Lesson4: What does it Mean to Follow Christ?

Lesson 4: What does it Mean to Follow Christ?

Review Main Points from our class lessons: In your small groups, discuss the most memorable things you have learned. 

Can you express the "So what?" and the "Now what?"

• Can you remember any of the goals we have for the class?
• Can you share what we know about Vision?
• Can you tell your story as it relates to the Gospel?
• Can you declare the amazing characteristics of the One we are to Follow?

Starting Video: "The Better Jesus"

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Review Levels of Vision:

• Biblical Vision given to us by Christ - "Go into all the world, teach, make disciples, baptizing them and mentoring them so that they can be transformed into everything Christ wants to see in a believer. 
• Local Vision relevant to a location. A Missional Community share the vision of Christ beyond the walls of a building. They share in and understand each other's struggles, and spend time mentoring and nurturing the community of believers to prepare them for "going". A Missional Community knows where to place their priorities and knows how to support the Plans and Goals they have set inline with God's vision for the world. 
• Personal Vision is relevant to our talents, perspectives, social contacts, special interest groups, families, and close friends.

Review: What should our God-ordained Vision be? Discuss this in your small groups. 

Listen to (          minutes) Follow Me by David Platt

Did you listen to Francis Chan's "The Great Commission?" If yes, discuss with your group what you remember from that video lesson. 

What is a Disciple? Not just a Follower, as many followed Jesus but where not His 
Disciples.

(10 Minutes) Build a working definition of “Disciple”. Use the Scriptures below to 
help you summarize your thoughts. 



In the Lord’s own words, what are the conditions of Discipleship?

Matthew 5:13 [ Disciples and the World ] “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become 
tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to 
be thrown out and trampled under foot by men.
Matthew 10:24 [ The Meaning of Discipleship ] “ A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a slave 
above his master.
Matthew 12:49 And stretching out His hand toward His disciples, He said, “Behold My mother and My brothers!”
Matthew 16:24 [ Discipleship Is Costly ] Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me.
Matthew 28:19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,
Luke 14:26 “ If anyone comes to Me, and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be My 
disciple.
Luke 14:27 Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.
Luke 14:33 So then, none of you can be My disciple who does not give up all his own 
possessions.
John 8:31 So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, “ If you continue in My 
word, then you are truly disciples of Mine;
John 13:35 By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one 
another.”
John 15:8 My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My 
disciples.
John 15:18 [ Disciples’ Relation to the World ] “ If the world hates you, you know that it has 
hated Me before it hated you.
John 17:13 But now I come to You; and these things I speak in the world so that they may have 
My joy made full in themselves.
John 21:24 This is the disciple who is testifying to these things and wrote these things, and we 
know that his testimony is true.
Acts 11:26 and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. And for an entire year they met with the brethren and taught considerable numbers; and the disciples were first 
called Christians in Antioch
Acts 11:29 And in the proportion that any of the disciples had means, each of them determined 
to send a contribution for the relief of the brethren living in Judea.
Acts 13:52 And the disciples were continually filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.
Acts 14:21 After they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they 
returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch,
Acts 14:22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, 
and saying, “ Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.”

FOLLOWERS WHO LEFT

• Those who began as followers, but did not make it to Discipleship are seen in John 6:66 “As a result of this many of His disciples withdrew and were not walking with Him 
• anymore”.
• What was the reason these followers walked away from Jesus?

• HOW ARE WE KNOWN BY GOD? Matthew 7:21f and John 3:3-5 

• Reflect on this Scriptures to formulate your answer: 2 Thess 1:7-9 What groups of folks will be Lost?
• What is the Gospel? 1 Cor 15:1-3?
• How do we Obey the Gospel: the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus? Romans 6:3-11
• If we have been buried with Christ, what promises do we have? Col 2:9-13; 3:4
• If we have been raised with Christ, what promises do we have? Col 3:1; Romans 6:4
• What are the Spiritual Blessings we have if we are “in Christ”? Eph chapter 1
• What is the promise if we call on His Name in Baptism? Acts 16: 22
• What is the promise if we have faith in the working of God in Baptism? Col 2:12
• What is the problem with “faith Only”? James 2:19, 26 & Luke 4:41
• We must be born of both “Water & the Spirit” What does this mean? Titus 3:5-7; Eph 5:25-26 

What were some of the Old Testament Types & Anti-Types leading us to recognize the significance of Christ's Sacrifice, Lordship, and God's Redemptive Plan. They help us to better understand the significance of water baptism? Examples

• Noah- God cleansed the earth with water
• Moses baptized Israel in water 1 Cor 10:2
• Prophets, Priests, Kings, & Judges using water to purify Israel
• Joseph cast down by brothers into a "grave", arose to prophecy and save his people from disaster.
• Priests – cleansed by water before entering the Tabernacle
• Ezekiel 47:12 – water flowing from the sanctuary.

What baptism in NOT: A work you do to prove that you are a Christian

DYING TO SELF - Kyle Idelman

NOTICE: People do not baptize themselves. Christ died to Himself in obedience to the Father's will. The Father raised Jesus from the dead, just as someone must bury us and raise us from the watery grave. We participate in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ and thus become a new creation in the Kingdom of God. 

Are we willing to follow Christ into the Grave?

Unfortunately, too many folks do not actually die to self. If you do not die, then you are not raised to walk in newness of life. Notice the "If" statements: Read Col 2:11-13, 20, 3:1-17

The New Life glorifies Christ in all things because He rules our hearts, if we truly died to self. Realizing the depth and magnitude of God's grace inspires each of us to grow toward our full potential in love, unity and power to accomplish the vision of Jesus Christ in the world.

What Blessings do we have in Christ? Eph 1 All chapter. 

What baptism IS ---a gracious work of God to which we must submit as an obedient follower of Christ.

What work does God do in Baptism while we Submit to Death?

When we are raised from the dead, what does Christ demand of us?

HOMEWORK & APPLICATION: 
(1) Pray with someone this week who is not a member of the Lord’s Body.

• Begin thinking about how you might invite a friend to begin a conversation with you about salvation. 
• Ask the Lord to help you become creative and wise in the way you approach your friends. 

(2) Listen to the Followship Lessons. 

Lesson 3: Glorify Him Alone

Lesson 3: What Does it Mean to Follow Jesus?

Consider these questions:
(1) Who is Jesus?

In your small groups, try to come up with all the names (characteristics) use to describe Jesus the Christ.

Listen to Follow Me by David Platt (~13 Minutes) The rest of the audio lesson will be on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/W.E.LCubed

Listen to Holy Lord.

(2) Who deserves more praise? Honor? Glory?

What does the word “praise” mean? Google it! List your findings here.

(3) Who did you praise today?

(4) Describe ways and give examples of how we can acknowledge Him in ALL our ways, every day, moment by moment.

Re-state sentences a, b, c, and d (below) from honoring and praising men to honoring and praising God. Consider each scripture for assistance.

-----Isaiah 26:13 Lord our God…your name alone do we honor.

----John 12:43 "for they loved the praise of men rather than the approval of God.”

-----Revelation 4:11 “You ALONE are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.”

---John 5:44 How can you believe since you accept glory from one another but do not seek the glory that comes from the only God?

---1 Peter 1:3 Praise be to theGod and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

---Romans 1:25 They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.

---Romans 2:29 No, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a person’s praise is not from other people, but from God.

a. I am so proud of my son for being educated and having a great job.

-----John 5:30 “I can do nothing on My own initiative. As I hear, I judge; and My judgmentis just, because I do not seek My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.

----John 15:5 I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.

b. What a great sermon! You did an excellent job!

c. Our church youth are awesome and so dedicated. We are so proud of them because they are really helpful to our older folks.

-------2 Corinthians 8:16 Thanks be to God, who put into the heart of Titus the same concern I have for you.

------Galatians 1:24 And they praised God because of me.

-----Hebrews 13:15 Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to Goda sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name

----1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

----1 Peter 4:11 If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.

d. What a great song leader. You make the song service!

----Revelation 19:5 Then a voice came from the throne, saying: “Praise our God, all you his servants, you who fear him, both great and small!”

HOMEWORK: (1) Revisit your Vision Statement and be ready to share next week. (2) Revisit you “story” and be ready to share. (3) Reflect on and be ready to share the biblical teachings on how to gain a true relationship with Jesus the Christ.

A little Francis Chan:  Our lives should be for HIS GLORY

Lesson 2: Vision Beyond the 4 Walls.

VISION REVISITED

Listen to the short version of "ReVisioning" (18 minutes)

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As we allow the Lord to build a desire in our hearts for His will, we must revisit the exact words of our Lord: "you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

First, let's remember what the word "witness" is in the Greek-- "martyas" or martyr?

A "witness" refers to a person who is involved in the activity of witnessing, remembering, testifying, confessing, telling the Truth even to the point of death.

John 14:6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the Truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

As we build our Personal Vision, a Class Vision, and/or a Community of True Christ-follower's Vision, we should ask ourselves several questions:

(1) What vision has God given His people?(2) What should our witness include?  To whom should we witness? What are some guidelines for witnessing? What is the purpose of witnessing? What are some examples?

• Mat 16:13-17

• John 20:28

• Luke 24:46-48

• John 15:27

• Acts 1:21-22

• Acts 22:14-15

"The gospel is itself an evangelistic confession designed to bear witness and thereby win converts. This is expressed in John 20:30, 31. “Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples which are not written in this book, but these have been written in order that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ the Son of God, and in order that by believing you may have life in his name.” 

The Evangelist, upon the basis of the witness borne in his gospel, wants his readers to say with Thomas, “My Lord and my God.” In the gospel of John witness is borne to the eternal nature and significance of our Lord’s Person and Work."  From Founders

Biblical witnesses proved the strength and genuineness of their faith in Christ by undergoing violent deaths. Acts 22:20; Revelation 2:13; Revelation 17:6

READ: The Price of  Being a Witness by Eric Barger


(3) Do you Really Want to be a Christ-Follower?


(4) Where should God's vision for our lives take us?
A friend shared this blog post with me, what do you think about it's message? (Sharing here with permission)

LISTEN TO: "The Church has left the Building" 

Lesson 1: Living Christianly in the Last Days

INTRO VISION: Living in God’s Vision -The Big Picture- 

( Excerpts from: Visioneering by Andy Stanley)

Vision:  Seeing what is impossible and working with God to make it possible.

Sometimes our visions are just too small! When Christ came to the end of His earthly ministry, He found that His disciples' vision was inappropriate and mundane. He, then, spent time correcting His disciples’ vision. Read Acts 1:6-8. What was the disciples' vision of the future? What was the "Big Picture" that Christ show them?   Does YOUR vision need to broadened, strengthen, and empowered? Do you see past the walls of a church building?

Simple Truths:

• Life is a journey with a destination!
• Everyone ends up somewhere in life. 
• A few people end up somewhere on purpose. Those are the ones with Vision.  
• A clear vision, along with the courage to follow through, dramatically increases our chances of coming to the end of our life, looking back and thinking, “I finished well”.  

Paul demonstrated this in his last days when he said in 2 Timothy 4:6-8:

⁶ For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. ⁷ I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; ⁸ in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.

Without clear vision, we may end our life’s journey confused in the meaningless details. But take the minutia of this very day, drop it into the God's ordained vision and suddenly there is purpose! Meaning! Energy to mount up as Eagles! 

It is the difference between filling bags of dirt and building a dike in order to save a town because we love the people in the town. Taking mundane routines and viewing them through the loving eyes of God and His vision for our lives, and everything looks and feels different. Our experience and satisfaction in this world will be different. 

Our outlook and relationship to Christ will be different when we manifest God's plan into our very nature. Our every day tasks and motivation for engaging in relevant vision-inspired activities will change the way we plan our day, our month, and our year. We will begin to filter everything through the vision God has given us. We will avoid activities that do not help us further God's ultimate goal for our lives. And make no mistake, God HAS a goal for each of us!

Vision brings our world into focus.

To have Vision means that we have a picture of how things ought to be and we find:

●     Passion/Inspiration

●     Motivation/Conviction

●     Direction/Action

●     Purpose/Determination

●     Divine Strength for Completion

Visions are born in the soul of a person who is consumed with the tension between what is and what could be. Anyone who is emotionally involved, frustrated, brokenhearted, angry, about the way things are instead of the way things could be, is a candidate for a vision. Never be discouraged to help inspire someone with a Godly vision, who is discontent with the way things current are. In doing so, we can encourage them to find God's purpose for their journey through life. 

Visions form in the hearts of those who are dissatisfied with the status quo.  

Vision is more that just wishing things were different. Vision helps us to see our "next step" in bringing about things that ought to be. 

Vision has moral conviction. It helps us to recognize the way things SHOULD be. Vision is a preferred future in contrast to the world as it is.  Vision requires visionaries, people who have allowed their minds and hearts to wander outside the artificial boundaries imposed by the status quo.

Who, in the Bible, can you think of that had a vision and acted on it? 

Play Audio “Vision – the Church is not an Orphanage.”

GROUP WORK: Building Block of Vision – In each instance, find a Biblical Person who exemplified one of the Building Blocks of Vision:

1. A vision begins as a concern.

2. A vision does not necessarily require immediate action.

3. Pray for opportunities and plan as if you expect God to answer your prayers.

4. God is using your circumstances to position and prepare you to accomplish His vision for your life.

5. What God originates, He orchestrates!

6. Walk before you talk; investigate before you initiate.

7. Communicate your vision as a solution to a problem that must be addressed

8. Cast your vision to the appropriate people at the appropriate time.

9. Don’t expect others to take greater risks or make greater sacrifices than you are willing to do.

10. Don’t confuse your plans with God’s vision.

11. Visions are refined—they don’t change; plans are revised—they rarely stay the same.

12. Respond to criticism with prayer, remembrance, and if necessary, a revision of the plan.

13. Visions thrive in an environment of unity; they die in an environment of division.

14. Abandon the vision before you abandon your moral authority.

15. Don’t get distracted

16. There is divine potential in all you envision to do.

17. The beginning, middle and end of a God-ordained vision is God. It is about God, not about us.

18. Maintaining a vision requires adherence to a set of core beliefs and behaviors

19. Visions require constant attention.  Everything we choose to do is filtered by our vision.

20. Maintaining a vision requires boldness.

Home Work:

Begin thinking about creating a Vision for our Class!

Lesson 7: Walking with God in Joy and Peace

The Fallacy of Thinking we have the God-given
Right to the "Pursuit of Happiness"

More than any other characteristic, people say they would love to have happiness. How they go about trying to find it is an epic tale within itself. Too often the terms happiness and joy are used interchangeably. This is unfortunate because searching for happiness usually takes folks to all the wrong places. People pursue happiness exactly like a dog chases its tail. Happiness is always just beyond their reach and even if they do find it, it is a brief and fleeting experience. 

The "Pursuit of Happiness" is unfortunately not a godly pursuit as much as we would like to think so. Our obsession for seeking happiness resulted in being expelled from The Garden. Once able to walk in the very presence of The Omniscient and Loving God, we traded it in for a moment of spectacular stupidity. 

Never being content is the hallmark of an unhappy life. 

The stupidity with which we now live our lives in this consumerist, militaristic, materialistic, self-engrossed American culture is exactly a reflection of our Mother Eve. We are blessed with soooooooooo much and yet, we are always wanting MORE! More fame, more accolades, more material good, more money, more prestige, more promotions, more status, more, more, more, more! (Dog chasing his tail!) 

Happiness will never be permanently acquired in growing our skills, advancing our education, or being recognized for our talents when the purpose is to gain recognition for ourselves. Happiness will ALWAYS be a PURSUIT...and not a permanent possession. 

What is the difference between happiness and joy? 

Depending on the version of Scripture you are using, you might see the words for "happy" and "blessed" interchanged and this makes a tedious exercise in explaining the difference between happiness and joy. Let's agree on several definitions to get the most out of this study.

In The N.T., the term for "happy" is the Greek word "makarios" or supremely blessed. Isn't it better to take the focus off our pursuit of happiness and place it in an attitude of thanksgiving to the ONE who blesses His people?  

"Makarios" is obviously not the kind of "happiness" that we pursue through enteraintment or shopping sprees. "Makarios" is a deeper contentment. 

An example of how "blessed" is used in the NASV and "happy" is used in the NKJ can be seen in 1 Peter 3:13 f

¹³ Who is there to harm you if you prove zealous for what is good? ¹⁴ But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed (happy). And do not fear their intimidation, and do not be troubled, ¹⁵ but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence; ¹⁶ and keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ will be put to shame. ¹⁷ For it is better, if God should will it so, that you suffer for doing what is right rather than for doing what is wrong.

In these verses Peter is talking about suffering and trouble, nothing we would ever associate with "happiness." 

(1) How can we suffer for Christ and yet be "happy"?
(2) How can we not fear intimidation but instead place Christ on the throne of our hears?
(3) How can we share the joy of our salvation with grace?
(4) How can we keep a good conscience while being slandered?

In 1 Peter 4:13, the Apostle gives a little better understanding of what is meant by being blessed in suffering. 

1 Peter 4: ¹² Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; ¹³ but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation (joy). ¹⁴ If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed (makarios), because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.

So many things we need to discuss from this verse! 
(1) In verse 13 "you may rejoice with exultation or joy. The Greek word for "joy" is "agalliao" which literally means to "jump for joy!"  When was the last time you jumped for joy due to persecution, insults, or evil ordeals? 

(2) Notice that "makarios" and "agalliao" are both associated with suffering in these passages. They represent the deeper heart-filled joy that Christians experience because of Christ.

(3) The blessing (makarios) of exultation (jumping for joy) in the face of suffering and trials is the kind of joy that comes from the indwelling Spirit! These characteristics cannot be manufactured by the natural man in these settings of persecution.

Meditate on these Scriptures to see if you can answer the questions above:

2 Cor 6:4
2 Thess 1:4
Romans 5:1-5
James 1:4
2 Peter 1:6

Another Greek word used in the N.T. for "joy" is "chara" which means calm cheerfulness, to be filled up with joy. It is the ONLY type of happiness that is fulfilling and fully filling. "Chara" brings contentment and calm satisfaction to the inner soul. 

We see this word used in Matthew 13 in the parable of the Kingdom:

⁴⁴ “The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in the field, which a man found and hid again; and from joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.

TRUE JOY results in the EXACT OPPOSITE of PURSUING HAPPINESS

Here we see "joy" as the motivational force to forsake all that we have when we recognize the enormous and eternal value in the great treasure of God's Kingdom. This "joy" has exactly the opposite affect of those who pursue happiness. 

They seek and seek and never find, creating an addiction to the seeking. 

The man in this parable found the Kingdom and stop seeking, stop clutching onto his possessions. He let it all go for the joy of being a servant in the Kingdom of God. 

When does the Spirit allow us to experience joy? Meditate on the verses associated with each bullet below.

Joy comes when:

• We find salvation in The Lord - Acts 8:8; Romans 5:11
• We are on mission for the Kingdom - Luke 10:17
• We imitate Christ - Heb 12:2
• We witness one sinner repent - Luke 15:7, 10; Acts 15:3
• We worship the Risen Lord - Luke 24:52
• We hear the Word of the Lord - 15:11
• We submit to the Holy Spirit - Acts 13:52; Romans 14:17; Gal 5:22
• We witness for The Lord - Acts 20:24
• We bring others to The Lord - 1 Thess 2:20
• We give sacrificially to The Lord - Phil 1:7; Heb 10:34
• We step out in faith in the power of God - Romans 15:32; Col 1:11
• We suffer for Christ - 2 Cor 7:4; 8:2; Phil 2:17; 1 Thess 1:6; 1 Pet 4:13
• We meet with the saints face to face - 2 John 1:12
• We overcome temptation - James 1:2; Jude 1:24
• We petition the Father - Phil 1:4
• We walk in faith and not by sight - 3 John 1:4
• We endure in our faith - Phil 1:25; 1 Pet 1:8
• We see Him coming in the clouds - 1 Thess 2:19

As we can see by these Scriptures, the Christian life in all of its aspects is to be filled with deep abiding joy. We have joy if we are walking with God in the Light of His Son. Joy is a result of being in a close, abiding, moment by moment relationship with God. 

JOY from the SPIRIT does not rely on EXTERNAL CIRCUMSTANCES

When we experience true joy, it does not depend on external circumstances. True joy relies on our relationship and trust in God through faith, things not seen. Missionaries testify about the joy they have had in the face of bodily harm during persecutions. We are once again being made aware of Christian persecutions in the world today. News reports detail how the Devil is amplifying his attacks. No one can "steal" your joy!

MEMORIZE THIS VERSE

Romans 15:13 ¹³ May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

As a friend of mine put it:

Sometimes you just have to choose, take your stand, and decide what you believe in even if you think your prayers are just hitting the ceiling and your heart breaks at the pain you see around you. "Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce not food...yet I will rejoice in the Lord. I will be joyful in God my Savior." (Habakkuk 3:16, 17) 

PEACE through the Spirit

Everyone cries "peace!", but few know how to bring it about. Many FB posts recently showed pictures of two of my ex-students with machine guns and ammo belts. Neither one has been faithful to their calling in the Lord. So I commented on the pictures that I was hoping they were paying as much attention to their souls as they did to all the armory they were always flaunting on FB. Both of them are police officers and so they both wrote back saying, "Blessed are the PeaceMakers".... I promptly corrected them for their misuse of the term. What have we done? We have taken the word "peacemaker" and associated it with violence and weapons. This is NOT the picture Christ paints for us in His Word. 

Peace is a fruit of the Spirit.

Romans 8:6 The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.

Peace in this verse is the Greek word "eirene" which means unity, quietness, rest, serene. In the midst of crisis, a person who walks by the Spirit can experience a serene confidence. 

Romans 14:17  For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit,

Kingdom people have a calmness, serene beauty about them because they trust in the power of the Creator. Kingdom people don't just have a little peace! Their peace overflows so that they are able, through the power of the Spirit to be a Light in a chaotic world. It is from the OVERFLOW of our hearts that the mouths speaks (Luke 6:45; Prov 4:23). 

Romans 15:13  May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

So what is our heart overflowing with? Are we anxious, angry, upset, worried, bitter? These are tools of the Devil to "steal your crown" (Rev 3), to steal your citizenship in the Kingdom. To stay focused on walking with God in peace, we must allow the Spirit to trans-mutate our hearts. We must submit and stop clinging to our pasts, our selfish desires, or being in search of revenge or retribution.  

John 14:27  Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. 

Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness

If we truly walk with God, we will see that His plan makes perfect sense. He gives us His Holy Spirit and the Spirit creates unity in the Body of Christ. The Spirit reforms us into the image of the One who makes all things new. But this does not happen without effort on our part. We must resist the Devil and force our will to submit to the Spirit of peace. As selfish individuals we are able to become a part of the self-sacrificing Body of Christ. 

Ephesians 4:3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.

1 Thessalonians 5:23  May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Matthew 5:9  Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

The Spirit of God will guide us into have peace with one another if we allow Him to do so. 

Luke 1:79 to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.”

Mark 9:50 “Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can you make it salty again? Have salt among yourselves, and be at peace with each other.”

John 16:33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

We can bless other's with a peaceful greeting. This should perhaps be our greetings at all times. In Russia we begin and end our assemblies with "Peace & Grace" by shaking everyone's hand who attended. No one feels left out or overlooked. It is a great practice as "Peace to You" is a phrase used over and over by our Lord as a greeting (examples: Luke 24:36; John 20:19, 21). 

Luke 10:5 “When you enter a house, first say, ‘Peace to this house.

The Gospel that we proclaim must be a Gospel of peace AND we must exemplify our message or be hypocrites. 

Acts 10:36 You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, announcing the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all.

SO WHAT? So what difference will the 7 lessons we have studied recently make a difference in your life? Meditate on the message God is placing in your heart as you review our lessons. 

HOMEWORK

Practice giving the greeting of peace while practicing your walk with God.