obc-frs-3-peace

THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT – PEACE – (Week 3) Thursday March 20^th., 2008

Some of the headlines from any day of the week might include: nuclear threat of Iran;

bombings in Iraq; troops being deployed by some dictator in South America; troops readied in China; war protest; something we eat, breath, or drink might cause cancer;

human rights, animal rights, sick and perverted rights; cries of discrimination and the list could seemingly go on for ever. And we wonder why we can’t sleep at night!

For too much of the world their day begins early and ends late with everything from

sedatives, pain relievers, stimulants, and things that take away the stress from everyday

life. In our “hurry up and get ahead” in this life mentality we forget to live only one day at a time. We are so worried about yesterday and so anxious about tomorrow, that we

absolutely forget about the blessings and the joys of today! Somewhere, as a song says, there must be a beach on a deserted island where we can get away from it all.

Peace is an allusive commodity for many. They search their entire lives and never look in the right place. There are so many unhappy people in this world and sadly, many of them are found in the Lord’s body, the Church. How can that be? Christians ought to be the happiest people in the world. After all, haven’t we been forgiven of our past sins?

Can’t we pillow our heads in rest at night knowing that we are right with the creator of all things? Should we worry when we know our Father-in-heaven is in control? Jesus on one

occasion taught about God’s care for the flowers of the field (lilies) and the birds of the air. He noted that they do not toil or work or store up their food in barns. He said God is aware even when one little sparrow falls to the ground. He explained how it does us absolutely no good to fret and worry about the things in this world that we can not change. (Matthew 6) And still it seems to be a part of our make-up that we grow anxious

about the things that we can not control. Someone once said, “God will not let anything happen to me that both of us cannot handle.”

We all have our ups and downs. Each of us has different problems. No ones problems ever seem as bad as ours until we meet someone with problems much worse than our own. A bulletin illustration once spoke of us as we complain about aches and pains, but

our feet don’t seem to hurt as much when we meet someone who has no feet. Our eyesight might not be as bad as we thought when we meet someone who is blind. You get the idea and the list could go on.

Is it possible to have peace in a world so filled with turmoil? Can there be such a thing as world peace? Can we really put ourselves in the safe-keeping of the Savior? Man doesn’t have the answers. He never will. It makes no difference how many peace talks he might involve himself in. Until the world recognizes the “prince of peace” and submits to His authority and will, there can be no lasting peace. Any person in this world, no matter how bad they have been, if they will come to the Savior on His terms, they can have peace even though the world continues at war.

Jesus has established for us a permanent armistice with God. He is our mediator. He has

once and for all time represented Himself as the one who initiates peace between God and man. He has done so by His own sacrifice. His blood atones for our sins and makes us friends with God. We are no longer His enemies. Grasp the concept of this peace!

Larry R. Scott, minister, serving the Churches of Christ

THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT – PEACE – (Week 3) Thursday March 20^th., 2008

1. The word “peace” is used in the Old Testament at least 163 times to denote

“completeness”. In Daniel 8:25 it is used of “rest, ease, security”. What does Proverbs

3:2 speak of? ________________________________________________________

2. The word “peace” is used at least 83 times in the New Testament to denote “unity,

concord”. What did Luke say Peter told Cornelius and his family in Acts 10:36?

__________________________________________________________________

3. The Bible speaks of “to be at peace, have peace, or live in peace”. (4 times in the O.T.

and 3 in the N.T.) What does I Thessalonians 5:13 say? ________________________

4. God’s word uses “peace” 35 times in the O.T. to mean “be silent”. It is used 16 times

in the N.T. to mean the same thing. What does the Bible say in Acts 11:18?

_____________________________________________________________________

5. 7 times the O.T. uses the word “Peace” to mean “to make peace or be at peace”. The

N.T. uses it to show what Jesus has accomplished for us through His shed blood.

What does Colossians 1:20 say? __________________________________________

6. Does Obadiah 7 speak of a false peace? ________________

7. 72 times the O.T. speaks of “peace” offerings, sacrifices of peace. Is Jesus our peace

offering to God? ___________________

8. Isaiah said it was possible to have “perfect peace”. How is that accomplished?

(Isaiah 26:3) ______________________________________________________

9. Are we to lead a “quiet and peaceable life”? (I Timothy 2:2) ________________

10. Should we be a “peacemaker”? (Matthew 5:9) ________________

11. Is the peace that Christ offers us different from what the world might call peace?

(John 14: 27) ____________

12. What is the key to our having peace in this world? (John 16:33) _________________

13. Does our obedience to Christ bring us peace? (Romans 5:1) ____________

14. Can we be kept by the peace of God? (Philippians 4:7) ______________

15. Can peace be planted? (James 3:18) ______________

Student______________ Date____________ Grade__________

Instructor: Larry R. Scott