I don’t know about you, but I desperately NEED peace and wholeness in my life! As a husband and father of four kids (12/10/8/1 yr olds), my life isn’t filled with circumstances characterized by peace (usually more like world war 3)! I live in a very expensive county and struggle to keep up with my bills. And there are plenty of things that cause me fear… the election, financial stress, threats of terror and on and on.
Thankfully God is not silent or absent! Last Sunday I preached, “God is Breathing Shalom IN and THROUGH Me.” I talked about the true source of PEACE and WHOLENESS and how to experience it. HERE is the audio.
The first thing Jesus did after being raised from the dead… He breathed Shalom IN them!
John 20:19-21; 26
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.”
26 A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!”
The disciples were in hiding! They were terrified! (v. 19) WHY? They thought the religious leaders were going to round them up and this whole Jesus movement would be over!
Here it was, the end of everything they believed in. They trusted Jesus, they gave everything to follow Him, and now He was dead… OR WAS He???
In the midst of their brokenness, disappointment, and fear, Jesus, risen from the dead, was present. And when He showed up He breathed His Shalom, His peace, upon them!
The same is true of us. In the midst of our brokenness, Jesus brings wholeness.
Jesus breathes SHALOM (peace – wholeness) INTO the lives of those who trust Him. But He also breathes SHALOM THROUGH them…
Those who have the peace of Jesus take His peace wherever they go
John 20:21
Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.
This is the first of at least four times Jesus sent His followers out on mission.
Imagine this, Jesus carries out His mission THROUGH us! And what is that mission? RESTORATION… breathing Shalom IN and THROUGH broken people is major part of it!
We are sent out to build bridges, not walls! Loving our neighbors means loving people who are different than us; ethnically… educationally… socioeconomically… politically!
This is the KEY to God breathing Shalom THROUGH us… building authentic relationships with the broken people around us who are different than us…
Blessed to be a Blessing…
We have all we have so that we can announce the beautiful message that through Jesus our God reigns… He has defeated sin, death, and the devil; Jesus has come offering you PEACE! And He wants to bring PEACE THROUGH YOU to those around you who are broken.
Conclusion…
1. Use the 3-3-30 prayer guide
- Pause three times a day to pray
- Take three deep breaths
- Pray for 30 seconds (seeking and securing the presence of Jesus)
2. B.L.E.S.S. a neighbor this week!
BEGIN each day praying for someone you know who doesn’t have peace, who is broken, struggling with an addicted, or experiencing physical or emotional pain. Pray for open doors to be a blessing to them this week.
Sit and LISTEN to someone in need this week… just listen. God will answer your prayers and open doors.
EAT with someone and just listen, ask questions, focus your time together on the other person.
SERVE others by just being present. God may open doors with a co worker, neighbor, family member, or friend. Be presents, listen, and if there’s a tangible need, meet it.
Share the STORY of how Jesus IS peace! His presence brings peace, even in the midst of a storm… to ALL who come to Him!
Romans 15:13
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and PEACE as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.