Pursue Peace

Pursue Peace

Pandemic, shootings, riots, fighting, threats, sickness, famines, wars and rumors of wars and the list goes on. We are living in an unprecedented time. Not that these things have not happened in the past, but they have not happened all at once in the past. We are living in an unprecedented time of fear. Yet, the word of God tells us to fear not! There is unrest, confusion, anxiousness all around.

Opening Text:

1 Peter 3:8-15 (NKJV)

Seek & Pursue Peace – We are responsible to pursue peace.

1 Peter 3:11b (NKJV)

…Let him seek peace and pursue it.

Fear Not their Fear – Don’t let the fear of others become yours.

1 Peter 3:14 (ASV)

14 But even if ye should suffer for righteousness’ sake, blessed are ye: and fear not their fear, neither be troubled;

Fear Not – We have nothing to fear because of Jesus & our Heavenly Father

Mark 8:35-41 (NKJV)

Vs. 38 – Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?

Vs. 40 – Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?

Matthew 10:28-33 (ASV)

28 And be not afraid of them that kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? and not one of them shall fall on the ground without your Father: 30 but the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows. 32 Every one therefore who shall confess me before men, him will I also confess before my Father who is in heaven. 33 But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father who is in heaven.

Isaiah 35:3-4 (NKJV)

3 Strengthen the weak hands,

And make firm the feeble knees.

4 Say to those who are fearful-hearted,

“Be strong, do not fear!

Behold, your God will come with vengeance,

With the recompense of God;

He will come and save you.”

Supernatural Peace – God’s Peace is not natural. It is not of this world and does not derive its source from this world, therefore it is not controlled by this world.

John 14:26-27 (AMP)

26 But the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, Whom the Father will send in My name [in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will teach you all things. And He will cause you to recall (will remind you of, bring to your remembrance) everything I have told you.

27 Peace I leave with you; My [own] peace I now give and bequeath to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. [Stop allowing yourselves to be agitated and disturbed; and do not permit yourselves to be fearful and intimidated and cowardly and unsettled.]

How do I walk in Peace?

1. Keep your focus on Jesus (The Word of God)

Isaiah 26:3-4 (AMP)

3 You will guard him and keep him in perfect and constant peace whose mind [both its inclination and its character] is stayed on You, because he commits himself to You, leans on You, and hopes confidently in You.

4 So trust in the Lord (commit yourself to Him, lean on Him, hope confidently in Him) forever; for the Lord God is an everlasting Rock [the Rock of Ages].

John 16:33 (NKJV)

33 These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

2. Have a Consistent Prayer Life

Philippians 4:6-7 (AMP)

6 Do not be anxious or worried about anything, but in everything [every circumstance and situation] by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, continue to make your [specific] requests known to God. 7 And the peace of God [that peace which reassures the heart, that peace] which transcends all understanding, [that peace which] stands guard over your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus [is yours].

3. Live a Spirit Empowered Life

Romans 8:5-6 (TPT)

5 Those who are motivated by the flesh only pursue what benefits themselves. But those who live by the impulses of the Holy Spirit are motivated to pursue spiritual realities. 6 For the sense and reason of the flesh is death, but the mind-set controlled by the Spirit finds life and peace.

Galatians 5:22-25 (NKJV)

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. 24 And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

Conclusion

The Kingdom of God is Peace – Knowing Jesus as Lord and Savior is Peace

Romans 14:17 (NKJV)

17 for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

Luke 19:41-44 (NKJV)

41 Now as He drew near, He saw the city and wept over it, 42 saying, “If you had known, even you, especially in this your day, the things that make for your peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. 43 For days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment around you, surround you and close you in on every side, 44 and level you, and your children within you, to the ground; and they will not leave in you one stone upon another, because you did not know the time of your visitation.”