‘‘GOSPEL OF PEACE?’’

‘‘GOSPEL OF PEACE?’’

Josephat S. Hema

John 3:16

New International Version (NIV)

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

What is Gospel?

Gospel is the good news!

What Good news would wish to hear?Fame?Richness?Health?Success?

Luke 4:18-19 NIV

‘The Spirit of the Lord is on me,because he has anointed me to preach Good News to poor.He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind,to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour’

It’s is the good news of freedom,recovery and regained favour!

But that’s not enough.

Romans 1:16

NIV

‘I am not ashamed of the gospel,because it is the power God for the salvation of everyone who believes:first for the Jew,then for the gentile.

It is the Good news of Salvation!

Romans 10:17

NIV

“Consequently,faith comes from hearing the message,and the message is heard through the word of Christ.

Hearing Gospel brings about Faith

(Believing) and eventually-Salvation!

Romans 10:13-15King James Version (KJV)

13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?

15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beauticful are the feet of them that preach the GOSPEL OF PEACE, and bring glad tidings of good things!

(Isaiah 52:7)

What is the Gospel of Peace?

By simple definition,Peace is the absence of any form of conflict.It the free state from all forms of bondages of which Christ came to terminate(refer Luke 4:18-19 above.Hence talking about the GOSPEL OF PEACE,one expresses the Major outcome or the effect of The Gospel-PEACE!

How?Let’s us see what portrays the Gospel of Peace!

Luke 2:14 NIV

“Glory to God in the highest,and on earth peace to men on whom his favour rests”

Isaiah 9:6 New International Version (NIV)

For to us a child is born,

to us a son is given,

and the government will be on his shoulders.

And he will be called

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of PEACE.

ASPECTS OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE!

(three out of many)

1.Reconciliation

Romans 5:1 NIV

“Therefore ,since we have been justified through faith,we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand.And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God”

Colossians 1:19-20 NIV

“For God was pleased to have all his fulness dwell in Him(Christ),and through him to reconcile to himself all things,whether things on earth or things in heaven,by making peace through his blood,shed on the cross.

2 Corinthians 5:17-19

“Therefore ,if anyone is in Christ,he is a new creation,the old has gone,the new has come!All this is from God,who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of Reconciliation:that God God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ,not counting men’s sins against them.And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.

The true Gospel of Peace,reunites the Spirit of God and that of man,makes a peaceful atmosphere through forgiveness of sin,it clears all the boundaries,it makes one see God as a friend and enjoy that association.Peace is the fruit of the Holy Spirit.

Galatians 5:22 New International Version (NIV)

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

2.Transformation

2 Timothy 3:16King James Version (KJV)

16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness

Job 22:21King James Version (KJV)

21 Acquaint now thyself with him, and be at peace: thereby good shall come unto thee.

To acquaint is to have the practical knowledge of something,so Job is talking about practical knowledge of God,not just knowing Him but living in accordance to that knowledge,knowing Him better!You can know God better through perfect understanding of His word(scripture) and applying it.That’s is why Jesus didn't insist on preaching only,but teaching also.

Matthew 28:18-19 King James Version (KJV)

And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

Go ye therefore, and TEACH all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.

Through teaching,one becomes able to live the word of God practically!

3.READINESS

This is another kind,or to say,a special type of transformation.A transformation from discipleship to Apostleship,from a committed learner to a committed teacher!The real Gospel of Peace brings about readiness to preach,it gives confidence and courage to spread it to other people.

Ephesians 6:15 New International Version (NIV)

and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the Gospel of Peace.

It is The Gospel of Peace,that has been deep-rooted in the heart of a believer that bears the fruit of readiness!

Colossians 3:15 New International Version (NIV)

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.

ITS MY PRAYER THAT GOD MAY EQUIP US EFFICIENTLY IN THESE AREAS SO THAT WE CAN DO HIS WORK IN ITS FULLNESS.

BE BLESSED.