The Peace We All Need

Here in Luke 12, Jesus is talking about the end of time.  If you have your Bibles, turn them to Luke 12:54, and I want to share with you a message entitled, “The Peace We All Need.”

 

Again, in the recent Sundays, we have been talking about end of time events because Jesus has been addressing the end of time.  We know that specifically because of Luke 12:40.

 

40 Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”

 

When talking about end time events, here at Emory Baptist Church, we generally use this time line.  The rapture of the church will be unexpected and begin a seven-year earthly tribulation of Christians.  The return of Christ is after the tribulation and begins a one-thousand-year earthly reign.  At the end of the millennium, eternity begins.

 

However, of those events, one is talked about more than others, and for good reason.  That is the second coming of Jesus Christ. 

 

 

Exposition

In Luke 12:45, we see that Jesus was talking to the multitudes.  Therefore, all of us need to pay attention this morning.

 

In verses 55-56, Jesus spoke about the weather.  He affirmed that these people were good at know the signs of impending weather.  However, they didn’t have radars or weather apps.

 

What did they have?  They had their eyes.

 

When they saw clouds coming from the west off of the Mediterranean Sea, they knew it would rain soon. Also, when they saw and felt the wind blowing from the south, they knew they were in for some hot weather. 

 

However, Jesus chastised them, and called them hypocrites.  Why?

 

They could see accurately discern the signs for weather.  However, the savior of the world was standing in front of them talking, but they didn’t recognize Him.

 

What should they do?  Verses 58-59 contain a parable.

 

If you are odds or conflict with your enemy, you better get the situation resolved.  Otherwise, a judge going to throw you in jail, and you won’t have the means to get out.

 

The main point of this parable and my message today is found in verse 58.  Make every effort along the way to settle with him.

 

What does that mean for us today?  Simply put, be at peace!

 

 

Application

Before I get more into peace with whom and how, does the Bible really commend a life of peace?  Consider these verses all from the New Testament.

 

Romans 14:17 for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

 

Romans 14:19 Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another.

1 Corinthians 14:33 For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.

 

2 Corinthians 13:11 Finally, brethren, farewell. Become complete. Be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.

 

Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

 

James 3:17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. 18 Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

 

Therefore, I think we can say, without question, that the Bible commends a life of peace.  However, with whom and how?

 

First and foremost, and most important, and the primary point of this text at the end of Luke 12 is that we are invited to be at peace with God, our creator.  However, that doesn’t happen automatically.  See Romans 5:1.

 

Romans 5:1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

Second, we are encouraged and challenged to be at peace with one another or our neighbor. However, we know from the story of the Good Samaritan that our neighbor isn’t just our geographical neighbor but anyone that God puts in our path each and every day.

 

It may be our across the fence neighbor.  It may be our school neighbor.  It may be our work neighbor.  It may be our family neighbor.  It may be our mom or son or daughter.

 

Be at peace with God.  Be at peace with one another.

 

Mark 9:50 Salt is good, but if the salt loses its flavor, how will you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace with one another.”

 

Romans 12:18 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.

 

Hebrews 12:14 Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord:

 

1 Peter 3:10 For “He who would love life And see good days, Let him refrain his tongue from evil, And his lips from speaking deceit.  11 Let him turn away from evil and do good; Let him seek peace and pursue it.  12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their prayers; But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”

 

But let me share one last thing with you.  For you to be peace with some of your neighbors or one of your neighbors, you might need to say, “I’m sorry.  Please forgive me.”

 

And please listen to this.  You don’t have to know how you hurt someone to apologize.  You just have to know THAT you hurt someone. 

 

And for others of you, for you to be peace with some of your neighbors or one of your neighbors, you might need to say, “I forgive you.”

 

And you might be saying, “You don’t know how bad he or she hurt me.”  That’s true.  I don’t, but God does.

 

And God says this in the Sermon on the Mount.  See Matthew 5:21-26 and Matthew 6:14-15.

 

Matthew 5:21 “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.’ 22 But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca!’ shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, ‘You fool!’ shall be in danger of hell fire. 23 Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. 25 Agree with your adversary quickly, while you are on the way with him, lest your adversary deliver you to the judge, the judge hand you over to the officer, and you be thrown into prison. 26 Assuredly, I say to you, you will by no means get out of there till you have paid the last penny.

 

Matthew 6:14 “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

 

 

Conclusion

This morning, I invite you to be at peace with God through your faith in Jesus Christ.  If you already are, I invite you to be at peace with your neighbor by saying I’m sorry or I forgive you.