Why Peace from Jesus Overcomes Fear in A Crazy World

Peace is something almost everyone yearns for. Some have found the source of it while others reach for it while searching blindly in the dark. Could it be that the reason for the failure to acquire peace is in how it’s being defined? Peace is far more than protection from annihilation. Peace is more than the cessation of hostilities. Peace is more than a state of mind or the tranquility of a countryside. Peace is commitment to a way of life which precludes war, poverty, slavery, prejudice, and fear. Peace is action. Peace is the fruit of love.¹ That’s what one writers said that peace is. I agree that peace is a commitment — but it’s a commitment to a person not a cause. “Being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” is how the scripture reads in Romans five. Those last five words, ‘through our Lord Jesus Christ’ is the difference maker. Everything good and righteous starts and ends with Jesus. He is the Prince of Peace. In today’s podcast, we take a look at the subject of peace Jesus style. Why Peace from Jesus Overcomes Fear in A Crazy World. That’s our focus on this week’s Light on Life.

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Each week’s podcast contains a call to action. The Word of God will not produce in your life unless you put it into operation.
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The Hebrew word for peace is ‘shalom’ and it is one of the most important words in the Old Testament for a Jesus follower to walk in. In addition to ‘peace,’ the word can be translated as prosperity, well-being, health, completeness, safety.

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Testimony is vital to a believer’s life. We overcome by it (Rev. 12:11). Each week’s podcast also contains a question designed to encourage testimony.
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Question: Share a Holy Spirit story on how the peace of God brought you through a difficult siuation. You can give your personal testimony in the comments section below.

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We are currently teaching in the Gospel of John. You can click on the links below to listen to some of these podcasts.

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Emery committed his life to the Lord Jesus Christ over 48 years ago and has served as both a full-time pastor and an itinerant minister. He and his wife Sharon of 43 years emphasize personal growth and development through the Word of God. The ministry of the Holy Spirit is the focus and the hallmark of their mission. Read more about them here.

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Prayer

Well again, welcome.
Let’s pray.

Thank you Lord for the peace of God that passes all understanding that keeps our hearts and minds stable and grounded. We know that it’s your will that we live a faith-filled life instead of a fear filled life. Faith-filled is so much better. It is so wonderful. We thank you for your Word and for Jesus who makes peace possible. We give you all the praise and glory.

Peace from Jesus: His Gift to You

Peace is Jesus gift to you.
Listen to what the Lord said.

John 14:27 (ESV) — 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

This peace is a gift.
Jesus said, “I give it to you.”
“Not as the world gives do I give to you.”
One writer said that “peace is hard work.” Peace is the result of a life of steadfast commitment to work things out, the result of letting God’s inner peace become God’s outer peace. ²
Acquiring peace is not hard work — Jesus already did the hard work of acquiring it for us.
Since it’s a gift – receive it and walk in the light of it.

Peace from Jesus: Defining Terms

Let’s start out this podcast by defining terms and with that thought here is the Definition of the Day.
Our first definition is two-fold.
We want to look at the Greek definition for peace used by Jesus here in John fourteen.
But also, we want to look at the corresponding Hebrew definition since Jesus was Jewish.
It would be this later definition that Jesus would have had in mind when He said, “My peace I give you.”

Definition: ‘Peace,’ Hebrew and Greek Style

The Greek word for peace is ‘eirēnē.’
It means harmony, tranquility, freedom from worry, or prosperity.
The Hebrew word for peace is ‘shalom’ and it is one of the most important words in the Old Testament.
In addition to ‘peace,’ the word can be translated as prosperity, well-being, health, completeness, safety.
Scot McNight said the word meant three things to a Jew.
It meant material prosperity.
Loving relationships with God, family, Israel, and other nations.
And, moral goodness and integrity.³
You can see that peace is a big Bible word.
And with that thought, here is the Quote of the Day.

“Never be in a hurry; do everything quietly and in a calm spirit. Do not lose your inner peace for anything whatsoever, even if your whole world seems upset.” —Saint Francis de Sales

Definition: ‘Troubled’

The next word we should look at is the word ‘troubled’ – ‘let not your hearts be troubled.’
That means you have something to say about whether you are or you are not.
The Greek word ‘troubled’ means to cause inward turmoil, stir up, disturb, unsettle, throw into confusion.
Don’t allow your heart to be stirred up in an unsettling way.
Shun inward turmoil.
Refuse confusion.
So what’s wrong with the following scene?

Acts 17:5–8 (ESV) — 5 But the Jews were jealous, and taking some wicked men of the rabble, they formed a mob, set the city in an uproar, and attacked the house of Jason, seeking to bring them out to the crowd. 6 And when they could not find them, they dragged Jason and some of the brothers before the city authorities, shouting, “These men who have turned the world upside down have come here also, 7 and Jason has received them, and they are all acting against the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, Jesus.” 8 And the people and the city authorities were disturbed when they heard these things.

The Greek word ‘disturbed’ means to be, you guessed it, troubled.
We must protect our peace.
Billy Graham wrote about the value of peace.

I know men who would write a check for a million dollars if they could find peace. Millions are searching for it. Every time they get close to finding the peace that you have found in Christ, Satan steers them away. He blinds them. He throws up a smoke screen. He bluffs them. And they miss it! But you have found it! It is yours now forever. You have found the secret of life.⁴

Protect your peace.

Proverbs 4:23 (NET) — Guard your heart with all vigilance, for from it are the sources of life.

The Hebrew word for ‘vigiliance’ means “more than all guarding.”
Guard your heart with more than all guarding.
This idiom means “with all vigilance.”
When you break down the construction of this word ‘vigilance or ‘more than all guarding’ it uses the following components.
A preposition to express “above; beyond,”
The word “all” and the noun “prison; guard; act of guarding.”
Mix all that together and you get ‘more than all guarding.
It means we should be serious about this.

Peace from Jesus: The Way of God

Peace is a huge deal.
Maintaining it is a huge deal.
You’re going to see that peace is the way of God.

Exodus 33:12–14 (ESV) — 12 Moses said to the Lord, “See, you say to me, ‘Bring up this people,’ but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. Yet you have said, ‘I know you by name, and you have also found favor in my sight.’ 13 Now therefore, if I have found favor in your sight, please show me now your ways, that I may know you in order to find favor in your sight. Consider too that this nation is your people.” 14 And he said, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”

Moses had the Spirit of God upon him.

Numbers 11:23–25 (ESV) — 23 And the Lord said to Moses, “Is the Lord’s hand shortened? Now you shall see whether my word will come true for you or not.” 24 So Moses went out and told the people the words of the Lord. And he gathered seventy men of the elders of the people and placed them around the tent. 25 Then the Lord came down in the cloud and spoke to him, and took some of the Spirit that was on him and put it on the seventy elders. And as soon as the Spirit rested on them, they prophesied. But they did not continue doing it.

Here the scripture says that the Spirit was on Moses, not in Moses.
He was under the Old Covenant.
Under the New Covenant, all born again people have the Spirit in them and have the possibility of the Spirit of God upon them.

Peace from Jesus: A Closer Look at Moses

Let’s inspect what the Lord said to Moses closer.
Here’s what God said to him in effect: “The path to peace is via my Presence.”
Moses said: ‘Show me your ways.’
Okay, so now can you get an image in your mind’s eye of a kid at Christmas waiting to open the presents from under the tree.
Moses is rubbing his two hands together thinking, “I’m going to get a big juicy revelation from God. He’s going to show me His ways or at least, one of them.”
“I’m ready for it Lord — sock it to me — ‘show me your ways.”
The Lord says, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”
[I like to capitalize Presence].
Your first reaction to this might be, what?
Should it be what? or should it be wow!
I mean this is absolutely marvelous!
What’s the Lord saying here?
“You want to know my ways Moses?”
“My way is the way of rest.”
“My way is the way of peace.”
“My Presence is what produces peace and rest.”
Going back now to the kid at Christmas rubbing his hands together image.
The Most High God is saying “I am going with you Moses and my ‘present [small p] to you is my Presence [big p].’”
God’s way is the way of rest.
His way is the way of peace.

Peace from Jesus: His Present to You

So now Jesus says to His disciples in effect, “I am going away and I want to give you a going away present.”
“My peace I give to you.”
Now, Jesus was Jewish by birth.
That means the Hebrew concept of shalom which is what He wants you to have.
God wants you to have material prosperity.
He wants you to be absolutely in love with Jesus.
The Lord wants family to be huge and blessed in your life.
He wants there to be an absence of war — good relations with other nations.
The Lord wants you to enjoy the fruits of moral goodness and integrity.
That’s what Shalom means, and this is what Jesus left for you when He went back to the Father.

Peace from Jesus: All the Way to the Millennium

This peace from Jesus will take you to the end of time.
Isaiah 60 describes the Millennial Reign of Jesus from Israel’s standpoint.
It’s a marvelous set of verses packed with peace-filled blessings from the Most High God.
Consider the following concerning Israel and while you do, look for the concepts of Shaloam.

Isaiah 60:1–2 (ESV) — 1 Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you. 2 For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the LORD will arise upon you, and his glory will be seen upon you.

Despite the darkness, the Lord will arise upon you, and his glory will be seen upon you (Isaiah 60:1–2).
- That’s the good relations with God part of Shaloam.

Isaiah 60:3 (ESV) — 3 And nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising.

That’s the good relations with nations part of Shaloam.

Isaiah 60:5–6 (ESV) — 5 Then you shall see and be radiant; your heart shall thrill and exult, because the abundance of the sea shall be turned to you, the wealth of the nations shall come to you. 6 A multitude of camels shall cover you, the young camels of Midian and Ephah; all those from Sheba shall come. They shall bring gold and frankincense, and shall bring good news, the praises of the LORD.

That’s the material prosperity part of Shaloam.

Isaiah 60:9 (ESV) — 9 For the coastlands shall hope for me, the ships of Tarshish first, to bring your children from afar, their silver and gold with them, for the name of the LORD your God, and for the Holy One of Israel, because he has made you beautiful.

More material prosperity and good relations with God as part of Shaloam.

Isaiah 60:10 (ESV) — 10 Foreigners shall build up your walls, and their kings shall minister to you; for in my wrath I struck you, but in my favor I have had mercy on you.

You guessed it – more Shaloam — more on good relations with nations.

Isaiah 60:11–12 (ESV) — 11 Your gates shall be open continually; day and night they shall not be shut, that people may bring to you the wealth of the nations, with their kings led in procession. 12 For the nation and kingdom that will not serve you shall perish; those nations shall be utterly laid waste.

Still more on good relations with nations — a huge part of Shaloam.

Isaiah 60:14–15 (ESV) — 14 The sons of those who afflicted you shall come bending low to you, and all who despised you shall bow down at your feet; they shall call you the City of the LORD, the Zion of the Holy One of Israel. 15 Whereas you have been forsaken and hated, with no one passing through, I will make you majestic forever, a joy from age to age.

Hamas, Hezboallah and all the haters of Israel, listen up.
This is your future.

Isaiah 60:16 (ESV) — 16 You shall suck the milk of nations; you shall nurse at the breast of kings; and you shall know that I, the LORD, am your Savior and your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob.

Those are a multitude of blessings related to Shaloam without ever mentioning the word.
That is until we get to verse 17.

Isaiah 60:17 (ESV) — I will make your overseers peace and your taskmasters righteousness.

The Lord said, “I will make your overseers peace.”
In other words, Peace will be your ruler.
Shaloam will be your governor.
Peace will be your president and prime minister.
Peace from Jesus will take you all the way through the Millennium.

Peace from Jesus: Will Peace Reign Over You?

Now, go back to Jesus’ promise to you: “my peace I give to you.”
With that thought, here is the Question of the Day.
The question comes from a parable Jesus gave one day.

Luke 19:12–14 (ESV) — 12 He said therefore, “A nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and then return. 13 Calling ten of his servants, he gave them ten minas, and said to them, ‘Engage in business until I come.’ 14 But his citizens hated him and sent a delegation after him, saying, ‘We do not want this man to reign over us.’

Here’s the question: will you allow ‘peace’ to reign over you?
This is a great question to ask in light of this parable.
Note that in this ‘far country’ all the citizens hated this nobleman.
Despite the negative sentiment towards him, — despite the hostile environment, the nobleman still sent ten of his servants out to do business.
So, these ten are doing business in less than ideal circumstances.

Luke 19:15–17 (ESV) —15 When he [the nobleman] returned, having received the kingdom, he ordered these servants to whom he had given the money to be called to him, that he might know what they had gained by doing business. 16 The first came before him, saying, ‘Lord, your mina has made ten minas more.’ 17 And he said to him, ‘Well done, good servant! Because you have been faithful in a very little, you shall have authority over ten cities.’

Despite the negative sentiment towards the nobleman [which, of course, is God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit in this parable] the nobleman still expected his servants to be faithful to operate with what he gave them.

Luke 19:18–19 (ESV) — 18 And the second came, saying, ‘Lord, your mina has made five minas.’ 19 And he said to him, ‘And you are to be over five cities.’

Now, comes the last guy.
Listen to the story of his account.

Luke 19:20–21 (ESV) — 20 Then another came, saying, ‘Lord, here is your mina, which I kept laid away in a handkerchief; 21 for I was afraid of you, because you are a severe man. You take what you did not deposit, and reap what you did not sow.’

This person says that he was afraid of the nobleman and that’s why he shutdown and didn’t do the business he was assigned.
Now, let me ask you.
Do you think he was afraid of the nobleman or was he really more afraid of the citizens who hated the nobleman?
I think it’s the later.
So you see, this parable is not about your performance!
It’s not about whether you have what it takes to get the maximum return.
One fellow made a tenfold return.
The second made a five fold return.
We think the guy who made a tenfold return is better, is higher in the kingdom.
No, the issue is not your performance!
The issue is ‘will you faithfully do something with what He gave you?’
The last guy got a zero return because he allowed fear to sideline him.
He was too concerned about the negative sentiment towards God to step out.
This third unfaithful man cared more about people’s opinions, so he attempted to blend in with society while holding a private, a non-confrontational faith in God.
Forget private! — Jesus said be a witness!
The parable about the nobleman is about living your faith boldly in the face of a group who does not want Jesus to reign over them.
One writer said that throughout history various movements have disliked the Jesus they found in the pages of the Gospels and have created their own.⁵
Do you want this man to reign over you?
Do you want peace to reign over you?

Peace from Jesus: Guards Your Mind

Jesus is leaving His peace for you.
He said, ‘my peace I leave you.’
That’s a solid clue that you need it.
It’s a solid clue that I need it.
Thank God that He provided it!
Why do you need it?

Philippians 4:5–7 (ESV) — 5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

The word reasonableness, ‘let your reasonableness be known to everyone’, means gentleness.
It means not insisting on every right of letter of law or custom, yielding, gentle, kind, courteous, tolerant. ⁶
What does it mean ‘let your reasonableness be known?’
Well, if you act in this manner, if you show that you are not striving but yielding — if you display that you are gentle, kind, courteous, and tolerant — word will get out.
Why do you refuse to strive?
Because you are know who your source is!
It’s because you are not anxious, worried, concerned, and fretful.
You’ve rolled your care over on God the way the Word of God says we should — First Peter Five style.

1 Peter 5:6–7 — 6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, 7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

And because you do — you are anxious for nothing, and you have made your requests known to God about the thing that’s bugging you.
That opens the floodgates to peace.
For casting your care on God demonstrates to the host of heaven that you want peace to reign over you!
So what happens?
His peace, the peace that Jesus left you, rises like the walls of a magnificent castle covering your mind so your soul stays steady!
Glory be to God!

Peace from Jesus: Directs Your Heart

Jesus is leaving His peace for you.
He said, ‘my peace I leave you.’
That’s a solid clue that you need it.
Why do you need it?

Colossians 3:15 (ESV) — 15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.

You need it because peace rocks and rules in your heart.
The Greek word ‘rule’ means to factor decisively.
It means to be the factor determining an outcome (as if arbitrating).
The word means to referee or umpire.
Live so your peace is not disturbed.
Treat people right so your conscience won’t bother you.
Paul said I have lived my life in all good conscience before God and man.
When your conscience bothers you, adjust.
Peace should be the deciding factor in God’s dealings with you.
That’s another reason you need it.
You’ve heard people say it when they come to a point where they have to make a decision and yet they are unsettled.
You hear them say — “I had no peace about it.”
It’s a wise thing to not over ride what the lack of peace is saying to you.
Lack of peace is a stop sign.
It means put the brakes on.
Peace is blowing a trumpet in your ear saying, ‘don’t go any further.’
If you have gone farther than you should, backtrack, [if you can] and undo what you did.
You will be glad you responded — I promise you.
We’ve done several podcasts on this — you can find them here and here.

Peace from Jesus: How Did Jesus Leave You His Peace?

Now, one last thing in this podcast.
Just exactly how did Jesus leave you His peace?
Galatians has the answer to this.

Galatians 5:22–23(ESV) — 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

Peace, the peace that comes from Jesus is a fruit of the recreated, born again, human spirit.
You received His peace inside of you when you said Yes to Jesus.
When you said Yes — He said Yes — my peace I give to you.
So, this ties peace back to the finished work of Jesus — to His death, burial, and resurrection.
Your peace then is a result of His obedience to God.
He obeyed God right to the end so that you can have it!

Romans 5:1 (ESV) — 1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Peace from Jesus: Your Homework

Now, we are out of time today.
But I’m sensing the Lord saying that I should give you some homework.
Here are some things for you to look at on the Bible subject of peace.
Look at the relationship of Righteousness to Peace — you can start with the following verses: Isaiah 48:18, Isaiah 32:17–18, Psalm 85:10.
Study the relationship of Sanctification to Peace — you can start with 1 Thessalonians 5:23.
Look at the relationship between Wickedness and Peace — you can start with Isaiah 48:22, Isaiah 57:21 and Romans 2:9–10.
Study Peace in the Animal World — you can start with Isaiah 11:6–11.
That’s your homework — grab your Bible, snatch your concordance — get busy with the Word on the subject of peace.

Now, Father God, thank you for your peace that flows like a river from our hearts into our souls. We give you all the glory and honor for it in Jesus Name, Amen.

Why Peace from Jesus Overcomes Fear in A Crazy World.
You guys have a great God week and we will see you next time for another edition of Light on Life.

#S3-044: What Is The Kingdom Of God [Podcast]

__________
References:

1000 Illustrations for Preaching and Teaching ↩
McKnight, Scot. One.Life (p. 79). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. ↩
McKnight, Scot. One.Life (p. 77). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. ↩
Billy Graham. Peace With God. (Garden City, NY: Doubleday & Co., 1953), p.217. ↩
Kenneth Bailey, Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes: 401. ↩
William Arndt, Frederick W. Danker, and Walter Bauer, A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2000), 371. ↩

emeryhorvath.com

Equipping people to pursue God's glory

Why Peace from Jesus Overcomes Fear in A Crazy World

Podcast: Light on Life Season Eleven Episode Thirty

by Emery Horvath

Listen to the Audio

Click to Listen | Right Click to Download |Subscribe in PlayerFM

Read the Notes

Accept the Challenge

Join the Conversation

Episode Resources:

If you would like to know more about growing in faith, see the links below to listen to some of these podcasts.

We are currently teaching in the Gospel of John. You can click on the links below to listen to some of these podcasts.

About Emery

Subscribe to the Podcast

Share the Love

Prayer

Peace from Jesus: His Gift to You

Peace from Jesus: Defining Terms

Definition: ‘Peace,’ Hebrew and Greek Style

Definition: ‘Troubled’

Peace from Jesus: The Way of God

Peace from Jesus: A Closer Look at Moses

Peace from Jesus: His Present to You

Peace from Jesus: All the Way to the Millennium

Peace from Jesus: Will Peace Reign Over You?

Peace from Jesus: Guards Your Mind

Peace from Jesus: Directs Your Heart

Peace from Jesus: How Did Jesus Leave You His Peace?

Peace from Jesus: Your Homework

Listen to the Audio

Click to Listen | Right Click to Download |Subscribe in PlayerFM

Read the Notes

Accept the Challenge

Join the Conversation

Episode Resources:

If you would like to know more about growing in faith, see the links below to listen to some of these podcasts.

We are currently teaching in the Gospel of John. You can click on the links below to listen to some of these podcasts.

About Emery

Subscribe to the Podcast

Share the Love

Prayer

Peace from Jesus: His Gift to You

Peace from Jesus: Defining Terms

Definition: ‘Peace,’ Hebrew and Greek Style

Definition: ‘Troubled’

Peace from Jesus: The Way of God

Peace from Jesus: A Closer Look at Moses

Peace from Jesus: His Present to You

Peace from Jesus: All the Way to the Millennium

Peace from Jesus: Will Peace Reign Over You?

Peace from Jesus: Guards Your Mind

Peace from Jesus: Directs Your Heart

Peace from Jesus: How Did Jesus Leave You His Peace?

Peace from Jesus: Your Homework

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