City of Peace_pt2: Pursue Peace
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Adapted from 2016 Sermon: Pursue Peace
City of Peace_pt2: Pursue Peace
City of Peace_pt2: Pursue Peace
This is what Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem:
In the last days the mountain of the Lord’s temple will be established as the highest of the mountains; it will be exalted above the hills, and all nations will stream to it.
Many peoples will come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the temple of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths.” The law will go out from Zion, the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.
The Church is the city on a hill… the mountain of the Lord’s temple
In this place, there is peace
Between God and man, through Christ
Between His children, through Christ
[PAYOFF] In Christ, we are at peace.
[HOWEVER] - Many of us lack peace in our lives, due to relationship issues.
Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord:
Our relationships with each other are important to God!
Paul explains (below) that no longer do rules and regulations govern our relationship with God – but now our relationship to the world!
for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
For he who serves Christ in these things is acceptable to God and approved by men.
Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another.
[SAY IT WITH ME] - Let’s pursue peace
Pursue peace
Pursue peace
If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
We see 3 things in this scripture.
In all relationships
In all relationships
“Live at peace with everyone”
Paul is encouraging the Gentiles in Ephesus to remember that they were foreigners brought near by the grace of God.
There would have been enmity between the Jewish believers and the Gentile believers…
For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility,
by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace,
[BUT] - sometimes the other party isn’t pursue peace as we are… what about that?...
Even if not mutual
Even if not mutual
“As far as it depends on you”
And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that.
But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil. 36 Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.
It’s part of our worship
It’s part of our worship
must be viewed against the backdrop of the 21:1…
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.
Peace be with you
Peace be with you
In 2 Corinthians, the apostle gives us clear instruction for how to have the peace of God present in our lives..
Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.
1. Be complete!
1. Be complete!
Greek: Ka-tar-tizo = Be perfect, be complete, put things in order (Hebrew: worlds framed by God..)
Community, every joint supplies, equipping the church!
WE HAVE TO WORK TOGETHER!
As for other matters, brothers and sisters, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more.
And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone.
Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.
Go as far as necessary to serve others and have peace in your relationship!...
For we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of man.
2. Be of good comfort!
2. Be of good comfort!
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.
Jesus, speaking of the trials we will endure (fire), compares us to salt (preserve).
“Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can you make it salty again? Have salt among yourselves, and be at peace with each other.”
[PAYOFF] - We preserve ourselves by preserving peace with one another!
3. Be of one mind!
3. Be of one mind!
I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought.
This is why we do Next Step Class (4th Sundays)
Take Away
Take Away
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
I mean… He want’s His kids to play well together, no?
Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.
Sow peace in every relationship!
Sow peace in every relationship!
Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.