A Reason for Peace

Sermon for the service of December 4, 2016 by Pastor Steve Hopkins



Main Text: (Isaiah 2:1-5, NIV) This is what Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem: In the last days the mountain of the Lord’s temple will be established as the highest of the mountains; it will be exalted above the hills, and all nations will stream to it. Many peoples will come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the temple of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths.” The law will go out from Zion, the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore. Come, descendants of Jacob, let us walk in the light of the Lord.

Sermon Outline: A Reason for Peace

1. The Peace of God’s Kingdom
A. With God and Each Other
• But if we walk in the Light as He himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. (1 John 1:7, NASB)
• Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now             stand. (Romans 5:1-2, NIV)
B. Radical Peace in this World
• He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth. He breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the shields with fire. He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the            nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” (Psalm 46:9-10, NIV)
• In that day the wolf and the lamb will live together; the leopard will lie down with the baby goat. The calf and the yearling will be safe with the lion, and a little child will lead them all. (Isaiah            11:6, NLT)
C. Eternal Peace
• My servant David will be their prince forever. And I will make a covenant of peace with them, an everlasting covenant. I will give them their land and increase their numbers, and I will put                my Temple among them forever. I will make my home among them. I will be their God and they will be my people. (Ezekiel 37:25-27, NLT)
• See, the home of God is among mortals. He will dwell with them; they will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them; he will wipe every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more;                mourning and crying and pain will be no more, for the first things have passed away. And the one who was seated on the throne said, “See, I am making all things new.” (Revelation 21:3-5,             NRSV)
• TQ: Where do I see the peace of God’s Kingdom around me? Easier to find, where do I see the absence of God’s peace around me?

2. Living Out God’s Peace
• Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. (Matthew 5:9, NRSV)
• So let’s strive for the things that bring peace and the things that build each other up. (Romans 14:19, CEB)
• I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33, NLT)
• TQ: What areas of my life need peace and how can I seek God’s peace in them?

3. Peace is Contingent upon Grace
• The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:14, NIV)

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