Why We Lack Peace | John 14:27-31
Sermon Summary
In John 14:27-31, Jesus tells His troubled disciples "Peace I leave with you.” Real peace begins by believing we're justified by faith and reconciled to God through Jesus’ death in our place. from there we're invited into the subjective, daily experience of that peace as we walk with God in obedience.
That peace is sustained as we believe God is for us in our circumstances, just as Jesus endured the cross by fixing His eyes on what was ahead.
The Big Idea
The sum of the Christian life is found in what we dwell on—both the objective and subjective peace of God are available to those who walk with him in obedience.
Key Scriptures:
Ephesians 2:1-5 (NASB): And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest. But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved).
Romans 5:1 (NASB): Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
John 14:27 (NASB): Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.
Philippians 4:6-7 (NASB): Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
James 1:16-17 (NASB): Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.
Truths to focus on this week:
We can have objective peace with God: Since birth, we've been at war with God because of our sinful nature. The world's solution to this is to numb out and ignore our lack of peace. Yet Jesus says we can be at peace with God by trusting in Him for the forgiveness of our sins.
We can feel God's peace personally: Once we have the objective peace of God through Jesus, we can also experience that peace subjectively in our own lives. This peace comes to those who walk with God in obedience, remain steadfast through difficulty, lean into community, and trust that God is for them.
Reflection Questions
Throughout your day, what are you actually dwelling on? Do you rest in God's peace, or numb out to avoid feeling your lack of it?
When life gets difficult, do you fight to stay connected in community, or do you tend to isolate yourself?
James reminds us that every good gift comes from the Father who doesn't change. What would it look like this week to actually believe God is for you, even in your specific circumstances?