Oct. 09, 2022

“STANDING ON THE PROMISES OF GOD”

“PEACE IN A CRAZY WORLD”

JOSHUA 21:1-45

Romans 5:1 “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Philippians 4:7 “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

So how does this relate to our community?

Can You Find Peace Today?

Four Ways You Can Have Peace In Your Lives In The Midst Of The World We Live In:

Can you really have peace?

Joshua 21:1-3 

The Overriding Principle: Peace in the world and peace in the city. That is peace with God and peace of God can only begin when there is peace in our hearts.

1.   There Is Peace In Knowing Who God Made You To Be.

Peace with God and peace of God has nothing to do with geography but has to do with a relationship with God, fellowship with God, and understanding who God made you to be.

1 Peter 2:5,9

Revelation 1:6 “And has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.”

John understood the same thing, we are priest.

Revelation 5:9-10

Revelation 20:6 “Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years.”

No matter what race or color or language we are priest, as believers in Jesus Christ we are kings and priests. Now put that on your resume.

1 Timothy 2:5 “For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus.”

Hebrews 4:16 “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

Priest also offer sacrifices- we are to offer our lives as living sacrifices to God- Romans 12:1-2

Hebrews 13:15 “Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.”

We are to offer sacrifices of praise to God.

The Levites could of gripped and complained about what God made them to be but instead they accepted it.

1 Corinthians 15:10 “But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.”

Paul accepted who he was.

John 1:41-48

Jesus sees people just as they are and He changes them to be what He wants them to be.

We have a mission that goes beyond material things. All the other tribes receives a physical property but the Levites received God as their inheritance.

Joshua 13:33 “But to the tribe of Levi Moses had given no inheritance; the Lord God of Israel was their inheritance, as He had said to them.”

The property or God? I will take God

You and I are like the Levites and we have received a heavenly inheritance:

1 Peter 1:4 “To an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you.”

2.   Peace Comes From A Mission That Transcends The Cares And The Temporary Pleasures Of This World.

Colossians 3:1-2

Ephesians 1:9-12

An inheritance we can never lose. God has a plan for us and it is far more important than anything in this world.

You and I will never have peace until we understand who we are and understand our mission and take the truth of the gospel to those who are without Christ.

Peace comes from allowing God to move us from being a mission field to going to a mission field.

3.   Peace Comes By Getting Out Of Ownership Into Management.

Joshua 21:2, 41

Joshua 21:45 “Not a word failed of any good thing which the Lord had spoken to the house of Israel. All came to pass.”

The Levites did not want or lack for anything. God provided everything they needed.

We are just managers and stewards, it all belongs to God.

Matthew 6:33 “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”

4.   Peace Comes From Trusting God’s Promises.

Joshua 21:43-45

They learned to have peace instead of fear because they trusted God.

Maybe you are not seeing what God has for you because you are too much in control of your life.

God says, “I will give you peace,” “I will give you protection,” and “I will give you provision.” 

Joshua 21:45 “Not a word failed of any good thing which the Lord had spoken to the house of Israel. All came to pass.”

God said it, and it happened.

Do you have the peace of knowing who you are?

Do you have the peace of knowing what your purpose is?