It's Time to End the Hostility

Peace is Found in Union With Christ

He Himself is our Peace (14a)

English Standard Version Chapter 2

For he himself is our peace

The world cannot bring peace.

The Church, and that means each saint in union with Christ and each other, must bring this peace.

Why? Because Jesus showed us the way by taking to cultures and making them one. (14b)

English Standard Version Chapter 2

who has made us both one

First, one in sinfulness.

Then, one in faith.

For all the talk of our heroes, it is time for you to be a hero

Jesus Broke the Wall of Hostility

The world provides us with the same old ways to divide and sometimes creates new ways.

We need to be counter-cultural.

English Standard Version Chapter 2

and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility

Jesus broke down the wall of hostility by His death.

We will not get everyone in agreement, but that is not what an end to hostility looks like.

He took away what made the one group special.

English Standard Version Chapter 2

by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace,

it would be better translated “by making inoperable the law of commandments”

He didn’t do away with the law, but took away the focus.

The focus is now not on the God of the Jews and His laws, but on Jesus Christ, the Savior of the whole world, through faith.

The law had become a club

a means of division

Jesus ended the things that separated the Jews from the Gentiles and made one new man which brought peace.

A new banner to wave in unity.

Jesus Made Us Both One - Unity

His purpose was to save the world from sin and death, and the benefit in this life is the potential for peace.

English Standard Version Chapter 2

and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility

The Gospel has many benefits

In this argument the benefit is the end of hostility.

Aren’t you tired?

Paul says Jesus came and died so that we could all be reconciled to God and thus reconciled to one another.

The key to world peace has never been God’s human choice of government, but His Church.

The negative for today is that the condition of our country is our fault.

We have a great economy, but no peace.

And if you think that is because of a certain party, a certain group, a protest or a riot, you are mistaken.

We don’t have peace in America because we the church have not done our job.

Our ministry is reconciliation

2 Corinthians 5:18–20 ESV

18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. 20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.

He reconciled us and sent us to reconcile the rest.

He entrusted to us the message of reconciliation.

God is making His appeal through us.

It Is Time For The Church To Do The Ministry Of Reconciliation

It is time.

Aren’t you tired?

We have tried politics and ranting and rebelling.

Why don’t we give the gospel a try?

Why not try the ministry of reconciliation, until we reconcile the greatest of enemies.

President Trump has done some amazing reconciling in his administration, but it always revolves around money and the economy.

We have a better message, but we keep spreading his or theirs, anyone’s but God’s.

God’s platform is greater than the Democrats or the Republicans.

It is time, church!

This week I propose Step One.

Step One: A Political Fast

I propose that you all go vote on Tuesday.

Then I propose that you abstain from any form of political conversation, political programming, or political thought…until the end of the year.

Two months politics free.

No arguments about whose life matters, what either chamber or court is doing, any unrest somewhere other than our own sphere here in Oak Grove or Kansas City.

It is going to be very hard for some of you.

The Benefit: focus on the good things.

Thanksgiving

Christmas

The Gospel of Jesus Christ

Declare your fast to your family and friends and invite them to join you.

Talk about your success in abstinence.

Notice and speak of the joy without the hostility.

Let hostility be the virus, and put on masks, body suits and avoid certain places where people gather to spread germs.

Hostility has been broken down and put to death by our Savior.

Let it be broken down and dead in us.

Let’s worship.