Peace Be Still

PEACE

BE

STILL

The Story The Story Mark 4 : 35 - 41Mark 4 : 35 - 41

•Jesus wanted to go to the

other side.• He had a long day ... Ministering

to the multitudes.

•The boat He was in &

other boats set sail in a calm sea.

• Soon Jesus fell asleep.

Sudden Sudden Storm Storm

• Suddenly the calm sea without warning became

violent. • The waves broke

over the boat.• The seasoned fishermen did

everything possible to keep the boat

afloat• That day the sea

behaved mysteriously

• It was determined to take them to the

watery grave.

Sudden Sudden Storm Storm

• Along with the boat the disciples HOPE & FAITH was

sinking.

• They woke Jesus up.

• They cried, “Teacher, don’t you care if we

drown.” • Jesus got up

calmly• He saw the angry

sea• The frightened

disciples• The sinking boat• He even saw the

cause of the storm ...

Storm Tossed Storm Tossed Life –Life –

Raging waves Raging waves

The Question that many

ask -

Can I be caught

in a storm when

Jesus is aboard? * The answer

is -

YES. Yes. As

long as the great

controversy is on we are

a prey.

On Going On Going Controversy Controversy

The Devil wanted to kill Jesus –

• he used Herod to try and eliminate Jesus as a boy• he attempted to drown

Him along with His disciples • he raised mobs to stone

Him to death • he was sure he got Him on

the cross • he made sure the tomb

was sealed - guarded• But it was satan who was

defeated.

On going On going Controversy Controversy

• Satan will confuse our mind

• Make us believe that Jesus is

responsible for all our problems.

• He will also offer solution to our

problems.

• So be VIGILANT

• As we near the end of the last

days this conflict will intensify.

The adversary is now out to get Christ’s followers. “your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” 1 Peter 5 : 8

Things God won’t do …Things God won’t do …• God won’t give us Life – a boat and

then cause a storm to sink us midway of our life’s journey.

• What was on the other side? Why was Jesus asleep although He knew about

the approaching storm?

• Jesus was recharging – On the other side there was to be a power encounter.

• ALL storms are caused by the demons.

Double Trouble …Double Trouble …

They say, when

trouble comes your

way it brings along its friends & relatives … threatening

to drown you.

Have a Nice Day

Double Trouble • The attack on

Christ’s followers is real• It might begin

at various points – family,

friends, colleagues,

finance, church, playground,

reading / viewing

material ... It might just

begin in your mind

• Trouble keeps piling one on

top of the other.

• Initially we deal with

them ... Learn from them ... Fight them

* When trouble surrounds us we feel crushed. Its too heavy.

* We cry saying, “Don't you care that we perish?”

Friendly Iceberg Friendly Iceberg AdviceAdvice

To add to our misery we are

often visited by friends –

relatives of Job’s friends ...

They say -“No matter

how Great & destructive

your problem may seem

now. Remember,

you’ve probably only seen the tip of

them.”

Unceasing Waves …Unceasing Waves …

* The merciless waves threaten to sink * The merciless waves threaten to sink your boat … Hopelessness surrounds Uyour boat … Hopelessness surrounds U

•Those Those whomwhom we trust – depend on - we trust – depend on - seem far removedseem far removed

•Destruction seems like the best Destruction seems like the best solutionsolution

•The shores have disappeared … U are The shores have disappeared … U are in the eye of the storm in the eye of the storm

Ask & Answer - 2 Ask & Answer - 2 QuestionsQuestions

• Why do people

lose their Peace??

• How to receive peace??

Storm Tossed Storm Tossed SeaSea

Loss of Peace : Its causes

• The Sea was angry. Lost it’s peace.

• The disciples were afraid. Lost their peace.

• “They were terrified” – Fear ...Questions… doubts … unusual

happenings … sickness … disagreements … financial crisis…

poverty … anger … jealousy … suspicion … loss of loved ones, job, property ...

Receive His Peace

The peace that the World offers –

• Peace treaty• Peace day • Peace talks

But still wars – hatred – and inhuman activities are

on the raise.

The Peace that God offers -

• Lasting peace• Peace in the midst of the

storm• He wants us to be

instruments of Peace

• That’s the peace you are looking for

• Let us understand and receive that peace

Receive His Peace – Love His Word

Great Peace

have they that love Thy law,

and nothing

can make them

stumble.

Ps. 119 : 165

GREAT Peace … QuantityGREAT Peace … Quantity

1. Peace belongs to those who LOVE God and His Word.

2. Peace belongs to those who OBEY God’s Word … He keeps them from

stumbling.

3. Daily Relationship with God & Our will merging into His gives GREAT Peace.

Merging of Will – God’s will & Ours

* Like the river that flows into the sea

loosing it’s identity – becoming part of the

ocean

• Our mind – will – desires – purpose – all

these should be denied. “Let the mind of Jesus be in you.”

• GREAT Peace will be given to those who

allow God to direct n overrule.

Peace in SubmissionPeace in SubmissionEllen G White says,

There is peace in perfect submission. . . There is peace in perfect submission. . . {ML 174.4}{ML 174.4}

• Many consider submission as weaknessMany consider submission as weakness

• Some even think to submit is to lose one’s Some even think to submit is to lose one’s ambitions – purposeambitions – purpose

• It depends on WHO you are submitting to. It depends on WHO you are submitting to.

• Unimaginable, Unimaginable, Perfect Peace in Perfect Submission. .

God’s Word brings Great God’s Word brings Great PeacePeace

When there

is harmo

ny within self,We

live in harmo

ny with the

entire cosmo

s.

Receive His Peace – Trust Receive His Peace – Trust Him Him

““You will keep him in You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because is stayed on you, because

he trusts in you.” he trusts in you.” Isaiah 26 : 3 Isaiah 26 : 3

Perfect Peace - Focus on Jesus

* God will Keep U beside Him – upon the bridge – Jesus our Rock

* Condition – Our Heart, Mind, Soul, Desires … to be STAYED on Him in ALL circumstances.

* Those who TRUST God – with their Future … Career … Children … Finances … Fears … Ambitions … Small & Big Probs. … They shall have Perfect Peace

Trust God with ALL Things

* We are comfortable to trust God with

small matters.

•When it comes to important matters like our

career ... Future

plans ... Finance ... Children,

we’d like to do it our

way.

• Trust God in BIG n

Small – in ALL things.

Perfect Peace = Childlike Trust

Receive His Peace - Be Receive His Peace - Be JustifiedJustified

“ Therefore having been justified by Faith, we have

Peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Romans 5 : 1

If Not for Christ??? If Not for Christ???

Woman caught in Adultery

• She was supposed to die

• Die a horrible death – stoned to death

• The law demanded it • The people came

prepared with stones • She was caught in

adultery• Jesus had no option

but to uphold the laws of Moses

• He was silent ... In prayer

• He said “Father, I’m going to die for her

soon. She belongs to our kingdom. Please

forgive her.”

Justification Justification is Beyond is Beyond Human ComprehensionHuman Comprehension

* To be Justified is to be made right

• How can someone who goes away from His presence - grace deliberately … who

takes pleasure in sinful ways … who plans & executes sinful act carefully … who chooses to walk in devils Broadway

…

• Can he/she be made right with God??* The answer is YES. How? Why? I don’t understand … Christ makes it possible.

It’s His ...

Receive His Peace – Bear

Fruit

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy,

peace, longsuffering,

kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

gentleness, self-control. Against

such there is no law.

Galatians 5 : 22, 23

Stages of a Tree

•Sapling• Young tree

• Fruit bearing tree • Decaying

tree

• As Christians we also grow from a sapling to a fruit bearing

tree• Just one difference – The fruit of the Spirit is not seasonal. • When we begin to fruit we

continue to bear fruits.

Holy Spirit – Giver of Holy Spirit – Giver of Good GiftsGood Gifts

• As you grow in His

Word• As your

mind stays on Him • As you

trust Him in All things

• He will fill you withHeavenly Peace. * It will

overflow and touch others.

Receive His Peace Receive His Peace - Intercede for - Intercede for

OthersOthers

“… For kings and all who are in authority, that we may live a

quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and

reverence.”1 Timothy 2 : 2

Peace is Interdependent• When rulers – bosses – administrators prosper n

are at peace it penetrates into the populace.

• Our peace depends on neighbors – colleagues – friends – family’s welfare.

• Paul recommends, “Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy”

Heb. 12 : 14.

* Chose Peace – peaceful ways

• Accept all men. Accept circumstances. Trust that God can change everything ... everybody ...

Including U.

• Intercede in Love• Intercede with Hope• Intercede that His

Peace will reign over all the earth. Pray for all – bring them

into His presence.

‘Finally brethren, farewell. Become

complete. Be of good comfort,

be of one mind, live in peace;

and the God of love and peace

will be with you.’2 Corinthians 13 : 11

Receive His Peace – Live in Peace

•Live in Harmony with all of God’s creation.

• This is possible ONLY if we become complete.

To live in Peace To live in Peace means means • To accept and love

yourself

• To accept and love others

• To be content with what you have and

where you are

• To Trust God in everything

•To accept that He is always in control

To live in Peace means ... To live in Peace means ... • To like your job and the

employer ... Your studies

• To speak words of peaceTo speak words of peace

• To choose to stay away To choose to stay away from situations of from situations of

aggressionaggression

• To say NO to dishonestyTo say NO to dishonesty

• To be tolerant with To be tolerant with those who stumble ... those who stumble ... Who are slow ... Who Who are slow ... Who

are ignorantare ignorant

\\ALL are God’s

Children

Receive His Peace – Receive His Peace – Be Engaged in His ServiceBe Engaged in His Service

Ellen White says,Ellen White says,

““The soul consecrated to The soul consecrated to the service of Christ has the service of Christ has a peace that the world a peace that the world

cannot give or take cannot give or take away.”away.”

                                            {ML 176.7}{ML 176.7}

Service??Service??Rotary Club’s definition – “Service is the rent you pay for the space you occupy.”

We have no option. We are obligated.

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your

bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to god, which is your reasonable service.” Rom. 12 : 1

One form of service is to live among ungodly people a

godly life.

Beautiful FeetBeautiful Feet“How beautiful

on the mountains are

the feet of those who bring good

news, who proclaim good tidings, who

proclaim salvation, who

say to Zion, ‘Your God

reigns!’ ” Isa. 52:7

When we are obedient to the

gospel commission and

GO we are engaged

in the most significant service to mankind.

When you serve others ...

When you bring Hope to the hopeless ...

When you lead the blind to the Light ...

When you set the sin slaves Free ... When you bring

eternal balm to the hurt ...

When you weep with the helpless ... Then

---

The PEACE that is granted to you cannot

be taken away.

Jesus Calms the Sea …

• Praise God!! The cry of the hopeless Praise God!! The cry of the hopeless falls on listening ears falls on listening ears

• Jesus arises … He stands still … He Jesus arises … He stands still … He intervenes … He takes control …He intervenes … He takes control …He

speaks speaks

• ““Peace. Be Still”. The winds and the Peace. Be Still”. The winds and the waves obey His will. waves obey His will.

• Peace is restored. Anger … fear … Peace is restored. Anger … fear … doubts … questions … insecurities … doubts … questions … insecurities …

they ALL disappear. they ALL disappear.

Jesus says, ““Peace I leave Peace I leave

with you, My with you, My peace I give to peace I give to you; not as the you; not as the world gives do I world gives do I

give you. Let give you. Let not your heart not your heart be troubled, be troubled,

neither let it be neither let it be afraid.”afraid.”

John 14 : 27John 14 : 27

Blessing of GodBlessing of God

Peace. Be Still. Peace. Be Still.