Possessing the Peace of Christ

Sermon Summary / Transcript

“Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” 

Last Sunday, Good Shepherd’s Neil Quinn, URC born and raised, preached from John 14:25-31. He showed us that in frightening circumstances, Jesus did not want his disciples to be afraid. And so he tells them this wonderful news: that he’ll be leaving them soon.

And it is wonderful. In Jesus going to the Father and sending his Holy Spirit, we can have…

…greater FAITH in Jesus and His word. The Holy Spirit, Christ’s emissary, continues the ministry of Jesus and applies the ministry of the cross. He reminds the apostles of the teachings of Jesus (Jesus promised that he would!), and so we can know that their words are trustworthy. 

…JOY that Jesus is with the Father. Jesus’ going to Heaven brings God joy, so it brought the disciples joy too. If we love Him – and these are Jesus’ words – we will rejoice that Jesus is with the Father. 

…the PEACE of Christ as our possession. Jesus’ peace is our peace. The world cannot create or sustain such peace. Saying “peace, peace” does not make it so. The peace of Christ is eternal, effectual, and unchangeable. It is not the absence of pain and sorrow but the presence of the objective reality of Jesus Christ.

So how do we persevere in this peace? It’s a fruit of the Holy Spirit’s work, and so we pursue by grace what we possess by grace. 

Therefore, fix your eyes on Jesus, let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, and let the word of Christ dwell in you richly. Make the ordinary means of grace your daily diet.