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First Thessalonians Pt:22

“The God of Peace

Introduction & Cultural Context

  • Generational observations:

    • Modern culture often critiques younger generations for short attention spans due to technology.

    • Pastoral observation: When truths are presented clearly, younger listeners learn quickly and grasp essentials.

  • Context of the passage:

    • The closing verses of 1 Thessalonians function as a benediction—bestowing God’s blessing upon the congregation.

    • Sermon theme: God, the God of Peace, sanctifies believers wholly and preserves them until Christ’s return.

Review of Previous Exhortations (1 Thessalonians 5:16–22)

  • Scripture: “Rejoice evermore.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16)

  • Scripture: “Pray without ceasing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:17)

    • Application: Cultivate constant communion with God—no intermission in prayerful dependence.

  • Scripture: “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18)

    • Application: Gratitude in all circumstances aligns us with God’s will.

  • Scripture: “Quench not the Spirit.” (1 Thessalonians 5:19)

    • Contrast: Use the shield of faith to quench the fiery darts of the wicked; never stifle the Spirit’s convicting/refining work.

  • Scripture: “Despise not prophesyings.” (1 Thessalonians 5:20)

    • Application: Do not reject biblical preaching; expose your mind to God’s Word regularly.

    • Illustration: Running continuous water through a dirty chocolate ice cream bowl washes it clean—so regular preaching cleanses our lives.

  • Scripture: “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.” (1 Thessalonians 5:21)

    • Application: Test all spiritual claims against Scripture; cling only to what is good.

    • Illustration: A raccoon traps itself by clutching a shiny quarter or aluminum foil—discern true value; do not be deceived by glitter.

  • Scripture: “Abstain from all appearance of evil.” (1 Thessalonians 5:22)

    • Application: Because the world judges by appearances, avoid even the perception of wrongdoing to maintain a faithful witness.

The Benediction: Sanctification and Preservation (Core Text)

  • Scripture: “And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is He that calleth you, who also will do it.” (1 Thessalonians 5:23–24)

    • Theology: Sanctification is comprehensive—spirit, soul, and body—and preservation is certain because God is faithful.

    • Application: Trust God’s ongoing work; He will finish what He begins in you.

Who God Is and How He Responds

The God of Peace: Identity and Action

  • God’s identity:

    • Creator, the God of Israel, the only true God—revealed as the “God of Peace.”

    • Illustration: A professional concrete finisher seamlessly handles a difficult pour—God is the ultimate master who brings peace amid chaos.

  • Loss of peace through sin:

    • Scripture: “And the way of peace have they not known.” (Romans 3:17)

    • Scripture: “Your iniquities have separated between you and your God.” (Isaiah 59:2)

    • Context: Eden’s original harmony was shattered by sin, producing separation and friction.

  • Biblical definitions of peace:

    • “Set at one again”—relational restoration between God and man (cf. Acts 7:26).

    • Rest—divine stillness (illustrated by the smooth morning pond).

    • Quietness—internal calm (cf. Acts 24:2).

  • False peace vs. true peace:

    • Worldly substitutes (substances, vices) offer temporary, counterfeit peace that leads to dependency and anxiety.

    • Pastoral note: People trapped in addiction are often seeking the true peace only God provides.

  • Jesus Christ as our Peace:

    • Scripture: “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” (1 Timothy 2:5)

    • Scripture: “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Romans 5:1)

    • Scripture: “Peace I leave with you… not as the world gives” and the Holy Spirit as “Comforter.” (cf. John 14–16)

    • Application: Peace is not merely a feeling; Peace is a Person. The Spirit mediates Christ’s peace within believers.

Peace Clarified: Won Through Conflict, Not Sentimentality

  • Scripture: “I came not to send peace, but a sword.” (Matthew 10:34)

    • Context: Allegiance to Jesus divides families and societies; peace is not sentimental softness.

  • Scripture: “Do you think that I came to give peace on earth? No… but rather division.” (Luke 12:51)

    • Application: The gospel draws a line—Who is on the Lord’s side?

  • The Cross as war:

    • Scripture: “The wages of sin is death… the gift of God is eternal life.” (Romans 6:23)

    • Result: Jesus’ bloody death and resurrection secured true peace with God.

  • The God of Peace who crushes evil:

    • Scripture: “The God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet.” (Romans 16:20)

    • Illustration: Snake-in-the-grass—once the head is crushed, calm returns.

    • Application: God’s peace is active, authoritative, and victorious over evil.

The Gospel of Peace and Spiritual Warfare

  • Scripture: “Feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace.” (Ephesians 6:15)

    • Context: Evangelism and discipleship occur in contested spaces; armor is necessary.

    • Application: Jail ministry and frontline outreach advance the gospel of peace because Jesus made peace by His blood.

Salvation Appeal

  • Call to the unsaved:

    • Come to Jesus for true peace; do not settle for empty religion or mere relief.

    • Peace is knowing Jesus personally, not just attending church.

Sanctification: The God of Peace Sanctifies Us Completely

  • Scripture: “The very God of peace sanctify you wholly.” (1 Thessalonians 5:23)

    • Theology: Sanctification means being set apart, consecrated, and made holy—beginning at conversion and continuing throughout life.

  • Clarification and correction:

    • Not “clean up first, then come to Jesus.” Moral improvements (e.g., quitting smoking) are not the essence of heart change.

    • Application: Holiness is God’s work in us—not self-reformation to earn Christ.

Sanctification Is a Rough Road: Becoming Like Jesus

  • Goal of the Christian life: Christlikeness.

    • Scripture: “Leaving us an example, that ye should follow His steps.” (1 Peter 2)

    • Scripture: “Put on the new man… renewed in knowledge after the image of Him.” (Colossians 3:10)

      • Application: Renew the mind through God’s Word; think and act increasingly like Jesus.

    • Scripture: “Conformed to the image of His Son.” (Romans 8:28–29)

      • Application: Identity and personality are to be dominated by Christ’s image—“brand Jesus” over self-branding.

  • Community correction:

    • Receive humble correction when conduct misaligns with Christ; God uses the body to press us into His image.

God’s Loving Discipline Forms Us

  • Scripture: “Whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth… for our profit.” (Hebrews 12:5–11)

    • Application: Discipline proves sonship and yields holiness and “peaceable fruit.”

    • Encouragement: Endure loving correction; God purposes your maturity.

Who God Is: Theology of God’s Character and Work (Expanded)

  • God of Peace:

    • He brings wholeness, stability, and assurance within a difficult sanctification process.

  • Faithful Finisher:

    • Scripture: “God finished His work” (Genesis 2:1).

    • Scripture: “Author and Finisher of our faith.” (Hebrews 12:2)

    • Scripture: “He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it.” (Philippians 1:6)

    • Scripture: “It is finished.” (implied from John 19:30)

  • Wise Refiner:

    • Scripture: “Faith… tried with fire.” (1 Peter 1:6–7)

    • Illustration: Refiner’s fire and potter’s wheel—pressure, heat, and time purify and shape God’s people.

  • Patient Potter:

    • We are clay; He molds, remolds, and repurposes hardened pieces for His purposes.

  • Trustworthy and preserving:

    • Scripture: “God is faithful, by whom ye were called…” (1 Corinthians 1:9)

    • Scripture: “God is faithful… will provide a way of escape.” (1 Corinthians 10:13)

    • Scripture: “The Lord is faithful, who shall establish you.” (2 Thessalonians 3:3)

Who You Are in Christ: Identity and Calling

  • Justified and at peace:

    • Scripture: “We have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Romans 5:1)

  • Indwelt by the Comforter:

    • Scripture: The Holy Spirit as “Comforter” who mediates Christ’s peace. (cf. John 14–16)

  • Clay in the Potter’s hands:

    • Formed, reformed, and perfected for God’s design—people in process.

  • Called and kept:

    • Called into Christ’s fellowship and preserved blameless until Jesus returns. (cf. 1 Thessalonians 5:23–24)

  • Disciples, not casual Christians:

    • Full-time followership; reject convenience-based faith.

How You Are to Live: Application and Discipleship Practice

Key Points

  1. Embrace full-time discipleship

    • Reject part-time, casual Christianity; align schedule, priorities, and decisions under Christ’s Lordship.

  2. Submit to the sanctification process

    • Expect refining heat and pressure; abstain from sin; yield to the Spirit’s forming work.

    • Remember: Hard does not mean harmful—God is at work.

  3. Anchor in God’s peace and faithfulness

    • In confusion or pain, cling to the “God of Peace.”

    • Daily anchors: 1 Thessalonians 5:23–24; Philippians 1:6.

  4. Persevere like Jesus and Paul

    • Follow Jesus the Finisher; aim to say with Paul, “I have finished my course.” (cf. 2 Timothy 4:7)

    • Resolve: “I have decided to follow Jesus—no turning back.”

  5. Practice community encouragement

    • Support one another through setbacks; celebrate progress; reaffirm identity beyond performance.

Illustrations and Examples from the Pastor

  • Naming and identity (Barberton, Ohio):

    • Neighbors named children after meaningful words or possessions (“Baby Star”).

    • Application: God reveals the true “Name” of peace in Jesus—He is Peace.

  • Concrete finisher:

    • Mastery amid difficulty—God masters chaos to bring peace.

  • Raccoon and the shiny quarter:

    • Misplaced value traps; test and hold fast to what’s good.

  • Dirty ice cream bowl:

    • Continuous water cleanses; regular exposure to preaching washes our lives.

  • Refiner’s fire and potter’s wheel:

    • Trials purify faith; God molds and remolds His people.

  • America’s Got Talent painting:

    • Judges “X” too early; finished piece revealed later—don’t judge God’s work prematurely.

  • Personal carpentry:

    • Pastor admits he’s a poor finisher—contrast with God, the perfect Finisher.

  • Coaching softball:

    • Encouraging a struggling pitcher; community support and post-game treats—God brings peace and perspective after hard moments.

  • Hymn story: “I Have Decided to Follow Jesus”

    • Origin in persecution; resolve amid suffering—model perseverance.

Practical Takeaways for the Week

  • Pray 1 Thessalonians 5:23–24 daily: Ask the God of Peace to sanctify you wholly and preserve you blameless.

  • Identify one “refiner’s fire” area:

    • Name a current pressure or trial; invite God to skim the dross.

  • Replace “part-time” habits:

    • Choose one tangible rhythm signaling full-time discipleship (Scripture reading, prayer, serving, accountability).

  • Encourage one believer in process:

    • Offer peace and perspective to someone under pressure—participate in their sanctification support.

  • Sing your resolve:

    • Use “I Have Decided to Follow Jesus” as a midweek declaration—“no turning back.”

Key Scriptures Cited (with Context)

  • “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace.” (cf. Luke 2 — angels announce Peace born in Jesus)

  • 1 Thessalonians 5:16–24 — rapid-fire commands and benediction on sanctification and preservation.

  • Romans 3:17 — humanity’s ignorance of the way of peace apart from God.

  • Isaiah 59:2 — sin’s separation from God.

  • Acts 7:26 — peace as being “set at one again.”

  • Acts 24:2 — peace associated with quietness.

  • 1 Timothy 2:5 — Jesus as the one Mediator.

  • Romans 5:1 — peace with God through justification by faith.

  • John 14–16 — Christ’s peace; the Holy Spirit as Comforter indwelling believers.

  • Matthew 10:34; Luke 12:51 — peace clarified amid division caused by allegiance to Christ.

  • Romans 6:23 — wages of sin and gift of God.

  • Romans 16:20 — the God of Peace crushes Satan.

  • Ephesians 6:15 — gospel of peace in spiritual warfare.

  • 1 Peter 2 — following Christ’s steps.

  • Colossians 3:10 — renewed in knowledge after Christ’s image.

  • Romans 8:28–29 — conformed to the image of God’s Son.

  • Hebrews 12:5–11 — loving discipline producing holiness and peace.

  • Genesis 2:1 — God finishes creation.

  • Hebrews 12:2 — Jesus, Author and Finisher of faith.

  • Philippians 1:6 — God completes the good work.

  • 1 Corinthians 1:9 — God’s faithfulness in calling.

  • 1 Corinthians 10:13 — God’s faithfulness in temptation.

  • 2 Thessalonians 3:3 — God establishes and keeps.

  • Implied: John 19:30 — “It is finished.”

  • Referenced: 2 Timothy 4:7 — finishing the course.