I'm pray. I'm preaching this morning on on
the topic. Hope in his piece.
I'm going to introduce, give a couple of, introduce
introduction paragraphs, then I'm going to pray for.
Us. I feel like.
There's quite a lot of weight to this.
There's quite. A lot of excitement to it as
well, actually. And.
Hopefully a lot of peace to it. Yeah, let's go for it.
We live. In a time that is marked by
strife and discourse, there you go.
You see why I'm thinking it's waiting?
The Quest for peace. Remains a.
Universal aspiration, That's. Deeply embedded inside.
Every. Human being.
Yet our understanding of peace often skims the.
Surface of its. Deeper implications.
Within the biblical narrative, there's provided a treasure.
Trove of wisdom. Regarding.
Peace in the. Hebrew Old Testament.
The word Shalom is. Used for peace.
You might be familiar with that word and in the Greek New
Testament, and I'm probably going to pronounce this word
wrong as well. Irene is the word.
Used in. Greek for Peace at a church.
Today, we embark on a journey to uncover.
The rich. Multifaceted nature of peace as
presented in Scriptures, and we're going to do that by
examining its various manifestations in the Old and
New Testament. Exploring.
Three of its dimensions, namely relational, societal, and
personal. And we're going to do this all
while confronting the challenge of a.
Lived experiential peace. In our daily lives.
So before. We get into that.
Can I pray? It'll be.
Really good too. Let's pray.
Heavenly Father, thank. You that your spirit?
Is here in abundance. Thank you that already you've.
Shown signs, examples. Given us moments this morning.
Where it's clear you're with us. And so as we wake up Scripture
and as we look at you teaching us from your Word, maybe humble
ourselves. Before your word.
Give us wisdom. Give us truth.
We don't want as the world gives, We want as you give.
And so bless us. As we look at your word this
morning in your son's precious name, Amen, the biblical
landscape. Is rich with.
Depictions of peace. Many times this is displayed.
In a physical. Form of peace, but many other
times we hear about. Peace.
That transcends the physical. World, as I said in the old.
Testament, the word Shalom is used and it describes.
A state of. Wholeness or completeness where
nothing is lacking or. Broken the first time we come
across the word. Shalom in the Bible is in
Genesis 15, and it's the Abraham narrative that we may know
Abraham well, but we're going to focus on this section in
chapter. 15 it says. Then the Lord.
Said to him. Or Abraham Abraham Know for
certain that for 400 years your descendants will be strangers in
a country not their own, and that they will be enslaved.
And mistreated there. But I will punish the nation
they. Serve as slaves.
And afterward, they'll come out with great.
Possessions you, however. Will go to your ancestors in
Shalom peace and be buried in a good.
Old age. We're mostly.
Familiar with the story? Of the Exodus.
And captivity how? Moses.
LED God people. Out of Egypt, but we want to.
Focus on before. We get there with Shalom peace.
In Abraham's death. Abraham, who is known for his
faith in his journeys that shaped his life, reached the
twilight. Of his years.
Rich and full of life. In this text, we find a promise
that's given to Abraham, one that carries a.
Deep sense of. Serenity and completeness.
The promise was. Simple and yet profound you.
However, will go. To your ancestors in Shalom and
be buried. At a good old age.
The word encompasses far more than simply the absence of
conflict. It speaks here of wholeness,
well-being. And a harmonious end to a
chapter of life's story. It assures Abraham that life's
concluding with a peaceful transition adjoining with.
Those who've. Gone before him in a place free
from pain and sorrow, that as we think of loved ones who have
died or nearing. Death we can.
Let this narrative be a source of solace.
Just as Abraham was promised a peaceful departure enveloped in
the tranquility of Shalom, we can find solace in the hope that
those who trust in Jesus will be in that space.
Too, they too have embarked. On a journey to eternal.
Peace a place where worries of this.
World are no more where life is lived more fully even.
Than we experience here today. In remembering them.
We cherish them. And we remember that.
They have a. Peace now that surpasses all
understanding. A gentle embrace.
From God himself. That may we?
Take comfort in the thoughts. Of the legacy.
Both in their lived lives and in their memories, may we hold them
dear in our thoughts and may remember that much like Abraham,
they have entered into a timeless embrace of Shalom.
Now talking about death can stir up memories and emotions, and so
maybe this morning that's starting to stir something in
you. Please do speak to people if you
are grieving, if you're going for a process of grief.
Might have been months or years ago and maybe a close friend,
maybe in a Verso group, maybe one of the pastors here this
morning, we want to help you and support you as you move through
that so. Peace at death.
Is the first. Time that we see the word.
Used in the Bible. But Scripture has a far broader.
Definition. Than this in fact the.
Word can refer to a stone. That has a.
Perfectly whole shape. With no cracks.
It can also refer. To a completed.
Stonewall. That has no bricks missing.
Shalom refers. To something that's complex.
With lots of pieces. That's in a state of
completeness or wholeness, for example in the book.
Of job, his flocks, his household is.
Described as being a. State of Shalom.
Because there were no sheep missing, no animals missing.
Obviously we know the narrative is more complex than that, but
there was a point where that was the description used.
That it can refer to a person's well-being and.
Like when David visited. His brothers on the.
Battlefield and inquired of their Shalom at.
The core idea is that. Life is complex, full of moving
parts and situations and relationships.
And when any of these are out of alignment or missing something
about our. Shalom.
Breaks down. Life is no longer whole, and it
needs to be. Stored talking about David on
the battlefield Conflict. Fighting and battles.
We know they all remove this sense of Shalom.
In Isaiah 9 we read about the undoing of this amazingly at.
Every Warriors boot. Used in battle, every garment
rolled in. Blood will be.
Destined for burning will be fuel for the fire, for to us a
child is born to. Us.
A son is given, and the government will be on his
shoulders, and he will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty
God, Everlasting Father, Prince. Of peace.
We are not designed to live in a world at war.
We know this in our very core, don't we?
And Scripture gives us the most robust framework that any faith
or philosophy can give. Us when we grapple with this.
Disconnect that we experience again and again I read.
Scripture and it. Precisely and profoundly
describes my lived. Experience.
It shouldn't surprise. Me then, when Jesus says I am
the. Way the truth.
And the life Jesus is the one source of truth.
For this world. We need to hold him out to
others. Now this.
Concept of peace. Is not confined to the absence
of conflicts. As I've said, but.
Extends to the. Presence of the Holy Spirit's
work. To bring about fullness and
harmony. We observe.
Shalom in action when we see adversaries reconciled.
Such as Jacob and Esau's heartfelt.
Reunion or when? Joseph graciously forgave his.
Brothers when rival kingdoms made peace in the Bible.
It wasn't just about them stopping the fighting.
It was about working together in the aftermath.
In the book of Ruth we see Shalom where Ruth's.
Loyalty to Naomi? Brings out peace and security.
To her mother in law's life and ultimately leads.
To the restoration. Of the family line Incredible at
King David's Psalms frequently invoke the theme of peace as he
yearns for God's Shalom amidst turmoil and conflict.
Psalm. 34 verse. 14 is a good example of this.
Turn from evil and do good, seek peace and pursue.
It it's a call. To actively.
Pursue peace as a virtue. Jesus birth in the New Testament
was announced as the arrival of. Peace Luke, Chapter 2.
I know we're not at Christmas yet.
My little fact for the. Day.
I've said this to a few people. Already my wife loves Christmas
and two months ago we were readying ourselves for
Christmas. Some of you aren't ready to.
Hear this. Two months ago we were pretty
much in the full swing, right? And two months the 6th of the.
Year. So we're 1/6 of the way already
to Christmas. I just.
I don't. I I sorry, I just There we go,
Luke. Chapter 2 reads.
And there were shepherds living out in the field nearby, keeping
watch over their flocks at night.
And an Angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory
of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.
But the Angel said to them, do not be.
Afraid. I bring you good news.
That will cause great joy for all people.
Today in the town of David has been born a savior.
He is the Messiah. The Lord.
This will be assigned to you. You'll find a baby wrapped in
clothes and lying in a Manger. Suddenly a great.
Cloud of heavenly. Hosts appeared.
With the Angel praising God and saying.
Glory to God. In the highest and on earth.
Peace. To those on whom?
His favour rests peace. Jesus emerges.
As the very embodiment of peace, the Prince of peace.
Prophesied in Isaiah, his teachings and actions
consistently. Reveal A dedication to
cultivating peace in individuals.
And communities, the Beatitudes extend blessings of peace.
To those who. Are meek and pure in heart.
Promising his. Comfort and communion with God.
His miracles parables. And personal interactions often
culminated in restoration. Of peace.
Whether it is calming of storms, healing ailments.
Or encouraging. The downtrodden on his return to
heaven. Remember Jesus.
Has always existed. As Father, Son, and Holy.
Spirit there has. Always been a beautiful,
eternal, peaceful. Relationship.
With one another, so they know what they're talking about on
Jesus's return to heaven. He sent us His Holy Spirit.
Who is our comforter? The Holy.
Spirit works within our hearts to bring about.
Peace the presence of the Holy Spirit is.
Transformative, he guides us and our church.
Community towards. A life marked.
With fruits of the spirit, Lovejoy.
Peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
gentleness, and self-control. The Apostle Paul's letters.
Also contribute to our understanding of peace.
That as he encourages. The Ephesians to maintain the
unity through the Spirit and the bond.
Of peace, Paul writes as a prisoner.
For the Lord, then, I urge you to.
Live a life worthy of the calling you have received.
Be completely humble and gentle. Be patient, bearing with one
another in love. Make every effort.
To keep the unity of the spirit. Through the bond of peace there
is one body and one spirit. Just as you were.
Called to 1 Hope when you were called one Lord, one faith, one
Baptism, one God, and Father of all who is over all and through
all, and in all He makes. Every effort.
He asked us to make. Every effort to keep the unity
of the spirit through. The bond of.
Peace. We see here that peace.
Is not just a passive state, as I've already mentioned, it's.
The Holy Spirit. Enabling us the acts that unite
us and reconcile. Us.
Within the body. Of Christ.
And finally, on our whistle stop tour of peace in the Bible, we
end up in Revelation 21. This is maybe one of my.
Treasured sections of Scripture. Looking towards what's to come
and it reads this. Then I saw a new heaven and new
earth. For the first.
Heaven and. First Earth had.
Passed away. Just going to pause there.
The eternal space that we go to with.
God is a new heaven and new earth and you've heard this and
you've read this in scripture. It's not floating on cloud type
moment. We're inhabiting a new earth and
there's going to be things to do there.
Maybe we'll invent things. Maybe we'll farm.
Maybe. We'll eat.
Maybe we'll play sport, we don't know exactly, but it's going to
be an incredible. Space.
That we're going to be in and that's something to look.
Forward to. Revelation 21 goes on to say.
I saw the holy city the new. Jerusalem coming down out of
heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for
her husband, and I heard a loud voice from the throne saying
look. God's dwelling.
Place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them.
They will be his people. And God himself.
Will be their God. He will wipe every tear from
their eyes. There will be no more death or
mourning or crying or pain. Of the old order of.
Things has passed away. This peace is.
Coming, I want us to spend the final few minutes looking at the
three dimensions of peace that I mentioned at relational,
societal and finally personal. We can look at the power of the
prodigal son in terms of Relational.
Peace. We're very familiar with it.
And the narrative itself looks at Father God, and it looks at
us as sons and looks at the way that we've rebelled against God.
And God opens his arms to us to welcome us back in.
But. There's a simpler way to look at
it. And it's a breakdown of a family
bond, it's a breakdown there that.
We read about. Of a father son relationship.
And I wonder when we think about that.
Who here as a? Father.
Or a parent has felt. Dishonoured.
Dismissed. Or worse.
By a son. Or child of your own.
Who here has a son or child? Who here has a?
Who here as a son or child has dishonoured, dismissed or done
worse to a dad? Or a parent things to.
Reflect on the relational breakdown within the family unit
is a real. Issue.
In our families, the enemy would love to break down and destroy
family units. The relationship breakdown isn't
just about parent and child. It can be a spouse.
It could be siblings. It could be aunted.
It could be. Other relatives.
As we know, relational breakdown isn't just an issue, even with
our families, but it happens between friends.
The relational dimension of peace involves the
reconciliation of individuals and the healing of
relationships, and it's a recurring theme in Jesus
parables at this. Will take grace.
Vulnerability. Patience, Forgiveness as things
are worked out with one another, But where?
Sin. Seeks to disintegrate.
And destroy peace. Restores.
I wonder what family member or individual in your life you
might want to pursue peace. With today.
The societal dimension of. Peace envisions a.
Community where? Justice and righteousness.
Are upheld. We've heard.
Today about IGN and praying for this.
World. Maybe that's a group that you
want to get involved in. Maybe there's another layer of
society that God's. Calling you to to.
Be an. Advocate for his peace but.
Reflecting on ways that we can be his ambassadors.
For peace in a broken. World is something we can all
do. And now the personal dimension.
Of peace. This is depicted in the Bible as
an inner calm. That endures.
Despite the external chaos that could be.
In our relationships. Or in our society this peace?
Is rooted in faith. And trust in God's.
Sovereignty. And is exemplified by Jesus
himself, who remained calm, composed, and at peace even in
the face of imminent. Death, in fact, hours before his
own death, a death that he was fully aware of, he.
Speaks to his. Friends.
And he says. This peace I leave with.
You, my peace I give you not as the world.
Gifts do I give? Let not your hearts.
Be troubled neither. Let them be afraid in these
words, Jesus. Addressed the most intimate
fears. Of those who walked with him, he
saw the worry etched. On their.
Faces felt the. Tremors of their anxious.
Hearts. And with the tender affection.
Of a loving friend he sought to. Ease their minds.
Not just with platitudes, but with the truth that they could
hold on to. His message was one of a
personal, profound peace. A pace that.
Wasn't so much about the cessation of conflict?
Although we should live for this.
But about calming the inner. Storms that rage.
Within said these things to you.
So that you may. Have peace in this world you
will. Have trouble?
But take heart. I have overcome.
The world. You know, we live in a world
where. We will face.
Trouble. None of us stand up here and.
Try preaching to say that everything's going to be.
Smooth and comfortable with your lives, that's not.
What Jesus teaches? We will find hardship.
We will find pain. As well, we can take heart.
We can take heart. Because we know someone's gone
before us and he has overcome this world and through some
divine majesty, through some magnificent.
Grace through some wisdom which? Is beyond our understanding his
and asked us to enter in. To that peace.
As a peace. That we share with God.
The Triune Godfather, Son Holy. Spirit A peace that they've
shared for all eternity. We get to step into that
relationally. We get to experience.
That in our lives. We get to live.
In that peace I'm really enjoying.
Our Hope series I've been so blessed by.
Mark and and. Claire, you're preaching.
Over the previous weeks I've been really challenged and
encouraged from Scripture. And I really encouraged the
phrase that Mark used early on in this in the series.
That, he said, walk through the pain.
Don't let the pain walk you. And just in the context of
today's talk, hope in his peace. I'd lean on that phrase and I
might develop it and say. This as we.
Learn to walk in his abundant. Gift of peace.
The pain and circumstance that seeks to.
Steer Our footsteps will have less and less hold on where we
tread. I'll say that one more time as
we learn to walk in his abundant.
Gift of peace. The pain and circumstance.
That seeks to steer our footsteps will have less and
less hold on where we tread.