"FOLLOW PEACE WITH ALL MEN"

HEBREWS 12:1

A. THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST IS, ESSENTIALLY, THE GOSPEL OF PEACE
  1. That was the message of the angels to a peaceless world at the birth of the Prince of peace: Luke 2:13, 14
  2. He, the Lord of glory, is called, "The Prince of Peace": Isa. 9:6
  3. Our heavenly Father is called, "the God of peace": Rom. 15:33; Heb. 13:20
  4. Peace is the great pursuit of the children of God: Col. 3:15
B. "FOLLOW PEACE"
  1. That means that we are to cultivate:
    1. A peaceable disposition.
    2. But to cultivate a peaceable disposition means that it will take some effort on our part. EXAMPLES -
      1. It must have taken some effort on the part of Abram to restore a peaceful relation between him and his nephew Lot - Gen. 13:1-11
      2. That must have been true of Joseph in dealing with his brethren after they had so cruelly mistreated him - Gen. 49:14-21
  2. It takes the spirit of good will toward others to follow peace with all men:
    1. The spirit of good will is embodied in the golden rule -- "Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even unto them." Matt. 7:12
    2. That means that we will not seek our own, but another man's wealth - 1 Cor. 10:24
  3. Some characteristics of peace:
    1. Long-suffering - Eph. 4:2; Gal. 5:22
    2. Envieth not - Envy is one of the main disturbers of peace. That was true of Cain toward his brother - Gen. 4:8
    3. Easy to be intreated - 1 Tim . 5:1; Phil. 4:3
    4. Slow to anger and being ever ready to forgive - Jas. 1:19
  4. The motive of peace:
    1. The love of God in our heart is the true motive of being peaceable.
    2. We seek peace because the God of peace dwells in our heart - Ps. 133:1; 2 Cor. 6:16
    3. Because that is the very purpose of the gospel of peace - Luke 2:14; John 14:27
  5. The price of peace:
    1. To begin with, Christ purchased peace through his death on the cross - Eph. 2:14-17
    2. Such a price by the Prince of Peace shows the emphasis Heaven places upon peace.
    3. This is certain that the price of heaven is measured by our desire for peace.
C. BLESSINGS OF THE PURSUIT OF PEACE
  1. Our Lord pronounces a special blessing upon all who follow peace:
    1. "Blessed are the peacemakers"
    2. "They shall be called the children of God" - Matt. 5:9; Jas. 3:18; Matt. 5:44, 45
  2. By pursuing peace we become:
    1. True representatives of the God of peace and effectually uphold the gospel of peace.
    2. We shall leave a favorable impression with those who observe or experience our attitude of peace.
    3. We shall reveal to a world at war and strife, that God desires peace and tranquility among men.
  3. Follow peace with all men:
    1. That, dear friends, gives direction to the life of a child of God! Peace!
    2. That becomes a test to our claims to true Christianity! Are we truly men of peace? Does our life represent the Prince of Peace?
    3. If the peace of our Lord rules in our hearts, our influence will reveal it; we will bring peace to all who come under our influence.
    4. What a challenge to all of us to re-examine our lives to find out why there is so little of the peace of God in our hearts.
    5. That means that if we are not men and women of peace, it is because sin prevents it. We need a new experience in the realm of God's kingdom.


Design © John Bryant 2011