The God of Peace

 Temple Baptist Church - 4-28-2021

Hebrews 13:20

 

Introduction:

 A.  The Book of Hebrews ends with a Benediction, in verse 20, and a Final Exhortation, in verse 21.

 B.  I want to look at each of these separately.

 C.  A Benediction is something that we are used to though we rarely use the word.  When I was young, I have heard our pastor say, “Bro. So-in-so, please give the Benediction.”

 

Benediction - the utterance or bestowing of a blessing, especially at the end of a religious service.  A closing prayer.

 

D.  Paul beings his closing prayer with “The God of peace.”  This is not the peace of God and neither is it peace with God.  It is an expression of an attribute of God.  He is a God of peace who holds the availability and power of peace in His hand.

 

Isaiah 26:3-4  Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.  (4)  Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength:

 

John 14:27  Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. (Our Lord wanted His children to both have peace and live in peace in this world.)

 

1.  Troubled hearts are an enemy to peace in our lives.  In John 14:1, our Lord said, “Let not your hearts be troubled.”  This indicates that a troubled heart is something that we allow.

 

2.  Fear is the other culprit that robs the child of God of peace.  2 Timothy 1:7  For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

 

E.  Peace is an important aspect of salvation, sanctification, and service.  In our verse we find three things: 

 

1.  Positional Peace: an inward peace that comes through the faith and assurance of our salvation.

 

2.  Provisional Peace: an outward peace through the faith and assurance of our possessions.

 

3.  Prophetical Peace: an upward peace through the faith and assurance of our eternal security.

 

F.  Let us look at these three areas of peace.  Turn to 1 John, chapter 5:  I John was written to “my little children” – little children must be fed, protected, and taught.

 

1.  Positional Peace: “that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus.” This is the knowledge that we have peace with God through the finished work of Gospel and a new birth.

 

1 John 5:10-12 He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.  (11)  And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.  (12)  He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. 

 

a.  My favorite song is “Blessed Assurance.”  What a wonderful thing to know that you know that you are saved! 

 

b.  Assurance of salvation is the most important aspect of the life of the believer.  It brings peace!

 

c.  Assurance comes through faith in the finished work of our Lord Jesus Christ.  What He started, He finished: He died on an old, rugged cross for our sins according to the Scripture, He was buried, and He rose again the third day according to the Scripture.

 

d.  Salvation is a finished work and it comes only through faith in the Gospel!

 

2.  Provisional Peace: “that great shepherd of the sheep.”  This is the faith that all things come from God and He provides for His children.

 

1 John 5:14-15 (14)  And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:  (15)  And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.

 

a.  I learned early on in my salvation that I could trust God in my finances.  I was saved in November and became a tither in late December or January.  Barbara and I tithe together.  Before our salary ever is put into our hands, Barbara writes down our tithes and missions down in the check book.

 

b.  God has never been late in His provision for my family.  We have had much, and we have had little, but we have always had enough. 

 

c.  I want everyone here tonight to understand that my God can and will supply all your need when you trust Him.

 

3.  Prophetical Peace: “through the blood of the everlasting covenant.”  This is the promise of eternal life through the precious blood of Christ.

 

1 John 5:11,13  And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son … (13)  These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. 

 

a.  I miss Bro. Alvin Wilson tonight.  I am glad that Alvin Wilson knew the Lord and that I will see him again shortly.

 

b.  God wants us to not only know that we are saved but that we are secured for all eternity through His blood!  What is better than being saved?  Being saved and knowing that what you and I have is eternal.  It could not be earned, and it cannot be lost.  I am His and He is mine.

 

c.  Heaven is my home!