Message Through Word
Title: Perfect Peace
Bible Verse: John 20:19-25
19 On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!"
20 After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.
21 Again Jesus said, "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you."
22 And with that he breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit.
23 If you forgive anyone's sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven."
24 Now Thomas (also known as Didymus[a]), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came.
25 So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord!"
But he said to them, "Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe."
Introduction:
Peace is such a hot commodity, because there are enemies lurking on every side
(1 Peter 5:8)
8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
In a world of trouble, we need the peace of God
God wants to give us peace so that we can be strong and spread the peace
I. Jesus Came to Them (v.19)
19 On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!"
Sin, fear, uncertainty, doubt and numerous other forces are at war within us
The peace of God moves into our hearts and to restrain these hostile forces and offer comfort in place of conflict
There is no peace for anyone who does not possess Christ and who is not resting on the finished work of Christ for Salvation
II. Jesus reassured Them (v.20)
20 After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.
Jesus' wounds meant more than identification, they also were evidence that the price for salvation have been paid and man indeed could have peace with God.
In our fears, we cannot lock Him out! he comes to us in grace and reassures us through His Word
If life is difficult now, one day we will rejoice. Keep your eye on the future and on God's promises.
III. Jesus commissioned them (v.21)
21 Again Jesus said, "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you."
It must have been given men great joy to realize that in spite of their many failures, their Lord has entrusted them with His Word and His work.
They had forsaken Him and fled, but now He was sending them out to represent Him.
We are to take His place in this world
(John 17:18)
18 As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world.
It is humbling to realize that Jesus loves us as the Father loves Him (John 15:9 ; 17:26) and that we are in the Father just as He is.
(John 17:21-23)
John 15:9 "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.
John 17:26 I have made you[a] known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them."
John 17:21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.
John 17:22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one—
John 17:23 I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.
IV. Jesus Enabled Them (vv. 22-23)
22 And with that he breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit.
23 If you forgive anyone's sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven."- The breath of God in the first creation meant physical life. (Genesis 2:7), and the breath of Jesus Christ in the new creation meant spiritual life.
7 Then the Lord God formed a man[a] from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.
The Holy Spirit has been active among people from the beginning of time, but after Pentecost
(Acts 2) He came to live in all believers.
All Christian can do is announce the message of forgiveness while God performs the miracle of forgiveness
Conclusion:
- Do you want perfect Peace?
Keep your thoughts on and your Trust in God. Your fear will be transformed to courage.