Course: The Ministry of the Holy Spirit
The Fruit of the Spirit: Lesson Four
Lesson Title: Peace the Fruit of the Spirit
Lesson Goal: …that the student will understand the
fruit of peace is peace with God, peace with one another and peace with
ourselves.
Text: Ephesians 4:2-3 'With all lowliness and meekness, with
longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity
of the Spirit in the bond of peace.'
Theme: Peace through right relationships.
Introduction:
Peace is the Greek word 'eirene', which is probably derived from the verb eiro meaning 'to join'. It is a word describing relationships.
· Peace with God - at peace in our relationship with God.
· Peace in the world - peace in relationships between nations.
· Peace in the home - peace in relationships within the family.
Comparison between the peace of the Holy Spirit and the restlessness of the world.
· Peace with God is in contrast to a bad conscience.
· Peace with others, even if they are not at peace with me, is in contrast to the hostility, aggression and enmity of the world.
· Peace with ourselves is in contrast to the discouragement, discontentment and resentfulness of the world.
Introductory
Story:
Before the outbreak of war the
Neville Chamberlain
made an agreement of peace with Hitler in 1938.
He flew back from
Peace and truth must go
hand in hand.
'And he sent the
letters unto all the Jews, to the hundred twenty and seven provinces of the
Question: Jesus is the Prince of Peace so why did Jesus
say? 'Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came
not to send peace, but a sword.' (Matthew
The sword of division
is between those who become the disciples of Christ and receive the truth and
those who deny Christ and reject the Truth.
Faith in Christ brings unity and division.
· Unity in the Spirit - one in Christ.
· Division - separated from the world unto God.
The fruit of peace remains even though the believer faces hostility from those opposed to the gospel.
Exposition:
Peace - the fruit of the Spirit.
1.
Peace through a right relationship with God, Romans 5:1 'Justified by faith
we have peace'.
·
Salvation through the Gospel of Peace. It is the good news of restoring a right
relationship with God. Romans 10:15
'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!' When Adam
and Eve fell (Genesis 3:14-19) - peace was lost on the earth. When Jesus came to earth the message was 'peace on earth' (Luke 2:14).
· Right relationship with God brings confidence in approaching God, Hebrews 4:16. No sense of enmity with God. Perfect love casts out all fear (1 John 4:18). Right conscience with God. If our heart does not condemn us then we have confidence in prayer, (1 John 3:20-21).
2. Peace through right relationships with one another. The Lord Jesus Christ has broken down the barrier between Jew and Gentile. Ephesians 2:14 'For he is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of partition between us;'
· Peace in being one body in Christ 1 Corinthians 12:12-13. The body of Christ is not hierarchical or competitive. Every member of the body is necessary for the body to function properly.
·
Peace in being tender hearted, Ephesians 5:1. It is the responsibility of
the believer to be at peace with those around us, Romans 12:18. Hebrews
12:14 'Follow peace with all men, and
holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:'
·
Peace in forgiving one
another. We must forgive others so that
our prayers will be answered. The Lord
taught His disciples concerning prayer that '...if you forgive
men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if you forgive not men their trespasses,
neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.' (Matthews
6:14-15). Wrong
relationships through unforgiveness will prevent our prayers being
answered. We must always seek to be at
peace with those around us.
3. Peace in ourselves.
Conclusion:
Peace the fruit of the Spirit is the peace of being in right relationship with God, with others and in ourselves. It is not dependent upon how others feel about us.
1. …we are at peace with God through being brought into a right relationship with Him. We are in right standing with God through the Lord Jesus Christ.
2. …we are at peace in our relationship with others. We are one body in Christ; and must be tender hearted and forgiving to those who are saved or unsaved. The fruit of peace means we can even be at peace with those who are opposed to us.
3. …we are at peace in the innermost part of our being because Christ lives in us and we are a part of the family of God. Peace in the inner person must be our guide and keep us from worry and anxiety.
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