THE PRESCRIPTION FOR POWERFUL PEACE (3 OF 7)
by Jeff Strite
Scripture: Philippians 4:1-9
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The Prescription for Powerful Peace (3 of 7)
Series: The Fruit of the Spirit
Jeff Strite
Philippians 4:1-9
Begin by reciting Galatians 5:22-23a
''But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.''
OPEN: Some time back the Gallup organization polled Americans about their most important criteria for judging personal success. They apparently gave them a list of 20 or 30 different option, and these were the results:
- Good health came in 1st - 58%
- Second, an enjoyable job - 49%
- A happy family was third - 45%
- A good education, fourth - 39%.
- Peace of mind, fifth - 34%
- Good friends, sixth - 25%
- Materialistic factors as unlimited money, a luxury car, and an expensive home brought up the rear.
APPLY: I found it interesting that one of the top 5 qualities of a ''successful life'' was peace of mind.
I. And peace of mind was something God has promised to us.
When Jesus was born the angels declared ''Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.'' Luke 2:14
Jesus said ''Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you….'' John 14:27
In fact, Isaiah prophesied that when Jesus came, He would be called ''The Prince of Peace, and of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end...'' Isaiah 9:6-7
And then, in Galatians 5 we're told that part of the fruit of the spirit is… peace.
So, not only do most men and women highly prize peace… so does God.
I spent a great deal of time thinking about this morning sermon. And as I was considering the many scriptures and illustrations about peace, it occurred to me… if everybody wants so much wants peace in their lives - why doesn't everyone have it?
ILLUS: As I considered this question my mind went back to a conversation I once had with a liberal/ feminist friend of mine. I commented to her about how much I used to like the old comedy singing group ''The Smothers Brothers'' ...
Series: The Fruit of the Spirit
Jeff Strite
Philippians 4:1-9
Begin by reciting Galatians 5:22-23a
''But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.''
OPEN: Some time back the Gallup organization polled Americans about their most important criteria for judging personal success. They apparently gave them a list of 20 or 30 different option, and these were the results:
- Good health came in 1st - 58%
- Second, an enjoyable job - 49%
- A happy family was third - 45%
- A good education, fourth - 39%.
- Peace of mind, fifth - 34%
- Good friends, sixth - 25%
- Materialistic factors as unlimited money, a luxury car, and an expensive home brought up the rear.
APPLY: I found it interesting that one of the top 5 qualities of a ''successful life'' was peace of mind.
I. And peace of mind was something God has promised to us.
When Jesus was born the angels declared ''Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.'' Luke 2:14
Jesus said ''Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you….'' John 14:27
In fact, Isaiah prophesied that when Jesus came, He would be called ''The Prince of Peace, and of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end...'' Isaiah 9:6-7
And then, in Galatians 5 we're told that part of the fruit of the spirit is… peace.
So, not only do most men and women highly prize peace… so does God.
I spent a great deal of time thinking about this morning sermon. And as I was considering the many scriptures and illustrations about peace, it occurred to me… if everybody wants so much wants peace in their lives - why doesn't everyone have it?
ILLUS: As I considered this question my mind went back to a conversation I once had with a liberal/ feminist friend of mine. I commented to her about how much I used to like the old comedy singing group ''The Smothers Brothers'' ...
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