Pursue Peace

• Romans 15:13 – Theme of this series – o God is the God of Hope • God is also the God of PEACE (2 Thes 3:16, Isa 9:6) • Danger = confusion of world’s peace vs. God’s peace o god vs. God o peace world offers tries to fix problems, but only treats symptoms o Root of all world’s problems = Sin, only cure = Jesus o The Lord is Peace…Jehovah Shalom o Do you know Him? • If you Pursue Peace, you Pursue Jesus…because He is Peace! • You want perfect peace? Then trust in Him (Isa 26:3) How to Pursue Peace: 1. PROTECT Unity (1 Peter 3:8) - Summary of Submission – “Be of one mind” - No Submission, No Success - Compassion compels us to action - Love = put others before you o Forgive o Listen vs. being right o “Love doesn’t seek to win the argument, love seeks to protect the relationship” (Pastor Craig Groeschel) o Loving doesn’t mean leaving… 2. PRODUCE Blessing (1 Peter 3:9) - Never revenge (Romans 12:19), Always Blessing - Follow Jesus’ example (1 Peter 2:21-23) 3. PROHIBIT Evil (1 Peter 3:10-11) - Don’t speak evil…Our words matter… tongue = fire (James 3:6) - Gossip is serious to God (Psalm 101:5) - Build up vs. tear down (Ephesians 4:29) - Turn away from evil…expose it! (Ephesians 5:11) - Take a stand for freedom, for righteousness & for the Glory of God!