Peace

Peace

Prayer

Reading - John 20:19-30
Jesus Appears to His Disciples
19On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!" 20After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.
21Again Jesus said, "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you." 22And with that he breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit. 23If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven."
Jesus Appears to Thomas
24Now Thomas (called Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. 25So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord!"
But he said to them, "Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it."
26A week later his disciples were in the house again and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!" 27Then he said to Thomas "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe."
28Thomas said to him, "My Lord and my God!"
29Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."
30Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. 31But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

Introduction – J.I.Packer quote from Knowing God page

Peace (pes) n. [[ME pais < OFr < L pax (gen. pacis ) < IE base *pak-, to fasten > FANG, L pacisci, to confirm an agreement, pangere, to fasten]] 1 freedom from war or a stopping of war 2 a treaty or agreement to end war or the threat of war 3 freedom from public disturbance or disorder; public security; law and order 4 freedom from disagreement or quarrels; harmony; concord 5 an undisturbed state of mind; absence of mental conflict; serenity: in full peace of mind 6 calm; quiet; tranquillity --vi. to be or become silent or quiet: obs. except in the imperative --at peace 1 free from war 2 quiet; in repose --hold (or keep) one's peace to be silent; keep quiet --keep the peace to avoid or prevent violation of law and public order --make one's peace with to effect a reconciliation with --make peace to end hostilities, settle arguments, etc.

Context
Farewell Discourses (chs. 13-17)
1.Discourse at the Last Supper (chs. 13-14)
2.Discourse on the way to Gethsemane (chs. 15-16)
3.Jesus' prayer of intercession (ch. 17)
F.Jesus' Betrayal and Arrest (18:1-12)
G.The Trials of Jesus (18:13-19:15)
H.The Crucifixion and Burial (19:16-42)
V.The Resurrection (20:1-29)
VI.The Statement of Purpose (20:30-31) that you may believe. Expresses John's evangelistic purpose. believe

Probably includes others besides the apostles, the Twelve
Because of their behavior the previous Friday, they may have expected rebuke and censure; but Jesus calmed their fears
his hands and side. Where the wounds were (John does not refer to the wounds in the feet). According to Lk 24:37 they thought they were seeing a ghost. Jesus was clearly identifying himself.
Receive the Holy Spirit. Thus anticipating what happened 50 days later on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2). The disciples needed God's help to carry out the commission they had just been given.
Lit. "Those whose sins you forgive have already been forgiven; those whose sins you do not forgive have not been forgiven." God does not forgive people's sins because we do so, nor does he withhold forgiveness because we do. Rather, those who proclaim the gospel are in effect forgiving or not forgiving sins, depending on whether the hearers accept or reject Jesus Christ.

Content

A Change of Heart and Mind

John - Whatever happened to the "Son of Thunder"?

Reason for writing - This is the disciple who testifies to these things and who wrote them down. We know that his testimony is true. John 21:24

The disciple John had been favored to share private moments with Jesus.

As part of an inner circle of three, he saw Jesus transfigured, watched him bring Jairus's daughter back to life, and waited for him in the Garden of Gethsemane.

After Jesus was arrested, John witnessed the sequence of his trials.

He was the only disciple mentioned as being near the cross at Jesus' death and one of the very first to learn of Christ's resurrection.

Somehow, this process changed John.

From Thunder to Love

John wore an amusing nickname, "Son of Thunder" (Mark 3:17), and several incidents in the Gospels hint that this name reflected his stormy personality.

John jealously resented competition from rival miracle workers (Mark 9:38), and he insisted on the best seat in the kingdom of heaven for himself.

Once, he wanted to call fire down from heaven to destroy a hostile town (Luke 9:54).

Jesus obviously saw something in John that others and even John didn’t see, so it is with us. God looks at the heat and judges not as man judges.

We can become so discouraged so down on ourselves that we need to be reminded that as it was with John and with Thomas that Jesus knows what He is doing when he chose us he doesn’t make mistakes.

Somewhere in his life, the thunderclouds broke apart. Eventually he got a new nickname: "the apostle of love." John's books--this Gospel and the letters John wrote later--are marked by a recurring emphasis on love.

What a transformation, knowing Jesus brings about change.

As it did with Thomas transformed from doubting Thomas as he has become known by many, Jesus knows our need and will meet that need through His power not ours, and He is not limited by physical circumstances, and comes to us wherever we are at knowing where we are at.

Naturally, the spiritual pilgrimage of John influenced his written record of Jesus' life. His changed personality may provide a clue to his unique style of telling Jesus' story through a handful of poignant episodes.
Perhaps these few scenes are the memories of Jesus that finally convinced John himself that Jesus was, indeed, the Son of God.

Life Questions: Getting to know Jesus changes a person. How have you been changed?

Doubting Thomas - John 20:25

The skeptical Thomas is sometimes singled out, as though he had unusual doubts.

In reality, none of the disciples believed in Jesus' resurrection until they saw him for themselves.

Thomas had been absent, though, when Jesus first appeared to the others.

He stayed skeptical until Jesus appeared again, and summoned Thomas to touch him.

Seeing was believing for all the disciples, but Jesus specially commended those who believed without such firsthand evidence.

The need for peace

Personal – Inner turmoil, torment and illness, even causing illness, growth in alcohol, drugs etc

Corporate- reflection of the personal and the contrast of the world against the church.

Global – Pax romana, but there will be no peace.

The individual is of no value as the enemy plays out his ethics in the world we can have a wonderful witness of the truth.

1. The Gospel brings us to peace with God.

Peace is the greatest human need that there is and has ever been and will continue to be so, the ministry of the gospel ultimately is about peace, Peace with God.

And through this peace with God, peace with ourselves as the old hymn says “All is well, all is well, all is well with my soul”, and we need to be in that place and stay in that place

Thus we are reminded that the only true peace is peace with God which in order for us to receive peace and be at peace has to come first. And this is achieved through the gospel as it says in

Colossians 1:21-23
21Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. 22But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation-- 23if you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.

Therefore we are now at peace with God through Christ Jesus

No longer under the wrath of God

In the favour of God

In the grace of God

Therefore the most basic and first Christian fruit that should be evidenced and the first fruit of the Spirit in our lives should be peace

But so often we seem to lack this most important and fundamental fruit as it is the bedrock of our faith. Or sometimes we as Christians find ourselves in situations where we being the very ones who should be more than anyone able to exhibit peace seem to be lacking it, and sometimes considerably. So why what’s going on, well lets have a look and see shall we.

Mistaking the discipline of God for the wrath of God, just like children and there meant repentance.

Peace in our minds, just as the prodigal son came to his senses and repented and acted on it, that is the only route to being at peace with God and ourselves via repentance and faith

Just like the prodigal son it included action, not only being sorry and saying sorry but also acting on it.

And sometimes we need to grasp hold of and receive afresh the love of God shown to us through the cross and the grace of God that brings peace.

Like the prodigal son the father longs for us to come to our senses.

But like the prodigal what do we who “know God “expect from God.

Misconceptions about the will of God for, in a sense toward us.

A physical demonstration of resurrected power and completion of the new covenant and the reality of everything Jesus had taught by word, deed and character, and the gospel.

Numbers 6:22-26

The LORD said to Moses, 23 "Tell Aaron and his sons, 'This is how you are to bless the Israelites. Say to them:
24 " ' "The LORD bless you
and keep you;
25 the LORD make his face shine upon you
and be gracious to you;
26 the LORD turn his face toward you
and give you peace."
2. The Gospel brings us to peace with ourselves

In Phillipians 4v7 peace of God.

Not merely a psychological state of mind, but an inner tranquillity based on peace with God--the peaceful state of those whose sins are forgiven (cf. Jn 14:27; Ro 5:1).

The opposite of anxiety – faith.

Despite appearances.

In our lives – tithe - prayer

In gifting and others

It is the tranquility that comes when the believer commits all his cares to God in prayer and worries about them no more.

Do we believe that God is caring for us and if so at what level?

Transcends all understanding

The full dimensions of God's love and care are beyond human comprehension (see Eph 3:18-20).

Guard . . . hearts . . . minds.

A military concept depicting a sentry standing guard.

God's "protective custody" of those who are in Christ Jesus extends to the core of their beings and to their deepest intentions (cf. 1Pe 1:5), even when struggling.

3. The Gospel may set us against those we had peace with before coming to faith.

Mathew 10:34
34"Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35For I have come to turn "a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law."

Opposing values

The offence of the cross

Not that we stop loving our families but that we love God more. For God is love.

4. We should be able to, and actively living at peace with one another

Ephesians 4:2-4
2Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace 4There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when you were called.

The church - Not unreality but character

Humility, gentleness, patient, bearing with one another – Jesus – Come and learn from me for I am humble and gentle in heart.

The Difference between character and gifting, maturity.

5. We should be experiencing the ongoing peace of god in our lives in both a non tangible and tangible way as it is a fruit of the Spirit.

Have we simply transferred our worldly methods of coping into our relationship with Christ, or exchanged it for Christ.

We do our bit but let God do His bit

Circumstances where we have done all we can do when we are helpless – which sometimes sadly God has to make us before we listen to stop striving.

Dolphin story

Exodus 14:13b-14
"Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. 14 The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still."

6. Our part is also to have a ministry in peacemaking – two types – and reality

James 3:17-18

17But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. 18Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.

Peacemaking – but reality - the lost art

If we have relationships where these aspects are our goal and if we deal with issues in this way then it does work.

Mathew 5:9

9Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. *

7. Our part is to be open to receiving.

The disciples and Thomas – Thomas was not excluded or judged but is included.

If we really want people to breakthrough with Jesus we need to be an inclusive people not an exclusive people.

8. Our part is to let god do His part, if we do our part, as we have mentioned

John 6:29

29Jesus answered, "The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent."

Exodus 14:13-14
13 Moses answered the people, "Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. 14 The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still."
9. Prayer – worldly peace and the pax romana

1 Thessalonians 5:2-4
2for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3While people are saying, "Peace and safety," destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.
4But you, brothers, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief.
The tension between Gods peace and the world’s peace. (not real peace)
1 Timothy 2:1-3

1I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— 2for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4who wants all men to be saved and to come to knowledge of the truth.
Global, worldly peace that allows the spreading of the Gospel, even in the area of our world we can be praying for this and the maintenance of this.

10. Practicalities – how do we

Philippians 4:4-9

4Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
8Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things. 9Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me--put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you

Paul's Secret - Philippians 4:7-8

Shipwrecked, beaten, imprisoned, Paul had seen the down side of life.

He had also known prosperity.

Both, he suggests, offer temptations.

But Paul had discovered a secret for contentment in all situations: his deeply personal sense of living in Christ. In this he found strength to handle anything.

4:6 anxious. Self-centered, counterproductive worry, not legitimate cares and concerns for the spread of the gospel (see 2:28 and note; 2Co 11:28; see also Mt 6:25-31; 1Pe 5:7).

In everything,

By prayer.

Anxiety and prayer are two great opposing forces in Christian experience.

Thanksgiving. The antidote to worry (along with prayer and petition).

Peace of God. Not merely a psychological state of mind, but an inner tranquility based on peace with God—

The peaceful state of those whose sins are forgiven (cf. Jn 14:27; Ro 5:1).

The opposite of anxiety, it is the tranquility that comes when the believer commits all his cares to God in prayer and worries about them no more.

Transcends all understanding.

Accepting rather than understanding that the full dimensions of God's love and care are beyond human comprehension (see Eph 3:18-20).

Being active not passive - guard . . . hearts . . . minds.

A military concept depicting a sentry standing guard. God's "protective custody" of those who are in Christ Jesus extends to the core of their beings and to their deepest intentions (cf. 1Pe 1:5).

4:8 Finally. See note on 3:1. true . . . praiseworthy. Paul understood the influence of one's thoughts on one's life.

What a person allows to occupy his mind will sooner or later determine his speech and his action.

Paul's exhortation to "think about such things" is followed by a second exhortation, "put it into practice" (v. 9).

The combination of virtues listed in vv. 8-9 is sure to produce a wholesome thought pattern, which in turn will result in a life of moral and spiritual excellence.

11. Peace is not spelt the same as EASY

Sometimes the peace of god is not shown up until we are in a difficult situation, and it passes understanding and becomes a witness.

12. The peace Jesus gives is despite the circumstances

John 14:27

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

Peace . . . my peace. A common Hebrew greeting (20:19,21,26), which Jesus uses here in an unusual way. The term speaks, in effect, of the salvation that Christ's redemptive work will achieve for his disciples

Total well-being and inner rest of spirit, in fellowship with God.

All true peace is his gift, which the repetition emphasizes. I do not give . . . as the world gives. In its greetings of peace the world can only express a longing or wish. But Jesus' peace is real and present. troubled. See note on v. 1.

13. Being real – circumstances which cause us to grow in experience and peace.

14. Maturity – discipleship, and character, and discipline

15. Our part is to pass on our baggage to Jesus, every day – cast all your care on him for he cares for you.

16. So what can we do

Thanksgiving

Prayer

Petitions

Do you like the first disciple think you might get found out?

Are you like Thomas locked on to one aspect of Christianity or your life that is an issue?

Unless I see . . . and put . . . I will not believe. Adolescence, hardheaded skepticism can scarcely go further than this. - My Lord and my God! The high point of faith

What caused this in Thomas?

Personal disappointment of a missed corporate blessing?

Some weakness that had always been there?

The power of Christ and of God is more than able to break down any barrier we put up, in the natural

Trust in the character and nature and word of God.

Do not giving up meeting together as some are prone to do – the tendency to isolate, the tendency to isolate oneself.

Invest in yourself and in God, get to know the word, and Him

Minister to others

Don’t get in to unreality or unbelief, but reality with faith.

Psalm 139

Do not let circumstances dictate you position in Christ

Is there a pattern to our lack of peace if so we need to recognise it be honest about it and et ministry for it. – E.g. anger

Value success biblically, not worldly, re – Paul

If God is God is He not bigger than our circumstances and even bigger than us.

Sometimes even when it doesn’t make sense we have to trust, like a child trusts in the wisdom of there father

1 Peter 5:6-8
6Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. – do you believe this
8Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. – do you do this.
15 Do we really understand that the will of God is for us to be at peace?

2 Thessalonians 3:16

16Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.
Jude 1:2
2Mercy, peace and love be yours in abundance.

The disciples may well have expected to be rebuked, to be caught out, they knew how they had let Jesus down, and instead they receive just total love and acceptance and blessing.

Do you? Or do you know that you are covered by the love mercy and grace and peace, if God be for us who can be against us. – holding this in tension with struggles, if we succed then we begin to rule and reign in life.

The resolution to our struggles is not to stay away from one another or from Jesus but to meet with Him.

Let Jesus pick the time and place just make yourself available, and respond to Him

16 The fruit of peace

Romans 15:13

13May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
1 Peter 3:14-16
14But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. "Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened."15But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.
Witnesses

Number 6:22-26

The LORD said to Moses, 23 "Tell Aaron and his sons, 'This is how you are to bless the Israelites. Say to them:
24 “The LORD bless you
and keep you;
25 the LORD make his face shine upon you
and be gracious to you;
26 the LORD turn his face toward you
and give you peace."
? Ministry

Expert Commentary: John 20:19-31

20:19 disciples. Probably includes others besides the apostles, "the Twelve" (v. 24). the Jews. See note on 1:19. Peace be with you! The normal Hebrew greeting (cf. Da 10:19). Because of their behavior the previous Friday, they may have expected rebuke and censure; but Jesus calmed their fears (see note on 14:27).

20:20 his hands and side. Where the wounds were (John does not refer to the wounds in the feet). According to Lk 24:37 they thought they were seeing a ghost. Jesus was clearly identifying himself.

20:21 Peace be with you! See note on v. 19. I am sending you. See note on 17:18.

20:22 Receive the Holy Spirit. Thus anticipating what happened 50 days later on the day of Pentecost (Ac 2). The disciples needed God's help to carry out the commission they had just been given.

20:23 Lit. "Those whose sins you forgive have already been forgiven; those whose sins you do not forgive have not been forgiven." God does not forgive people's sins because we do so, nor does he withhold forgiveness because we do. Rather, those who proclaim the gospel are in effect forgiving or not forgiving sins, depending on whether the hearers accept or reject Jesus Christ.

20:24 Thomas. See note on 11:16.

20:25 Unless I see . . . and put . . . I will not believe. Hardheaded skepticism can scarcely go further than this.

20:26 Peace. See vv. 19,21 and note on 14:27.

20:28 My Lord and my God! The high point of faith (see note on 1:1).

20:29 those who have not seen and yet have believed. Would have been very few at this time. All whom John mentions had seen in some sense. The words, of course, apply to future believers as well.

20:30 miraculous signs. See note on 2:11. John had selected from among many. in the presence of his disciples. Those who could testify to what he had done. John again stresses testimony (see note on 1:7).

20:31 that you may believe. Expresses John's evangelistic purpose. believe. See note on 1:7. Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. Faith has content. the Christ. See note on 1:25. This whole Gospel is written to show the truth of Jesus' Messiahship and to present him as the Son of God, so that the readers may believe in him. that by believing you may have life. Another expression of purpose--to bring about faith that leads to life (see notes on 1:4; 3:15). name. Represents all that he is and stands for (see note on 2:23).

Expert commentary on other passages

John 14:27 Peace . . . my peace. A common Hebrew greeting (20:19,21,26), which Jesus uses here in an unusual way. The term speaks, in effect, of the salvation that Christ's redemptive work will achieve for his disciples--total well-being and inner rest of spirit, in fellowship with God. All true peace is his gift, which the repetition emphasizes. I do not give . . . as the world gives. In its greetings of peace the world can only express a longing or wish. But Jesus' peace is real and present. troubled. See note on v. 1.

Paul's Secret
Philippians 4:7-8

Shipwrecked, beaten, imprisoned, Paul had seen the down side of life. He had also known prosperity. Both, he suggests, offer temptations. But Paul had discovered a secret for contentment in all situations: his deeply personal sense of living in Christ. In this he found strength to handle anything.4:6 anxious. Self-centered, counterproductive worry, not legitimate cares and concerns for the spread of the gospel (see 2:28 and note; 2Co 11:28; see also Mt 6:25-31; 1Pe 5:7). in everything, by prayer. Anxiety and prayer are two great opposing forces in Christian experience. thanksgiving. The antidote to worry (along with prayer and petition).

4:7 peace of God. Not merely a psychological state of mind, but an inner tranquillity based on peace with God--the peaceful state of those whose sins are forgiven (cf. Jn 14:27; Ro 5:1). The opposite of anxiety, it is the tranquillity that comes when the believer commits all his cares to God in prayer and worries about them no more. transcends all understanding. The full dimensions of God's love and care are beyond human comprehension (see Eph 3:18-20). guard . . . hearts . . . minds. A military concept depicting a sentry standing guard. God's "protective custody" of those who are in Christ Jesus extends to the core of their beings and to their deepest intentions (cf. 1Pe 1:5).

4:8 Finally. See note on 3:1. true . . . praiseworthy. Paul understood the influence of one's thoughts on one's life. What a person allows to occupy his mind will sooner or later determine his speech and his action. Paul's exhortation to "think about such things" is followed by a second exhortation, "put it into practice" (v. 9). The combination of virtues listed in vv. 8-9 is sure to produce a wholesome thought pattern, which in turn will result in a life of moral and spiritual excellence.

Ernie Butler, 09/03/2008