Pastor G continues his message series on how Waikoloa Community Church is “A Place To Belong.” This week his focus on how this is “A Place To Find Peace.” He shares the difference between the kind of peace the world typically gives and the vastly different kind of peace Jesus offers instead.

If you missed the previous week’s messages in this series you can use the links below. Mahalo!
Week 1     ~     Week 2     ~     Week 3     ~     Week 4      ~     Week 5

MESSAGE NOTES

For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. ~ Isaiah 9:6

Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful. ~ John 14:27

Eirḗnē (GREEK) ~~ Peace, peace of mind (ENGLISH)

to join or to tie together into a whole, all essential parts will be joined together as God’s gift of wholeness.

THREE ELEMENTS OF WORLDY PEACE

1) It is CONDITIONAL!     2) It is INCOMPLETE!     3) It is FLEETING!

These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”  ~ John 16:33

I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to live in harmony in the Lord. Indeed, true companion, I ask you also to help these women who have shared my struggle in the cause of the gospel, together with Clement also and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life. ~ Philippians 4:2-3

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. ~ Matthew 5:9

Finally, brethren, rejoice, be made complete, be comforted, be like-minded, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. ~ 2 Corinthians 13:11

Always assume the best of one another, unless given concrete, irrefutable evidence to the contrary. ~ Pastor G

Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. ~ Ephesians 4:1-3

GO DEEPER
ALOHA GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

READ: Philippians 2:14, Philippians 4:1-6 and Matthew 5:9
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

1) Have you ever experienced “grumblings” within a church? What was the situation? Typically, these types of fall-out arise from misunderstandings. How were you personally affected by the grumbling and loss of peace?
2) Did you feel compelled to get involved and try to be a peacemaker or did you decide it was better to “mind your own business?” Based on these Scriptures, what do you think Jesus would want you to do in that kind of situation in the future?
3) What does it take to be an effective  “peacemaker?”  If you hear someone grumbling within our church or making anonymous complaints about something what should you, as a peacemaker of Jesus Christ, do?

READ: Philippians 4:7, Isaiah 9:6, John 14:27 and  John 16:33
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

1) Have you ever experienced this “peace of Jesus” being referred to in these passages? If you were trying to describe it to a friend who did not know Jesus, how would you try to help them understand what this peace feels like?
2) Why do you think Isaiah calls Jesus “The Prince of Peace?”
3) Pastor Greg mentioned some ways that the world’s view of peace and Jesus’ view of peace differ. Can you think of other ways?
4) Why do you think Paul refers to Jesus’ peace as a peace that surpasses all comprehension? Is it really impossible for us to fully understand this type of peace? Is that a good thing or a bad thing?
5) How can this peace actually guard your hearts and your minds? What is it guarding us from?
6) Pastor Greg mentioned the full understanding of this word peace refers to the health or general welfare of a person. It means to join or to tie together into a whole. Essentially the deeper meaning of this word indicates that all essential parts will be joined together as God’s gift of wholeness. When you think about peace in this way do you think you have the full peace of Christ in your life? Do you think our church has the full peace of Christ prevailing through all we do and through all our relationship and all our conversations? Why or why not? If not, what can we do to change that for the better?