I'VE GOT PEACE LIKE A RIVER (GALATIANS 5;22; ISAIAH 66:12)

 

I’VE GOT PEACE LIKE A RIVER

BIBLE PASSAGE: GALATIANS 5:22/ ISAIAH 66:12

Picture taken from Google

Lesson Prepared by: Krisha of Solomon’s Wisdom FB page

Lesson ideas taken from: https://www.sermoncentral.com/sermons

OCTOBER 16, 2022

 

MEMORY VERSE

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

GALATIANS 5:22-23

 

INTRODUCTION:

The title of our lesson for today comes from the song “I’ve got peace like a river… love like an ocean & joy like a fountain.” This song is an African – American Spirituals Group. Spirituals began on the fields and the slaves would sing to pass the time of day. It was also a great way to pass messages along and share the gospel.

This song uses water “as a simile” to describe peace, joy and love. I’ve got joy like a fountain which means:

• A fountain is fresh all the time.  The water is constantly changing - constantly moving and never stagnant.  Joy is like that.  Doesn't joy create joy? Stagnant water isn't healthy while water in a fountain and clear and pure.  I can't imagine that a joyful life would be stagnant.
• A fountain is bubbly.  It often reaches up into the sky with its movement.  Stagnant water doesn't.  Joy lifts us up, beyond our abilities.
• A fountain isn't quiet.  It sounds joyful.  It gurgles and sings.  So does joy.
• There is an energy that creates a fountain - perhaps from a motor or at through gravity.  The water doesn't move that way on its own.  Our joy - true joy - is a product of energy beyond ourselves.  It comes from God.

I’ve got love like an ocean which means the love of God to a deep, wide ocean. Love without expecting anything in return. We cannot question the love of God – finally shown by dying on the cross.

Now how about “I’ve got peace like a river.”  What it means?

In Isaiah 66:12 says,

For thus saith the Lord, Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river, and the glory of the Gentiles like a flowing stream: then shall ye suck, ye shall be borne upon her sides, and be dandled upon her knees.

TAGALOG: Sapagka't ganito ang sabi ng Panginoon, Narito, ako'y maggagawad ng kapayapaan sa kaniya na parang isang ilog, at ang kaluwalhatian ng mga bansa ay parang malaking baha, at inyong sususuhin yaon; kayo'y kikilikin, at lilibangin sa mga tuhod.

Source: https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/Tagalog/Isaias/66/12

The river simply finds a way to go around or over obstacles. It just keeps flowing. So, when we think of peace like a river, we think of peace of something that can be continually flowing in our lives despite our circumstances or the obstacles that may get in our path.

Let’s sing this song>

LESSON OUTLINE:

1.  PEACE COMES FROM JESUS CHRIST (JOHN 14:27 / JOHN 16:33)

 

In John 14:27 says,

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.

Complete this sentence “I just want peace and ________.”  (Answer: Quiet) We think that these two words are linked – that peace comes when everything is quiet.  But the problem is that life is rarely quiet.  There are storms, trials, needs, unexpected tragedies – the list goes on.  But the Bible says that we can have peace like a river. 

The fruit of the spirit love, joy and peace are the things people want in life but if you notice people still chase for wealth, fancy clothes, reputation or any stuff in this world. If you get some of these things you’ll understand what’s important in life LOVE, JOY and PEACE is important. New car, new house and anything on this world cannot give this for you. Only the Spirit of God can give to you. LOVE, JOY AND PEACE are available to you as a child of God. Peace means you have no inner turmoil. You only get peace through a relationship with Jesus Christ. The people in the world think that they could have peace by achieving things on his world or having influential friends. These things couldn’t make you have peace. It only settled through relationship with the Savior Jesus Christ.  John 14:27 says,

 

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.

 

Jesus Christ said “MY PEACE” which means only from Him and “not as the world giveth” and you cannot find that on this world. When the world gave something to you, it wouldn’t last but Jesus Christ can give peace where your heart won’t be troubled and you will not be afraid. For sure, life is going to have troubles but the Lord is saying when it comes I’m gonna give you something to help you overcome.

 

Nobody in hear had no trouble. This trouble will frustrate you, torment you, make you afraid of tomorrow and get all stressed out but Jesus said,

 

These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world (John 16:33).

 

Whatever you’re going through don’t worry because Jesus Christ had already overcome the world. Whatever our issues, whatever your challenge, whatever your problem Jesus says, “I have overcome it.”

 

Whatever you face right now, and it may look not good right now, God can make it right. Bible says,

ROMANS 8:28 “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”

 

This peace is what God wants us to have. If we have troubles and we try to fix it, it will just get the matters worse. The key is Christ gives to us peace, let Him fix our troubles.

 

 

 

 

2.  PEACE COMES THROUGH FAITH (ROMANS 5:1-2)

rather than following my own desires, I need to follow the desires of the Holy Spirit. I get to know Him – who He is and what He desires for my life - and then I follow in His footsteps.

Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:  By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

Justified by faith – JUSTIIFICATION. It means that when God looks at you, he didn’t look at what you did but treats you as if you never did what you did even though you are guilty. Justified by faith not by singing in the choir, not by getting baptized and not by taking the Lord’s supper; IT’S BY FAITH. Faith in Jesus: faith in His death, burial and resurrection. WE ARE JUSTIFIED SIMPLY BY PUTTING OUR FAITH IN JESUS. Because of that faith, WE HAVE PEACE WITH GOD.

Through Jesus Christ we have access to this. What tears away your peace and what keeps you from being where God wants you to be is the devil who is constant state every day of making you question and doubt God – His existence, His love for you and his ability to fight about; that’s the devil wants you to think about. Wherein in reality God can turn things right if we just trust Him. This verse reminds us to believe in God and have confidence in God; believe that all things are working together for our good.

Let’s keep in mind that every day is a spiritual battle. The enemy wants us to question God: Don’t go back to that church, don’t join to that church, don’t commit, don’t read that Word, don’t believe in that sermon; that’s not real, and that’s the voice talking to us all the time but the moment you learn to reject that voice and meditate on the Word of God, YOU’LL HAVE PEACE.

 

3.  PEACE KEEPS YOU FROM GOING CRAZY (PHILIPPIANS 4:7)

With the life’s struggles we have, we should have lost our minds, we should have had a nervous breakdown, we should have cussed somebody out or you should have had blown our minds, but all the peace of God is the reason why you’re still standing.

When you think about the plans, He’s answered ad the burdens He’s lifted and providence and so we think of the goodness of Jesus Christ.

“And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

God’s peace is so profound; you can’t explain it to people. They don’t understand how you could have gone through what you went through and didn’t lose your mind.

Whatever situation we may have: You lose your job, you have debts need to pay, your marriage is in the cliff situation, you are broken, you have hectic schedules, you have lost your long-time friends, your future is not certain, and you have loves ones who are sick. People may wonder why you can still be here in the church. IT IS BECAUSE OF THE PEACE OF GOD. He’ll give you peace that surpasses all understanding. WHAT THE PEACE DOES? keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus

Peace gives protectors; protect your emotions, guard your minds to keep us from losing our minds.

 

 

CONCLUSION:

Let’s take an inventory over the course of our lives for all the stuff we’ve been through but look at yourself and point to yourself and say, “I’M STILL HERE BECAUSE OF THE PEACE OF GOD.” Let thank God the Holy Spirit for comforting us during hurtful moments, during trials, during difficulties in life and during things happening we couldn’t understand.

Paul said in 2 Corinthians 11:23-27

²³ Sila ba'y mga lingkod ni Cristo? Mas mabuti akong lingkod ni Cristo kaysa kanila. Para akong isang baliw na nagsasalita ngayon. Higit ang aking pagpapagal kaysa sa kanila; mas maraming beses akong nabilanggo, hinagupit nang napakaraming beses, at madalas na nabingit sa kamatayan. ²⁴ Limang beses akong tumanggap ng tatlumpu't siyam na hagupit mula sa mga Judio; ²⁵ tatlong ulit kong naranasang hagupitin [ng mga Romano]^[b], at minsang pinagbabato. Tatlong beses kong naranasang mawasak ang barkong aking sinasakyan, at minsa'y buong araw at gabi akong lulutang-lutang sa dagat. ²⁶ Sa malimit kong paglalakbay, nalagay ako sa iba't ibang panganib: sa mga ilog, sa mga tulisan, sa aking mga kababayan at sa mga Hentil; mga panganib sa lungsod, sa ilang, sa dagat, sa mga huwad na kapatid. ²⁷ Naranasan ko rin ang labis na hirap at pagod, malimit na pagpupuyat, at matinding gutom at uhaw. Naranasan ko ang ginawin ngunit wala man lamang maibalabal.

Even though these things happened, he said,

But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God (Acts 20:24).

“And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:7)