"THE PEACE OF CHRIST"
Making Peace With Oneself
INTRODUCTION
- We have seen that the peace Christ offers involves...
- Peace with God
- Peace with mankind
- Jesus also offers peace with oneself, or peace of mind...
- Defined as: the absence of mental stress or anxiety
- Also: serenity, calm, quiet, comfort of mind
[We begin our study of this aspect of "The Peace Of Christ" by
considering...]
- THE NEED FOR PEACE OF MIND
- THE PROBLEM OF ANXIETY...
- Anxiety is distress
- Characterized by mental agitation and uneasiness, either
mild or severe
- It primarily has to do with what may happen in the future,
either near or distant
- According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)...
- More than 23 million people suffer from anxiety disorders
- Anxiety disrupts work, family, and social lives, with some
becoming housebound
- It is the most common of all the mental disorders
- Anxiety (or worry) is one of the most counterproductive things
we can do
- Worry is like a rocking chair: gives you something to do,
but won't get you anywhere
- Worry is a fast getaway on a wooden horse
-- Anxiety, or the lack of peace of mind, is a very common problem
- THE PROBLEM WITH ANXIETY...
- Christians certainly are not immune to the problem of anxiety
- Even faithful disciples can worry and be troubled - e.g., Lk
10:41
- Just as anxiety disrupts work, family, etc., so it can
hinder our service to the Lord
- It is also a reflection of "little faith" on our part
- E.g., worrying about things like food and clothing - cf. Mt
6:25-30
- E.g., worrying about preserving one's life - cf. Mt 8:24-26
- "The beginning of anxiety is the end of faith; and the
beginning of true faith is the end of anxiety." - George Muller
-- Anxiety, or the lack of peace of mind, is a very serious
problem
[Since anxiety is both a common and serious problem, consider how...]
- JESUS OFFERS PEACE OF MIND
- HIS PROMISE OF PEACE...
- He offers "My peace" to His disciples, so they need not be
troubled nor afraid - Jn 14:27
- He says that "in Me" they can have peace, and be of good cheer
- Jn 16:33
-- Thus Jesus promises peace that only He can provide!
- HIS SOLUTION FOR PEACE...
- Prioritize - Mt 6:31-34
- We must have our right priorities straight
- Seek first God's kingdom (reign) and His righteousness
- Make His will and His way our number one priority!
- Simplify - Lk 10:41-42; 8:14
- Martha was worried and troubled about "many things"
- Many things can "choke" our ability to bear good fruit
- Only one thing is really needed; we thus need to simplify
our lives
- Have faith - Mt 6:25,30; 8:26; Jn 14:1
- Faith is the antidote to worry and fear (i.e., anxiety)
- Jesus taught faith in God and in Him as the solution
- Such faith comes from the Word of God - cf. Ro 10:17
- Pray - Php 4:6-7
- Pray about everything
- Pray with a thankful heart
-- Four simple steps to enjoying the peace of mind Jesus offers!
[That we might make the effort to take these simple steps, let's briefly
note...]
- THE PEACE OF MIND JESUS OFFERS
- IT IS NOT OF THIS WORLD...
- Not as the world gives - Jn 14:27
- Peace despite tribulation - Jn 16:33
-- A heavenly peace despite earthly circumstances!
- IT IS THE PEACE OF GOD...
- That surpasses understanding - Php 4:7
- That guards one's heart - Php 4:7
-- A peace that transcends the mind and protects the heart!
CONCLUSION
- Anxiety with its worry and fear need not trouble the disciple of
Jesus...
- Jesus has reconciled the disciple back to the God of peace
- Jesus has taught the disciple how to enjoy true peace of mind
- It all depends on whether the disciple is willing to heed Jesus by...
- Prioritizing and simplifying
- Believing and praying
Those willing to so follow Jesus have this wonderful promise...
"Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the
world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled,
neither let it be afraid." - Jn 14:27