Study  49 – PERFECT PEACE FOR TRUE AND TRANSFORMED DISCIPLES

Gleans from Monday Bible Study with Pastor (Dr) W.F Kumuyi.

DLBC Old Ajegunle, Lagos HQ

14th May 2018

Study  49 – PERFECT PEACE FOR TRUE AND TRANSFORMED DISCIPLES

John 14:27-31; Matthew 23:37; Luke 19:41-44

“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27). I want to remind you that this was a special moment and period in the life of Jesus Christ and with His disciples as it was getting near the time of His Betrayal and Crucifixion. Judas Iscariot, the Pharisees and Sadducees were not there; it was a closed door, inner circle meeting – Jesus now had a heart-to-heart talk with His own disciples. The sinners, backsliders, apostates and everyone acting contrary to the Will of God and Christ were outside. But why were they outside? “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!” (Matthew 23:37). He wanted to bless, save, heal, deliver, write their names in the book of life in heaven and give them heavenly blessings, but they were not blessed “because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation.  That was why they were left outside the Kingdom. It was a sorrowful thing for Jesus Christ that these people rejected the blessings of God, and now He had to go away from them(Luke 19:41-44). He is the Prince of Peace. He brought His peace, tranquility, total and ultimate complete rest to them but they would not have it. I pray you will know the time of your own visitation.

At His closed door meeting were the people that believed, trusted, accepted and loved Him. These were true and transformed disciples and he pronounced His peace upon them.  The world had rejected that peace. He said, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27). The troubles, problems, pressures, and everything that contradict your progress, He will take and wipe away in Jesus Name. Believe and the blessings of faith will come upon your life in Jesus Name(John 14:29).

3 points:

POINT 1:  THE PARTAKERS OF HIS PEACE THROUGH HIS WORD

               John 14:27

As you look at the kind of peace that Jesus Christ is giving, and also in the Old and New Testaments, there are three aspects of this peace:

1. Peace with God – John 14:27; Ephesians 2:12-16; Romans 5:1,5; 2 Corinthians 5:18-21

How does this peace come? Jesus Christ is the Author, Giver and Fountain of Peace. An un-regenerated man is without hope and without God (Ephesians 2:12-16); but after repentance and turning away from his sins comes forgiveness and salvation. He is drawn near by the Blood of Jesus, all the enmity between him and the Almighty God is cancelled, he is reconciled to God and then peace comes. Justified by faith we have peace with God, no more fear or enmity (Romans 5:1). It is the reconciliation that brought the peace with God. “And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation” (2 Corinthians 5:18).We, now, as ambassadors for Christ go and tell our neighbours that they too can be reconciled with God.

2. Peace of God – Psalms 85:8; Isaiah 26:2-4,12,13; Romans 14:17; Colossians 3:15-17

This is the peace that the world cannot take away, and it flows like a river because we are now children of God and belong to the Lord. He makes us righteous and gives us His perfect peace and in Him there is everlasting strength (Isaiah 26:3-4).“LORD, thou wilt ordain peace for us: for thou also hast wrought all our works in us” (Isaiah 26:12).The Lord has ordained peace for you; He speaks peace to your heart, family and all around you. That peace will continue on condition that you do not turn back to foolishness (Psalms 85:8). Righteousness and peace of God will continue in your life in Jesus Name (Romans 14:17). When things happen to disturb tranquility in your heart, either at home or anywhere, remember that you have peace with God and let the peace of God rule in your heart (Colossians 3:15). Then as you continue with the word of God and do all to His glory, the peace of God will continue in your life, family and our churches in Jesus name(Colossians 3:17).

3. The God of Peace – Philippians 4:7,9; 1 Thessalonians 5:22-24; Hebrews 13:20,21

At Salvation you are at peace with God, and as you continue in submission and surrender to the Lord, you have the peace of God, and then you go deeper and higher, at sanctification you have the God of peace indwelling you.

(i) Salvation through Christ grants us peace with God; our sins are taken away, we are justified and pardoned, then we have peace with God.

(ii) Submission to Christ resulting in the peace of God: this goes further from salvation, gives the peace of God.

(iii) Sanctification leads us to the God of peace.

“And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7). Things happen that make others surprised, worried and anxious for you, but you are calm and cool because you know God is on the Throne; you believe with conviction in your heart that all will be well. “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things” (Philippians 4:8).This is what keeps us in the peace of God; we only think on the things that are true.  Whatever Satan and the world say are not true. Dishonest gain, injustice, impure thoughts, immoral acts, you will not think on these. Your thoughts affect your state of mind. When you are thinking about those things that are true – all the promises, provisions and the words of Christ – you will have the peace of God. People who cherish the God of peace and the peace of God will abstain from all evils (1 Thessalonians 5:22).Our God will do it for you (1 Thessalonians 5:24).Sanctification is by the God of peace and He will make you perfect in every good work (Hebrews 13:21)

POINT 2:  THE PEOPLE WITHOUT HIS PEACE OR WORTHINESS

       John 14:27

“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27) This peace is for His disciples that loved, trusted, believed and followed Him intimately. The world was made by Him but the world would not receive Him so they will not have His peace;

1. No peace for the wicked – Romans 3:17,10-17; Isaiah 48:20-22; 57:20,21; Revelations 6:4,15-17

Those who have not come to Christ for cleansing from sin, these are the wicked, and they will have no peace. They do not have the peace of God because they have not surrendered their lives unto the Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 3:10-17). “And the way of peace have they not known” (Romans 3:17). They do not have peace because they are not born again and do not have the Prince of Peace who saves, blesses, turns the lives of the repentant around enabling them to make right their ways through restitution where necessary. “There is no peace, saith the LORD, unto the wicked” (Isaiah 48:22). You will not remain wicked because there is no peace on earth and in eternity for the wicked. After the Rapture, there will be the Great Tribulation, a time when the Antichrist will rule, and there will be no peace on earth (Revelations 6:4).It will be a day of great wrath of God. Thank God, as a believer, you will not be here on earth at that time.

2. No peace for the worldly-wise – James 3:13-17; 4:1-4; 1 Corinthians 1:20,21

Those who approach the Word of God with worldly wisdom will be surprise on the final day.“But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy” (James 3:17). Those who are hypocritical, respecter of persons, use partiality and duplicity to con people and have double-standard, use worldly wisdom, and such people will not have the peace of God. They know the ways and proverbs of the world so much and not the Scriptures, they are worldly wise people. When you come to Christ, you abandon the worldly wisdom, and you will have the peace with God, and your life will be blessed and peaceful. Worldly wisdom will disappoint you on the final day (1 Corinthians 1:20,21).

3. No peace for wanting worshippers – Jeremiah 8:11,15,20; Lamentations 1:3,5,6-9; 1 Thessalonians 5:1-3; Revelations 14:10-12

There are people who cry peace, peace but lack righteousness, truthfulness and transparency; they live their lives in deception. They deceive even the people they love and respect. They could have been saved but were not (Jeremiah 8:20). They remember not their last end (Lamentations 1:9).There is no peace at the time of the Great Tribulation; now is the time to seek peace, to repent from your sins, and accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour, then the peace of God will rule in your hearts.  For those who reject and His word – “The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name” (Revelations 14:10-11).  As you believe in the Lord, it is settled, you will have this peace, and as you continue to obey His word, and live in righteousness, when the Rapture takes place, you will be there; but the wicked and those who delay their salvation will have no peace here on earth and in eternity.

POINT 3:  HIS POWER OVER THE PRINCE OF THIS WORLD

      John 14:30,31

Christ has total and complete power over all the powers of the enemy, and nothing of the prince of this world will overcome Him and you as well as you believe, in Jesus Name. “……for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me” (John 14:30).That is what Jesus said, and I pray you will be able to say the same thing. If you still have the regalia, charms and anything of the occult with you, still enjoying profits of bribes you took in the past, illegally cohabiting with a woman, or anything of sin still abiding in you, you cannot say for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me. Throw anything of the devil back to the devil, and let the blood of Jesus cleanse and wash you whiter than snow; you will have victory, dominion, authority and a life free of any interruption by the devil and his cohorts. You will have boldness before the Throne that anywhere you go, you will be a man of authority. As you arise tonight, you will go out in victory, authority and power. This is how Jesus had power over the prince of this world:

1. The Absolute Sinlessness of Christ – John 14:30; Hebrews 4:15; 7:26; 1 Peter 1:18,19; 1 John 3:5-9; 5:18

He could speak with boldness, courage and confidence that the prince of this world had nothing on Him. No sin in Christ “… But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot” (1 Peter 1:19). That is Jesus.“And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin” (1 John 3:5).He that commits sin is of the devil (1 John 3:8). But if you are born again, and you begin to live the victorious life, then you will be able to say for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me.

2. The Absolute Supremacy of Christ – John 14:30; 12:31; 16:11; 1 John 4:4; Revelations 20:2-3,10

“Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out” (John 12:31). Christ has supremacy over the devil, and because He lives great in you so you have absolute supremacy over the devil in Jesus Name (1 John 4:4). During His Millennial Reign Christ will bind the devil for 1000 years (Revelations 20:2).With Christ in you, there is nothing to fear.

3. His Absolute Submission to God – John 14:31; 4:34; 5:30; 6:38; 8:28,29; 12:49,50; 14:

Christ was always submissive to the Father (John 14:31), and when you submit yourself unto God like He did, you too will have power, authority and supremacy.That was His consecration to do always the Will of the Father that sent Him (John 4:34; 5:30; 6:38). “Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things” (John 8:28).If you allow the word of God to abide in you, and make Jesus your Master, Model, Strength, Focus, Concentration, and be totally surrendered and submissive to the Will of God then the power of God will make you victorious. “For I do always those things that please him” (John 8:29).

The Lord wants to transfer His victory, righteousness and testimony into your life. Receive now that perfect, family and personal all-around peace, in the day and night. No anxiety, worries and restlessness any more. After the Bible Study, don’t talk too much, take this word of God and live in victory. Sickness, oppression, and defeat will not be your portion, for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me.

Ponder on this! You will not remain wicked because there is no peace on earth and in eternity for the wicked. Pastor (Dr) W.F Kumuyi.

Reflection – People who cherish the God of peace and the peace of God will abstain from all evil. Pastor (Dr) W.F Kumuyi.

Words on the Marble – Your thoughts affect your actions. Pastor (Dr) W.F Kumuyi.

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