{"id":3419,"date":"2015-08-21T00:05:17","date_gmt":"2015-08-21T07:05:17","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.hoc6.org\/global\/?p=3419"},"modified":"2015-08-20T23:08:53","modified_gmt":"2015-08-21T06:08:53","slug":"821-how-to-find-and-keep-peace","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hoc6.org\/global\/2015\/08\/21\/821-how-to-find-and-keep-peace\/","title":{"rendered":"8\/21: How to Find and Keep Peace (\u8bd7101:1-8 \u6797\u524d14:20-40 \u4ee3\u4e0b13:1-15:19)"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u8bfb\u7ecf\uff1a\u8bd7101:1-8 \u6797\u524d14:20-40 \u4ee3\u4e0b13:1-15:19<\/h2>\n

How to Find and Keep Peace<\/h2>\n
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In 1555, Nicholas Ridley, a former Bishop of London and Westminster, was burned at the stake in Oxford because of his beliefs. On the night before Ridley’s execution, his brother offered to remain with him in the prison chamber to be of assistance and comfort. Nicholas declined the offer and replied that he meant to go to bed and sleep as quietly as ever he did in his life. Because he knew the peace of God, he could rest in the strength of the everlasting arms of his Lord to meet his need.<\/p>\n

Peace is a great blessing. \u2018Peace\u2019 is a word of huge significance in the Bible. The Hebrew word for peace, Shalom<\/em>, translated by the Greek word eirene<\/em>, means far more than the absence of war or hostility. It is not just an absence of certain circumstances but the presence of God and his reign. It means wholeness, soundness, well-being, oneness with God \u2013 every kind of blessing and good.<\/p>\n

In order to bring peace to others, we first need to find and keep peace within ourselves.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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1. Peace with God<\/h2>\n

Psalm 101:1-8<\/a>\u2018Peace\u2019 and \u2018silence\u2019 \u2013 in the good sense of the word \u2013 often go hand in hand. This psalm speaks of the slanderous and the wicked being \u2018put to silence\u2019 (vv.5\u20138).<\/p>\n

David sings of God\u2019s \u2018love and justice\u2019 (v.1a). We talk a lot about God\u2019s love, but not so much about his justice, which is as important. Love without concern for justice is not true love, as love cries out for justice.<\/p>\n

Only the \u2018blameless\u2019 (vv.2,6) can \u2018dwell\u2019 with him (v.6b), \u2018minister to\u2019 him (v.6c), \u2018stand\u2019 in his \u2018presence\u2019 (v.7). Slander (v.5a), pride (v.5b) and \u2018deceit\u2019 (v.7) are sins of the mouth, heart and action. They bring us under God\u2019s judgment.<\/p>\n

Thank God for the cross where \u2018love\u2019 and \u2018justice\u2019 mingle \u2013 truth and mercy meet. This is where God is both \u2018just\u2019 and justifies the one who has faith in him (Romans 3:23\u201326). Without the cross we would be cut off from the Lord (Psalm 101:8).<\/p>\n

Father, thank you that through our Lord Jesus Christ I have been justified by faith and have peace with you (Romans 5:1). Help me to bring this message of love, justice and peace to the world.<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n

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2. Peace in the church<\/h2>\n

1 Corinthians 14:20-40<\/a>\u2018God is not a God of disorder but of peace<\/em>\u2019 (v.33). The apostle Paul is clear that the creativity and spontaneity of the gifts of the Spirit in worship and prophecy, which he celebrates in 1 Corinthians 14, do not give licence for disorder in church meetings. \u2018When we worship the right way, God doesn\u2019t stir us up into confusion; he brings us into harmony\u2019 (v.33, MSG).<\/p>\n

In this passage Paul describes the way to peaceful, harmonious and orderly meetings in the church \u2013 \u2018everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way\u2019 (v.40). This may involve an appropriate keeping quiet (v.28) in order to let others speak.<\/p>\n

This is one of the passages in the New Testament that give us some sense of what church meetings were like in the early church. Clearly, there was an expectation that the gifts of the Spirit would be exercised regularly: \u2018When you come together, everyone has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation\u2019 (v.26).<\/p>\n

Gifts need to be exercised in an orderly way. There shouldn\u2019t be anything weird or hyped up about spiritual gifts. It may surprise some that the singer Katy Perry once said, \u2018Speaking in tongues is as normal <\/em>to me as \u201cPass the salt\u201d. It\u2019s a secret, direct prayer language to God.\u2019<\/p>\n

Paul\u2019s comments about prophecy and tongues being a \u2018sign\u2019 often cause confusion. He seems to say one thing in v.22 (tongues are a sign for unbelievers; prophecy for believers), and then the opposite in v.23! It is unlikely, though, that Paul would contradict himself.<\/p>\n

It seems to me that Paul is saying that both the gift of tongues and the gift of prophecy should be used only in their appropriate ways. Throughout this chapter Paul is giving instructions for the orderly use of tongues and prophecy in the Church. When used inappropriately both can be a source of chaos (vv.6\u201312 and vv.29\u201333), in which case unbelievers will think we are out of our minds.<\/p>\n

If used appropriately, within the context of church meetings, both tongues and prophecy can be an amazing indication of God\u2019s presence (vv.22\u201325). This can be a powerful \u2018sign\u2019 for unbelievers that \u2018God is really among you!\u2019 (v.25). We have often seen this to be the case.<\/p>\n

Whereas singing in tongues is a corporate activity, speaking in a tongue is an individual activity that requires an interpretation. Therefore people \u2018should speak, one at a time, and someone must interpret. If there is no interpreter, the speakers should keep quiet in the church and speak to themselves and God\u2019 (vv.27\u201328).<\/p>\n

Likewise, prophecy should be taken in turns. There is no limit to the number of prophecies. The speaker is always in full control: \u2018The spirits of prophets are subject to the control of prophets\u2019 (v.32). In the demonic world \u2018spirits\u2019 take over a person and they lose control. Not so with the Holy Spirit. A person speaking in tongues or prophesying is in full control. They can start when they choose and they can stop when they choose to do so. \u2018For God is not a God of disorder but of peace\u2019 (v.33).<\/p>\n

Many explanations have been put forward for Paul\u2019s instruction that women should remain silent in the churches (v.34). It is important to remember that Paul\u2019s focus here is not on gender roles, but on the conduct of public worship. He is addressing a series of specific problems that have arisen in the Corinthian church. He has already made it clear that he did <\/em>expect women to speak in meetings. He writes, \u2018Every woman who prays or prophesies…\u2019 (11:5)<\/p>\n

What is clear is that people, both men and women, did not come just as consumers <\/em>but ascontributors<\/em>. The question we should ask is not, \u2018What am I getting out of church?\u2019, but \u2018What am I giving <\/em>out at church?\u2019 They did not come just to receive but also to help others. \u2018When you gather to worship, each of you <\/em>be prepared <\/em>with something that will be useful for all<\/em>\u2019 (14:26, MSG). If we all come to church with this attitude of being a contributor it will totally transform our services of worship.<\/p>\n

Lord, help us in all our services and other meetings to exercise the gifts of the Holy Spirit in such a way that when people come into the church they will \u2018fall down and worship God, exclaiming, \u201cGod is really among you!\u201d\u2019 (v.25).<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n

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3. Peace in the nation<\/h2>\n

2 Chronicles 13:1-15:19<\/a>War\u00a0devastates nations (15:5,6). It brings death, destruction and usually poverty. On the other hand, peace allows a nation to build and to become prosperous (14:7).<\/p>\n

When Asa became King of Judah, \u2018The country was at peace<\/em> for ten years\u2019 (v.1). This peace was a gift of God, \u2018God kept the peace\u2019 (v.6 MSG).<\/p>\n

How does this peace and rest come about? The answer, which the chronicler gives is at least threefold:<\/p>\n