Introduction (Lee Roberson page 240-241 )
I read about a gentleman who once entered a store that sold fine glass and Chinaware. Approaching the proprietor he said, "I would like to buy all of the glasses that are pitched in the key of A".

The owner of the store, looking amused, said, "Well, friend we don't buy glasses for their musical qualities, so I cannot tell you which ones have the proper key!"

The inquirer then took a tuning fork from his pocket and struck it on the counter. Immediately every glass pitched in the Key of A on the shelf responded.

When the soul is saved, we respond to the voice of God. We delight in His teachings. We are in tune with His commands.

A.    This Leaving of Christ Peace Is . . Deliberate.
        1.    Deliberate as "Peace I leave"

In our home many times Christa has left her purse behind and we have to retrace our steps to get her purse. I like to say when she tells me she has done that "how come I am not surprised?"

What do you think Christa now says if I leave something behind?

Humans accidentally leave things behind, and we do it with regularity.

        2.    JESUS said ". . . Peace I leave with you. . . "
        3.    This was a deliberate act on the Lord's part.
        4.    This Is the Lord's Will and Testament.    He had nothing else to leave.
        5.    Even his clothes will be taken.

B.    This Leaving of Christ Peace Is . . Demonstrated.
        1.    Demonstrated as "MY" Peace.
        2.    Have you ever read a place in scripture where you could say Jesus Did not Peace?
        3.    You might say in the Garden of Gethsemane.
        4.    I would answer He demonstrated how to have or get this peace.

Isaiah 9:6 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. NAS

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

C.    This Leaving of Christ Peace Is . . Discerning.

        1.    Discerning in the words "to you"
        2.    His Peace is not left to just anyone.
 
Luke 2:14 "Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased." NAS
 

Illustration PEACE
Horatio Spafford, a businessman in Chicago, sent his wife and three daughters to Europe by ship while he remained back in the States, intending to join them later. En route there was a terrible storm and a shipwreck during which their three daughters drowned. Mrs. Spafford made it to safety and wired back saying, "All of our daughters have been lost. Only I have been saved."

He took the next vessel. As they came near the place where his daughters drowned, the skipper of the ship pointed to the place where the other ship had gone down. It was there on the deck of the ship he wrote these stirring words:

When peace like a river attendeth my way,

When sorrows like sea billows roll;

Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,

"It is well, it is well with my soul."
 

Application

The Peace of Christ is a Peace Christ Purchased and has left for all who desire such Peace.
 
 

A.    The Peace of Christ is Lavish In . . Content.
        1.    Note the Quality of this peace "My peace I give to you;"
        2.    This is Internal Peace.
        3.    This is Eternal Peace.

B.    The Peace of Christ is Lavish In . . Contrast.
        1.    The Contrast "not as the world gives,. . ."
            a.    The World gives . . External Peace.
            b.    Jesus gives Internal Peace.

        2.    The World gives . . Temporary Peace.
            a. Jesus Gives Eternal Peace.

        3.    The World gives . . Military Peace.
            a. Jesus Gives a Messiah Peace.

        4.    The World doesn't give this kind of peace - - and it can't take it away.
            a.    It is a state of mind.

Isa 26:3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. KJV

Illustration This peace can be illustrated in Bible Characters:
Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego in the firey furnace: "If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire; and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king. 18"But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up." Dan 3:17-18

Daniel in the Lions Den: Then the king arose with the dawn, at the
break of day, and went in haste to the lions' den. 20 And when he had come near the den to Daniel, he cried out with a troubled voice. The king spoke and said to Daniel, "Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you constantly serve, been able to deliver you from the lions?" 21 Then Daniel spoke to the king, "O king, live forever! 22"My God sent His angel and shut the lions' mouths, and they have not harmed me, inasmuch as I was found innocent before Him; and also toward you, O king, I have committed no crime." Dan 6:19-22 NAS

Jesus as He Stilled the Sea "Peace Be Still"
 

Simon Peter asleep in the Jail house as he waited execution:
Acts 12:6-7 And on the very night when Herod was about to bring him forward, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains; and guards in front of the door were watching over the prison. 7 And behold, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared, and a light shone in the cell; and he struck Peter's side and roused him, saying, "Get up quickly." And his chains fell off his hands. NAS
 

Application

Do you have Peace at this Christmas Season? The Lord Jesus desires to give you that peace.
 
 

A.    Christ Peace Is A Letting of the Heart from . . Trouble.
        "Let not your heart be troubled,. . . "

Troubled= Strong's NT:5015tarasso (tar-as'-so); of uncertain affinity; to stir or agitate (roll water): KJV-trouble.

B.    Christ Peace Is A Letting of the Heart from . . Fear.
        ". . . nor let it be fearful."

deiliatoo (NT:1168). Only here in the New Testament. Properly it signifies "cowardly" fear. (Vincent's Word Studies of the N T )

Jon 16:33 "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world." NAS
 

Illustration
There was a boy in a family who repeatedly came home late. He would say he was going to do better but would always be late.

His father said he had to be punished in a way that drove home the need for a home to build trust among the family members. He emphasized the need of the boy's mom and dad to be able to trust him when he told them he would be home at a certain time.

The punishment was that the boy would have to go up to the attic immediately after supper no television or family interaction. He was to go directly to the attic with his pajamas etc.

The mom and day watched television read and interacted and then went to bed. About 12:00 Mid-Night the dad rolled over and look at the mother and discovered she was wide awake also; she said "I just can't sleep". The husband said "we have to try." Another hour went by and the father looked over at his wife and she had tears running down her eyes. He reached for his pillow and got another blanket and said "I am going to the attic, I will not change his punishment but I can share it with him."

He went upstairs and found his son wide awake with tears in his eyes and said "son You need this punishment I am giving you and I can't remove it but I will share it scoot over." Then sleep came.

The father decided to not let his heart be troubled.

God determined sin has to be punished and he sent His Son not just to share the punishment but to take it for us. Therefore Jesus can say and does say:

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

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

Phil. 4:7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. NAS
 

The . . Leaving Of Christ Peace. v 27 a

The . . Lavishness Of Christ Peace. v 27 b

The . . Letting Of Christ Peace. v 27 c