The Fruit of the Spirit is Peace by Pastor Andrew Marttinen April 6, 2024
Revelation4:2,3 At once I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it. And the one who sat there had the appearance of jasper and ruby. A rainbow that shone like an emerald encircled the throne. (NIV)
Red ruby - the colour of blood. It is the colour some countries use in their flag to reflect past conflict.
Green emerald - the colour of peace.
The name Irene means peace, prosperity, rest, set at one with self.
- Presence of peace
- Powerful peace
- Perpetual peace.
Presence of peace: Another's presence when someone is in trouble can help them see what is happening in their life. A presence in your life can support, bring possibilities that can assist in planning.
People experience peace in different ways.
There is the peace in death, a rest in peace.
There is the peace that exists after a conflict recedes.
Some experience the peace that comes after a tranquilizer - a numb peace.
There is the peace that dictators display, with an outward serene, benevolent look on the outside, that covers up the need for utter control on the inside.
Henry Henry Wadsworth Longfellow:
And in despair I bowed my head;
"There is no peace on earth," I said;
"For hate is strong,
And mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!"
The world abounds with personal, national and worldwide conflict.
Conflict is part of our world.
Jesus' birth is a message of peace, goodwill unto men.
Luke2:14 Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, good will toward men. KJV
Isaiah 9:6 For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. KJV
Have you ever asked "what would Jesus do?" Jesus did not do what many people thought He would do.
Matthew 10:34-36 “Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to turn “ ‘a man against his father, a daughter against her mother,
a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law— a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.’
Jesus was a friend who did not lie. He knew that an uprooting of old ways was needed, a separation from false gods. Jesus' message was about repentance. He was helping people to look at something differently. A change in allegiance brings conflict.
Luke 5: 37-39 And no one pours new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise, the new wine will burst the skins; the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No, new wine must be poured into new wineskins. And no one after drinking old wine wants the new, for they say, ‘The old is better.’ ” NIV
A parent sometimes has to push a child to remove themselves from selfish peace to go do something rewarding.
Luke 3:18 Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness. NIV
Perpetual Peace
In the garden of Gethsemane is an old olive tree with PEACE written at its base. Jesus prayed here before his crucifixion. Old trees are from a distant past. New trees are a symbol of the future. Both change.
A woman who was crippled with arthritis was asked a question. "Are you in pain?"
"Yes, she said. "I have no nails, no thorns and no spear wound. I have peace".
Jesus wept and sweat beads of pain so we do not have to.
Isaiah 53:5 "But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed." NIV
In the garden of Gethsemane is an olive press to symbolize the great pressure that Jesus withstood, as He shed blood for us. In so doing, He cast away our sin.
Peace is fickle in this world. God offers us eternal things.
John 15:16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. NIV
Jesus offers us fruit that will last forever. Peace that will last forever.
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. NIV.
Jesus gives us real peace.
In the New Jersusalem, that Holy City that will come, the walls will be green, the colour of peace.
Henry Henry Wadsworth Longfellow ends his poem with:
Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
"God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;
The Wrong shall fail,
The Right prevail,
With peace on earth, good-will to men."