion will give you a false hope and try to make you feel good but it won’t last. The peace Jesus gives will last. “Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” God has the answer for everything!
John 14:27 Peace I leave…my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth…Let not your heart be troubled, neither…be afraid.