Do You Want Peace?

I. Introduction: Some people seem almost allergic to peace. They may insist they want peace and quiet, yet they continually make decisions that invite conflict, turmoil, and drama.

A. Do not take anything out of what I will say in this sermon as to suggest that peace is always possible in every situation. That is simply not true (Matthew 10:34-37 and John 16:33)!

1. What is true is this. There are environments in which you have control over whether or not there is peace. The question is, are you doing your part to avoid unnecessary conflict (Proverbs 17:14, Proverbs 17:27-28, Matthew 7:6, and I Peter 2:19-23)?
2. Peace sometimes comes through removing the troublemaker (Titus 3:9-11).

B. Let me be clear in something else. Do not take this lesson and conclude that having peace in your life is optional (Colossians 3:15).

1. We are commanded to follow peace with all men (Hebrews 12:14).
2. Christians are to be peacemakers (Matthew 5:9).
3. Again, it is not always possible, but we must do our part (Romans 12:17-21).

II. Body: If You Want Peace, You Must Seek and Pursue It (I Peter 3:10-11).

A. We must follow after the things which make for peace (Romans 14:19).

1. Peace is not accidental. Peace is the fruit of wisdom (James 3:17-18).
2. There are those that will not be able to find peace (Isaiah 48:22; Isaiah 57:21).

B. Peace requires choices that many people refuse to make (Proverbs 20:3).

1. Sometimes you must control your tongue (Proverbs 15:1-2).
2. Sometimes you must walk away from foolish arguments (II Timothy 2:23).
3. Sometimes you must remove yourself from contentious people (Proverbs 22:10).
4. Sometimes you must suffer wrong instead of retaliating (I Corinthians 6:1-8).

C. What do our choices tell us about whether or not we want peace? Consider your ways here (Haggai 1:5; 1:7).

1. Would I rather have less to have peace than the more that comes with strife (Proverbs 17:1; cf. Psalms 37:16)?
2. Is having the company of a person more important than the peace I’d have without that person's company (Proverbs 21:9; Proverbs 21:19)?
3. If you want peace, wouldn't you avoid people who continually generate strife? The Scriptures tell us the types of people that bring chaos, strife, division, etc. (Proverbs 13:10, Proverbs 15:18, Proverbs 26:21, Proverbs 28:25, Proverbs 29:22, I Corinthians 3:1-3, James 3:16, etc.)?
4. Do I continually fill my mind with things that stir up anger and outrage rather than things that encourage godliness (Psalms 101:3 and I Timothy 4:7-8)?
5. Do I continually insert myself into controversies that don't belong to me (Proverbs 26:17)?
6. Do I keep reopening old offenses instead of covering them (Proverbs 17:9; cf. James 5:19-20)? Some people never let go of past offenses even after repentance has occurred.
7. Am I often in arguments (Proverbs 18:6)? Do I generate strife (Proverbs 26:20-21)?

III. Conclusion: If unnecessary turmoil continually dominates your life, you need to honestly examine whether your own choices are contributing to it. One of the greatest blessings God gives His people is that spiritual mindedness brings peace (Romans 8:5-8). If we are not walking according to His pattern, we should not expect to enjoy the peace He promises. Therefore, let us consider our ways (Psalms 119:59). Peace will come through following the pattern God has set forth in His word.


2026 Sermon Outline Index

Homepage