Now this sermon, Part Three, will deal with a third facet of peace that arises from one's perception of wholeness or completeness. This is an internal mindset. We could call it even a state of being that is inextricably linked to God's gift of peace. We have peace. We have this feeling of completeness, of wholeness, of contentment because of what Christ does for us and how He leads us through our lives. Another way to look at it is that we can think of it as our proper reaction or response to the peace He gives. When Christ gives us His peace and we are under the state of peace with God, then it falls on us to do something with that peace, with that environment, with the other gifts that He gives us. And if we do it right, we live in a state of peace, in a state of contentment, in a state of, you could even call it shalom, of well-being. So with this kind of peace working within us, we feel the proper kind of satisfaction and contentment. We look at our lives and can smile and say things are well. Things are going as they should go. We are content with our lot and we need nothing further to make our life joyful and full of purpose and achievement. Now this is not like the Laodicean, who said he had need of nothing. He was saying that he did not need Christ. But I am saying that once we have Christ and we are reacting and responding to Him in the proper way, we truly do not need anything more. When we have this peace, because we are responding to the Father's and the Son's peace given to us, we are also content because we know we are going somewhere special. That it is not just our life today that is good because of Christ being in it and working with us, but He has also got us on a trajectory for the ultimate in achievements, if you want to put it that way, the eternal life in the Kingdom of God. So we can have a proper sense of satisfaction with our lives because of all those things put together. Acknowledging, of course, that it is only through Christ and what God does that these things have come upon us and helped us and are providing for us in every way. Let us go to Hebrews 13, verses 20 through 21. The author writes: For those of you who like to think about who wrote the epistle to the Hebrews, this term, this phrase, the God of peace is a fairly telltale sign that it was written by the apostle Paul. At least he was the mind behind it, that God was inspiring to write these words. Now why do I say that? Well, Paul uses this term, this phrase, the God of peace, and he is the only one who does in the Bible, in benedictions at the conclusions of his epistles, particularly in Romans, II Corinthians, Philippians, and I Thessalonians. This tells us something because he is also the same one who uses peace at the beginning, in a salutation of his epistles, and so his epistles, especially these ones, Romans, II Corinthians, Philippians, and I Thessalonians, are bookended by the concept of peace. So it makes this title, the God of Peace, quite significant. We have to think about it. We have to study it a little bit. What is he trying to tell us in saying that God gives us peace at the beginning of an epistle as he begins his teaching and at the end when he concludes his teaching and then hands it off to the people who he taught? Okay, what are you going to do with it? Peace is a very important part of this process. I also mentioned last time that he gives nearly equal importance to grace and peace. And those two concepts are right here also in Hebrews 13:20-21. Because he is talking about what Christ did for us in sacrificing Himself. And what we find is that both grace and peace are necessary conditions, or states, for Christian life and growth. We need to be in the state of grace from the Father and we also need to be in a condition of peace. Not externally, necessarily, because that often does not happen. But we need to have this condition of peace between our ears and in our hearts so that we can go forward in the sanc

The concept of internal peace, as conveyed through the Hebrew word shalom, extends far beyond mere tranquility or the absence of conflict. It embodies a profound state of well-being, encompassing both bodily and mental health, satisfaction, and contentment. This peace, when experienced, brings a sense of completeness and wholeness, where one feels that all is well and nothing more is needed to achieve inner harmony. Internal peace is also deeply tied to the stability and unity within relationships, particularly in the covenantal bond with God. This peace fosters an environment where spiritual growth and righteousness can flourish, as it is only within such a condition that the fruits of righteousness can be sown. Jesus Christ Himself promises this peace to His disciples, declaring, "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." This divine peace, surpassing human understanding, is a secure and present reality, backed by the sovereign power of God, enabling believers to remain steady and courageous amidst outward turmoil. Moreover, this internal peace is a fruit of the Holy Spirit, essential for sanctification and the production of righteousness. It guards the hearts and minds of believers, reducing fears and anxieties even in times of trouble. Jesus exemplifies how to maintain this peace through prayer, alignment with God's will, persistent seeking of divine help, and acceptance of one's path, as seen in His agony on the Mount of Olives. Through such devotion, He found tranquility in adherence to God's will, demonstrating that true internal peace does not mean freedom from turmoil but the ability to overcome it through trust in the Father. Thus, the peace of God, which rules in the hearts of those called into His body, is a guiding force, a gift as vital as grace, ensuring that believers can face any trial with a still and peaceful spirit, confident in the Almighty's hands.

Finding peaceful moments in this life can be very difficult. Some may discover it in gardening, others in reading a good book, and some in being with family or attending the Feast, which is a time of peace. However, the reason peace does not stay with us long is due to the pain, disaster, strife, confusion, and agony in this world. The reality of what looms on the horizon affects not only us but also those we interact with in the world. God desires us to be at peace with each other, individually, with those around us, and with Him. We experience a sense of peace at the Feast, where happiness abounds, evident in the warm handshakes and friendly interactions. This peace stems from the wonderful attitudes present, influenced by God's Spirit. Spiritual peace, in its deepest application, comes through restored harmony with God. The effect of righteousness is peace; when we are right with God, we experience peace with Him, which is profoundly comforting. Knowing what God is doing brings peace, especially at this end time. Understanding God's plan provides comfort, as we see what is coming upon the world as part of His purpose. With vision, people can be encouraged, and the promises of God offer peace of mind. To maintain inward peace amidst surrounding conditions, keeping our eyes on God is essential. We must put our heart into drawing close to Him through study, prayer, fasting, and meditation. When our mind stays on Jesus Christ, fixed there, we will have peace to stand firm in these times. Jesus Christ offers peace as a possession to own and keep, distinct from the world's offering, calming troubled hearts and dispelling fear. Obedience to God's instructions trains our minds to respond peaceably in difficult situations. Constant application of God's request to be peaceful in every circumstance builds the habit of peace within us, preparing us for the world tomorrow where peace will be everywhere.

The fundamental need of humanity is peace with God, a state unattainable without a relationship with Him. Without this connection, individuals remain restless, miserable, and unhappy, akin to the troubled sea described in Isaiah 57:20-21, which cannot rest and casts up mire and dirt. This restlessness stems from the spiritual conflict initiated in Eden, where man and woman, originally at peace under God's sole influence, became subject to the opposing force of evil, leading to a life of inner turmoil and conflict. This state of unrest manifests in despair, heightened suicide rates, and a nagging conscience that disturbs the peace of those apart from God. David captures this anxiety in Psalm 55:1-5, expressing restlessness and fear under the oppression of the wicked, his heart pained and overwhelmed by terror. The Hebrew word ruwd in this context signifies wandering or rambling without direction, reflecting frustrated desires and a lack of peace. This instability characterizes sinful lives, evident in the world's obsession with pleasure-seeking and escapism, driven by an inability to find rest or a quiet mind. As James 1:6-8 notes, those who doubt are like waves of the sea, unstable and double-minded, torn between conflicting pulls and unable to find satisfaction. In contrast, true peace of mind comes through Jesus Christ, who offers a peace distinct from worldly offerings, as stated in John 14:27. This peace, surpassing all understanding, guards hearts and minds against life's trials, as described in Philippians 4:6-7. Through Christ, God provides a way to cast aside restlessness, allowing individuals to bring their cares to Him. The peace of God, received through faith, enables a tranquil heart and mind, countering the inner chaos of the world and fostering an increasing ability to live peaceably with others by producing the fruit of the Spirit.