WEBVTT 00:00:00.160 --> 00:00:06.000 Well, I'm excited this morning because the title of the message is Peace. 00:00:06.480 --> 00:00:16.079 And we started this series about three weeks ago, and we started with the we called it the foundational point. 00:00:16.719 --> 00:00:20.079 The foundational uh title was love. 00:00:20.480 --> 00:00:22.079 Love and joy and peace. 00:00:22.239 --> 00:00:24.000 And this morning we're looking at peace. 00:00:24.079 --> 00:00:30.320 And if you could take these nine characteristics, you could divide them into three groups. 00:00:30.480 --> 00:00:38.320 And the day we're gonna finish the peace, those first three are what I would call the inward fruit. 00:00:38.560 --> 00:00:45.679 It's those things that work inward in our bodies, in our soul, and in our spirit, the love, the joy, and the peace. 00:00:45.840 --> 00:00:53.679 Then we're gonna start next week looking at the outward fruit, starting with long-suffering, patience, and boy, will that be a good one. 00:00:53.840 --> 00:00:54.479 I promise you. 00:00:54.560 --> 00:00:56.640 I don't know about you, but I need patience. 00:00:56.880 --> 00:01:06.959 And then the long-suffering, uh gentleness, goodness, meekness, temperance, and then the upward fruit, faith. 00:01:07.200 --> 00:01:13.840 So those are the nine characteristics and the nine principles that we're gonna be looking at. 00:01:14.000 --> 00:01:18.719 And we've already looked at love and joy, and this morning, peace. 00:01:18.879 --> 00:01:30.000 Now I want to give a little, I want you to take a little test with me this morning, and I want you to finish the sentence when I ask, when I make a statement. 00:01:30.159 --> 00:01:30.640 Here we go. 00:01:30.879 --> 00:01:31.519 Ready? 00:01:32.239 --> 00:01:33.439 And I like this. 00:01:33.599 --> 00:01:36.879 First of all, I'm ready to throw in the what? 00:01:38.319 --> 00:01:39.120 Come on. 00:01:39.439 --> 00:01:40.319 Towel. 00:01:40.560 --> 00:01:42.879 I'm ready to throw in the towel. 00:01:42.959 --> 00:01:44.480 Here's another statement. 00:01:44.959 --> 00:01:48.079 I'm at the end of my rope. 00:01:48.239 --> 00:01:48.560 Good. 00:01:48.799 --> 00:01:49.680 I didn't hear you. 00:01:49.760 --> 00:01:51.040 I'm at the end of my rope. 00:01:51.280 --> 00:01:52.560 Here's another one. 00:01:52.879 --> 00:01:56.879 I am just a bundle of nerves. 00:01:57.040 --> 00:01:58.640 Yeah, good for you. 00:01:58.959 --> 00:02:00.480 And then the last one. 00:02:00.799 --> 00:02:05.040 Hey, I am at my wits end. 00:02:05.359 --> 00:02:06.400 Ever been there? 00:02:06.719 --> 00:02:07.280 Amen. 00:02:07.599 --> 00:02:08.240 Ever been? 00:02:08.400 --> 00:02:08.800 Yeah. 00:02:09.120 --> 00:02:10.719 We've all been there. 00:02:11.439 --> 00:02:14.479 Especially with smaller children. 00:02:14.639 --> 00:02:15.360 We've been there. 00:02:15.439 --> 00:02:16.400 And I love my kids. 00:02:16.560 --> 00:02:19.599 I'm so glad my kids, there's a lot of kids are here with us. 00:02:19.680 --> 00:02:20.159 Amen. 00:02:20.400 --> 00:02:21.039 Amen. 00:02:21.280 --> 00:02:22.800 But we've all been there. 00:02:22.960 --> 00:02:26.000 So Paul teaches us this morning. 00:02:26.319 --> 00:02:30.240 He says, in that inward fruit, we can have peace. 00:02:30.479 --> 00:02:31.759 So let's talk about peace. 00:02:31.919 --> 00:02:32.960 Peace on the inside. 00:02:33.199 --> 00:02:34.879 Peace in relationships. 00:02:35.120 --> 00:02:36.400 Peace with one another. 00:02:36.639 --> 00:02:42.240 Now, first of all, in your outline, let's look at two misconceptions about peace. 00:02:42.400 --> 00:02:55.439 And you're going to kind of grin because we've all been through these principles and we've all done these things that I'm preaching about because I know because I've done them and still do them sometimes. 00:02:55.680 --> 00:03:00.080 Number one, here's a misconception, number one, about peacemaking. 00:03:00.319 --> 00:03:01.759 Avoiding a problem. 00:03:01.919 --> 00:03:04.240 Now, who likes to avoid a problem? 00:03:07.439 --> 00:03:11.919 My wife used to say, we've gotten better, I think. 00:03:12.400 --> 00:03:13.439 She's sitting right here. 00:03:13.599 --> 00:03:18.000 Hey, uh, did John put Susan right next to me next week? 00:03:18.080 --> 00:03:19.360 Put her back over there when I'm pretty. 00:03:19.520 --> 00:03:20.560 Oh, no, I'm joking. 00:03:21.120 --> 00:03:28.240 But but uh, hey, listen, uh my my situation is let's talk about it later. 00:03:28.479 --> 00:03:29.759 Do I have any men with me? 00:03:29.840 --> 00:03:31.360 Let's can we talk about it later? 00:03:32.000 --> 00:03:35.039 With my intentions of never talking about it. 00:03:35.360 --> 00:03:40.000 So I mean, I really got a plan. 00:03:40.159 --> 00:03:40.879 I really do. 00:03:41.039 --> 00:03:42.639 But let's not talk about it. 00:03:42.879 --> 00:03:44.479 And let me tell you what I've learned. 00:03:44.639 --> 00:03:46.960 That doesn't mean that we can have peace. 00:03:47.280 --> 00:03:52.800 Unresolved conflicts do not lead to peace. 00:03:52.960 --> 00:03:57.439 In fact, what they lead to is an eruption eventually. 00:03:57.759 --> 00:04:00.719 So that's our first misconception. 00:04:00.879 --> 00:04:05.120 Number two, it's not appeasing another person. 00:04:05.360 --> 00:04:07.680 It's not appeasing another person. 00:04:07.840 --> 00:04:16.079 It's not trying to do anything you can do to make that person feel good or to keep from getting into a disagreement or an argument. 00:04:16.399 --> 00:04:21.360 In fact, it's not where one person wins and the other person loses. 00:04:21.839 --> 00:04:25.120 You cannot appease a person but so long. 00:04:25.360 --> 00:04:26.800 So that's not what it is. 00:04:26.959 --> 00:04:28.319 So what is peace? 00:04:28.560 --> 00:04:36.480 Well, many times when we think of peace, we think of the word that the Jewish people use beautifully and constantly. 00:04:36.560 --> 00:04:38.720 And it's the word shalom. 00:04:39.279 --> 00:04:39.920 Shalom. 00:04:40.319 --> 00:04:44.079 And we originally think, and it does, we think of peace. 00:04:44.720 --> 00:04:45.839 That's what it means. 00:04:46.079 --> 00:04:48.959 It does, but it also means much more. 00:04:49.199 --> 00:04:52.639 It means order and well-being. 00:04:52.959 --> 00:04:54.959 Order and well-being. 00:04:55.120 --> 00:05:10.879 So what that means, and what he's saying here, and what the Hebrew word really is applying when he says peace, he's saying that your life, my life, will have order and structure and well-being. 00:05:11.120 --> 00:05:12.000 Man, that's good. 00:05:12.079 --> 00:05:21.120 So when someone says shalom, they're saying they want your life to be in order and they want you to be blessed and they want you to be well. 00:05:21.519 --> 00:05:25.279 That's what the word peace really means. 00:05:25.519 --> 00:05:38.800 And I really believe when we see this in our lives or when we believe this, we have that sense of security, and we also have a sense of foundation underneath our feet. 00:05:39.040 --> 00:05:46.639 So, peace is, and write it down, fill in your blanks, and I've made it quite easy for you. 00:05:46.800 --> 00:05:47.920 Peace is the result. 00:05:48.000 --> 00:05:48.560 Here it is. 00:05:48.720 --> 00:05:52.160 So, how do we have that peace, that security, that foundation? 00:05:52.399 --> 00:05:53.600 How do we have that? 00:05:53.839 --> 00:05:54.639 Here it is. 00:05:54.800 --> 00:05:57.759 Peace is the result of obedience to God. 00:05:58.000 --> 00:06:03.120 Now watch, and assurance that He is in control of my life. 00:06:03.439 --> 00:06:12.800 It's, hey, obedience to God, us being obedient to God, and understanding that God is totally in control of our life. 00:06:13.040 --> 00:06:19.759 I use the verse and what I think the verse that applause the application of this verse, and that's what it is, is Galatians 2.20. 00:06:19.920 --> 00:06:32.399 I am crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live, yet not I, but Christ liveth in me, and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me. 00:06:32.560 --> 00:06:33.839 That's what that means. 00:06:34.079 --> 00:06:39.519 And that's exactly what the Word of God says that peace is. 00:06:39.680 --> 00:06:40.319 It really is. 00:06:40.480 --> 00:06:48.800 One of my favorite verses, and I've written it in your outline for you, is Isaiah 48, verse 17 and 18. 00:06:49.040 --> 00:06:50.800 And look at what it says. 00:06:51.040 --> 00:06:57.439 I am the Lord your God who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way that you should go. 00:06:57.600 --> 00:06:59.600 And then notice this next statement. 00:06:59.839 --> 00:07:08.560 If only you had paid attention to my commands, your peace would have been like a river, and your righteousness like the waves of the sea. 00:07:08.720 --> 00:07:09.360 Wow. 00:07:09.519 --> 00:07:10.959 Look at what he's saying. 00:07:11.199 --> 00:07:15.040 God is the one who teaches us, and he's the one that directs us. 00:07:15.199 --> 00:07:24.560 And he says his, when he teaches us and directs us in the ways that we should go, if we follow his teachings, hey, and we obey his directions, look what he says. 00:07:24.800 --> 00:07:27.040 Our peace will be like a river. 00:07:27.199 --> 00:07:33.040 There's no doubt, that's where the title of the song and the song I have peace like a river came from. 00:07:33.360 --> 00:07:36.240 You and I have peace unbelievably. 00:07:36.399 --> 00:07:45.920 Now, if you drop down, if you're in your Bible there, in verse 22 of Isaiah 48, it says this there's no peace for the wicked. 00:07:46.240 --> 00:07:48.480 There's no peace for the wicked. 00:07:48.720 --> 00:07:59.759 So when you see people that are disturbed, they are troubled, they have no security, they don't know where to go, they don't know what to do, they're just rambling. 00:08:00.000 --> 00:08:08.240 It's because they do not understand the peace of God, but more likely they don't have the peace of God. 00:08:08.399 --> 00:08:14.319 They're lost, and they need they need Jesus as their personal Savior. 00:08:14.879 --> 00:08:16.560 So that is what we're saying. 00:08:16.720 --> 00:08:38.080 What it really means then, if you, hey, peace means that you and I have a sense of security, we have a sense of direction, we have a sense of the presence of God, even in the midst, listen, even in the midst of our tension, our trouble, hey, our hostility, our turmoil, and even our battle. 00:08:38.240 --> 00:08:51.919 Like right now, during this coronavirus epidemic, a lot of us have had to depend on the peace of God to keep us from wanting to do what we want to do. 00:08:52.080 --> 00:08:53.200 There's no doubt here. 00:08:53.360 --> 00:08:54.000 Amen? 00:08:56.720 --> 00:08:57.919 I really believe that. 00:08:58.080 --> 00:08:59.120 I really mean that. 00:08:59.360 --> 00:09:05.120 And I'm not gonna go into detail because that's not yeah, that might get me in trouble. 00:09:05.279 --> 00:09:06.399 But uh, that's okay. 00:09:06.559 --> 00:09:11.759 But the peace that promises, God promises you and me is not a peace. 00:09:11.919 --> 00:09:14.000 Now, watch, absent from trouble. 00:09:14.159 --> 00:09:14.799 It's not. 00:09:15.039 --> 00:09:17.440 What he does promise, boy, this is so good. 00:09:17.519 --> 00:09:21.120 When I was thinking about this when I was working on this message all week. 00:09:21.279 --> 00:09:32.159 Hey, but what he does promise, he doesn't say that we're not gonna have dark days, he doesn't say that we're not gonna have difficulties, he doesn't say that we're not gonna have battles. 00:09:32.399 --> 00:09:36.879 No, but here's what he woo! I'm about to have a spell, I'm gonna jump up and down in this truck. 00:09:37.120 --> 00:09:57.279 But what he does say is in the midst of those dark days, in the midst of those tragedies, in the midst of those troubles, in the midst of when everything's hey, unraveling, when all uh hell's breaking loose, when I'm talking about when when you don't know what to do, that's when God walks in. 00:09:58.320 --> 00:10:05.360 He walks into that trouble and he walks into that storm, yes, and he says, Peace be still. 00:10:06.000 --> 00:10:20.480 When he walks into the fiery furnace with the Shadrach, Mesiach, and Abednego, when he walked into the lion's den with Daniel, he didn't deliver them from the trouble, he delivered them in the trouble. 00:10:21.039 --> 00:10:24.639 And he walked in and said, Peace be still. 00:10:24.879 --> 00:10:29.600 So now that is what we are talking about right here. 00:10:30.000 --> 00:10:35.360 Now, if you look in God's word, there are three experiences of peace. 00:10:35.440 --> 00:10:36.240 I want to give them to you. 00:10:36.399 --> 00:10:37.600 Boy, this is good. 00:10:38.000 --> 00:10:44.559 First of all, experience number one is peace with God. 00:10:45.279 --> 00:10:48.159 It's a spiritual experience. 00:10:48.320 --> 00:10:50.399 It's Romans 5, 1. 00:10:50.879 --> 00:11:00.080 Therefore, being justified by faith, now watch, we have peace with God through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 00:11:00.320 --> 00:11:12.799 And when we're talking about having peace with God, what we're really saying is that God through his Son Jesus Christ on a cross has forgiven us of our sins, and our heart no longer condemns us. 00:11:12.960 --> 00:11:13.519 Amen. 00:11:13.679 --> 00:11:15.440 1 John 3.20. 00:11:15.519 --> 00:11:16.000 I love it. 00:11:16.080 --> 00:11:21.679 He says that if our heart condemns us not, then we have confidence toward God. 00:11:21.840 --> 00:11:27.360 It's a peace that comes in knowing that our sins are forgiven. 00:11:27.600 --> 00:11:34.960 It is a peace that comes knowing that our name's been written down in the Lamb's book of life. 00:11:35.200 --> 00:11:47.840 It's a peace of knowing that in the Hebrew, in Hebrews 13.5, in the in what we call the passive, passive negative, when he says, I'll never leave thee for nor forsake thee. 00:11:48.000 --> 00:11:54.559 What he's literally saying there, I will never, never, never leave thee or forsake thee. 00:11:54.720 --> 00:11:56.639 That's the peace that we're talking about. 00:11:56.799 --> 00:11:59.360 Here it is, Philippians 4.7 in your notes. 00:11:59.600 --> 00:12:02.480 And the peace of God that passes all understanding. 00:12:02.639 --> 00:12:03.759 What does that mean? 00:12:04.000 --> 00:12:07.200 It transcends all understanding. 00:12:07.519 --> 00:12:11.200 You and I can't even understand the peace of God, in other words. 00:12:11.360 --> 00:12:18.399 We can feel, I like this, we can feel the peace of God, but we don't sometimes understand it. 00:12:18.720 --> 00:12:27.279 When my wife died in my arms, that was the most tragic thing I've ever been through in my life. 00:12:28.159 --> 00:12:29.519 And I didn't understand it. 00:12:29.679 --> 00:12:30.480 I didn't know why. 00:12:30.559 --> 00:12:32.000 And I questioned and questioned. 00:12:32.240 --> 00:12:38.559 But a few days later, I sensed that peace in my life that everything was going to be okay. 00:12:38.720 --> 00:12:48.480 I I sensed in my life, in my heart, because if you remember the story when I threw my Bible up against the wall and it fell down, it fell open to Romans 8.28. 00:12:48.720 --> 00:12:49.360 We know. 00:12:50.799 --> 00:12:52.879 As I would say, we know. 00:12:53.279 --> 00:13:00.080 And when I was on his deathbed, I mean, I could return and all our ladies with cancer. 00:13:00.159 --> 00:13:02.080 And I mean, we know. 00:13:02.480 --> 00:13:06.080 Even though we don't understand it, we have a piece about it. 00:13:06.399 --> 00:13:10.639 We know that all things work together for good to them that love God. 00:13:10.720 --> 00:13:12.720 And I'm going to show you something about that word good. 00:13:12.879 --> 00:13:15.919 It doesn't just mean good, it means ultimately good. 00:13:16.559 --> 00:13:17.759 Wow, that's good. 00:13:18.000 --> 00:13:19.759 So that's what we're talking about. 00:13:19.919 --> 00:13:24.879 We don't understand it, but we know it is there. 00:13:25.360 --> 00:13:28.559 It's the peace that guards our hearts. 00:13:28.720 --> 00:13:31.679 Have you ever thought of peace as a guard? 00:13:32.000 --> 00:13:35.200 It guards our heart, it guards our soul. 00:13:35.360 --> 00:13:38.960 It's the doorway to our emotional being. 00:13:39.120 --> 00:13:49.519 In other words, when we don't know what to do, there's this peace that we can't explain, that we don't understand, but we know it's real. 00:13:50.159 --> 00:13:55.679 That is the peace of God that passes all understanding. 00:13:56.240 --> 00:14:00.080 So we see right there that there's a peace with God. 00:14:00.240 --> 00:14:02.480 Secondly, there's a peace of God. 00:14:02.879 --> 00:14:05.039 This is an emotional experience. 00:14:05.200 --> 00:14:09.840 And he says, let the peace of God rule in your hearts. 00:14:10.320 --> 00:14:11.919 Romans 8.28. 00:14:12.080 --> 00:14:16.639 That's this is one of Colossians 3.15 says, let the peace of God rule in your hearts. 00:14:16.720 --> 00:14:17.759 And how does that happen? 00:14:18.000 --> 00:14:20.159 Because of what I just quoted to you. 00:14:20.320 --> 00:14:30.399 But when you go to Romans 8.28, I want you to take your pen, underline the word good, or circle it, then go out into the little margin and put ultimately. 00:14:30.639 --> 00:14:35.600 It is ultimately good for all of us. 00:14:35.840 --> 00:14:40.559 Which then brings me to the third peace. 00:14:42.080 --> 00:14:49.039 We have a peace with God that comes through Jesus Christ, our Lord, a relationship with Him. 00:14:49.279 --> 00:14:59.200 Then we have a peace of God, which is that gift for every believer that knows Him, and that's that emotional peace when we don't understand what's happening. 00:14:59.360 --> 00:15:00.399 We have that peace. 00:15:00.559 --> 00:15:02.879 Emotionally, we still have peace. 00:15:03.039 --> 00:15:07.519 Even though we know, hey, I mean, it looks like we're down for the count. 00:15:08.080 --> 00:15:10.240 But we still have that peace. 00:15:10.639 --> 00:15:13.039 Folks, the world can't give that to you. 00:15:13.200 --> 00:15:14.559 Can I get an amen? 00:15:17.200 --> 00:15:19.039 But let me tell you something else. 00:15:19.279 --> 00:15:21.919 The world can't take that from you either. 00:15:22.159 --> 00:15:22.799 Amen. 00:15:24.080 --> 00:15:25.360 Can't take it. 00:15:25.679 --> 00:15:38.960 When the world says you're through and it's over, all you have to do is turn and look that person in the face and say, We know that all things work together for our good, ultimate good. 00:15:39.679 --> 00:15:41.279 That's what we're talking about. 00:15:41.519 --> 00:15:43.360 That's what we mean. 00:15:43.679 --> 00:15:50.559 Now, if you'll allow me just a few moments, I want to talk about this relational type of peace. 00:15:50.960 --> 00:15:57.200 And it's that peace that's found in John 16, 33 that says, These things have I spoken unto you. 00:15:58.559 --> 00:16:08.159 That peace may be in your hearts, because I have been in the world and I've faced the troubles of the world and I've overcome it. 00:16:08.399 --> 00:16:09.759 That's what I'm talking about. 00:16:10.000 --> 00:16:20.320 And this is the peace that if I believe we as Christians could exhibit, we could see revival break out immediately. 00:16:20.559 --> 00:16:22.399 Because this is the hardest one. 00:16:22.799 --> 00:16:25.519 It's for the Christian, this is the tough kind of piece. 00:16:25.600 --> 00:16:28.399 It's the hard one for us to turn the other cheek. 00:16:29.600 --> 00:16:32.879 It's the hard one for us to walk the extra mile. 00:16:33.279 --> 00:16:33.919 It is. 00:16:34.639 --> 00:16:36.559 But this is the one he's talking about. 00:16:36.720 --> 00:16:40.559 This would bring thousands of people to the kingdom of God, I'm convinced. 00:16:40.720 --> 00:16:41.519 I believe that. 00:16:41.679 --> 00:16:45.919 Because the world doesn't understand anything of this peace that gives. 00:16:46.000 --> 00:16:50.559 And here's what this relational, this relational peace does. 00:16:50.720 --> 00:16:54.080 It gives instead of takes. 00:16:54.480 --> 00:16:57.279 It gives instead of takes. 00:16:57.519 --> 00:17:03.600 And that's what Jesus said when he said in John 14, 27, peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you. 00:17:03.759 --> 00:17:05.839 Not as the world gives, but give I unto you. 00:17:06.000 --> 00:17:09.119 Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. 00:17:09.359 --> 00:17:21.359 And then when you take this understanding of the principle that I'm preaching on this morning, peace, and heard what Jesus said in John 14, and then go over to John 13, right before he said, The peace I leave with you, what did he say? 00:17:21.599 --> 00:17:24.160 And ye are my disciples, and they shall know you what? 00:17:24.319 --> 00:17:25.599 By my love. 00:17:26.000 --> 00:17:32.240 Well, that love means that you and I are exhibiting that peace in our lives. 00:17:32.400 --> 00:17:36.000 And they see that peace that they don't understand. 00:17:36.160 --> 00:17:37.759 They can't comprehend. 00:17:38.000 --> 00:17:41.759 So that's what, hey, and that's when we exalt Christ. 00:17:41.920 --> 00:17:46.240 And when you go to John 12, he says, if I be exalted, I draw men unto myself. 00:17:46.400 --> 00:17:54.319 So that's how we draw people to Christ by our testimony, is through the peace of God that gives instead of takes. 00:17:54.400 --> 00:17:56.000 Can I get an amen, church? 00:17:58.079 --> 00:18:00.480 That's important you understand that. 00:18:00.880 --> 00:18:01.839 That really is. 00:18:02.079 --> 00:18:06.400 So with that said, now let's look at the acrostic piece. 00:18:07.279 --> 00:18:09.920 I love acrostic preaching. 00:18:10.240 --> 00:18:11.599 Because you don't forget it. 00:18:11.839 --> 00:18:13.200 First of all, the letter P. 00:18:13.279 --> 00:18:14.240 How do I have this peace? 00:18:14.400 --> 00:18:15.279 Whoo, it's hot. 00:18:15.359 --> 00:18:16.480 I'm getting hot. 00:18:16.799 --> 00:18:18.720 How do we have this peace? 00:18:19.119 --> 00:18:25.440 Well, first of all, letter P, plan a peace conference. 00:18:25.680 --> 00:18:28.880 You know, the nations always plan peace conferences. 00:18:29.039 --> 00:18:31.119 Well, you need to plan a peace conference. 00:18:31.279 --> 00:18:35.920 Look at Matthew 5, 23, 22, and 20, 23 and 24. 00:18:36.000 --> 00:18:37.039 Listen to what it says. 00:18:37.200 --> 00:18:38.880 And here's what it says. 00:18:39.200 --> 00:18:44.799 If you remember that your brother has something against you, now notice what he says. 00:18:45.119 --> 00:18:47.440 Go at once to make peace. 00:18:47.839 --> 00:18:55.200 Go at once to make peace and then come back and worship, hey, the King of Kings of the Lord of Lord. 00:18:55.359 --> 00:19:16.160 In fact, what he says, you've got to leave your offering at the altar and go make it right immediately with a person that you know there's all between you and them, whether it's your wife, or whether it's your best friend, whether it's a student, uh your student that you go to school with, whether it's uh a worker that you work with, you know there's all. 00:19:16.480 --> 00:19:20.960 He says, go immediately and make it right. 00:19:21.680 --> 00:19:25.680 In fact, Psalms 34, 14, I love this. 00:19:26.160 --> 00:19:28.880 He says, try to live in peace with everyone. 00:19:29.039 --> 00:19:32.319 And then he goes on and he makes this profound statement. 00:19:32.480 --> 00:19:36.400 And he says, listen to what he says, work hard at it. 00:19:37.039 --> 00:19:38.880 Work hard at it. 00:19:39.039 --> 00:19:40.960 So, how do you plan a peace conference? 00:19:41.119 --> 00:19:41.839 Real quick. 00:19:42.079 --> 00:19:44.559 Number one, you ready for this? 00:19:44.720 --> 00:19:45.680 This is good. 00:19:46.079 --> 00:19:47.680 Take initiative. 00:19:48.480 --> 00:19:50.319 Take the initiative. 00:19:50.559 --> 00:19:51.759 You got to take it. 00:19:51.920 --> 00:19:53.279 I mean, go at once. 00:19:53.440 --> 00:19:58.400 You say whether we are offended or the offender, it doesn't matter. 00:19:58.720 --> 00:20:00.079 Go at once. 00:20:00.319 --> 00:20:06.720 We should initiate peace regardless of who started it or whose fault it is. 00:20:06.880 --> 00:20:08.799 Now, I have a hard time with that one. 00:20:09.200 --> 00:20:10.559 Anybody else with me? 00:20:10.799 --> 00:20:22.000 If I didn't cause it and you started it, and you for me to then come back to you and say, let's talk this through, or I'm sorry when I didn't do anything, hey, I have a hard time. 00:20:22.160 --> 00:20:23.920 And I'm the only one that does that? 00:20:24.880 --> 00:20:26.240 Beep beep, yeah. 00:20:27.839 --> 00:20:29.759 But that's what it means. 00:20:30.079 --> 00:20:31.200 Oh, that hurts. 00:20:31.279 --> 00:20:33.839 Oh, you know what I hate about my preaching? 00:20:34.880 --> 00:20:40.799 I hate it because I get so convicted my own self when I'm studying and putting this stuff together. 00:20:40.960 --> 00:20:41.920 But that's what it means. 00:20:42.000 --> 00:20:43.440 You got to take the initiative. 00:20:43.599 --> 00:20:47.359 By the way, who took the initiative for you and me on the cross? 00:20:47.680 --> 00:20:48.640 Jesus. 00:20:51.279 --> 00:20:59.119 It wasn't his fault that I was a lost, no good, rotten sinner, but he loved me enough that he took the initiative. 00:20:59.279 --> 00:21:00.640 So we've got to take the issue. 00:21:00.720 --> 00:21:04.000 Number two, we got to work hard at peacemaking. 00:21:04.880 --> 00:21:08.000 Just like the psalmist said in Psalms 34:14. 00:21:08.240 --> 00:21:09.680 Try to live in peace. 00:21:09.920 --> 00:21:14.160 How many of you know a person that it's hard to have peace with? 00:21:14.319 --> 00:21:16.319 Now I'm not talking about your wife or your husband. 00:21:16.400 --> 00:21:17.599 That's a joke. 00:21:17.839 --> 00:21:22.079 But how many of you know sometimes there's a person that, uh, amen? 00:21:22.480 --> 00:21:23.119 I do. 00:21:24.559 --> 00:21:30.319 The moment I was exergetically taking this principle apart, I could think of one or two people. 00:21:30.960 --> 00:21:35.200 But I could also say honestly, I had made my peace with them. 00:21:35.599 --> 00:21:37.359 But it was still a struggle for me. 00:21:37.440 --> 00:21:39.200 He said, uh, I still gotta love them. 00:21:39.359 --> 00:21:40.640 I gotta do good to them. 00:21:40.799 --> 00:21:46.640 I hey, they're my in they're not my enemies, but in my heart I feel like they could have been at one time. 00:21:46.799 --> 00:21:47.759 They were my enemies. 00:21:47.920 --> 00:21:49.359 But I've got that settled. 00:21:49.440 --> 00:21:53.599 But Matthew 5 44 says, Love your enemies, do good to them to even hate you. 00:21:53.759 --> 00:21:57.440 Even if they are your enemies, you still have to have peace with them. 00:21:57.759 --> 00:21:59.759 So that's that's tough, but that's it. 00:22:00.640 --> 00:22:07.279 It kind of reminds me of the Englishman who was on a train sitting between two ladies who were not at peace. 00:22:07.440 --> 00:22:09.519 They were arguing over the window. 00:22:09.680 --> 00:22:13.839 One lady said, put the window up, I'm gonna have if you don't, I'm gonna have pneumonia. 00:22:14.000 --> 00:22:16.000 The other lady said, put the window down. 00:22:16.160 --> 00:22:18.400 If you don't, I'm gonna have a heat stroke. 00:22:18.720 --> 00:22:22.000 So the person in between the ladies was not having peace. 00:22:22.079 --> 00:22:25.759 So he calls the conductor over, the conductor comes over, he tries to settle it. 00:22:25.839 --> 00:22:26.799 He can't settle it. 00:22:26.960 --> 00:22:30.000 Then all of a sudden the Englishman said, I got an idea, conductor. 00:22:30.240 --> 00:22:40.079 He said, Why don't we put the window up for one lady and she'll die, and we let the other window down and she'll die, and then we'll have peace. 00:22:40.240 --> 00:22:41.759 Now, that's not what I'm talking about. 00:22:41.920 --> 00:22:44.000 That's not the kind of peace I'm talking about. 00:22:44.160 --> 00:22:49.759 Where you try to work it out where you kind of get them back and then go on about your business. 00:22:49.920 --> 00:22:51.680 No, that's not the peace. 00:22:51.839 --> 00:22:54.559 And we're susceptible to do that. 00:22:54.720 --> 00:22:58.079 No, it's a true, genuine peace. 00:22:58.640 --> 00:22:59.599 It really is. 00:23:00.400 --> 00:23:01.920 So, peacemaking. 00:23:02.000 --> 00:23:02.799 Letter E. 00:23:03.200 --> 00:23:05.119 Empathize with their feelings. 00:23:05.279 --> 00:23:06.400 You know what that means? 00:23:06.559 --> 00:23:08.880 Listen to what 1 Peter 3 7 says. 00:23:09.039 --> 00:23:10.799 Ladies, you're gonna love this. 00:23:11.839 --> 00:23:15.599 Husbands should try to understand their wives. 00:23:15.759 --> 00:23:17.200 Can I get a beep beep? 00:23:19.759 --> 00:23:23.680 Now, gentlemen, that's a lifelong task. 00:23:25.599 --> 00:23:27.680 A lifelong task. 00:23:27.839 --> 00:23:31.680 But we we've got to learn to understand people. 00:23:32.559 --> 00:23:34.720 And I really believe that with all my heart. 00:23:34.960 --> 00:23:41.680 In fact, Romans, uh, well, Philippians 2, 4 says, look not every man on his own affairs, but every man on the affairs of others. 00:23:41.759 --> 00:23:51.839 And then Romans 15, that's powerful verses 1 and 2, that we must learn to bear the burdens of being considerate of the doubts and fears of others. 00:23:52.079 --> 00:23:53.279 And that is so good. 00:23:53.359 --> 00:23:55.039 And I'm not good at that. 00:23:55.279 --> 00:24:01.839 None of us should think only of our own affairs, but consider other people's interests. 00:24:02.079 --> 00:24:03.279 Is that not hard? 00:24:03.519 --> 00:24:04.640 Is that not hard? 00:24:04.880 --> 00:24:12.480 Do you wake up every morning and you pray and have your quiet time and then you say in your prayer, listen, here's what you say. 00:24:12.880 --> 00:24:17.200 God give me people that I can be a blessing to and help today. 00:24:17.680 --> 00:24:19.680 Now I do sometimes. 00:24:20.000 --> 00:24:22.160 But I wish I could do that every day. 00:24:22.480 --> 00:24:25.279 But I have a tendency not to do that. 00:24:25.440 --> 00:24:30.880 I have a tendency to go on about my own business instead of making other people your business. 00:24:31.039 --> 00:24:32.240 How many of you are guilty? 00:24:32.400 --> 00:24:35.759 All right, you do your list of to do things today. 00:24:35.920 --> 00:24:37.440 Got to get them done, gotta get them done. 00:24:37.599 --> 00:24:51.200 And a lot of times, how many times with me, it's caused me from not being a blessing to other people because I had a goal, I had to get these things finished, and I'd walk right by a need that I should meet and not even notice it. 00:24:51.440 --> 00:24:52.160 I know that. 00:24:52.319 --> 00:24:54.160 Yes, we've all been guilty of that. 00:24:54.319 --> 00:24:59.279 So that's what we're talking about when we talk about empathize. 00:24:59.440 --> 00:25:00.240 And how do we do that? 00:25:00.400 --> 00:25:02.240 Now, this is this is where if you come in. 00:25:02.480 --> 00:25:05.839 These three things could change your relationship with people. 00:25:06.079 --> 00:25:08.960 Number one, listen without lecturing. 00:25:09.200 --> 00:25:09.759 Uh oh. 00:25:10.319 --> 00:25:12.240 Listen without lecturing. 00:25:12.480 --> 00:25:18.720 In fact, the Bible says in James 1.19, be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to heart. 00:25:19.119 --> 00:25:19.759 Wow. 00:25:21.200 --> 00:25:22.720 Oh man, that's terrible. 00:25:22.960 --> 00:25:32.480 Because when I'm talking or we're in a situation discussing a problem, usually when somebody says something, I got a scripture, I got a verse, I think I already know the answer. 00:25:32.640 --> 00:25:37.839 And for years in my early ministry, I would interrupt them and say, Oh, I yeah, here's the answer. 00:25:38.000 --> 00:25:39.039 Bam, bam, bam, bam. 00:25:39.200 --> 00:25:40.319 Okay, next. 00:25:41.519 --> 00:25:43.119 That's the way I was. 00:25:43.599 --> 00:25:44.640 But that's not it. 00:25:44.720 --> 00:25:47.920 And what I've also learned, sometimes people aren't wanting to answer. 00:25:48.000 --> 00:25:49.200 They just want you to listen. 00:25:49.359 --> 00:25:50.160 Hello, honey. 00:25:50.240 --> 00:25:51.279 Can I get an amen? 00:25:52.960 --> 00:25:54.799 They just want you to listen. 00:25:55.119 --> 00:25:58.400 Secondly, make an effort to understand. 00:25:58.559 --> 00:26:01.519 Remember the verse, 1 Peter 3, 7. 00:26:02.000 --> 00:26:07.440 In fact, the next verse, verse 8, says, be full of sympathy toward each other. 00:26:07.599 --> 00:26:12.559 That means have compassion, loving one another with the tender hearts and humble minds. 00:26:12.720 --> 00:26:19.200 Literally, that means you listen with the purpose of trying to meet their needs and not worry about yours. 00:26:19.680 --> 00:26:20.240 Wow. 00:26:20.480 --> 00:26:22.160 Oh, oh me, preacher. 00:26:22.400 --> 00:26:23.359 That hurts. 00:26:24.079 --> 00:26:25.279 Make an effort. 00:26:25.519 --> 00:26:29.200 And then number three, focus on the needs of others. 00:26:30.240 --> 00:26:30.799 The other. 00:26:31.839 --> 00:26:33.680 That's how to empathize. 00:26:33.920 --> 00:26:35.920 Listen without lecturing. 00:26:36.160 --> 00:26:41.440 I thought I'd really, if I'd have been inside, I'd have gotten a great amen from the ladies on that. 00:26:41.759 --> 00:26:44.000