First Reformed Presbyterian Church, Cambridge, Massachusetts

June 18, 2000 Anno Domini

2Thessalonians 3:16

The Gift of the Lord of Peace.

Peace is a heavenly gift from the Lord.

The God of peace brings peace to the world through His Messiah, the Lord of Peace:

Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

To achieve peace, he removes the wicked and unfaithful

Nahum 1:15 Behold, on the mountains The feet of him who brings good tidings, Who proclaims peace! O Judah, keep your appointed feasts, Perform your vows. For the wicked one shall no more pass through you; He is utterly cut off.

Psalm 72:1 Give the king Your judgments, O God, And Your righteousness to the king's Son. 2 He will judge Your people with righteousness, And Your poor with justice. 3 The mountains will bring peace to the people, And the little hills, by righteousness. ....8 He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, And from the River to the ends of the earth.

Rom 16:20 And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.

Peace is administered by means of the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.

2 Thess 3:18

John 14:27 "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.

Acts 10:36 "The word which God sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ -- He is Lord of all --

We will only find peace one way: it comes to us from above.

False prophets of the world, false peace

Jeremiah 6:14 They have also healed the hurt of My people slightly, Saying, 'Peace, peace!' When there is no peace.

get in touch with yourself

get in touch with the universe

get peace and security through financial planning and insurance

get peace through personal success

get peace through political action

Yet, peace is something you must seek.

God commands us to seek peace

Psalm 34:14 "Depart from evil and do good; Seek peace and pursue it."

Jer 29:13 "And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart."

Matt 5:9 "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God"

Isaiah 52:7 How beautiful upon the mountains Are the feet of him who brings good news, Who proclaims peace, Who brings glad tidings of good things, Who proclaims salvation, Who says to Zion, "Your God reigns!"

Seek the presence of the Lord of peace.

v. 16 "...The Lord be with you all."

Deut 31:6 "Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you."

John 14:18-19 "I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you. A little while longer and the world will see Me no more, but you will see Me. Because I live, you will live also."

Matthew 28:20 I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.

In the worship and life of His people.

The Hebrew Church

Ex 49:43 "And there I will meet with the children of Israel, and the tabernacle shall be sanctified by My glory.

Num 6: 24 "The LORD bless you and keep you.... 27 "So they shall put My name on the children of Israel, and I will bless them."

The New Covenant Church

"The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all."

Romans 16:20 And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.

Rev 22:21 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

The Lord provides assurance of peace for God's people both now and forever.

The blessing of peace in trials and troubles while we await the Lord from heaven.

Isa 43:2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you...

Psalm 85:8 I will hear what God the LORD will speak, For He will speak peace To His people and to His saints; But let them not turn back to folly.

2Cor 6:16 And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: "I will dwell in them And walk among them. I will be their God, And they shall be My people."

Psalm 29:11 The LORD will give strength to His people; The LORD will bless His people with peace.

The Lord is coming back into the world to bless His people with eternal peace in His presence:

Words of comfort for God's people: 1Thess 4:16-18

Stand fast: 2Thess 2:13-14

With authority 2Thess 3:17

It takes true faith to find true peace: faith in God's true Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Isaiah 48:18 Oh, that you had heeded My commandments! Then your peace would have been like a river, And your righteousness like the waves of the sea.

John 6:29 Jesus answered and said to them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent."

Isaiah 32:15-18