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Apr 16, 2023

John - The Abiding Peace of Christ (click for resources)

Passage: John 16:25-33

Speaker: Chris Godley

Series: John: Come and See

Category: Grace Brevard

Keywords: love, hope, grace, peace, remember

We are all in a desperate pursuit of peace...whatever that is. Everything around us tells us that peace is possible through the subtraction of the bad things and/or the addition of the good things (all of which can be purchased on Amazon or achieved through self-absorption). The Gospel speaks into this foundational need, offering the Peace of Christ not as an empty, religious platitude but by, through the cross, reconciling all things to himself...taking everything that is broken, shattered, dis-ordered and peace-stealing -- and bringing them back into Shalom...perfect harmony with Him and His Creation.

"The reconciliation of all things to God, in heaven and on earth, through the blood of Christ Jesus"

John 16:25-33
25 “I have said these things to you in figures of speech. The hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures of speech but will tell you plainly about the Father. 26 In that day you will ask in my name, and I do not say to you that I will ask the Father on your behalf; 27 for the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God. 28 I came from the Father and have come into the world, and now I am leaving the world and going to the Father.”

29 His disciples said, “Ah, now you are speaking plainly and not using figurative speech! 30 Now we know that you know all things and do not need anyone to question you; this is why we believe that you came from God.” 31 Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe? 32 Behold, the hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home, and will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me. 33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

 

Discussion Questions
Describe your best idea of a “peaceful setting”
For you -- do you get peace through subtraction or through addition?
In what ways do you find yourself pursuing peace through the elimination of tribulation?
Maybe buy denying it? Paint it with a platitude? Distraction?
In what ways does the world offer peace? Both outward and inward peace?
How does the peace of Christ differ from today’s concept of “inner peace?”
Talk about this definition of peace (taken from Colossians 1:19-20):
“The reconciliation of all things to God, in heaven and on earth,
through the blood of Christ Jesus.”
A guide into God’s Peace is to “remember love, grace, and hope” - this is an effort to move those truths from our heads to our hearts. Functionally, what are ways we fail to believe...
- God’s love for us?
- God’s grace towards us?
- Our hope of eternal life?
From the sermon, from scripture, and from your experience, what are physical and spiritual changes the peace of Christ produces in the life of the believer?

 

Benediction: Isaiah 43:1-3a
1 But now thus says the LORD he who created you, O Jacob,
he who formed you, O Israel:
“Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by name, you are mine.
2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;
when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,
and the flame shall not consume you.
3 For I am the LORD your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.