In keeping with our Advent theme of Peace this week, our text for today comes from an excellent 90’s bumper sticker… No Jesus, No Peace – Know Jesus, Know Peace.

Funny thing is when Scott asked me if I would teach Men’s Breakfast this month, the very first thing that popped into my head was John 14:27… one of the first verses Ben read to us Sunday and a topic I took a dive into and taught back in August of last year. Jesus says,

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.

Matt and Ben were both used some big but intriguing words last Sunday… Dunno know about y’all but it’s been a minute since I’ve participated in a spelling bee SO I had to look them up. And I’m going to assume I’m not the only one and share what I learned… Even if I am the only one, I’m still sharing… so there.

Cognitive dissonance – Webster defines this as: psychological conflict resulting from incongruous beliefs and attitudes held simultaneously.

I have a love/hate relationship with the English language since I gave my life to Christ. And I have grown to despise Webster…. He don’t even write definitions anymore. Why can’t it just say incompatible? No, they give me another word I have to look up!!

So it’s a psychological conflict that is caused by incompatible beliefs and attitudes… Ok… better… still doesn’t quite do it for me.

Now, don’t get me wrong, I never finished college but I’m not an uneducated person. I get things, it just takes me a minute sometimes and my learning style fits no mold. I even understand algebra now and had a very difficult time even with general math in school. Probably most because of drugs and alcohol… but I dirgress...

One thing I quickly discovered is this isn’t a mental disorder, which is where my brain went (I’ve allegedly had a couple of those). This is something that affects us all to some degree, especially for those that don’t know Jesus – we’ll get to that soon enough.

So… after spending about an hour or more looking up Cognitive dissonance, I think I have a definition for the masses…

“An uneasiness that occurs deep in your soul when what you believe and what you think or do, are opposed.” Sound familiar?

Personally, I think that’s a great way to lead into a discussion about peace the Lord gives because we don’t often… I don’t often feel at peace in my day to day. I let work stress me out, I let traffic stress me out, I let loneliness stress me out…

I mentioned when I taught on this topic that big things don’t get me down for long, if at all. I’m typically the cool-headed one in a crisis because big things are a no brainer… if It’s outside my control, God is. I’m completely at peace because I know my God has my back and if this life ends because of the crisis, I know my last break on this Earth is my first breath in the presence of my Lord and Savior.

I am, however, a bonehead. I spend way more time than I care to admit taking little things back from Jesus, I think I called that, the “I got this” disease.

If you’re anything at all like me, I’m sorry for you. But you’re probably already thinking of some examples of this uneasiness, but I’ll give you just a few we can likely all relate to:

You believe eating healthy is a good thing but what you eat is not.

Anyone feel guilty about past decisions?

How about not reading your bible? We know better don’t we?

There’s obviously a gagillion more but we’ll leave it at those. I brought up the bible for one specific reason. We’re studying it…

I know, we’ve only covered one scripture… but wait, there’s more! I kinda wanted to lay the groundwork on the topic of peace in light of understanding Cognitive dissonance because that’s the foundation of this message.

If you don’t know Jesus, you have no peace. I’ll go so far as to say that you can’t know peace. Not peace described in v27, peace as the Lord gives. When I didn’t know Jesus, my life was one CD example after another and I’ll tell you exactly what caused it – willful ignorance.

I don’t remember a time in my life when I didn’t know who Jesus was. I wasn’t raised in the church but I remember church youth retreats, friends who were Christians, looking through my mom’s heirloom bible you had to vacuum first before opening…

So you might accurately say that I was willfully ignorant of the plan Jesus had for my life for years until I arrived at a place where I was able to admit I was a sinner and needed Him.

Hebrews 10:26-27 - For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries.

Now, I can’t make the leap to say that Cognitive Dissonance is the same as willful ignorance but I can confidently make the statement that willful ignorance causes cognitive dissonance.

There is no question that Jesus WANTS to give us peace, just read John 14:27 again and believe me, that is far from the only verse that can prove that point. If we look to the Word through allowing His Spirit to guide and define, we can easiliy see proof on every page of scripture.

Here we have Hebrews 10 that shows us a biblical example of CD. If you KNOW Jesus and continue to do what you KNOW to be against Him, there WILL be a certain fearful expectation of judgment. Doesn’t that fit my definition to a ‘T’? “An uneasiness that occurs deep in your soul when what you believe and what you do, are opposed.”

Here's the cool part though. The rest of this verse set is aimed at those who know the truth but have not accepted or acknowledged it, which we don’t really have time to cover. We should read and understand that and its context but it’s not something we need to camp out in because we know something else to be true…

Romans 8:28 – And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

Even when we believe in Jesus, our sin nature has not been obliterated. It’s still there and when we sin, willfully or otherwise, we’re going to have that uneasy feeling… but Jesus.

Because of Him, we’re no longer reserved for the condemnation that typically follows sin according to Romans 8:1. And I really should give up on trying to teach topically cuz it’s hard enough trying not to chase squirrels when teaching from a book or a chapter… I’m going to chase and easy one to tie in here…

18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. 19 For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; 21 because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now (CD?). 23 Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body. 24 For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance. 26 Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27 Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God. 28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. 29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.

Couple things here… Jesus freed us from the bondage of corruption and set us apart for glory… that’s future glory and it’s all HIS!! What do we have in this moment? Glorious LIBERTY. We’re no longer slaves to sin according to Romans 6 – ‘nuther rabbit hole there…

Another thing that stands out that relates to the peace Jesus gives… but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.

Isn’t it absolutely AWESOME that we who know Jesus, can KNOW He’s coming? Sure it’s hope, but it’s not a blind hope. It’s a hope found in having a relationship with the LIVING GOD who WANTS TO BE WITH US. THAT is the peace that Jesus gives. It’s a peace that passes all understanding according to Philippians 4.

Ok, found this quote on a YouTube video I found quite humorous and, in light of what I told you earlier, relatable.

“I used to be woke. The smallest thing would get me triggered. I protested everything that offended me, and demanded it all be cancelled. Finally I outgrew it, and went to preschool.” ~ youtube user comment

When I gave my life to Jesus Christ, one thing that took me a long time to get over was myself. And, I’m not there completely yet but one thing I can say confidently is that I am not easily offended.

On a few occasions, Matt has apologized for offending me, or at least what he perceived as offending me (which, by the way, is an indicator of someone walking in the peace of Jesus), and I think I’ve replied at least a couple times, “you can’t offend me”. But he keeps trying…

Stressed out about stupid things, sure. Absolutely. But I can only attribute not being offended to peace in the Lord. There’s no other explanation.

Men… brothers… this might be hard to hear, we have NO RIGHT to be offended. Not by our spouses, not by our friends, not even by our enemies… didn’t Jesus say, you shall love your neighbor as yourself? He’s quoting Leviticus 19:18

You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.

We gave up that right when we professed faith in Jesus. Have you noticed that folks who walk around offended by everything are the least peaceful people on the planet?

We’re big on rights in this country aren’t we. Understandable, it’s basically what our country was founded on. Our country was also founded by some Godly men. Rights are not really the issue, we should have rights and we should even fight for them. But I can tell you that if you’re hung up on your rights, to the exclusion of love, you’re not going to be very effective for the Kingdom. You’re not going to experience the peace our King gives.

As a believer, what do you think is the most important “action” we can do? Love? Read your bible? Pray? I’m sure this is debatable but my not so humble opinion is this; it’s the instruction Paul gives us in

Galations 5:16.

I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.

Sounds simple right? If you walk in the Spirit, will you love? If you walk in the Spirit will you read His Word? Will you pray? Wll you be at peace? Seems as if everything we’re called to be in the Lord hinges on this one action.

Galations 13-15: For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. 14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 15 But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another!

Liberty – there’s that word again – doesn’t mean we can do whatever but it does mean that whatever we do is covered by the blood and sacrifice of our Savior. THAT is peace the Lord gives. We’ve heard Matt say it from this pulpit many times, especially in our study through Isaiah… do the right thing. That, by the way, is a result of walking in the Spirit.

Galatians 5:16-26: I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. 24 And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

Being offended is a focus on self. There’s just no way around that. That’s exactly opposite of walking in the Spirit. Being offended is anti-peace. We just read that peace is one of the fruits of the Spirit. It’s a GIFT from our Lord and Savior. Who are we to decline?

But isn’t that what we do when we get offended? We decline peace and instead choose the flesh. This is how wars are started not ended. Hang on though… I haven’t offended everyone yet… and here’s the irony… we are also not to be offensive!

Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like;

EVERY work of the flesh is offensive to God. ONLY God can be offended and not sin. And I don’t mind offending y’all with His Word because that’s poking your flesh and that’s a good thing.

I tell Matt he can’t offend me for one reason alone, because I love him. I’ll let him try all day long because I know he loves me too and anything he’s doing that one might consider offensive, I know he’s not doing to hurt me. Love covers all offenses before they even start.

Yes, technically, I can be offended just as I can be offensive but if I love as we are called to love, unconditionally, being offended won’t even register and you’ll marvel at why that mature believer is apologizing for it.

Here’s the thing… these are fruits of walking in the SPIRIT, NOT fruits of anything we can say or do. We have so many assurances in the peace Jesus gives. What assurances do we have in the peace the world gives?

1 Corinthians 6:7-11 Now therefore, it is already an utter failure for you that you go to law against one another. Why do you not rather accept wrong? Why do you not rather let yourselves be cheated? 8 No, you yourselves do wrong and cheat, and you do these things to your brethren! 9 Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, 10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.

Ok, if I haven’t offended your flesh by now, this is sure to. Paul is writing about some believers taking each other to war. The legal realm in this case, which is just another form of battleground.

Christians offending Christians. He asks the question, “why not just be offended and move on?”. Retaliation is a sure sign of at best an immature believer; at worst, an unbeliever. Paul puts us in the same category in v11 – And such were some of you.

Ouch.

But Jesus…. Let me ask you this. Do you think you can be cheated by a brother and just let it go? Don’t even say anything? We’re not supposed to lend money but if you did, do you think you can let it go if that brother doesn’t pay you back? Don’t even say anything?

Well we should hold our brother accountable… where is that requirement written? There is not one scripture I’ve found that supports “accountability” partnership but it’s a common practice in churches today, especially for things like pornography or substance abuse. And I’ve personally experienced the devastation that such partnerships can bring.

I’m not saying accountability is a bad thing. There certainly is a time and place to address sin and even for accountability. We have a couple of ministries where accountability is likely an important facet. But I can say without hesitation, there is NOTHING against keeping an offense to yourself.

That’s longsuffering. It’s goodness. It’s peace. It’s love. Against these things, there is no law.

There was a time when the things of the flesh were not offensive to us. We partook without a second thought and often without remorse. I believe if we are honest with ourselves there was always some level of Cognitive Dissonance present because the Lord put in us a need for Him long before we recognized that need.

I’m going to quote this from the NASB so it will be a bit different from what you see on the screen but Jeremiah 17:9 says: “The heart is more deceitful than all else and is desperately sick; who can understand it? “I, the Lord, search the heart, I test the mind, even to give to each man according to his ways, according to the results of his deeds.

Proverbs 3:5 says 5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.

Like everyone here, I am a human being plagued by thoughts, doubts, fear, anger, love, hate, you name it. I know I can’t trust my thoughts. I’ve lost track of how many times my first impressions of someone have been way off base. Or how my judgment of someone was misplaced or entirely unfounded.

I know I can’t trust my feelings; they lie. My heart is a liar. My brain is a liar, my flesh is a liar. I’m a thief, I’m an adulterer, I’m a cheat, I’m most of those detestable things listed in 1 Cor 6… apart from Jesus.

You might be asking the question, “What does the peace Jesus gives, feel like”? Well, all I can really say is “permanent”. I don’t think it’s a feeling. I believe it’s an understanding really. Just like the bumper sticker says, “No Jesus, No peace, Know Jesus, Know peace”.

Peace is an understanding that Jesus has been since the beginning, the arche, the before before. He’s the inventor of peace. It just makes sense that in knowing Him, peace is inevitable. That knowing Him makes anything the world has to offer simply unpalatable.

The world’s peace is temporary, fleeting, it’s a brief gap of time between shots fired. I hope you’ve found that Jesus is who He says He is because He’s proven it a multitude of times over. His Word is true and His Word is permanent as is His peace.

We have one example in the entirety of scripture where Jesus seems to have a moment of doubt; a hesitation, if you will. But what does he say? Not my will but YOURS be done.

That’s who I want to follow after.