1 00:00:02,560 --> 00:00:18,200 We're turning to 2nd Thessalonians chapter 3, 2nd 2 00:00:18,200 --> 00:00:23,560 Thessalonians chapter 3, and we're going to read from verse 6 3 00:00:23,840 --> 00:00:29,400 to the end. Second Thessalonians chapter 3, 4 00:00:30,280 --> 00:00:39,280 verse 6 to the end. In case anybody's wondering what 5 00:00:39,280 --> 00:00:44,640 happened to 1st Thessalonians chapter 5, we'll resume those 6 00:00:44,640 --> 00:00:49,520 studies in the new year after we've seen the New year end. 7 00:00:51,720 --> 00:00:56,800 This, of course, is commonly associated as Christmas Sunday. 8 00:00:57,520 --> 00:01:03,200 And I was in a person's house last week and they gave me a 9 00:01:03,200 --> 00:01:05,560 little book. They said, here you are 10 00:01:05,560 --> 00:01:08,480 Reverend, here's something for you for Christmas, something for 11 00:01:08,480 --> 00:01:11,840 you to read. And the title of the book was 12 00:01:11,840 --> 00:01:18,640 The Missing Peace and, and it was spelt P/E A/C E. 13 00:01:19,120 --> 00:01:21,840 So that put the theme of peace in my head. 14 00:01:21,840 --> 00:01:26,280 And we're going to be thinking today of the subject of the Lord 15 00:01:26,280 --> 00:01:28,160 of peace. So that's why we're reading this 16 00:01:28,160 --> 00:01:33,240 portion of Scripture. 2nd Thessalonians chapter 3. 17 00:01:33,520 --> 00:01:36,440 We'll read from verse 6. The words will come up on screen 18 00:01:36,440 --> 00:01:41,120 for those online. Now we commend you, brethren, in 19 00:01:41,120 --> 00:01:44,800 the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw 20 00:01:44,800 --> 00:01:49,360 yourselves from every brother that walk of disorderly, and not 21 00:01:49,360 --> 00:01:54,000 after the tradition which he received of us for yourselves. 22 00:01:54,000 --> 00:01:58,760 Know how you ought to follow us, for we behave not ourselves 23 00:01:58,760 --> 00:02:03,760 disorderly among you, neither did we eat any man's bread for 24 00:02:03,760 --> 00:02:08,639 naughty, but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that 25 00:02:08,639 --> 00:02:13,640 we might not be chargeable to any of you, not because we have 26 00:02:13,800 --> 00:02:18,720 not power, but to make ourselves an example unto you to follow 27 00:02:18,760 --> 00:02:22,000 us. For even when we were with you, 28 00:02:23,240 --> 00:02:29,120 this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither 29 00:02:29,120 --> 00:02:32,560 should he eat. For we hear that they are some 30 00:02:32,560 --> 00:02:37,360 which walk among you, disorderly, working not at all. 31 00:02:37,920 --> 00:02:42,920 But our busy bodies Now them that are such we command and 32 00:02:42,920 --> 00:02:47,840 exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work 33 00:02:48,520 --> 00:02:53,560 and eat their own bread. But ye, brethren, be not weary 34 00:02:53,560 --> 00:02:58,240 in well doing, and if any man obey not our word by this 35 00:02:58,240 --> 00:03:03,680 epistle, note not man, and have no company with him, that he may 36 00:03:03,680 --> 00:03:07,280 be ashamed. Yet count him not as an enemy, 37 00:03:08,360 --> 00:03:13,840 but admonish him as a brother. Now the Lord of peace himself 38 00:03:14,520 --> 00:03:18,720 give you peace always. By all means, the Lord be with 39 00:03:18,720 --> 00:03:22,200 you all. The salutation of Paul with my 40 00:03:22,280 --> 00:03:25,720 own hand, which is the token in every epistle. 41 00:03:25,960 --> 00:03:30,760 So I write the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. 42 00:03:31,360 --> 00:03:34,240 Amen. Amen. 43 00:03:34,240 --> 00:03:37,760 We pray God will stamp with his own approval and blessing this 44 00:03:37,760 --> 00:03:41,160 reading of his own precious and infallible word. 45 00:03:42,920 --> 00:03:47,400 My text this morning is taken from Second Thessalonians 46 00:03:47,400 --> 00:03:53,560 chapter 3, verse 16. Listen to the words now. 47 00:03:53,600 --> 00:03:59,680 The Lord of peace himself give you peace always. 48 00:04:00,120 --> 00:04:06,800 By all means, the Lord be with you all now. 49 00:04:06,800 --> 00:04:13,840 If entitled today's message in the form of a question, Are you 50 00:04:13,840 --> 00:04:18,000 living in light of the Lord's peace? 51 00:04:19,440 --> 00:04:24,480 Now, as Paul wraps up his 2nd letter to these New Thessalonian 52 00:04:24,480 --> 00:04:29,800 believers, he offers in this second letter 4 prayers for 53 00:04:29,800 --> 00:04:32,480 them. The first prayer is found in 54 00:04:33,200 --> 00:04:38,360 Second Thessalonians chapter 1, verses 11 and 12. 55 00:04:38,960 --> 00:04:43,320 Wherefore also we pray also for you, that our God would count 56 00:04:43,320 --> 00:04:47,520 you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of 57 00:04:47,520 --> 00:04:51,400 His goodness and the work of faith with power, that the name 58 00:04:51,400 --> 00:04:54,760 of our Lord Jesus Christ would be glorified in you, and ye in 59 00:04:54,760 --> 00:04:58,840 him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus 60 00:04:58,840 --> 00:05:00,320 Christ. That's his first prayer. 61 00:05:01,000 --> 00:05:05,920 And then the second prayer is found in chapter 2, verses 16 62 00:05:06,200 --> 00:05:10,480 and 17, and I let you read that prayer for yourself. 63 00:05:10,920 --> 00:05:14,760 The third prayer is found in chapter 3 and verse 5. 64 00:05:15,280 --> 00:05:20,600 He says, And the Lord direct our hearts into the love of God and 65 00:05:20,600 --> 00:05:24,040 into the patient waiting for Christ. 66 00:05:24,760 --> 00:05:29,640 And then a fourth prayer in the form of the words of verse 16. 67 00:05:29,640 --> 00:05:32,760 Let me read it again. Ask yourself as you read, what 68 00:05:32,760 --> 00:05:37,640 do these words mean to you now? The Lord of peace himself give 69 00:05:37,640 --> 00:05:41,680 you peace always. By all means, the Lord be with 70 00:05:41,680 --> 00:05:44,400 you all. I want you to notice that this 71 00:05:44,400 --> 00:05:50,800 prayer, this 4th prayer, focuses on our Lord Jesus Christ who is 72 00:05:50,800 --> 00:05:54,680 the ultimate source of deep, lasting peace in the world. 73 00:05:55,360 --> 00:06:00,600 The peace of Christ is distinct from the world's understanding 74 00:06:00,800 --> 00:06:04,800 of what peace is. You see, the Lord's peace comes 75 00:06:04,800 --> 00:06:07,840 through redemption. It comes through being 76 00:06:07,840 --> 00:06:11,760 reconciled with God. And the Lord's peace leads to an 77 00:06:11,760 --> 00:06:18,560 inner wholeness and having Christ with us at our elbow as 78 00:06:18,560 --> 00:06:22,680 an ever present help. This peace is an absolute 79 00:06:22,680 --> 00:06:25,960 necessity, especially in the midst of persecution. 80 00:06:26,120 --> 00:06:28,720 And this church was facing persecution. 81 00:06:29,920 --> 00:06:34,480 This church was also suffering internal church strife. 82 00:06:34,960 --> 00:06:38,440 There was unruly, disorderly members. 83 00:06:39,720 --> 00:06:45,880 And in the midst of that, Paul says, now the Lord of peace 84 00:06:45,880 --> 00:06:49,760 himself give you peace always by all means. 85 00:06:49,880 --> 00:06:53,440 In other words, the peace of Christ is a great source of 86 00:06:53,440 --> 00:07:00,400 comfort, a great tremendous soundness of mind and grace for 87 00:07:00,400 --> 00:07:04,720 living obediently. This prayer shows that we must 88 00:07:04,720 --> 00:07:09,120 depend on the Lord's grace and strength for every situation 89 00:07:09,120 --> 00:07:11,840 that we face. So I asked the question this 90 00:07:11,840 --> 00:07:19,000 morning, if you're a born again Christian, do you know anything 91 00:07:19,040 --> 00:07:22,680 about this peace? You see, I put it to you, the 92 00:07:22,680 --> 00:07:25,600 world knows nothing about this peace. 93 00:07:26,120 --> 00:07:30,600 This peace is the opposite to what the world understands. 94 00:07:30,600 --> 00:07:35,640 Peace to be the world's is carried to rise by a spurt of 95 00:07:35,640 --> 00:07:40,880 restlessness. There's trouble, fear, anxiety, 96 00:07:41,120 --> 00:07:46,280 conflict, war, bloodshed, which is the opposite, of course, of 97 00:07:46,280 --> 00:07:49,560 what true peace is. And Jesus Christ, remember, was 98 00:07:49,560 --> 00:07:52,680 born, come into the world, live the sinless life, died and 99 00:07:52,680 --> 00:07:55,880 atoning death to bring peace to the earth. 100 00:07:57,280 --> 00:08:02,960 And the true 'cause of this lack of peace, real peace, is of 101 00:08:02,960 --> 00:08:07,560 course, sin. The reality is that many people 102 00:08:07,880 --> 00:08:13,280 are at war with God, at war within themselves, and they 103 00:08:13,280 --> 00:08:18,480 cannot have this peace because they do not know or have God as 104 00:08:18,480 --> 00:08:20,240 the Lord of peace in their heart. 105 00:08:20,560 --> 00:08:23,960 Remember, of course, sin disrupted the original peace in 106 00:08:23,960 --> 00:08:26,400 the Garden of Eden, the entrance of sin. 107 00:08:26,640 --> 00:08:30,360 It led to not only false religion, but it led to fear, it 108 00:08:30,360 --> 00:08:32,880 led to quarrelling, it led to bloodshed. 109 00:08:33,000 --> 00:08:37,000 Such was the effect of sin when we fell into an estate of sin 110 00:08:37,000 --> 00:08:41,200 and misery in Adam. This is the state of the world 111 00:08:41,200 --> 00:08:46,200 today, a state of conflict, restlessness, fear, anxiety, and 112 00:08:46,200 --> 00:08:51,960 many other things. Now, as we live our life in the 113 00:08:51,960 --> 00:08:58,600 world, as we live in this world, are we living in a state of 114 00:08:58,600 --> 00:09:02,080 peace? Are we living in light of the 115 00:09:02,080 --> 00:09:04,200 Lord of peace? That's the theme for today. 116 00:09:04,640 --> 00:09:08,920 Three things very quickly. Look at the text now, the Lord 117 00:09:08,960 --> 00:09:11,880 of peace. We'll pause there. 118 00:09:13,880 --> 00:09:16,520 I want you to think of a recognition of the Lord's 119 00:09:16,520 --> 00:09:22,080 person, the Lord of peace. Notice the clear title, the 120 00:09:22,120 --> 00:09:24,680 emphasis is on the Lord's person. 121 00:09:25,000 --> 00:09:29,960 Now the Lord of peace. We need to link it up with the 122 00:09:29,960 --> 00:09:34,920 words in First Thessalonians chapter 5 verse 23 when he said 123 00:09:34,920 --> 00:09:38,640 and the very God of peace sanctify you holy and I pray 124 00:09:38,640 --> 00:09:41,880 God, your whole spirit and soul and body, we preserve blameless 125 00:09:42,080 --> 00:09:45,520 unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 126 00:09:46,080 --> 00:09:48,480 Notice the words and the very God of peace. 127 00:09:49,200 --> 00:09:53,320 You see, here's one of the great proofs that indicate and teach 128 00:09:53,320 --> 00:09:57,080 the true and essential deity of our Lord Jesus Christ. 129 00:09:57,360 --> 00:10:00,680 One of the readings tonight will be from Isaiah Chapter 9 verse 130 00:10:00,680 --> 00:10:03,720 six. One of his titles is and his 131 00:10:03,720 --> 00:10:07,160 name shall be called wonderful councillor, the mighty God, the 132 00:10:07,160 --> 00:10:11,320 everlasting Father and the Prince of Peace. 133 00:10:12,680 --> 00:10:19,040 It's a reference to the Lord Jesus Christ, and this prayer 134 00:10:19,360 --> 00:10:24,280 and these prayers that Paul offered were offered to God 135 00:10:24,440 --> 00:10:29,520 through the Lord Jesus Christ. And any and every honest reader 136 00:10:29,520 --> 00:10:34,320 of the Bible would conclude that the Lord of peace is a reference 137 00:10:34,320 --> 00:10:39,160 to the one who is known also as the Prince of Peace, the one who 138 00:10:39,160 --> 00:10:44,880 came to bring peace on earth. And that one who's the Prince of 139 00:10:44,880 --> 00:10:47,920 Peace is linked to the very God of peace. 140 00:10:48,240 --> 00:10:53,360 And it this points us not only to a very distinct person, but 141 00:10:53,360 --> 00:10:57,400 also to the essential and true deity of the Lord Jesus Christ. 142 00:10:57,400 --> 00:11:01,960 So when you read the words, now the Lord of peace, you're 143 00:11:01,960 --> 00:11:04,440 reading about our Lord Jesus Christ. 144 00:11:05,720 --> 00:11:10,920 And the Christian's true peace doesn't depend on principles. 145 00:11:11,520 --> 00:11:15,120 The Christian's true peace depends on a person. 146 00:11:15,680 --> 00:11:23,760 In fact, our peace resides in him, because the Bible says in 147 00:11:23,800 --> 00:11:30,000 Ephesians 2 and verse 14, He is our peace. 148 00:11:30,240 --> 00:11:35,880 Now that's a tremendous statement, for He is our peace. 149 00:11:37,160 --> 00:11:40,600 Think of the provider of our peace. 150 00:11:40,960 --> 00:11:45,080 You see, our peace is not merely in a set of rules, a set of 151 00:11:45,080 --> 00:11:49,720 principles, or a set of guidelines, but our peace 152 00:11:49,720 --> 00:11:53,720 resides in a person. Here's the true ground of our 153 00:11:53,720 --> 00:11:55,880 peace. Now I know it's impossible in a 154 00:11:55,880 --> 00:12:01,080 sense to divorce peace from what Christ has done, The work of 155 00:12:01,080 --> 00:12:04,080 redemption, the work of reconciliation, peace through 156 00:12:04,120 --> 00:12:07,480 the blood of the cross. I'm well aware that the glory 157 00:12:07,480 --> 00:12:12,000 and grace and giving of this peace, it's not only grounded in 158 00:12:12,000 --> 00:12:17,280 what He's done, but also grounded on who and what He is 159 00:12:17,280 --> 00:12:23,160 in and of himself. He is our peace because he's the 160 00:12:23,200 --> 00:12:26,920 Prince of Peace. He's the very embodiment of what 161 00:12:26,920 --> 00:12:29,960 peace is. This is the true peace that 162 00:12:29,960 --> 00:12:36,680 belongs to the child of God. Think also of the purchaser of 163 00:12:36,680 --> 00:12:40,200 peace we read again in the Bible, in the book of 164 00:12:40,200 --> 00:12:45,560 Colossians, now this time in Colossians chapter 1 and in the 165 00:12:45,560 --> 00:12:49,560 verse 20. And having made peace through 166 00:12:49,600 --> 00:12:54,480 the blood of His cross, you see, when He came into the world as 167 00:12:54,480 --> 00:12:58,680 the Prince of Peace, He purchased the right to be the 168 00:12:58,680 --> 00:13:02,960 Prince of Peace to His people. He purchased the right to be the 169 00:13:02,960 --> 00:13:05,800 Lord of peace. Through his perfect life of 170 00:13:05,800 --> 00:13:10,520 obedience to the law of God and his sacrificial death, He 171 00:13:10,520 --> 00:13:15,720 satisfied God's wrath and law. He purchased peace by the blood 172 00:13:15,720 --> 00:13:18,400 of his cross that was shed in Mount Calvary. 173 00:13:19,160 --> 00:13:22,560 God gave him the gift of peace to give to all who would know 174 00:13:22,720 --> 00:13:25,280 and trust him as Lord and Saviour. 175 00:13:25,720 --> 00:13:29,320 The Lord Jesus Christ, as the Prince of Peace, stands as the 176 00:13:30,400 --> 00:13:34,800 mediator of the New Covenant. In other words, he he mean peace 177 00:13:34,800 --> 00:13:38,440 between God and man. He's the only one true mediator. 178 00:13:38,440 --> 00:13:42,760 First Timothy 2 and five. And he possesses perfect peace 179 00:13:42,800 --> 00:13:48,240 in himself, and he gives it to us as the Father's gift. 180 00:13:49,600 --> 00:13:51,400 This peace is not a mere feeling. 181 00:13:52,720 --> 00:13:56,800 It's not a mere emotion, but it's a deep state of being. 182 00:13:57,080 --> 00:14:00,240 You see, God could not just establish an arbitrary peace 183 00:14:00,240 --> 00:14:03,200 between Himself and fallen sinful to humanity. 184 00:14:03,840 --> 00:14:08,240 Remember, sin is the transgression of the law of God. 185 00:14:08,920 --> 00:14:13,080 Sin is rebellion. Sin strikes at the holiness of 186 00:14:13,080 --> 00:14:15,760 God, the justice of God, the grace of God. 187 00:14:15,800 --> 00:14:19,600 Sin pays wages for the wages of sin is death. 188 00:14:19,600 --> 00:14:23,560 Romans 6 and 23. Sin deserves a just punishment. 189 00:14:24,440 --> 00:14:28,640 I said lovingly, sin deserves hell. 190 00:14:29,720 --> 00:14:33,240 Psalm 9 and 17 says the wicked shall be turned into hell. 191 00:14:33,240 --> 00:14:37,400 And all nations that forget God and the Lord Jesus come into our 192 00:14:37,400 --> 00:14:41,760 world despite it's state and chaos, and he come into this 193 00:14:41,760 --> 00:14:47,880 world to provide peace high by purchasing peace. 194 00:14:48,600 --> 00:14:53,720 And here he's called the Lord of peace, the Prince of Peace, who 195 00:14:53,720 --> 00:14:58,840 possessed perfect peace in and of himself in his own nature, 196 00:14:59,080 --> 00:15:03,600 come into our world to purchase peace, the peace that was lost 197 00:15:03,760 --> 00:15:08,440 in Eden in the fall. And he came as the mediator, He 198 00:15:08,440 --> 00:15:12,960 came as the Redeemer, He came as the reconciler of man to make 199 00:15:13,160 --> 00:15:18,320 peace by the blood of his cross between our holy God and sinful 200 00:15:18,320 --> 00:15:21,600 man. I want you to think also of the 201 00:15:21,680 --> 00:15:26,280 promise of peace. There's a famous text in John's 202 00:15:26,280 --> 00:15:31,400 Gospel in John chapter 1427. He said to his disciples in the 203 00:15:31,400 --> 00:15:35,400 upper room, Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you 204 00:15:35,400 --> 00:15:37,240 not as the world giveth, give I unto you. 205 00:15:37,240 --> 00:15:41,200 Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. 206 00:15:41,840 --> 00:15:45,600 You see, He not only provides peace, He not only purchase 207 00:15:45,600 --> 00:15:50,360 peace, but He promises peace. And this is what He says. 208 00:15:50,640 --> 00:15:55,920 Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you. 209 00:15:56,080 --> 00:15:59,040 Not as the world giveth, give I unto you. 210 00:15:59,120 --> 00:16:03,480 Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. 211 00:16:03,920 --> 00:16:06,840 You see, His peace is so different from the world. 212 00:16:07,760 --> 00:16:11,520 The world's peace is false. It's superficial, it's 213 00:16:11,520 --> 00:16:17,320 temporary, it depends on circumstances, but Christ peace 214 00:16:17,320 --> 00:16:22,440 is deep, it's solid, it's durable, and glory to God is 215 00:16:22,520 --> 00:16:27,000 independent of circumstances. You can have peace in the storms 216 00:16:27,000 --> 00:16:31,440 of life, unlike the world's peace. 217 00:16:31,720 --> 00:16:35,560 Christ peace holds firm in the midst of troubles. 218 00:16:35,760 --> 00:16:41,240 You think of some of the getting news past days of cancer by the 219 00:16:41,240 --> 00:16:45,680 doctor. You think of somebody who's lost 220 00:16:45,680 --> 00:16:48,000 their job baby in the mouth of Christmas. 221 00:16:49,600 --> 00:16:52,920 You think of somebody who's going through a a bad and a a 222 00:16:52,920 --> 00:16:56,040 difficult divorce. You think of somebody who's 223 00:16:56,040 --> 00:17:00,160 going through a day of trouble and remember this is a church 224 00:17:00,160 --> 00:17:04,280 that was experiencing trouble, persecution from without, unruly 225 00:17:04,280 --> 00:17:08,000 and disorderly members from within, false teachers coming in 226 00:17:08,160 --> 00:17:11,760 and they're questioning the second coming and they're saying 227 00:17:11,760 --> 00:17:15,440 to the people, your dead loved ones, forget about them. 228 00:17:15,560 --> 00:17:17,599 They're gone. They'll never ever see them 229 00:17:17,599 --> 00:17:19,599 again. And it's causing a lot of 230 00:17:19,599 --> 00:17:24,560 consternation. And Christ comes as the Lord of 231 00:17:24,560 --> 00:17:29,440 peace, who provides peace, who purchased it with this promise. 232 00:17:29,440 --> 00:17:35,960 My peace I give unto you. I want you to think also about 233 00:17:36,080 --> 00:17:40,920 the purpose of peace. In Jeremiah 29 and verse 11, he 234 00:17:40,920 --> 00:17:43,920 says this. For I know the thoughts that I 235 00:17:43,920 --> 00:17:50,680 think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace and not 236 00:17:50,680 --> 00:17:56,320 of evil, to give you unexpected end. 237 00:17:57,280 --> 00:18:01,840 Maybe right now, this morning, this Christmas, Sunday, you're 238 00:18:01,840 --> 00:18:04,240 going through a dark and difficult period. 239 00:18:04,240 --> 00:18:09,600 And what's missing from your life is the missing piece. 240 00:18:10,800 --> 00:18:14,480 If you think of a jigsaw puzzle, it's not a complete picture 241 00:18:14,480 --> 00:18:19,000 because there's pieces missing, maybe even one piece, P i.e. 242 00:18:19,000 --> 00:18:22,120 CE. But I'm thinking about P/E A/C 243 00:18:22,120 --> 00:18:26,240 E, the missing piece in people's hearts and lives. 244 00:18:26,600 --> 00:18:29,200 And as far as you're concerned, your future's bleak and 245 00:18:29,200 --> 00:18:31,800 blearing. Nothing's going right, 246 00:18:32,960 --> 00:18:36,160 Everything's going wrong. You're facing hardship and your 247 00:18:36,320 --> 00:18:39,400 difficult circumstances. And I say to you this morning 248 00:18:39,400 --> 00:18:42,720 this don't be misled by your circumstances. 249 00:18:42,880 --> 00:18:44,800 Don't depend on your circumstances. 250 00:18:44,920 --> 00:18:48,240 Our circumstances change, including mine, just like the 251 00:18:48,240 --> 00:18:51,640 weather. But ponder what is in the heart 252 00:18:51,640 --> 00:19:01,160 and mind of God, this holy God He's saying to us today as far 253 00:19:01,160 --> 00:19:05,640 as His purpose is concerned. For I know the thoughts that I 254 00:19:05,640 --> 00:19:07,280 think toward you, saith the Lord. 255 00:19:07,440 --> 00:19:10,480 Thoughts of peace. As God Almighty is in heaven 256 00:19:10,480 --> 00:19:15,680 this morning, He has thoughts of peace toward those who are in 257 00:19:15,680 --> 00:19:18,320 Christ. Not thoughts of evil, but 258 00:19:18,320 --> 00:19:22,520 thoughts of peace to give you an expected end. 259 00:19:23,280 --> 00:19:25,880 The Lord is thinking of His people this morning. 260 00:19:26,080 --> 00:19:29,280 The Lord is thinking of you here with all your difficulties and 261 00:19:29,280 --> 00:19:32,880 with all your problems. He is thinking of giving you an 262 00:19:32,880 --> 00:19:37,640 expected end according to His will and purpose. 263 00:19:38,360 --> 00:19:42,400 He's our heavenly Father. He's provided Christ as a 264 00:19:42,400 --> 00:19:44,920 wonderful Saviour. For those who are born of the 265 00:19:44,920 --> 00:19:47,320 Spirit are indwelt by the Spirit. 266 00:19:47,440 --> 00:19:52,520 It's part of His Master plan. What tremendous encouragement. 267 00:19:53,720 --> 00:19:57,800 I want you to think very carefully of the recognition of 268 00:19:57,800 --> 00:20:00,520 the Lord's person, the Lord of peace. 269 00:20:01,240 --> 00:20:09,120 The Lord of peace has provided peace how He purchased it, and 270 00:20:09,120 --> 00:20:16,600 He promises it and He proposes it as part of His divine purpose 271 00:20:16,880 --> 00:20:19,920 and plan. Notice secondly today if you 272 00:20:19,920 --> 00:20:25,360 look again at our text. A revolution of the Lord's 273 00:20:25,360 --> 00:20:29,200 profession. Now the Lord of peace himself, 274 00:20:29,200 --> 00:20:33,320 what is he going to do? Give you peace always? 275 00:20:33,520 --> 00:20:37,080 By all means, think of the word give. 276 00:20:37,880 --> 00:20:40,240 Christmas is a time for giving, isn't it? 277 00:20:40,800 --> 00:20:43,200 And we're thinking about the greatest gift of all now. 278 00:20:43,200 --> 00:20:46,360 Thanks beyond the God for his unspeakable gift, the gift of 279 00:20:46,360 --> 00:20:49,840 his Son, Jesus Christ speaks of profession. 280 00:20:50,040 --> 00:20:52,760 And here's a revelation of God's provision. 281 00:20:52,840 --> 00:20:56,920 And one of the things that God gives in Christ give you peace 282 00:20:56,920 --> 00:21:02,040 always by all means. And the provision of the Lord's 283 00:21:02,040 --> 00:21:05,880 peace has a threefold aspect and dimension. 284 00:21:05,880 --> 00:21:09,720 Now remember, keep in context. These believers are going 285 00:21:09,720 --> 00:21:13,320 through difficulty, and you're maybe going through difficulty 286 00:21:13,320 --> 00:21:16,480 this morning. They're going through an. 287 00:21:16,480 --> 00:21:21,600 Intense period of persecution, some were being martyred, put 288 00:21:21,600 --> 00:21:24,520 into gaol. They're battling false teachers 289 00:21:24,520 --> 00:21:27,760 that have come into the church. They're dealing with unruly 290 00:21:27,760 --> 00:21:30,640 church members. Some church members because of 291 00:21:30,840 --> 00:21:33,240 they heard about the second coming of Christ, they decided, 292 00:21:33,240 --> 00:21:34,960 you know what, we'll quit our job. 293 00:21:35,280 --> 00:21:37,800 We're not going to work anymore. We're going to go up to the top 294 00:21:37,800 --> 00:21:40,560 of the hill and we're going to sit and we'll get our Bibles and 295 00:21:40,560 --> 00:21:42,680 we'll read and wait until the Lord comes. 296 00:21:42,680 --> 00:21:45,240 And then when they got hungry, then they come down knocking on 297 00:21:45,240 --> 00:21:48,360 your door and saying, I'm hungry, have you any dinner? 298 00:21:48,800 --> 00:21:51,000 And then they maybe brought the wife and the children and, well, 299 00:21:51,000 --> 00:21:53,880 I, I have no money to buy food. Well, can you provide for us? 300 00:21:54,000 --> 00:21:58,200 That's what was going on. And, and, and they were refusing 301 00:21:58,200 --> 00:22:00,760 to work and provide for their families. 302 00:22:01,040 --> 00:22:04,360 And each of these situations in themselves were creating 303 00:22:04,360 --> 00:22:07,840 tremendous tension and strife in the church. 304 00:22:08,200 --> 00:22:13,760 They were creating difficulty and division and it was 305 00:22:13,880 --> 00:22:18,240 impacting on the individual, but it was also impacting on the 306 00:22:18,240 --> 00:22:21,640 congregation. And yet, Paul. 307 00:22:21,640 --> 00:22:26,560 When he prays the 4th time and it's interesting, it's only one 308 00:22:26,560 --> 00:22:31,560 time in the New Testament. Only one time the Lord Jesus has 309 00:22:31,560 --> 00:22:36,560 called the Lord of peace. There's only one time in the Old 310 00:22:36,560 --> 00:22:38,320 Testament he's called the Prince of Peace. 311 00:22:38,440 --> 00:22:42,000 Isaiah 9 and six. So here we have a corresponding 312 00:22:42,000 --> 00:22:46,560 text to 9 and six. In Isaiah, the Prince of Peace 313 00:22:46,640 --> 00:22:52,640 is called now the Lord of peace. I'm well aware there's other 314 00:22:52,640 --> 00:22:56,320 reference to the God of peace in the Bible that's a reference to 315 00:22:56,320 --> 00:22:58,840 God the Father. I'll just read them out to you. 316 00:22:59,000 --> 00:23:02,200 Romans 15 and 33. Romans 16 and 20. 317 00:23:02,200 --> 00:23:07,360 Philippians 4 and 9, 1st Thessalonians 533, Hebrews 13 318 00:23:07,360 --> 00:23:10,000 and 10. That's a reference to the God of 319 00:23:10,000 --> 00:23:12,440 peace. That's a reference to God the 320 00:23:12,440 --> 00:23:14,840 Father. And then of course, the Holy 321 00:23:14,840 --> 00:23:18,440 Spirit is also the source of this peace because remember, 322 00:23:18,440 --> 00:23:22,240 peace is part of the fruit of the Spirit He produces in US. 323 00:23:22,240 --> 00:23:27,040 Galatians 522 and Romans 14 verse 17. 324 00:23:27,160 --> 00:23:31,800 So all members of the Trinity are involved in this provision. 325 00:23:31,800 --> 00:23:35,680 God is Father, Christ is the Prince of Peace, the Lord of 326 00:23:35,680 --> 00:23:40,720 peace, and the Spirit of peace. The Hebrew word for. 327 00:23:40,720 --> 00:23:45,240 Peace, you know, we, we meet each other in the streets down 328 00:23:45,240 --> 00:23:48,840 in Belfast or wherever and we say hello, how are you? 329 00:23:48,880 --> 00:23:52,440 And we have a little conversation down in Ballymoney. 330 00:23:52,440 --> 00:23:55,080 I've said before they say, what about you? 331 00:23:56,440 --> 00:23:58,920 Maybe other places have their own form of greeting, but over 332 00:23:58,920 --> 00:24:02,080 in the land of Israel, when they greet each other, Jew meets Jew, 333 00:24:02,280 --> 00:24:04,560 they would use the Hebrew word Shalom. 334 00:24:05,280 --> 00:24:07,840 Shalom. Now what does that? 335 00:24:07,840 --> 00:24:10,200 Mean well, it's a form of greeting, but it's more than a 336 00:24:10,200 --> 00:24:15,120 greeting because that Hebrew word has got 3 senses or a 337 00:24:15,120 --> 00:24:19,440 threefold dimension or three aspects that are interconnected. 338 00:24:19,920 --> 00:24:24,640 The word Shalom means be safe. Be safe, brother. 339 00:24:25,000 --> 00:24:32,160 Sister, it also means certainty. Be certain even in the midst of 340 00:24:32,160 --> 00:24:37,200 difficult circumstances. And it also means enjoyment. 341 00:24:38,800 --> 00:24:42,080 I hope you're safe. Brother, I hope you're certain 342 00:24:42,080 --> 00:24:46,600 and fixed in who you believe in. I hope and pray, brother, you're 343 00:24:46,600 --> 00:24:49,160 enjoying all the blessing God has for you. 344 00:24:49,240 --> 00:24:53,200 Because that's the full meaning of that Hebrew word peace. 345 00:24:54,520 --> 00:24:57,320 And you see that's. The way Paul means it, it's not 346 00:24:57,320 --> 00:24:59,440 just the absence of strife and war. 347 00:25:01,120 --> 00:25:04,200 But it's a. Reference to safety and 348 00:25:04,200 --> 00:25:06,880 well-being. It's a reference to. 349 00:25:06,880 --> 00:25:10,160 Inner wholeness and contentment and certainty. 350 00:25:11,520 --> 00:25:15,680 It's a reference to. True contentment and enjoyment. 351 00:25:16,520 --> 00:25:20,360 I want you to think of the security of peace with God. 352 00:25:20,680 --> 00:25:23,200 The Bible says in Romans chapter 5 verse one. 353 00:25:23,360 --> 00:25:26,760 Therefore, being justified by faith, we have peace with God 354 00:25:26,920 --> 00:25:31,560 through our Lord Jesus Christ. See peace with God comes as a 355 00:25:31,560 --> 00:25:36,000 gift from Jesus Christ through justification by faith. 356 00:25:36,760 --> 00:25:42,240 Christ peace starts with giving us peace with God. 357 00:25:42,960 --> 00:25:46,880 It's an objective peace. It's a legal status of being at 358 00:25:46,880 --> 00:25:49,320 peace with God through the forgiveness of sins. 359 00:25:49,400 --> 00:25:51,480 The forgiveness of sins is not just a feeling. 360 00:25:51,600 --> 00:25:53,840 Oh, I feel forgiven. It's a fact. 361 00:25:56,120 --> 00:26:00,240 The Bible says in. Hebrews 10 verse 17 and thine as 362 00:26:00,240 --> 00:26:02,920 sins and iniquities. Well I remember no more. 363 00:26:03,040 --> 00:26:07,080 God is making a promise, putting the the sin in the sea of 364 00:26:07,080 --> 00:26:10,040 forgetfulness, casting it behind her back, never to bring it up 365 00:26:10,040 --> 00:26:12,600 again. All sin of thought, word and 366 00:26:12,600 --> 00:26:16,120 deed remember what we are by birth, by nature, by practise. 367 00:26:16,120 --> 00:26:19,080 We're sinners before God. We're hostile to Him. 368 00:26:20,400 --> 00:26:22,160 We're we're in a state. Of war with him. 369 00:26:22,160 --> 00:26:26,720 We're alienated from him by wicked thoughts and deeds, but 370 00:26:26,720 --> 00:26:31,880 by His grace, through the gift of the Lord Jesus Christ, he 371 00:26:31,880 --> 00:26:36,800 come into the world and He provides peace by purchasing it 372 00:26:37,000 --> 00:26:41,520 and promising it as a gift. And here's his. 373 00:26:41,520 --> 00:26:44,440 Purpose. To give you an. 374 00:26:44,440 --> 00:26:47,840 Expected end. By his grace. 375 00:26:47,840 --> 00:26:51,160 Christ purchase that peace by the blood of his cross. 376 00:26:53,120 --> 00:26:55,600 See many people. Today, live without Christ. 377 00:26:57,920 --> 00:27:01,360 They don't know him. And they have a false sense of 378 00:27:01,360 --> 00:27:06,320 peace, not true and genuine peace, but a false peace. 379 00:27:06,320 --> 00:27:08,840 And there's many reasons for that false sense of peace. 380 00:27:09,600 --> 00:27:11,320 Many think too highly of themselves. 381 00:27:11,320 --> 00:27:14,000 They don't see themselves as guilty sinners in need of 382 00:27:14,000 --> 00:27:16,600 salvation. They think too lowly of God. 383 00:27:16,760 --> 00:27:19,400 They know nothing of the justice and the holiness of God. 384 00:27:19,520 --> 00:27:22,800 They just focus on God as love, that that's what they've heard. 385 00:27:22,880 --> 00:27:24,960 They don't even know what that really means. 386 00:27:26,200 --> 00:27:28,640 Many people have a. False piece of unbelief. 387 00:27:28,920 --> 00:27:30,320 Why? Because they're ignorant of who 388 00:27:30,320 --> 00:27:33,240 they really are. Ignorant of their true identity 389 00:27:33,680 --> 00:27:36,040 before God. Ignorant of who God really is. 390 00:27:36,200 --> 00:27:40,600 They don't read their Bible. They don't hear the. 391 00:27:40,600 --> 00:27:43,120 Word of God in the House of God in the day of God. 392 00:27:45,160 --> 00:27:47,040 I'll tell you better than. That they don't want to find the 393 00:27:47,040 --> 00:27:49,440 truth. They don't want to know the 394 00:27:49,440 --> 00:27:52,080 truth. And that's the sad. 395 00:27:52,080 --> 00:27:54,720 State imagine somebody sitting in their sitting room and 396 00:27:55,720 --> 00:27:58,480 they're about to be consumed by flames and you're shouting at 397 00:27:58,480 --> 00:28:02,240 them get out before you're burnt to death and just remain 398 00:28:02,240 --> 00:28:04,960 sitting. Or imagine you're down at Port 399 00:28:04,960 --> 00:28:08,080 Rush or Newcastle and somebody sitting at the beach and you see 400 00:28:08,080 --> 00:28:12,920 a giant foot of 20 foot wall of water coming heading toward the 401 00:28:12,920 --> 00:28:17,320 beach and there's somebody about to be blown away by this tsunami 402 00:28:17,320 --> 00:28:20,280 of water and you're shouting at them and they just remain 403 00:28:20,280 --> 00:28:22,160 sitting there. But that's the picture. 404 00:28:23,680 --> 00:28:27,000 A false. Sense of peace because of 405 00:28:27,000 --> 00:28:32,520 unbelief, a false sense of peace because of their good works and 406 00:28:32,520 --> 00:28:35,200 religious rites and ceremonies. There's nothing wrong with good 407 00:28:35,200 --> 00:28:37,000 works and religious rites and ceremonies. 408 00:28:37,160 --> 00:28:39,920 They have their place, but not the ground of salvation. 409 00:28:40,400 --> 00:28:43,080 The Bible says for me grace, He is saved through faith, not, not 410 00:28:43,080 --> 00:28:45,800 of yourselves, the gift of God, not of works, lest any man 411 00:28:45,800 --> 00:28:48,280 should boast, Titus said. Not by works of righteousness 412 00:28:48,440 --> 00:28:51,160 which we have done, but according to his mercy he has 413 00:28:51,160 --> 00:28:53,480 saved us. And how many have a false sense 414 00:28:53,480 --> 00:28:57,040 of peace, not only because of unbelief and ignorance, not only 415 00:28:57,040 --> 00:28:59,480 because of good works and religious rites and sermonies, 416 00:28:59,680 --> 00:29:02,880 but even a false piece of universalism if you ask them 417 00:29:02,880 --> 00:29:04,360 about God. Do you know about God? 418 00:29:04,360 --> 00:29:07,800 Yes, God is love. That's all they know. 419 00:29:08,240 --> 00:29:11,520 They don't know that he's holy. They don't know that he's just. 420 00:29:11,720 --> 00:29:15,160 They don't know that he's true. They don't know that he's a God 421 00:29:15,160 --> 00:29:17,520 of wrath. That's all forgotten. 422 00:29:17,640 --> 00:29:19,720 That's all ignored. That's overlooked. 423 00:29:20,760 --> 00:29:23,120 People assume that their. Religiosity, their church 424 00:29:23,120 --> 00:29:26,760 attendance, their good works will get them eventually. 425 00:29:27,760 --> 00:29:30,000 To heaven and earn. Them a place there. 426 00:29:31,680 --> 00:29:33,920 And they protest to. Me, and I'll tell you what they 427 00:29:33,920 --> 00:29:39,240 say, but preacher, I'm not a mass murderer, preacher, I'm not 428 00:29:39,240 --> 00:29:43,880 a rapist preacher, I'm a basically good person. 429 00:29:46,600 --> 00:29:48,880 And of course there's. Plenty of people to come along 430 00:29:48,880 --> 00:29:52,240 and tell them, ministers and elders alike, peace, peace when 431 00:29:52,240 --> 00:29:55,720 there is no peace because they're ignorant themselves. 432 00:29:56,640 --> 00:29:59,240 A false sense of peace is a real problem. 433 00:30:00,880 --> 00:30:02,560 The Bible. Says there is no peace to the 434 00:30:02,560 --> 00:30:05,760 wicked. Isaiah 57 and 2 Thomas Watson 435 00:30:05,760 --> 00:30:08,360 said this one of the Puritans the. 436 00:30:08,360 --> 00:30:12,920 Seeming. Peace a Sinner has is not from 437 00:30:12,920 --> 00:30:17,000 knowledge of his happiness. But from. 438 00:30:17,120 --> 00:30:21,120 Ignorance of his danger. It's like sitting in the room 439 00:30:21,120 --> 00:30:23,560 and it's in fire. It's like sitting at the beach. 440 00:30:23,560 --> 00:30:28,280 In the wall of water is coming. Peace that comes. 441 00:30:30,240 --> 00:30:34,040 From Christ. Is peace with God that comes 442 00:30:34,040 --> 00:30:38,800 first as a gift through justification by faith in Him. 443 00:30:39,840 --> 00:30:42,680 This peace also comes through sanctification by the Holy 444 00:30:42,680 --> 00:30:44,640 Spirit. We can read that in First 445 00:30:44,640 --> 00:30:48,640 Thessalonians 5 and 23. We can't enjoy and know peace if 446 00:30:48,640 --> 00:30:51,640 we're living an open sin and disobedience to His commands. 447 00:30:51,920 --> 00:30:56,120 Many have tried and failed. Whenever David sinned with 448 00:30:56,120 --> 00:31:00,280 Bathsheba, adultery, murder, lies, drunkenness, he was robbed 449 00:31:00,280 --> 00:31:02,080 of peace. He was in a state of inner 450 00:31:02,080 --> 00:31:05,640 turmoil. He was engulfed by fear and 451 00:31:05,640 --> 00:31:08,760 despair. In other words, it impacted upon 452 00:31:08,760 --> 00:31:11,680 Him impact them physically, mentally, emotionally, and 453 00:31:11,680 --> 00:31:14,600 spiritually. Thomas Watson again says you 454 00:31:14,600 --> 00:31:18,760 might as well suck health out of poison as peace out of sin. 455 00:31:19,240 --> 00:31:22,600 If you would have peace, then make war with sin. 456 00:31:22,920 --> 00:31:27,760 Go to Christ's blood for peace. Let the blood of Christ, which 457 00:31:27,760 --> 00:31:32,720 satisfied and pacified the wrath of God, Let not pacify and 458 00:31:32,720 --> 00:31:37,680 satisfy your guilty conscience. For if Christ's blood is sucked 459 00:31:37,680 --> 00:31:45,240 in by faith, Christ gives peace, not only the security of peace 460 00:31:45,800 --> 00:31:49,400 with God, but think of the speciality of peace of God. 461 00:31:50,640 --> 00:31:54,600 This is a subjective peace, peace in the storms of life, 462 00:31:54,760 --> 00:32:00,040 That inner wholeness I talked about, a soundness of mind, a 463 00:32:00,080 --> 00:32:03,520 true contentment, a strength even in the face of great 464 00:32:03,520 --> 00:32:06,480 sufferings. You see, Christ peace is such a 465 00:32:06,480 --> 00:32:09,640 gift that you can hold firm amidst the trials. 466 00:32:10,120 --> 00:32:16,120 Again go back to hearing about cancer or again hearing about a 467 00:32:16,120 --> 00:32:21,280 divorce situation or hearing about a loss of job are hearing 468 00:32:21,280 --> 00:32:24,600 about somebody falling in hard times and if people fall in hard 469 00:32:24,600 --> 00:32:27,920 times, remember them, pray for them that the Lord will help 470 00:32:28,000 --> 00:32:31,080 them do good to all men. The Bible says especially they 471 00:32:31,200 --> 00:32:34,680 who are the household of faith and in the midst of this church 472 00:32:34,680 --> 00:32:37,600 there was persecution. As I've said, there were those 473 00:32:37,600 --> 00:32:39,920 who quit the job and were depending on the handout of 474 00:32:39,920 --> 00:32:42,000 others. The response teaching about the 475 00:32:42,000 --> 00:32:45,480 second coming and loved ones peace in the church had been 476 00:32:45,480 --> 00:32:51,160 disturbed and Paul is writing to this church and he says now the 477 00:32:51,160 --> 00:32:57,840 Lord of peace himself give you peace always, not only safety. 478 00:32:58,720 --> 00:33:04,080 But also. Certainty, peace with other 479 00:33:04,080 --> 00:33:07,280 believers, even if other believers are different. 480 00:33:07,280 --> 00:33:08,600 And we're all different, aren't we? 481 00:33:09,320 --> 00:33:11,360 And yet we're all special to the Lord. 482 00:33:12,080 --> 00:33:14,560 You see, Remember, in Christ there's no distinction. 483 00:33:15,000 --> 00:33:18,880 In Christ we read in Ephesians 2 and 14. 484 00:33:19,200 --> 00:33:21,960 For He is our peace, who have made both, 1 and have broken 485 00:33:21,960 --> 00:33:24,320 down the middle wall of partition between us, having 486 00:33:24,320 --> 00:33:25,960 abolished in His flesh the enmity. 487 00:33:25,960 --> 00:33:28,400 Even the law of commandments contained an ordinance for to 488 00:33:28,400 --> 00:33:33,080 making Himself of Twain one new man so making peace. 489 00:33:34,360 --> 00:33:37,040 Again in the book. Of Colossians in Colossians 490 00:33:37,040 --> 00:33:42,320 chapter 3 and in verse 11 we read where there's neither Greek 491 00:33:42,320 --> 00:33:46,160 nor Jew circumcision nor uncircumcision barbarian Cynthia 492 00:33:46,160 --> 00:33:51,320 and Bond they're free, but Christ is all and in oh 493 00:33:51,800 --> 00:33:54,920 different personalities, different backgrounds, different 494 00:33:54,920 --> 00:33:58,720 perspectives and let's remember that sin rides resides in each 495 00:33:58,720 --> 00:34:03,400 one of our hearts and we need to constantly work at peaceful 496 00:34:03,400 --> 00:34:06,520 relationships and and that's what Paul was dealing with here. 497 00:34:06,720 --> 00:34:09,280 There was those in the church who were behaving disorderly. 498 00:34:09,280 --> 00:34:11,400 He mentioned that three or four times. 499 00:34:11,760 --> 00:34:15,080 He mentions it here in chapter 3 verses 14 and 15. 500 00:34:15,239 --> 00:34:18,000 There were those disciples who were unruly individuals that 501 00:34:18,000 --> 00:34:22,360 refused to work, impacting family and friends and members. 502 00:34:22,800 --> 00:34:26,480 And Paul wasn't aiming to achieve peace by covering sin. 503 00:34:26,639 --> 00:34:31,000 No, he confronted sin. He, he, his approach was to deal 504 00:34:31,000 --> 00:34:34,040 with sin and then to pray for the Lord's peace to be 505 00:34:34,040 --> 00:34:36,719 experienced in every circumstance. 506 00:34:37,280 --> 00:34:41,280 Think about the spirituality of this peace. 507 00:34:42,280 --> 00:34:46,280 This inner peace is peace and difficult circumstances and 508 00:34:46,280 --> 00:34:49,960 situations. This inner peace is brought 509 00:34:49,960 --> 00:34:53,239 about through prayer. Remember what he says there in 510 00:34:53,239 --> 00:34:57,240 the book of Philippians. He says in Philippians chapter 4 511 00:34:57,440 --> 00:35:00,480 and verse 6, be careful for nothing, but in everything but 512 00:35:00,480 --> 00:35:03,520 prayer and supplication with Thanksgiving, let your request 513 00:35:03,520 --> 00:35:06,080 be made known unto God. And the peace of God which 514 00:35:06,080 --> 00:35:08,960 passes all understanding shall keep your hearts and minds 515 00:35:09,160 --> 00:35:12,120 through Christ Jesus. The peace of God is connected to 516 00:35:12,120 --> 00:35:15,720 prayer and you can in prayer you can ask for this gift. 517 00:35:15,960 --> 00:35:18,840 You can ask for this safety in Christ. 518 00:35:19,000 --> 00:35:22,480 You can ask for this certainty. You you you can. 519 00:35:22,480 --> 00:35:26,920 Ask for this enjoyment, praying to the Lord of peace to give 520 00:35:27,200 --> 00:35:30,680 this peace to you so that you can know and experience this 521 00:35:30,760 --> 00:35:34,800 safety, certainty and enjoyment. You, you're standing in Christ, 522 00:35:34,880 --> 00:35:39,800 so often are standing in Christ. We're not so good. 523 00:35:39,800 --> 00:35:46,080 At keeping with our spiritual experiences what the Lord is as 524 00:35:46,080 --> 00:35:49,400 the Lord of peace. That's what he will be an actual 525 00:35:49,480 --> 00:35:54,480 experience in reality. But we have to ask them the 526 00:35:54,480 --> 00:35:58,160 spirituality of this piece and I finished this morning the 527 00:35:58,160 --> 00:36:00,600 reception of the Lord's presence, not just the 528 00:36:00,600 --> 00:36:03,880 recognition of the Lord's person and the revelation of the Lord's 529 00:36:03,880 --> 00:36:06,360 provision, but think of the reception of the Lord's 530 00:36:06,360 --> 00:36:08,160 presence. If you notice the text as we 531 00:36:08,160 --> 00:36:11,680 finish, he says this. In. 532 00:36:12,760 --> 00:36:15,320 Thessalonians, the Lord be with you all. 533 00:36:17,560 --> 00:36:20,000 God with us. It's not what Emmanuel is all 534 00:36:20,000 --> 00:36:21,680 about. God with us. 535 00:36:23,600 --> 00:36:27,120 His promise is. At all times, in every way, in 536 00:36:27,120 --> 00:36:30,400 all circumstances, in every situation, this peace is 537 00:36:30,400 --> 00:36:33,000 continual. This peace is pervasive. 538 00:36:33,160 --> 00:36:37,320 This peace addresses every aspect of life that this, this 539 00:36:37,440 --> 00:36:42,480 promise comes from Him. My peace I give unto you the The 540 00:36:42,480 --> 00:36:46,440 reception of the Lord's presence comes with a promise. 541 00:36:46,840 --> 00:36:50,000 And what is that promise? I will never leave thee, nor 542 00:36:50,000 --> 00:36:52,520 forsake thee. So with the promise here there's 543 00:36:52,520 --> 00:36:55,920 a presence. The Lord be with you all. 544 00:36:57,160 --> 00:37:00,120 You can rely. On the promise you can receive 545 00:37:00,120 --> 00:37:02,840 His presence. You can rejoice in His presence. 546 00:37:02,960 --> 00:37:06,560 He has promised He will never leave us nor forsake us. 547 00:37:08,040 --> 00:37:10,160 His. Presence is real. 548 00:37:11,160 --> 00:37:14,800 Could I say this? Morning as we finish in your 549 00:37:14,800 --> 00:37:17,840 mind, it's an inner turmoil at this moment. 550 00:37:18,880 --> 00:37:23,240 Don't focus on your troubles. Don't have a pity. 551 00:37:23,240 --> 00:37:26,720 Party with yourself. Focus. 552 00:37:26,720 --> 00:37:30,320 On this truth. The Lord of Peace. 553 00:37:30,320 --> 00:37:33,560 Is with us. He's utter help. 554 00:37:34,400 --> 00:37:36,360 This has to do with peace in the church. 555 00:37:37,280 --> 00:37:40,000 Seek to be a peacemaker in the church. 556 00:37:41,040 --> 00:37:43,480 Don't be engaged. In warfare and division, don't 557 00:37:43,480 --> 00:37:45,280 be unruly, don't walk disorderly. 558 00:37:47,080 --> 00:37:48,800 Be at. Peace in the home, lots of 559 00:37:48,800 --> 00:37:52,040 homes, there's friction. There's little knowledge of the 560 00:37:52,040 --> 00:37:55,600 peace with God, little knowledge of the peace of God. 561 00:37:55,600 --> 00:37:59,680 So many of us live selfishly and live lives of self indulgence 562 00:37:59,680 --> 00:38:03,040 where we need to come full and total surrender to the Lord. 563 00:38:03,400 --> 00:38:07,160 We need to set aside what I think and what I feel and and 564 00:38:07,160 --> 00:38:12,080 and and and and what I am of a mind to present. 565 00:38:15,160 --> 00:38:18,040 This is also. Peace to do with the individual, 566 00:38:19,400 --> 00:38:24,680 the Lord be with you all. It's not done to. 567 00:38:24,680 --> 00:38:27,560 Pray this. Even though the Lord. 568 00:38:27,560 --> 00:38:30,240 Has promised. I will. 569 00:38:30,240 --> 00:38:33,040 Never leave you nor forsake you. Even though we know the Lord is 570 00:38:33,040 --> 00:38:37,120 with us, it's right that we pray because we've got to constantly 571 00:38:37,120 --> 00:38:42,840 have this experience, to know it experimentally that the Lord is 572 00:38:42,840 --> 00:38:45,480 with us in the journey. So I finish with this. 573 00:38:45,680 --> 00:38:49,240 Have you got peace with God? Do you know the peace of God? 574 00:38:50,040 --> 00:38:52,920 Do you know this peace that Jesus gives? 575 00:38:54,360 --> 00:38:57,200 The peace. Of justification by faith, The 576 00:38:57,200 --> 00:38:59,760 peace of reconciliation through the blood. 577 00:39:00,920 --> 00:39:03,800 Let your mind be. Filled with the Lord, His 578 00:39:03,800 --> 00:39:06,360 thoughts for you. Don't let it be filled with 579 00:39:06,360 --> 00:39:09,360 depression. Don't let it be filled with 580 00:39:10,240 --> 00:39:14,880 turmoil, discord. This Christmas time, take to 581 00:39:14,880 --> 00:39:18,600 heart these words now. The Lord of peace himself give 582 00:39:18,600 --> 00:39:22,240 you peace always. By all means, the Lord be with 583 00:39:22,240 --> 00:39:24,680 you all. There has to be a recognition 584 00:39:25,080 --> 00:39:27,880 and a reception of the Lord's presence. 585 00:39:28,240 --> 00:39:31,640 May the Lord take these few words and bless them to you this 586 00:39:31,640 --> 00:39:33,680 morning. Thank you for coming, thank you 587 00:39:33,680 --> 00:39:37,120 for listening, and I pray that the Lord will help us to know 588 00:39:37,120 --> 00:39:39,520 this piece at Christmas time.