The Peace of Christ

Intro

1. THE PEACE OF CHRIST (v. 15).

                        Peace occurs about 360 times in the Bible, 95 in the NT. 

1. What is the “peace of Christ”?

1) Peace with God = reconciliation, justification (Col. 1:20; Rom. 5:1).

2) Peace of God - inner peace of the believer.  (Phil. 4:6-7).

The opposite of peace is ______________.

3)  It is the peace of Jesus.

1. a) Jesus’ emphasis on peace. ( Jn. 14:27; 16:33).

1. b) Jesus alone gives peace.

1. “rule in your hearts” -

                                1) The meaning of “rule.”

2) The need of peace in the midst of the storms of life.

3) Why must the peace of Christ rule in our hearts?

1. “to which you were called in one body” -

1. “be thankful” - (see thanksgiving in vv. 15, 16, 17).

1) Be thankful for what?   Cf. Eph. 5:20; 1 Thess. 5:18.

2) How does being thankful tie in with the peace of Christ?

So, a more complete definition of the peace of Christ = the inner calm of Christ that comes from a thankful heart that knows that our good, wise, and loving Lord is in control of all the circumstances of our life, working all things together for our good and His glory.

Conclusion