The 2nd Half of Marriage Class

Our Prayer

Our Prayer

Heavenly Father, I know that I have sinned against You and that my sins separate me from You. I am truly sorry. I now want to turn away from my sinful past and turn to You for forgiveness. Please forgive me, and help me avoid sinning again. I believe that Your Son, Jesus Christ, died for my sins, that He was raised from the dead, is alive, and hears my prayer. I invite Jesus to become my Savior and the Lord of my life, to rule and reign in my heart from this day forward. Please send Your Holy Spirit to help me obey You and to convict me when I sin. I pledge to grow in grace and knowledge of You. My greatest purpose in life is to follow Your example and do Your will for the rest of my life. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

Thursday, April 12, 2018

Class Lesson April 15, 2018

THE BIBLE MEETS LIFE

Maps are good to direct you from one place to another, but you need to study them before leaving on a trip. If you don’t know the route well, you will need to stop periodically and double-check the map.

GPS is better, but you still have to pay attention. You must glance continually at the screen to get a visual on how soon a turn is coming or listen intently to the verbal instructions.

The best way to travel is with someone who knows the route well. A guide can anticipate things and remind you to “get in the left lane” or “be prepared for a sharp turn.” They often know shortcuts that the GPS is not clever enough to know. A guide can also provide “color commentary” as you travel, telling you interesting tidbits about places along the route.

Let’s admit, we all need a guide to get through life. Even when we think we have things figured out, life inserts a roadblock and the journey changes. But God does for us just as a shepherd does for his flock. God is our Good Shepherd who guides us on the right path and in the right direction.

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

Psalm 23:1-3

1 The LORD is my shepherd; I have what I need. 2 He lets me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside quiet waters. 3 He renews my life; he leads me along the right paths for his name’s sake.

David very well may have written Psalm 23 during the latter years of his reign as Israel’s king. It clearly has the ring of personal experience. It testifies to a faith tested by trials and a life mellowed and matured by the passing of years.

David had experienced conflict—both internal and external—including wars, family division, personal disappointments, discouragement, and despair. His hands were soiled by the murder of Uriah. His adulterous relationship with Bathsheba had ignited family fighting that led to ongoing conflict among family members. David experienced sin and the deep sorrow of its consequences; he knew the pain of one son’s death and the rebellion of another who tried to take his kingdom.

Yet this psalm affirms that, through it all, David knew God as his tender Shepherd. The imagery in this psalm may go back to David’s childhood experiences. As a shepherd boy, David was deemed an unlikely candidate to become the king of Israel. It is significant that David, the great warrior, was drawn to a simple but assuring depiction of God as a gentle Shepherd caring for the needs of His flock.

The profound impact of Psalm 23 is not discovering that God cares like a Shepherd, but the intimacy of the truth that God is my Shepherd. He is the Shepherd who “lets me lie down in green pastures”; who “leads me beside quiet waters.” David knew he belonged to the Lord and that gave him calm assurance in the midst of trials.

In what ways have you

experienced God’s guidance in life?

David’s expression of absolute trust was stated in profound simplicity: “I have what I need.” He mentioned the green pastures and quiet waters first because they are fundamental needs of the sheep if they are to survive and grow. Sheep cannot continue to follow the shepherd without sufficient rest and adequate food. The shepherd must put himself at risk and often travel great distances to meet these basic needs, but he does so because his care and focus are on the sheep. Our satisfaction level is directly related to our proximity to the Good Shepherd.

The phrase “He renews my life” can convey two ideas. Renewal can refer to a straying sheep that has been brought back to the fold; it also may point to the deep renewal available to all sheep that remain in relationship with the shepherd. The two pictures are intertwined. God desires abundance for all His sheep, even the straying ones.

“He leads me along the right paths” simply means that we will be safe and productive because of the Shepherd’s presence. This does not mean we will not face danger and difficulty as we follow the Shepherd. Verse 4 reminds us the sheep may travel through dark valleys, yet they can have courage in knowing they need not fear the danger as long as they remain near the shepherd.

The final phrase of verse 3—“for his name’s sake”—serves as a refrain. The Good Shepherd would never lead His sheep in paths that would prove harmful or destructive because it is contrary to His character. God gives the guidance we need “for his name’s sake.”

Psalm 23:4-5

4 Even when I go through the darkest valley, I fear no danger, for you are with me; your rod and your staff— they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

In verses 1-3, the shepherd is pictured as a guide who scouts the landscape to lead his flock to food, water, and rest. Now he is seen as coming alongside the sheep to personally escort the flock. When the sheep face the testing of a dark valley, he is by their side.

When have you experienced

God’s presence in a dark valley?

The rod and staff were the tools the shepherd used to protect and guide his sheep. The rod was a short, club-like stick worn on the belt and used against animals and thieves. The staff could serve as a walking stick, but when necessary, the shepherd employed it to keep the sheep from straying off the path.

When we feel the pressure of the staff, we might be tempted to react in anger. But we can trust our Shepherd is concerned for our care and protection. God’s discipline is always motivated by His unchanging love. He guides us back onto the right path so that we will know His presence and experience His protection, even in the “darkest valley” (v. 4).

In verse 5, the imagery of the sheep and shepherd is exchanged for an even more intimate picture. David now pictured himself as a guest in the Lord’s house. Jesus the Good Shepherd reclined at a table with His disciples. Indeed, His last gathering with them before His crucifixion was when He kept the Passover with them. Jesus promised His disciples that He would one day eat and drink with them in His kingdom. When we are walking through dark valleys of doubt, discouragement, and difficulty, how good it is to know God is and will be with us!

Which of the images

in this passage is most

meaningful to you right now?

Psalm 23:6

6 Only goodness and faithful love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD as long as I live.

The promises of this psalm continue to heap one upon the other. We are not simply promised a celebratory meal which will soon be over. We are not simply guests; we are residents. We will live with God as long as we live—which is forever!

“Only goodness and faithful love will pursue me all the days of my life.” Faithful love refers to God’s covenant love promised to His own people. Throughout Scripture, we see the people of God continually relying on the bedrock truth that God is faithful; He exhibits His goodness and faithful love to His people.

David concluded that he would live in the presence of God with His unending goodness and faithful love “as long as I live.” This phrase is literally “a length of days,” which is not explicitly an expression for eternity. However, since God’s covenant love has no end, the logic of the statement implies an eternal dwelling with God.

Jesus used the image of “the good shepherd” in John 10 to describe His own ministry. He contrasted the good shepherd to the stranger, the thief, the robber, and the hired hand. A thief and a robber desire only to steal and kill the sheep, and a hired hand flees when the sheep are threatened. In contrast, the Good Shepherd is willing to lay down His life for the sheep.

Jesus, God in human flesh, fully revealed what it means to address God as Jehovah Rohi. The Book of Revelation offers one final picture of Jesus, our Good Shepherd: “For the Lamb who is at the center of the throne will shepherd them; he will guide them to springs of the waters of life, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes” (Rev. 7:17). The Good Shepherd is the Lamb of God who lays down His life for His sheep and the Lamb of God who is eternally our Good Shepherd.

How can our actions and attitudes

demonstrate that we follow God as our Shepherd?

LIVE IT OUT

How will a relationship with the Good Shepherd make a difference in your life? Choose one of the following applications.

Rest and trust. When God doesn’t provide what you think you need, trust His goodness. Spend some time this week thanking Him for His protection.

Stay close. Sin will keep you from experiencing all the good the Shepherd desires for you. Acknowledge and confess any sin that keeps you separated from the One who desires to lead you to still waters.

Slow down. If you are rushed and harried, it may be that you aren’t taking time for the Shepherd to feed you and restore your soul. Make changes to your schedule to ensure more quality time in God’s Word.

We all need help with directions from time to time, whether we like to admit it or not. Thankfully we have the truest guide for life in Jehovah Rohi, God Our Shepherd.

Teacher Notes:

Click Here to Watch

God guides us as He walks with us.

What is your image of a tour guide?

Slides: Trip to New Orleans

No one knows your life better than God does. No one knows what’s better than Christ. And just like the tour guide wants to show us what he knows and is passionate about, God wants to show us what He knows and is passionate about: how to fully enjoy the life He gave you.

King David used an even better illustration, one that captures the character of God. He related God to a shepherd. He walks with us. He guides us. He keeps us from harm. He protects us.

I. The Shepherd Gives Us the Guidance We Need

Psalm 23:1-3

David experienced sin and the deep sorrow of its consequences; he knew the pain of one son’s death and the rebellion of another who tried to take his kingdom. This psalm affirms that, through it all, David knew God as his tender Shepherd.

What does “the LORD is my shepherd” communicate to you?

Why is God a better guide than any other source where people seek guidance?

Is it more important to discover that God cares like a Shepherd or to know that God is my Shepherd?

The profound impact of Psalm 23 is not discovering that God cares like a Shepherd, but the intimacy of the truth that God is my Shepherd. He is the Shepherd who “lets me lie down in green pastures”; who “leads me beside quiet waters.” David knew he belonged to the Lord and that gave him calm assurance in the midst of trials.

What does David’s statement of “I have what I need” mean to you?

David’s expression of absolute trust: “I have what I need.” He mentioned the green pastures and quiet waters first because they are fundamental needs of the sheep if they are to survive and grow. Sheep cannot continue to follow the shepherd without sufficient rest and adequate food. The shepherd must put himself at risk and often travel great distances to meet these basic needs, but he does so because his care and focus are on the sheep. Our satisfaction level is directly related to our proximity to the Good Shepherd.

What does David’s statement of “He renews my life” mean to you?

The phrase “He renews my life” can convey two ideas. Renewal can refer to a straying sheep that has been brought back to the fold; it also may point to the deep renewal available to all sheep that remain in relationship with the shepherd. The two pictures are intertwined. God desires abundance for all His sheep, even the straying ones.

What does David’s statement of “He leads me along the right paths” mean to you?

“He leads me along the right paths” simply means that we will be safe and productive because of the Shepherd’s presence. This does not mean we will not face danger and difficulty as we follow the Shepherd.

Points: The Lord is present with us to provide for our needs. The Lord is present with us to lead us in the right and best way. What the Lord does on our behalf should bring glory to His name.

II. The Shepherd Walks with Us in Our Difficulties

Psalm 23:4-5

What feelings do you experience as you wrestle with these verses?

Why do you think God most often chooses to lead us through and not over problems?

With Jesus – “The Eye of the Storm” / Year of Difficulty

What does the rod and staff mean to you?

The rod and staff were the tools the shepherd used to protect and guide his sheep. The rod was a short, club-like stick worn on the belt and used against animals and thieves. The staff could serve as a walking stick, but when necessary, the shepherd employed it to keep the sheep from straying off the path.

When we feel the pressure of the staff, we might be tempted to react in anger. But we can trust our Shepherd is concerned for our care and protection. God’s discipline is always motivated by His unchanging love. He guides us back onto the right path so that we will know His presence and experience His protection, even in the “darkest valley” (v. 4).

What does David’s statement of God preparing “a table before me in the presence of my enemies” mean to you?

In verse 5, the imagery of the sheep and shepherd is exchanged for an even more intimate picture. David now pictured himself as a guest in the Lord’s house. Jesus the Good Shepherd reclined at a table with His disciples. Indeed, His last gathering with them before His crucifixion was when He kept the Passover with them. Jesus promised His disciples that He would one day eat and drink with them in His kingdom. When we are walking through dark valleys of doubt, discouragement, and difficulty, how good it is to know God is and will be with us!

Points: The Lords sustains us even during the most challenging, difficult, and dark periods of life. The Lord is generous toward us, giving us blessing that overflows.

III. Our Shepherd Gives Us Security

Psalm 23:6

6 Only goodness and faithful love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD as long as I live.

What are the results of God shepherding His children?

What promise from God’s role as Jehovah Rohi do you find the most comforting and why?

Points: We are able to live all the days of our lives in the fullness of the Lord’s goodness and faithful love. Because of the Lord’s goodness and mercy, we enjoy the blessing of being part of His household. The care, protection, and provision of the Lord do not end in this life but continue in the eternity of heaven where we shall indeed dwell securely with Him forever.

Conclusion:

King David used an illustration of God as a Shepherd. He walks with us. He guides us. He keeps us from harm. He protects us.

But don’t just take David’s word for it. Jesus—God Himself—said the same thing.

“I have come that they may have life and have it to the full. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” (John 10:10-11).

Want a good tour? Go to New Orleans.

Want a good life? Go to the Good Shepherd Jesus Christ.

The Point: God guides us as He walks with us.

Outline:

I. A promise of provision.

A. He takes care of our physical needs.

1. “I shall not want” – That is, God will give us what we need.

a. This is not to deny the need for a work ethic (2 Thess. 3:10)

b. Neither does this mean God will give us what we want. (Prosperity Gospel)

2. “Green pastures, still waters” - The picture here is of an oasis.

a. Dry pastures are not good for sheep, but green pastures are.

b. “Still waters” suggests peace and tranquility.

B. He takes care of our spiritual needs.

1. He restores the soul.

a. He gives us strength when we’re weary.

b. He reassures us when we’re discouraged.

c. He enables us to face life’s difficulties.

2. He leads us in the path of righteousness.

b. When we keep our eyes on our Shepherd, He will always lead us in the way of righteousness.

II. A promise of protection.

A. He is with us even during the worst kind of dangers.

1. From what kind of dangers does God protect us?

a. Those who wish to destroy us.

b. Illness.

c. Loss of loved ones.

2. He promises not to lead us around these valleys, but through them.

a. We cannot avoid hardship and tragedy in this life.

b. We can trust God to take care of us during times of hardship.

3. He comforts us with His “rod” and His “staff”.

a. The “rod” was a club used against predators.

b. The “staff” was used to round up the flock and guide them.

B. He protects us from our enemies.

1. There are two ways to understand this imagery.

a. It could refer to a conquering king, whose defeated enemies are guests at a celebratory banquet.

b. It could refer to a scene of protection. That is, people can eat in peace even though their enemies are all around them.

2. The point is still the same: God will prevail.

a. The devil’s crowd may be winning battles in the short term, but they will not win the war.

b. This does not mean we will avoid persecution, but it does mean we can rest in the assurance of God’s ultimate victory.

C. He will protect us throughout life and beyond.

1. God’s goodness and mercy will be with us as long as we are in this world (Hebrews 13:5).

2. When we depart this world, we will be with Him forever.

What does it mean that my cup runneth over?

The phrase my cup runneth over is the King James Version’s wording of Psalm 23:5. Other versions say “my cup overflows.” A cup runs over when it cannot hold all that is being poured into it. The emphasis of Psalm 23 is the Good Shepherd’s loving care for His sheep (cf. John 10:11, 14). The Lord not only gives His people what they need (Psalm 23:1–2), but He supplies abundance in the midst of difficult times (verse 5). This abundance is not limited to material blessings under the Old Covenant, but it also includes the Holy Spirit’s future outpouring upon all who ask (Luke 11:13; Acts 2:1–4).

The Bible emphasizes the excessive love, blessing, and power that God desires to pour out on those who love Him (Malachi 3:10; Lamentations 3:22; Psalm 108:4). Jesus reflected God’s generosity when He said, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life and have it abundantly” (John 10:10). Paul continues that theme in Ephesians 3:20 and describes God as the One “who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine.” Romans 8:37 promises that we are “more than conquerors through Him who loves us.” The message echoed in each passage is that of God’s excessive grace and provision for every area of our lives. He is not stingy, nor are His blessings confined to temporal things. In Christ we can have overflowing joy, overflowing love, and overflowing peace. We can bear everlasting fruit for God’s kingdom, and we can overcome impossible challenges when the Holy Spirit fills our hearts until our “cup runneth over.”

The Bible records many mighty things done when people were filled with (i.e., controlled by) the Holy Spirit (Exodus 31:2–3; Ezekiel 43:5; Luke 1:67; Acts 4:31). We are urged to be filled with the Spirit as well (Ephesians 5:18; Galatians 5:16, 25). However, as a glass cannot be filled with milk if it is already filled with mud, we cannot be filled with the Spirit when we are already filled with sin, pride, or self-will. Before we can be filled to overflowing, we must be willing to empty ourselves of everything that would hinder the Spirit’s working in our lives. It is only when our hearts are filled with God that we can accomplish all He desires to do in and through us. His grace knows no limits for those whose hearts are wholly His (2 Chronicles 16:9a). He desires to fill us with His Spirit until our cup runneth over.

Hope to see you on Sunday!

In His Love,

David & Susan

Wednesday, April 4, 2018

Class Lesson April 8, 2018

THE BIBLE MEETS LIFE

I grew up in a time when “peace” was a popular slogan, but it was also an excuse for a way of life that was often anything but peaceful. It’s hard to imagine anyone who wouldn’t want peace, but the daily news feeds make us painfully aware that peace is severely lacking: wars and skirmishes around the world; riots on college campuses; and political unrest in our communities. We long for authentic peace.

Peace is not simply something needed “out there.” We need peace in our churches, our homes, and our own hearts. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could live with an absence of conflict in our lives, a time with no squabbling or obstacles? Even when we experience moments of “peace and quiet,” they are often short-lived.

Peace is possible, and it is a peace that is far more than just an absence of conflict. The Old Testament judge Gideon lived in a time of conflict, but he discovered a peace in the midst of his circumstances. He discovered he could trust God to give peace because He is our Peace.

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

Judges 6:11-13

11 The angel of the Lord came, and he sat under the oak that was in Ophrah, which belonged to Joash, the Abiezrite. His son Gideon was threshing wheat in the winepress in order to hide it from the Midianites. 12 Then the angel of the Lord appeared to him and said: “The Lord is with you, valiant warrior.” 13 Gideon said to him, “Please, my lord, if the Lord is with us, why has all this happened? And where are all his wonders that our fathers told us about? They said, ‘Hasn’t the Lord brought us out of Egypt? ’ But now the Lord has abandoned us and handed us over to Midian.”

It’s one thing to be in the same room with people, but it’s quite another for the people in that room to enjoy peace and unity. That was the case with the tribes of Israel. In the Book of Judges, the Israelites had entered the promised land, and the land had been divided among the tribes of Israel. But even though Israel occupied the land, no longer were the people united in heart and mind. They had lost the sense of being a unique people; they had compromised God’s standards. The closing verse of the Book of Judges well summarizes this period: “Everyone did whatever seemed right to him” (21:25).

Here the Israelites were again in the sinful phase of this cycle, so God disciplined them by allowing the Midianites to oppress them. The Israelites called out to God in their despair and the Lord sent a prophet.

Where do you see people questioning God’s goodness and presence today?

God in His mercy was prepared to send a deliverer. Without fanfare, we are told that the angel of the LORD sat under an oak tree as Gideon was beating out wheat in his winepress. This surely was an odd place to thresh wheat, but Gideon was hoping to hide from the Midianites. It seems even stranger that the angel called Gideon a “valiant warrior.” After all, he was at that moment in a wine vat hiding from the enemy.

Gideon was focused on the difficult circumstances. He called into question the presence and power of God and asked why so many bad things were happening to Israel. His thinking was simple. If God was with them, the Midianites would not be pillaging their fields. The people of Israel would not be living like animals. He was correct in thinking God’s people should not be living in defeat, but he was wrong to conclude their situation was due to the Lord’s weakness.

Gideon’s second question was similar to the first: “And where are all his wonders that our fathers told us about?” The Israelites frequently rehearsed the story of God’s redemption and provision. They knew God had delivered Israel from bondage and miraculously saved them at the Red Sea and throughout the wilderness experience.

Like Gideon, when we focus on our circumstances we can’t properly see God’s hand at work. The result is a lack of peace and contentment.

Judges 6:14-16

14 The Lord turned to him and said, “Go in the strength you have and deliver Israel from the grasp of Midian. I am sending you!” 15 He said to him, “Please, Lord, how can I deliver Israel? Look, my family is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the youngest in my father’s family.” 16 “But I will be with you,” the Lord said to him. “You will strike Midian down as if it were one man.”

The Lord didn’t directly answer Gideon’s question or respond to his accusation that He had abandoned them. Instead, He gave Gideon a commission to “Go in the strength you have and deliver Israel from the grasp of Midian. I am sending you!”

But instead of responding in humble gratitude for the privilege God had given him, Gideon attempted a second strategic end run. This time he questioned his own ability. These responses sound much more pious and humble. “Please, Lord, how can I deliver Israel? Look, my family is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the youngest in my father’s family.” While his protest may sound humble, it was simply an excuse and an affront to God. Gideon focused on his perceived shortcomings, but God had created Gideon and had specifically chosen him for this task.

God’s response to Gideon was firm but reassuring. “But I will be with you.” When God calls us to a task, He assures us of His presence and His power to enable us to accomplish our assigned mission. God accompanies us as we follow Him. This has been God’s pattern and plan throughout time. The Great Commission is accompanied by the promise, “I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matt. 28:20).

Gideon asked for a sign. He brought an offering and the angel touched it with the staff in his hand. As a result, fire sprang forth from the rock, consuming the offering. (See Judg. 6:17-21.) No doubt, the consuming fire leaping from a rock was a great clue for Gideon that he had received a message from God.

How do we recognize when God

is calling us to a task?

Judges 6:22-24

22 When Gideon realized that he was the angel of the Lord, he said, “Oh no, Lord God! I have seen the angel of the Lord face to face!” 23 But the Lord said to him, “Peace to you. Don’t be afraid, for you will not die.” 24 So Gideon built an altar to the Lord there and called it The Lord Is Peace. It is still in Ophrah of the Abiezrites today.

In the Old Testament, “the angel of the LORD” often referred to the presence of God Himself. So when the angel of the LORD disappeared right after causing Gideon’s offering to be miraculously consumed by fire (see vv. 17-21), Gideon realized he had been in the presence of the LORD. His response was one of holy fear.

In that moment, Gideon realized he was in God’s favor. Trouble was all around because of the Midianites, but God was with him— and that was all the assurance and peace he needed. In grateful response, Gideon built an altar and named it “The LORD Is Peace”— Jehovah Shalom.

The Hebrew word shalom is usually translated in English as “peace.” Shalom is one of the most significant terms in the Old Testament. The fundamental idea conveyed by the word shalom is wholeness in one’s relationship with God. It defines a harmony in the relationship based on completing a transaction. In our relationship with God it means a sense of contentment, freedom from guilt, and satisfaction with life itself. Of course, this does require that we must have a pure heart before God and live in obedience to His Word and His plan.

We might wonder how we, with our human failings, can ever be at peace with a holy God. We can only answer that question by understanding the full significance of the name Jehovah Shalom. The prophet Isaiah wrote that a child would be born who would be called Prince of Peace. (See Isaiah 9:6.) The Prince of Peace died to reconcile sinful individuals to our holy God. Jesus is our peace; He tore down the wall that separates us from God and from others. (See Eph. 2:14.) Jesus is Jehovah Shalom!

How has God used our group

to help you find peace in life?

How can our actions and attitudes

demonstrate that we serve

the God who is our peace?

LIVE IT OUT

God’s peace allows us to rise above our circumstances. How will you display that truth this week? Choose one of the following suggestions.

Receive Jesus as your Prince of Peace. If you have never experienced God’s peace, admit your sin, turn from it, and turn to Jesus by faith. Then you will live in peace with God.

Enjoy true shalom in your relationship with God. If you have received Christ as Savior but are not experiencing wholeness, you may be stuck in a cycle of sin. Ask God to show you any areas of spiritual neglect and disobedience. Confess them, turn from them, and turn back to Him.

Live at peace with others. Jesus our Peace has broken down all dividing walls. Is there a broken relationship in your life that needs to be made whole? Go to that person in the power of Christ and seek forgiveness and reconciliation.

The world rightly lifts up peace as a virtue. But the peace that comes from Jehovah Shalom, God Our Peace, is a peace that truly passes all human understanding.

_________________________________

Teacher Notes

Click Here to Watch

Ever had one of those days you just wanted to drop everything, cash it all in, and sail away?

Nikki Walsh, Tanner Broadwell, and their dog, Remy.

We all have, but one couple did something about it. Nikki Walsh and Tanner Broadwell were tired of the hassle of working (at the ripe old ages of 24 and 26), so they sold everything they had, bought a 49-year-old boat, dropped $5000 into fixing up the boat, and set sail … without any sailing experience and … without insurance.

On February 7, less than two days into their get-away-from-it-all adventure, the boat capsized. They traveled a whole 30 miles. All they could save were themselves, their dog, a few papers, some food, and the all-important toys for the dog. “Everything I’ve worked for, everything I’ve owned since I was a child, I brought with me. It’s just floating away and there’s nothing I can do.” —Nikki Walsh

It’s not over. They had to cough up $6700 to have the sunken boat removed from the Gulf of Mexico. Their search for peace by getting away from it all may have seemed romantic, but it was never a wise plan. Did they learn anything? I don’t think so. Their solution was not to get work and rebuild their lives but to start a GoFundMe account and ask other people for money. (To date, they’ve raised over $16,000!)

What is it? Why do we search for it? Where do we search for it? Why do we look out there for something we need in here?

PEACE

Peace doesn’t come by getting away from it all or trying to remove all the stress points in life. Even if you remove today’s stress points, new ones will pop up tomorrow. Just ask the proud owners of a sunken sailboat.

The Hebrew language gives us a much deeper—and richer—idea of peace. Peace, or shalom as they would say, refers to completeness, wholeness, well-being, and even health. When you experience shalom, you are at ease and comfortable with … well, everything—even the hassles and conflict that can erupt around us. Peace, then, doesn’t come from our outward circumstances; it comes from within us—but it’s not something we can manufacture or place in ourselves. There’s only one source for this peace, this wholeness.

Gideon was an Israelite who lived during a period that was far from rosy for the Israelites. The Midianites had rolled into town and oppressed the Israelites for seven years. Not exactly a peaceful time. But the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon and made two powerful statements:

“The Lord is with you, mighty warrior” (Judg. 6:12).

“Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand. Am I not sending you?” (v. 14).

At the conclusion of this divine encounter, “Gideon built an altar to the Lord there and called it The Lord Is Peace” (v. 24). That is significant to me. Gideon’s circumstances had not changed. He was still living in an oppressed environment. So, what changed?

Judges 6:11-13

1. Peace eludes us when we look at our circumstances.

Retreating from that which threatens or oppresses us is an option but not one that brings a lasting solution. The Lord does not forsake us even when we are facing serious threats. We can become strong when we believe the Lord is present with us. Difficulty and oppression are not signs the Lord is inactive or has forsaken us. We are not to blame God when things go wrong but look to Him for help. The Lord is at work around us in ways we may not immediately see.

The Book of Judges is marked by a cyclical pattern: sin and rebellion, followed by punishment, then followed by a season of repentance and deliverance. The deliverer was usually an anointed “judge”—a leader provided by the sovereign hand of God. The judge would bring deliverance and spiritual renewal would come to the people for a season. Then the cycle of sin and punishment would be repeated. Ultimately, Israel lost the fruit of their land and labor. Here the Israelites were again in the sinful phase of this cycle, so God disciplined them by allowing the Midianites to oppress them. The Israelites called out to God in their despair and the Lord sent a prophet.

Like Gideon, when we focus on our circumstances we can’t properly see God’s hand at work. The result is a lack of peace and contentment.

Judges 6:14-16

2. Peace eludes us when we look at our shortcomings.

The Lord calls out whom He will to serve Him. The Lord’s plan to act in the best interest of others may include His call to us to participate in what He is doing. Those whom He calls He equips and strengthens for the work. Our reasons for resisting the call, no matter how earnest they may be, are insufficient and inadequate in light of God’s promise to be present with us. Victory comes when we act in faith in the Lord.

But instead of responding in humble gratitude for the privilege God had given him, Gideon attempted a second strategic end run. This time he questioned his own ability. God’s response to Gideon was firm but reassuring. “But I will be with you.” When God calls us to a task, He assures us of His presence and His power to enable us to accomplish our assigned mission. God accompanies us as we follow Him. This has been God’s pattern and plan throughout time. The Great Commission is accompanied by the promise, “I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matt. 28:20).

Judges 6:22-24

3. Peace comes when we look at God.

We ought to have a holy fear when we realize we are in the presence of the holy, almighty Lord God. By His grace, the Lord comes to make us whole and give us life. Whenever we meet the Lord, that time and place can be an occasion for worship. Complete and eternal peace is possible through Jesus Christ, who gives us peace because He is our peace.

Gideon’s circumstances had not changed. He was still living in an oppressed environment. So, what changed?

Gideon had peace because of the presence of God. He trusted the Lord. The One who was greater than his circumstances was with him.

Our level of peace is not determined by our circumstances. Our peace is determined by the presence of God in our lives and our trust in Him. Our prayers are a reflection of our trust and dependence on Him. And when we trust Him, peace envelopes us.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:6-7).

Isn’t that better than a sailboat?

Without question, virtually every person longs for peace: peace of mind, spiritual peace, world peace, and peace in our homes, communities, and churches. The challenge is how to obtain it; where do we go to find it? Often we turn to things, believing the more we have, the more at peace we will be, only to discover that we worry about keeping those things secure. We may choose meditation, convinced that peaceful living is a matter of the mind. Others look to educate themselves, thinking that if we are better informed, more aware, that we will be able to live with others in peace. No matter what we try, nothing works. That is not to say that these things are inherently bad; they can be good and work for good. They have a place in making our world a better place, but they will not bring about true peace. True peace, in the fullest sense of the word is not something we create. It is a gift from God made possible through being in right relationship with Him. It becomes available to us through Jesus Christ. In Him, even if we face challenges and difficulties, we can live in peace that surpasses all understanding (Phil. 4:7).

Making Peace with God

A retired couple was alarmed by the threat of nuclear war so they undertook a serious study of all the inhabited places on the globe. Their goal was to determine where in the world would be the place to be least likely affected by a nuclear war. A place of ultimate security. They studied and traveled, travel and studied. Finally they found the place. And on Christmas, 1981, they sent their pastor a card from their new home - in the Falkland Islands. However, their "paradise" was soon turned into a war zone by Great Britain and Argentina in April, 1982.

Everyone wants peace. Whether you're a national leader sitting across a table from other world leaders, or a businessman facing the pressures and deadlines at the office, a homemaker trying to corral the kids, or a student just trying to make it through the semester, everyone wants peace. And most people will go to whatever limits to find peace. But most of us, if we're honest with ourselves, have to admit that we experience more stress than peace.

Wouldn't you agree that there is nothing that people talk more about and experience less than peace? Our day is like Jeremiah's, in that people cry "Peace, peace, when there is no peace" (Jer. 6:14). Americans live in comfortable homes, but domestic violence is at an all-time high. Our cities are the most modern in the world, yet the streets are unsafe. Our communication technology is unsurpassed, but there has never been more misunderstanding. In fact, people come to church so filled with anxiety that is almost impossible for sermons to put them to sleep.

Where can we go for peace? Where on this earth can we discover lasting and fulfilling peace? For many the destination for finding peace may seem preposterous. The place of peace is actually a person of peace. The only lasting source of peace is God himself.

I. Where can we go for peace?

The Bible talks about two kinds of peace related to God. These two avenues are the beginning of lasting peace for your life.

A. Spiritual peace is peace with God

"Therefore, since we have been declared righteous by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" (Rom. 5:1). That's the foundation, the bottom line. We've got to have peace with God before we can have any other kind of peace.

A man visited his doctor for an examination. The physician asked, "Now, what seems to be the trouble?"

The patient answered: "Doc, I've got troubles everywhere I look. I've got troubles in my business; troubles at home; troubles everywhere - and I'm just plain run down!"

When the examination was finished, the physician said to the patient, "You're not run-down. Just the opposite - you're wound up!"

The man responded, "Well, Doc, give me something to slow me down then."

"What do you want?" asked the doctor.

"Give me a tranquilizer or something."

"Very well," responded the doctor as he sat down and began writing a prescription.

The man took the prescription and stuck it in his pocket without looking at it. He rushed off to the neighborhood drugstore to get the prescription filled. The pharmacist looked at the prescription and said to the man, "I'm sorry, but I can't fill the prescription!"

"What do you mean, you can't fill the prescription!" retorted the man. "This is a drugstore, isn't it? You are a pharmacist, aren't you? That's a doctor's prescription, so why can't you fill it?"

The pharmacist answered, "I'm sorry, sir, but we don't stock this in our store. If you want this prescription filled, go home and get your Bible."

The man looked at the prescription for the first time and read: "Take three doses of Romans 5:1 every day." He went home and looked up the verse in his Bible. It read: "Therefore, since we have been declared righteous by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" (Rom. 5:1).

Immediately, the man called the doctor and asked, "What do you mean by this prescription?" The physician answered. "Your trouble is spiritual, not physical. What you need is peace. I can't give it to you; the pharmacist can't give it to you; only God can give you peace."

The fact remains that before you can experience personal peace you must receive the Prince of Peace in your life. How can you do this? Simple. Admit to God that you are a sinner and your sins separate you from God. Believe that Jesus Christ id God's Son and accept God's gift of forgiveness from sin. Confess your faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.

B. Emotional peace is the peace of God

We must have peace with God before we can experience the peace of God - emotional peace. This is what most people think of when they think of the word peace - an internal sense of well-being and order. The Scriptures say, ". . . since God is not a God of disorder but of peace" (1 Cor. 14:33).

Everyone who knows the Lord Jesus Christ can go through any problem, and face death, and still have the peace of God in his heart. When your spouse dies, or your children get sick, or you lose your job, you can have a peace that you don't understand. This peace is not the absence of conflict, but an ability to cope with the conflicts and frustrations of life. Even in the midst of difficulties God's peace will be present.

A psychiatrist was quoted in the newspaper as saying that he could not improve upon the Apostle Paul's prescription for human worry. Paul wrote, "Don't worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses every thought, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Phil. 4:6-7). How many times do you fret and turn, looking for a little peace? God's peace can be in your heart--right now.

"And let the peace of the Messiah, to which you were also called in one body, control your hearts. Be thankful" (Col. 3:15). The Greek word translated control or rule is used only this one time in the Bible and it means "to umpire." This verse says we should let the peace of God be the umpire in our lives. What does an umpire do? He keeps the peace. He makes sure the game is played in a smooth and orderly fashion. God wants to give you an internal umpire who will keep you at peace even when everything seems chaotic.

Peace with God speaks of God's Saviorhood, the peace of God speaks of his Lordship. If we truly want to live a life of peace and experience the peace of God continually we must allow Christ to rule and control our lives.

II. How do we maintain peace?

The Bible says, "So then, we must pursue what promotes peace and what builds up one another" (Rom. 14:19). So what must we do?

A. If we want peace, we must obey God's Word

As simple as what it may sound, we need to just do what the Bible says. "Abundant peace belongs to those who love Your instruction; nothing makes them stumble. . . . I obey Your decrees and love them greatly" (Ps. 119:165, 167). God says peace comes when we live in harmony with him - when we do what he tells us to do.

In your car is an owner's manual. The owner's manual tells you that if you do certain things at certain times, you'll get more mileage out of the car.

God's Word is your owner's manual for life. It contains principles for health, finance, marriage, relationships, business, and much more. If you don't obey the principles as they relate to the various areas of your life you won't experience peace. Just as a car runs more smoothly when you operate it according to its design, your life will run more smoothly if you live it according to God's design as presented in his Word.

B. If we want peace, we must focus on God's presence

We must realize that God is always with us, and we must learn to sense his presence. We are reminded by Isaiah to fix our gaze on God, " You will keep in perfect peace the mind [that is] dependent [on You], for it is trusting in You " (Isa. 26:3). We have a choice of either focusing on our problems of focusing on God, who holds the solution. If you look at the world, you'll be distressed; if you look within, you'll be depressed; but it you look at Christ, you'll be at rest. It's what you concentrate on that determines your level of personal peace.

C. If we want God's peace, we must trust God's purpose

Even when things don't make sense, we must trust God's purpose. "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding; think about Him in all your ways, and He will guide you on the right paths" (Prov. 3:5-6). Have you noticed that a lot of things in life don't make sense? And do you feel that a lot of things in life are beyond your control? What do you do in such situations? You trust! That's really all you can do. Don't try to figure life out yourself. We do that all the time, don't we? We waste a lot of time and energy trying to figure things out. God urges us to just trust him.

People have told me on more than a few occasions that when they finally stopped trying to figure out why God allowed something to happen and just started trusting him, and then the peace came. We need to face the fact that not all of our questions are going to be answered in this lifetime.

D. If we want God's peace, we need to ask for it

Again, Paul tells us, "Don't worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses every thought, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Phil. 4:6-7). Notice the order - first prayer and then peace. There's a cause and effect relationship here. Prayer is the cause; peace is the effect.

If you're not praying, you're likely to be worrying. And worry is such a useless emotion, such a waste. Worry is the opposite of peace; they cannot coexist.

What do you need to ask of God now? Do you need to ask him to come into your life so that you may experience peace with God? Do you need to ask him to control your life so that you can experience the peace of God?

You will not experience true or lasting peace until Jesus Christ is in charge of your life. Peace, remember, is not a trouble-free life; it's a sense of calm in the midst of life's storms.

What is robbing you of peace today? Is it guilt? Turn to God for forgiveness? Is it worry? A job change? Finances? Major surgery? A difficult person? You can talk to Christ about all of these things and anything else that is bothering you.

The God of all peace wants to give you peace and he is here now ready to make that gift to you. Will you accept it?

Hope to see you on Sunday!

In His Love,

David & Susan