A Peacemaking Church

Introduction

The old house - foundation.

Cracks, doors stuck, a door opening at night w/alarm.

Finally had a company. Dig down and create a firm foundation. Then, the house came together.

If a house isn’t on a firm foundation, it will continue to crack apart.

If a church isn’t on a firm foundation it will collapse.

Joshua charges the people of God to work towards unity as a peacemaking nation with three strong reminders. Applicable to us, the church, as the people of God.

Remember Your Common Victory

vv. 1-5

Sometime after the conquest and settlement of the lands, Joshua wants to pass something along.

In his old age, wisdom and experience and observation, he wants to pass along a warning:

Don’t fall for the trap of division.

Joshua first reminds them that

God has brought you the victory.

v. 3 - Over and over - it was the LORD who accomplished this for you. Both parts of that phrase are important!

And, v. 4, behold: look. This very tangible proof of God’s faithfulness.

When God brings you a victory, you know it!

God brought the victory and put the people in the land, the covenantal land. The relationship with God.

For us, God sent His Son. He overcame death as He paid the penalty for your sin. And this has brought you into a right relationship with God.

We must remember that we are all in debt to Jesus! He is the One who went to the cross, His agonizing death paid the penalty that you and I deserved to pay but could not because of our sin. But Jesus, who is righteous, died in our place and the wrath of God was satisfied.

Jesus paid for your forgiveness.

For every Christian, this is our common victory that has been received. We all have that in common.

Remember Your Common Commitment

vv. 6-10

There is the call to follow God’s Word (v. 6), reject any other idol (v. 7), and to cling to God (v. 8). Notice the connection between v. 6 and v. 8.

To hold fast to God is to hold fast to His Word.

This is to be the foundation upon which we build everything else. And we will be pressured to do otherwise. Culture wants to seep in. Even religious traditions, which typically had an honorable beginning, can be elevated to the level of the Bible and serve to prevent the effectiveness of the church.

Scripture serves as our one and only source.

Sola Scriptura = “all truth necessary for our salvation and spiritual life is taught either explicitly or implicitly in Scripture.” - John MacArthur

The Bible ensures that we will all be headed in the same direction regardless of where we start.

Triangle.

Wreck in 1996 - rumblestrips don’t work.

Scripture gives guardrails.

2 Timothy 3:16–17 ESV

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

Teaching - This is the road.

Reproof - You’re swerving off the road.

Correction - Turn your steering wheel this way.

Training - This is how to stay on the road.

This must be the same for the church as a whole - the Bible is our source for how we live our faith individually and as a community.

This is our common commitment.

Remember Your Common Love

vv. 11-13

Be careful to love God.

That sounds like an odd statement. Do we have to be reminded to love God?

But, how easily hearts are distracted!

The temptation that surrounds the Israelites of foreign gods.

But, it is God who has delivered them.

Similarly, it is God who has delivered you. He has purchased you.

1 Corinthians 6:19–20 ESV

Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

God is deserving of our highest love.

But, this common love has another effect on us.

Watching the Eagles play at the Cowboys’ stadium. When you see someone else in a jersey or hoodie or hat, there is an instant connection! You don’t know who that person is, but if you are seated next to them, for the next couple of hours, they are your best friend.

Our love for God solidifies fellowship.

It makes is where we can look past our differences and grow closer to one another.

Especially as we consider how God loved us when we did not deserve it and how we can love one another even when we don’t deserve it.

Conclusion

When you and your siblings fought and the punishment would be to give each other a hug or to sit and hold hands.

A better cure is getting older. Maybe moving away from each other?

Probably as we matured, we appreciated each other more - in spite of our differences.

But, we have things in common-

Family, Family values, and a continued love for our family.

We, as the church, are family because we have been redeemed by the blood of Christ. We are brothers and sisters to Jesus and to each other.

We have a common set of beliefs as laid out explicitly and implicitly in the Bible.

We have a common love, expressed to us from God and then for each other as a Spirit-indwelt believers.

Believers are equipped to be peacemakers.

And, true peace is available for you! True peace is found in salvation, by asking God to forgive you of your sins and commit your life to Him. God may be calling you to receive peace today through accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior this day.