Create Something Different
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Introduction
Introduction
A time of revolution. Maccabean revolt.
Desire to throw off the yoke of the Roman Empire.
When revolution is popular, peacemakers are unpopular.
Imagine the responses: “This is not time to talk about peace! Don’t you know what time it is?”
Phrases echoed even today.
The message of Jesus was unpopular then as His words are unpopular today.
Jesus calls us to be peacemakers.
Make Peace
Make Peace
The widening chasm:
Poverty of spirit
Mourning over sin
Powerless to save oneself
Desirous for righteousness
Merciful towards other sinners
Cleansed by the blood of Jesus
Now, seeking to make peace
What is peace? Not absence of turmoil.
Shalom. Not just a greeting - a desire and a blessing.
Peace is to be a Kingdom norm.
Whoever thus serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men. So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.
If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.
Peace has a cost.
We understand that in America. What we value, we have fought for.
Freedom. Peace. Independence Day. This had a cost.
Peace in the Kingdom has a cost.
Be willing to lose dignity.
What the world calls weakness, God calls strength.
Our example is Jesus, greatest peacemaker.
How did Jesus make peace? By His death on the cross.
For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.
looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
In order to make peace, Jesus was shamed and crucified unfairly. He took the blame, my sin and your sin.
Making peace can require you to humble yourself and receive fault.
This is why Jesus doesn’t say “be peaceful” or “peaceable” but “peacemaker.”
Peace requires sacrifice.
So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.
The world will look at this and say it proves that you are weak.
God will look at this and say it proves you are strong.
Be Called a Son of God
Be Called a Son of God
Peacemaking is an essential expression of divine sonship.
“Sonship” - Three ways we find this used in Scripture.
Son of God - Jesus (Divine essence)
Sons of God - Angels (Job and Psalms)
Sons of God - Those who are representative of God
for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith.
To be a son is to share in the character of the father.
Why I look like my dad.
To be a son is to partake in the character of God.
If we are to represent God here, step one:
Stop being divisive.
I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called,
with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,
eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Contradicts how many Christians think their spiritual gift is causing chaos.
God is the God of peace, to be His child is to have that quality.
Conclusion
Conclusion
Excuses for sowing discord. Based on “how bad things are now.”
People forget that large arenas were used so that the public could watch public executions of Christians.
The call to peace was true then and it is true today.
As we celebrate our nation, be reminded:
Christians have a higher citizenship.
One that requires us to be active in reconciliation.
Person to person.
And person to God.