Sermons
February 11th, 2024 by Pastor Solley021124AM Holy Ground #5
Sub: The believer in Christ.
Theme: The believer putting on the peace of God.
Text: Col 3:15
“Holy Ground” #5 Colossians 3:15
Introduction
We continue to look this morning at holy garments that we as born again believers in Christ are to put on. In the Old Testament God had holy garments for the High Priest to put on that separated him from the people. Now in this age of grace God has provided holy garments for His children to put on that separate them from the world, from the lost. – Col 3:12-16
I. Clearly we are commanded to put these things on: Col 3:12 They are not natural to us, not natural to our flesh and in order to put them on the way God wants us to put them on one needs to be born again. This is for the redeemed in Christ. – Col 3:10
A. We have looked thus far at eight things we are commanded to put on: These things from God the Father given to us through God the Son and made possible to put on through the indwelling presence and power of God the Spirit. These things all of God.
1. In verse twelve we find five things: Col 3:12 Here we find mercy, kindness, humbleness, meekness and patience. – Col 3:12
2. In verse thirteen we find two things: Col 3:13 Forbearance and forgiveness. Perhaps the two hardest things to put on so far.
3. In verse fourteen we find one thing, the one thing that makes it possible to put the others on: Col 3:14 Charity, God’s love. Without this love we will not be able to put those things on and keep them on. All of the above things are named in 1 Cor 13 which we know as the love chapter in the Bible. Without charity we will not be able to put those things on and keep them on.
B. Putting those things on will change your life: Old things will pass away and all things will become new, they will change your life.
II. We are to put on the peace of God, to allow the peace of God to rule in our hearts: Col 3:15 The Bible says “Let the peace of God rule in your hearts”. It implies that this is something we already have, “Let the peace of God rule in your hearts”. – Col 3:15
A. The order of the Greek words and the meaning is very interesting: Col 3:15 This is NOT to correct the King James Bible, it needs no correction and should never be changed. But the Greek text gives the words in a different order.
1. In the Greek TR the verse reads “The peace of God let rule”: The picture is that we have this peace, every child of God has this peace of God. “The peace of God let rule”. We do have this peace if one is born again. “The peace of God let rule”.
2. That Greek word for let rule in one word: It is the word “BA-PA-BEO-O” and it means to arbitrate, govern, and prevail. This word gives the idea of a third party, an arbitrator called to decide, to govern over and prevail in our heart and life.
3. So, as a Christian, I am to allow the peace of God to rule in my life over every circumstance and situation I am found in: I am to allow the peace of God to rule in my life over everything. – Col 3:15
B. I am not aware of any time when this command has been needed more than the time in which we are living right now: As the prophetic clock winds down to the rapture of the church, as the Second Coming of Jesus Christ is certainly drawing closer and closer Satanic activity has increased. The closer we get to the Second Coming of Christ the more troubles and trials we see in this world.
1. I have never seen so much sickness as we are seeing right now: Forty years in the ministry I have never seen so much sickness.
2. I have never seen so much heartache as we see right now: Forty years in the ministry I have never seen so much heartache.
3. I have never seen so many with so many doubts and fears as right now: Forty years in the ministry I have never seen so many with so many doubts and fears as we see today.
4. I am not aware of any time when this command has been needed more than it is today: Col 3:15
C. I want to look this morning at allowing the peace of God to rule in our hearts: This is something that we all need to put on.
PROP: Every child of God needs to allow the peace of God to rule in their heart. TS. Especially in this day when so many seem to be lacking the peace of God.
Body
I. The peace of God is imparted to the one who receives peace with God when they are born again: There is a difference between have peace with God and peace of God. Both are imparted to the repentant sinner at the point of salvation but they are different. One can be likened to an unbreakable chain while the other could be likened to an beautiful but fragile thread. There is a difference between having peace with God and having peace of God.
A. Peace with God come with salvation in Jesus Christ: Before one is saved they are the enemy of God because of sin. An enemy of God because of the sin nature they are born with and the actions of sin they commit. Rom 8:7-8 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. 8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
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1. When Jesus Christ died on the cross for your sin and for mine, when you repented and asked Jesus and Jesus alone to save you Jesus turned you from an enemy of God to a child of God and gave you peace with God: Eph 2:14-17 There is no saved person who lacks peace with God and no lost person that can peace with God. Peace with God comes with salvation in Jesus Christ.
2. And that peace with God is that unbreakable chain, it can never be interrupted: Rom 8:37-39 We also can stand on the very words of Jesus Christ and claim eternal life. John 10:27-29 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: 28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. 29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand. Eternal means forever.
3. We are bound to God through Christ by an unbreakable chain and we have for all eternity peace with God: That never changes.
B. But peace of God is a different matter: Col 3:15 The implication is that I can, you can, hinder the peace of God from ruling in our hearts. – Col 3:15 – Why else the command for us to allow that peace to rule in our hearts? Let the peace of God. – Col 3:15
1. Let the peace of God arbitrate, govern, and prevail in our lives: That is what the word means.
2. I then can hinder the peace of God in my life by going against what the word mens: Arbitrate, govern, and prevail.
a. I don’t want to have a third party make decisions in my life. Not even if it is the Holy Spirit, not Jesus, not God, not His Word.
b. I don’t want anyone to govern over me. Not even if it is the Holy Spirit, not Jesus, not God, not His Word.
c. I don’t want anyone to prevail over me. Not even if it is the Holy Spirit, not Jesus, not God, not His Word.
3. I want to run my life: That attitude will not interfere with my peace with God but it will interrupt my peace of God.
4. Now that beautiful but fragile cord can be broken:
C. Peace with God and peace of God are two different things: One, peace with God is an unbreakable chain. The other, peace of God is a beautiful but fragile cord.
II. The man the Holy Spirit used to write the words of Col 3:15 understood just how important it is to let the peace of God rule in ones heart: Col 3:15 Many times when reading the Bible we separate the words we read from the men God used to write them down. The Bible is the very Word of God and every word in your KJB is from God and is God’s Word preserved for us today by God.
A. But God also used certain men to write down the different portions of His Word: 2 Peter 1:21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. The men God used to write His Word were moved by His Word because they experienced the very things God gave them to write. They were moved by His Word as well as being moved by the Holy Spirit.
1. Paul knew first hand how important it was to let the peace of God rule in his heart: Why? Because Satan used the experiences of Paul’s life to try and quench the peace of God that Paul had.
a. When Paul was converted Christians wanted nothing to do with him because of his actions before he was saved. Paul was alone.
b. When Paul was converted those of his former life wanted nothing to do with him because he was saved. Paul was alone.
(1) This about fellow Christians. – 2 Tim 4:16
(2) This about the lost. – 2 Tim 4:14
(3) Paul knew what it was to face things seemingly alone. – 2 Tim 4:17
2. This is a partial list of what Satan tried to use to quench the peace of God in the life of Paul: 2 Cor 11:24-31 Nothing could take peace with God away from that man but many tings came upon him that could interrupt the peace of God in his life.
3. If Paul were standing in front of you this morning and you poured your heart out to Paul that man could say I understand, I know what you are going through and you need to allow the peace of God to rule in your heart: The Holy Spirit used Paul to write down those words. Col 3:15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.
B. But there is another than knows even more than Paul what you are going through and understands: That one gave Paul those words and He understands. Col 3:15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. Jesus understands and Jesus says “Let the peace of God rule in your hearts,” The peace of God let rule in your heart.
1. The Bible says this about Jesus Christ: Heb 4:15 Jesus was in all points tempted as we are. That means Jesus understands all that you or I may be going through and Jesus cares. I know what all means. – Heb 4:15
2. I can find help in Jesus Christ and His Word because Jesus understands: Heb 4:16
3. What does Jesus say? “Let the peace of God rule in your hearts,”
C. When we lack the peace of God, when that peace is interrupted in our lives there is one who understand and one who can help: What does that one say? “Let the peace of God rule in your hearts,” Not only is that the command given but the means by which we can allow the peace of God to rule in our lives, the means by which we can let rule the peace of God is also given. – Col 3:15 – God never gives a command without giving the means by which we can obey that command. How then do we allow the peace of God to rule in our hearts, how can we let rule the peace of God in our lives?
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III. To let rule the peace of God in our hearts we need to believe the Lord Jesus Christ and His Word: Col 3:15-16 Note the Word of God in verse sixteen. – Col 3:16 – To let rule the peace of God we need to believe the living Word and the written Word.
A. Jesus used the word peace often and Jesus never used that word lightly: Jesus knew how important the peace of God is and when Jesus used that word He did not use it lightly.
1. Jesus promised peace to troubled hearts: John 14:1 Jesus is speaking here to men whose lives are about to fall apart it would seem to them. The one they trusted, the one they followed, the pone they believed in would be taken from them and as they began to understand just how close that time was they became troubled. – John 14:1 – Where is the promise of peace?
a. The promise of peace for those troubled hearts is found just a moment later. – John 14:27 – Jesus told them “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you” – John 14:27
b. Notice it is not the peace that the world seeks. – John 14:27 – The world would have the trouble end, the world would have the circumstance change, the world would have all just the way the individual wants us, the world wants all things to be easy and that is not the peace that Jesus is offering. – John 14:27
(1) The trouble that was coming was not going to be taken away.
(2) The circumstance were not going to change.
(3) The lives of those men were not going to be all sunshine and joy as far as the world is concerned.
c. But Jesus told them I will give you peace, peace of God. – John 14:27
d. That is a promise we can claim and believe today. His peace is promised to us today.
2. When the storms of life arise Jesus again responds with peace: Mark 4:39 And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. They are still on the sea but now there was a great calm.
3. When overcome by sorrow Jesus again responds with peace: John 20:26 And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you. Still many questions to be answered, still many doubts and fears, but now peace be still.
4. Jesus never used the word peace as we are looking at it lightly: That peace is promised to you and to me today.
B. Jesus gave the Holy Spirit to aid in letting the peace of God rule in our hearts: John 14:16-18 , 26-27 Part of the ministry of the Holy Spirit is to help us in allowing the peace of God to rule in our lives. That is part of His ministry as the comforter.
1. It is why we need to be yielded to the Holy Spirit: He is our indwelling comforter.
2. He will bring those promises of peace to our minds: John 14:26
3. He will pray for us, pray for the peace of God to rule in our hearts: Rom 8:26 I believe one of the things the Holy Spirit prays for is the peace of God to rule in our heats.
C. To let rule the peace of God in our hearts we need to believe the Lord Jesus Christ and His Word: Col 3:15-16
IV. To let rule the peace of God in our hearts we need to be thankful: Col 3:15 “Be ye thankful”. This is one of the most difficult commands in the Bible to obey. At least that is my experience. The Bible says “Be ye thankful”. When we ask the question be thankful for how many things and answer that question that is when the command becomes difficult to obey. In the very same verse I find the command to let rule the peace of God in my heart I find the command to be thankful.
A. I find it easy to be thankful for good things, for the blessings of God: Col 3:15 That command easy to follow when on the mountain top, when the blessings of God seem to be flooding over us, when all things are going good.
1. I am thankful for salvation this morning:
2. I am thankful for provision and protection from God this morning:
3. I am thankful for this church and Christian brothers and sisters in Christ this morning:
4. I am thankful for the many calls, texts, cards and prayers offered up for my wife these past few days:
5. I am thankful for answered prayer and God granting many of the desires of my heart this morning:
6. I find it easy to obey the command “Be ye thankful” in all of those things this morning:
B. But that is not to be the limit of my thankfulness: Col 3:15 The good things, what I consider the blessings of God are not to be the limit of my thankfulness this morning.
1. 1 Thess 5:18 I wonder if that verse really mean what it says? – 1 Thess 5:18 – Does it really mean everything?
a. Does Jon 3:16 really mean what it says? Then 1 Thess 5:18 really means what it says.
b. I am to give thanks to God for everything. That is what the Bible says.
2. This is when the command to be thankful becomes difficult to obey: Do I give thanks for everything? Until I learn to be thankful I am going to hinder the peace of God ruling in my heart.
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C. In how many things are we thankful? In how many things am I thankful today, what do I thank God for?
1. It has been very difficult this past week to get on my knees and thank God for the pain my wife is in: To thank God that her condition is worsening. To thank God that her life is changing. It has been difficult but that is what is commanded, “In every thing give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you”.
2. It has been difficult over the years to thank God for loved ones lost: To thank God for grandparents, parents, two premature babies, other close family that are no longer here. It has been difficult but that is what is commanded, “In every thing give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you”.
3. It has been difficult to give thanks when the church has been attacked and lies have been told: It has been difficult but that is what is commanded, “In every thing give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you”.
4. It has been difficult when we have been attacked and lies have been told: It has been difficult but that is what is commanded, “In every thing give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you”.
5. How many things have we been commanded to be thankful for? It may be difficult but that is what is commanded, “In every thing give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you”.
D. I am to be thankful because God is working out His will: 1 Thess 5:18 And if I am to let rule the peace of God in my life I need to be thankful. – Col 3:15 – What do you need to give thanks for today.
1. Not asking what is easy to give thanks for today:
2. What do you need to give thanks for today?
E. To let rule the peace of God in our hearts we need to be thankful: Col 3:15
Conclusion
We do find that there is peace to put on, the peace of God and we can allow that peace of God to rule in our hearts.
I. The peace of God is imparted to the one who receives peace with God when they are born again: There is a difference between have peace with God and peace of God. Both are imparted to the repentant sinner at the point of salvation but they are different. One can be likened to an unbreakable chain while the other could be likened to an beautiful but fragile thread. There is a difference between having peace with God and having peace of God.
II. The man the Holy Spirit used to write the words of Col 3:15 understood just how important it is to let the peace of God rule in ones heart: Col 3:15 Many times when reading the Bible we separate the words we read from the men God used to write them down. The Bible is the very Word of God and every word in your KJB is from God and is God’s Word preserved for us today by God.
III. To let rule the peace of God in our hearts we need to believe the Lord Jesus Christ and His Word: Col 3:15-16 Note the Word of God in verse sixteen. – Col 3:16 – To let rule the peace of God we need to believe the living Word and the written Word.
IV. To let rule the peace of God in our hearts we need to be thankful: Col 3:15 “Be ye thankful”. This is one of the most difficult command in the Bible to obey. At least that is my experience. The Bible says “Be ye thankful”. When we ask the question be thankful for how many things and answer that question that is when the command becomes difficult to obey. In the very same verse I find the command to let rule the peace of God in my heart I find the command to be thankful.