UNWRAPPING PEACE
Pastors George & Carolyn Dupree
Luke 2:13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: 14 “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”
God gives us three kinds of peace
1. PEACE WITH GOD – THROUGH
PEACE WITHIN – THROUGH
PEACE WITH OTHERS – THROUGH
Peace with God – God FORGIVES us of our SINS
Romans 5:1 Now that we have been put right with God through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Peace Within – We receive His forgiveness and we BELONG to Him
Philippians 4:6-7 Don’t worry about anything, but pray about everything. With thankful hearts offer up your prayers and requests to God. Then, because you belong to Christ Jesus, God will bless you with peace that no one can completely understand. And this peace will control the way you think and feel.
Peace with Others – We offer forgiveness AS we are FORGIVEN
Ephesians 4:31 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. 32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.
UNFORGIVENESS Breeds
that’s why it’s so important to forgive. When you forgive you not only release the person of the offense, you liberate yourself from the offense and put yourself in a position of being able to be healed.
Bitterness will defile you and others if it is left unchecked.
Hebrews 12:15 See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many be defiled;
Peace
Psalms 34:14 Depart from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.
Romans 14:19 Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another.
2Timothy 2:22 Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
1Peter 3:11 Let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it.
Isaiah 26:3 You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, whose thoughts are fixed on you!
Colossians 3:15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.
Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice From that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this
God Gives Peace and Goodwill Toward Men!