PEACE IS AN UNDENIABLE FACT OF THE BELIEVER’S LIFE
John 20:19-26: Jesus proclaims peace three times to his disciples. Peace is central to resurrection.
->A few years ago, when I was in college, one of my classmates came to me one day and started asking questions from the Bible, mocking my faith in a “mythical” book, he said. About a couple of weeks later, he met me again and told me, “My brother and I got into a fight a few days ago.” It was a complete misunderstanding that led to it. I don’t know how to deal with this. Every time I see you, you are peaceful. There is peace in you, and I want that!
Peace is a very important aspect of a Christian’s life. Though we may not have all the answers, there is a peace about us that the world cannot deny and cannot ignore. Christian life is a life of peace. That’s why Paul greets every church, saying, “Grace and peace be multiplied to you.” In his letter to the Corinthians, he writes about how we ought to live in peace, and in another epistle to the Colossians, he teaches that peace will act as an umpire in our lives, leading us to do the will of God in everything.
In our passage today, we see that Jesus appears to His disciples in the midst of their fears and insecurity and proclaims peace to them. As we move into our message, let us explore how to experience this peace in seven areas of our lives, beginning with how God’s peace is linked with Jesus’ resurrection.
HIS RESURRECTION: OUR RECEIPT OF RIGHTEOUSNESS
Rom 4:25 – He was delivered up because of our offenses, and was raised because of our justification.
He was raised because we were made righteous. His resurrection is our receipt of righteousness. When Jesus died for our sins, He declared, “It is finished.” When God raised Him from the dead, it was God responding, “Yes, it is finished.”
TRUTH TO REMEMBER: His resurrection is our receipt of our righteousness
1 Cor 15:17: If Christ was not raised, your faith is futile; you remain in your sins. Now that Christ was raised, our faith has purpose, and we are free from sin.
But righteousness and peace are closely connected. See these verses:
Isaiah 32:17 – The effect of righteousness will be peace
Psalm 85:10 – Mercy and truth have met together; Righteousness and peace have kissed.
Romans 14:17 – For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.
Jesus proclaimed peace after His resurrection to declare the disciples made righteous. As believers, you are made righteous, and peace fills your life, bringing victory. This Resurrection Sunday, enjoy these seven aspects of peace:
1.PEACE WITH GOD
Rom 5:1 – Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ
By the work of Jesus on the cross, we have been given right standing with God. No more war between God and man. Sin has been removed; reconciliation has been done by the Cross. This is precisely what the angels sang at the birth of Jesus Christ: “Glory to God in the highest and peace to his people on earth.”
One man of God taught on Justification this way: JUSTIFIED means JUST-AS-IF-I’D never sinned: every time you approach God, he treats you like you’ve never sinned. That is righteousness!
2.PEACE FOR YOUR CONSCIENCE
We all have a conscience, a result of eating from the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Since conscience acts on its information, it cannot be trusted as an absolute moral guide. Conscience also demands justice. Sin leads to an expectation of God’s wrath. It is quieted only after justice is done and sin punished.
This is why the Scripture says in Hebrews 9:9 that under the Old Testament, the worshipper’s conscience is not cleansed, as the sacrifices acted like a credit card. True payment came when Jesus died. Now that Jesus has paid the price, Scripture says the believer can be purged of an evil conscience. Refer to Hebrews 10:22. Therefore, the believer is no longer condemned and can experience peace in the conscience.
So when Jesus proclaimed peace to the very people who forsook him and fled the premises, his sufferings were for them: because he had paid for their sins, he said “Peace be to you” and showed them his wounds. He paid for their mistakes – so peace!
He showed them his side, referencing Adam’s pierced side, from which Eve came. He was saying, “You are my bride!” The Church is the bride of Christ.
TRUTH TO REMEMBER: You are not defined by your wounds but by His. Jesus’ wounds declare that you belong to Him.
3.PEACE OF GOD FOR YOUR MIND
Php 4:7 – The Peace of God that surpasses all understanding shall keep your minds.
Isa 26:3 – You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind stays on you.
The world’s peace relies on your posture, your environment, incense, or music. God’s peace is based on what Jesus did on the Cross. It is strong and breaks bondages.
4.PEACE AMONG YOUR RELATIONSHIPS
1 Thess 5:13 – Let there be peace among you. God’s peace within you empowers you to live peacefully with others. You can believe for peace in your family and loved ones.r loved ones.
5.PEACE IN YOUR BODY.
When Jesus spoke peace, He showed His wounds. Remember: “By His stripes you are healed” (2 Pet 2:24). Expect healing in your body—let there be peace in your physical body.
6.PEACE FOR YOUR RELATIONSHIPS
Peace is SHALOM in Hebrew and IRENE in Greek—both mean: salvation, protection, health, deliverance, financial wellness, and mental peace. Peace includes financial wellness. God wants you out of debt and able to provide for your family. May God bless you financially and make you a blessing. Peace in your finances in Jesus’ Name.
7.PEACE CORPORATELY
The peace of God also enables you to live peacefully in your community.
Pro 16:7 says when God is pleased, He makes even your enemies live at peace with you. God gave Solomon SHALOM peace, so he had no wars.
Beloved, His peace is yours because you are made righteous by His blood, proven by Christ’s resurrection. Peace to you and your family. You are made righteous through the Cross. Happy Resurrection Sunday!