Bridges of Peace: Embracing Christ's Call to Action

Devotional

Day 1: The Lord is Our Shepherd and Provider

God is our faithful shepherd, guiding us through every season of life, providing for our needs, restoring our souls, and leading us in paths of righteousness. Even when we face uncertainty or challenges, we can trust that God’s sustaining presence is with us, offering comfort, protection, and peace. As we give thanks for the gift of life and the blessings we receive each day, we are reminded that we lack nothing in Him and are called to rest in His care. [07:45]

Psalm 23 (ESV):
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil, for you are with me;
your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Reflection: Where in your life do you need to trust God as your shepherd and rest in His provision and care today?

Day 2: Christ is Our Peace and Bridge

Jesus is the bridge who reconciles us to God and to one another, breaking down every wall of hostility and division. In a world filled with separation, trauma, and accusation, Christ’s peace bridges the gaps that keep us apart—whether those are social, economic, or spiritual. We are called not only to receive this peace but to embody it, allowing the presence of Jesus to fill our hearts, our homes, and every space we enter, so that we become bridges of peace in our communities. [23:34]

Ephesians 2:14-16 (ESV):
For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility 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, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility.

Reflection: Is there a relationship or situation in your life where you need to invite Christ’s peace to bridge a gap or heal a division?

Day 3: Love Boldly as Christ Loves

To love boldly is to love God with all our heart and to love our neighbor as ourselves, embracing and including people of every age, race, and background. Loving boldly means stepping out of our comfort zones, listening to the Spirit’s prompting, and meeting needs wherever we find them. It is a call to plant seeds of love, joy, and peace, and to reflect the radical, inclusive love of Jesus in practical ways—whether through a simple act of kindness or a courageous stand for justice. [32:10]

Matthew 22:37-39 (ESV):
And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

Reflection: Who is God inviting you to love boldly today, and what specific action can you take to show Christ’s love to them?

Day 4: Serve Joyfully, Even When Tired

Serving joyfully means offering care and compassion with the heart of Christ, even when we feel weary or unappreciated. Joy is contagious, and when we serve with gladness, we bring the light and strength of God into every space—whether in our church, our community, or our homes. God renews our strength as we serve others, and our acts of joyful service become a testimony of His love and presence in the world. [37:59]

Galatians 6:9-10 (ESV):
And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.

Reflection: What is one way you can serve someone joyfully this week, even if you feel tired or unnoticed?

Day 5: Lead Courageously and Bridge the Gap

Inside each of us is a leader called to bridge a gap in our world—whether through teaching, caring, creating, or simply stepping up where there is a need. Leading courageously means embracing the project or vision God has placed in your heart, taking risks for the sake of the gospel, and inspiring others to join in God’s mission. When we rise up to lead, we become the hands and feet of Jesus, making a difference and transforming our communities for His glory. [43:50]

Joshua 1:9 (ESV):
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.

Reflection: What project, idea, or act of leadership is God calling you to step into this week, and how can you take a courageous first step?

Sermon Summary

In this season of Eastertide, our hearts are drawn to the risen Christ, who is not only our shepherd but also our peace. We give thanks for God’s sustaining grace, for the gift of life, and for the ways God preserves us through the unknowns of each week. As a community, we lift up prayers for healing, for our church family, and for the Spirit’s presence among us. We are reminded that Christ, our shepherd, leads us beside still waters and restores our souls, calling us to be caretakers of one another and to bridge the gaps we see in our world.

Reflecting on the image of bridges—like the Golden Gate and Brooklyn Bridges—we see how they connect places and people, overcoming obstacles and gaps. In our lives, there are many kinds of gaps: social, economic, relational, and spiritual. God calls each of us to be a bridge, to fill a unique gap that only we can fill. Christ himself is the ultimate bridge, reconciling us to God and to one another, breaking down walls of hostility and division. The peace Christ brings is not just a feeling but a mission, a calling to be peacemakers in a world marked by trauma, violence, and separation.

This calling begins with us. We are invited to let the peace of Christ have a seat at every table—whether in our homes, workplaces, or community boards. The ministry of reconciliation is entrusted to us, not to sharpen differences or accuse others of being “without God,” but to invite all into relationship and belonging. Our lives are meant to be bridges of peace, making the circle wider and drawing others into God’s love.

The new vision set before us is clear: love boldly, serve joyfully, and lead courageously. Loving boldly means embracing and including all people, meeting needs, and stepping out of our comfort zones. Serving joyfully is about offering care and compassion with gladness, even when we are weary, knowing that joy is contagious and strengthens us. Leading courageously calls forth the leader within each of us, urging us to take risks, pursue God-given projects, and not to sit on the gifts and ideas God has placed in our hearts. As we go forth, may we be bridges of peace, empowered by Christ to fill the gaps in our world.

Key Takeaways

1. Christ as Our Bridge and Peace Christ is not only the bridge between humanity and God but also the embodiment of peace that breaks down every wall of hostility. His resurrection brings a peace that heals trauma, reconciles differences, and invites us to participate in the ministry of reconciliation. This peace is not passive; it is a call to action, urging us to be agents of healing and unity in a divided world. [23:34]
2. The Call to Be Bridges in Our Contexts Each person is uniquely positioned to fill a gap in their family, community, or workplace. God’s call is not just for a select few but for everyone to be a bridge where there is need—whether that’s offering care, advocating for justice, or simply being present. Our lives are not meant to be passive; we are called to actively bridge divides and embody Christ’s love in tangible ways. [22:24]
3. Loving Boldly as a Transformative Vision To love boldly is to love as Christ loves: inclusively, passionately, and without reservation. This means reaching out to those who are different, meeting needs without discrimination, and allowing the Spirit to guide us into new acts of compassion. Loving boldly transforms both the giver and the receiver, making God’s love visible in the world. [31:44]
4. Serving Joyfully, Even in Weariness Service is most powerful when it is done with joy, even when we are tired or discouraged. Joy in service is contagious and can transform the atmosphere of any space, bringing hope and encouragement to others. As we serve, we are also renewed and strengthened by God’s Spirit, discovering that joy is both a gift and a discipline. [37:59]
5. Leading Courageously from Within Leadership is not reserved for a few; every believer is called to lead courageously in their sphere of influence. This means stepping out in faith, pursuing God-given ideas, and not waiting for permission to act. When we lead courageously, we inspire others, bridge gaps, and participate in God’s ongoing work of transformation in the world.

** [41:45]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[07:45] - Thanksgiving and Prayer for God’s Sustenance
[14:10] - Community Service and Sharing Christ’s Peace
[17:34] - The Power and Purpose of Bridges
[18:48] - Overcoming Obstacles: Lessons from Bridge Building
[21:02] - Bridging Gaps in Society and Our Calling
[22:24] - Each Person Fills a Unique Gap
[23:34] - Christ as Our Bridge and Peace
[28:13] - The Ministry of Reconciliation
[31:44] - The Vision: Love Boldly
[37:59] - Serve Joyfully, Even When Tired
[41:45] - Lead Courageously and Embrace Your Calling
[45:56] - Prayer and Blessing for Bridging Gaps
[61:29] - Offering and Generosity
[65:05] - Benediction: Be a Bridge of Peace
[66:23] - Fellowship and Closing

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Ephesians 2:14-18 — 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, and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.

2. Psalm 23:1-3
The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.

3. Matthew 22:37-39
Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’

Observation Questions

In Ephesians 2:14-18, what does Paul say Jesus has done to the “dividing wall of hostility”? What is the result for the two groups?
According to Psalm 23, what are some of the ways God cares for us as our shepherd? [07:45]
In Matthew 22:37-39, what two commandments does Jesus say are the greatest? How do these relate to the idea of “loving boldly” from the sermon? [31:44]
The sermon described Christ as both our bridge and our peace. What does it mean that Christ is the “bridge” between us and God? [23:34]

Interpretation Questions

The sermon says, “Christ is our peace. He brings peace and Christ is the peace. Yet our society is steeped into violence and separation and our spirit sometimes may be riddled with that hostility.” What does it look like for Christ’s peace to break down walls of hostility in our own lives or communities? [23:34]
The pastor shared that “the ministry of reconciliation is entrusted to us, not to sharpen differences or accuse others of being ‘without God,’ but to invite all into relationship and belonging.” How does this challenge the way we sometimes view or treat people who are different from us? [28:13]
The new vision for the church is to “love boldly, serve joyfully, and lead courageously.” Why do you think these three actions are necessary for bridging gaps in our world? [31:44]
The sermon mentioned that “each person is uniquely positioned to fill a gap in their family, community, or workplace.” What might be some examples of these gaps, and why is it important that everyone participates? [22:24]

Application Questions

The pastor asked, “Does that Jesus who is our peace have a seat at our tables, in the school boardrooms, and the church council?” Where in your life do you need to make more room for Christ’s peace? Is there a specific relationship, group, or situation where you sense a “gap” that needs bridging? [23:34]
Think about a time when you experienced or witnessed a “dividing wall of hostility”—maybe at work, in your family, or in the community. What is one practical step you could take this week to be a bridge of peace in that situation? [23:34]
The sermon calls us to “love boldly,” which means loving inclusively and stepping out of our comfort zones. Who is someone in your life that you find difficult to love or include? What is one way you could reach out to them this week? [31:44]
Serving joyfully can be hard, especially when we are tired or discouraged. What is one area where you are serving right now that feels draining? How might you invite God to renew your joy in that service? [37:59]
The pastor said, “Inside of everyone sitting here is a leader… there is a project in you, there is an idea in you, there is something God has put inside of you. Please don’t sit on it.” What is one gift, idea, or passion God has placed in your heart that you have been hesitant to act on? What is a small step you could take this week to lead courageously? [41:45]
The sermon described the church’s vision as “making the circle wider and drawing others into God’s love.” Is there a group or person you tend to exclude, intentionally or unintentionally? How can you make your “circle” wider this month? [28:13]
The pastor encouraged the church to “pray to the God of heaven… what bridge have you called me to do?” Take a moment to pray and listen. What gap do you sense God is calling you to help bridge in your family, church, or community? [45:56]

Sermon Clips

Your life is so precious, my dear. Part of it because there is a gap that you fill. You fill a particular gap. And so many people, as we said in last week, we talk about how the peace of Christ is a mission that causes us to feed the sheep, to feed others, to care, to be caretakers, to care for one another. So many people are waiting for our care and for our love. And that is what makes us who we are. [00:22:20] (45 seconds)

Christ is the bridge between us and God. Christ, the reason Christ is our bridge. Not only is Christ is our bridge, but Christ is our peace. Somebody say, Christ is our peace. Christ proclaims peace anytime in all the resurrection experiences. The first thing he told the disciples, and we have looked at this over again, that is when he entered the room that the doors were locked, Jesus stood among them and he said, peace be with you. Peace is a bridge. Peace bridges the trauma gap. [00:23:06] (50 seconds)

We are told that about one out of every four people in the United States is facing a Christian trauma. People are in need of God's peace and the peace that Jesus Christ brings to us. Christ brings to us bridges the gap. Bridges the gap that makes us feel rejected. The gap that makes us feel separated from God. Christ is our peace. He brings peace and Christ is the peace. [00:23:55] (39 seconds)

How can we, the question is this this morning, claim the power of the resurrection that brings us peace that makes us to tear down the walls that have been constructed and the walls that have been built and this is our tax the tax of peacemaking of bridges of peace begins with us amen the tax of peacemaking and filling a particular gap begins not with people out there not with those that need to hear but we ourselves that we are reading the text that the tax of peacemaking begins with us. [00:24:49] (65 seconds)

Jesus shows us who he is and how he welcome all people around him and now Paul writes about Christ and say that Jesus who saw me on the road to Damascus when I was persecuting the church that same Jesus that revealed himself to me even in the third heavens that same Jesus that loved me and gave a grace upon me and called me by my name that Jesus Paul writes about that Jesus and said that Jesus is our peace that is the Jesus we are talking about today. [00:25:54] (47 seconds)

Is the peace of Jesus represented in the board is the peace of Jesus represented in the places that need most in the hospitals in in the places that we are called to go and to be the hands and feet of Jesus Jesus is our bridge. [00:28:07] (28 seconds)

There is a gap for you to fill as you are sitting here this Sunday morning you are feeling a gap you are not only here to warm the pews your life is a destiny and that destiny affects people when you come here we come to be gathered to be empowered so that we go out there and bridge the gaps that are that have been I've been um widening our job is to make the circle closer do I have some witness this morning we are bridges of peace. [00:32:53] (45 seconds)

Love boldly love the lord thy god with all your heart and love your neighbor as I was as yourself we are told to love boldly those letters who pray who pray who pray how pray Thank you. love passionately loving boldly means loving passionately and loving like Jesus embracing and including people of every age people of every race people of every gender people from all walks of life. [00:35:05] (37 seconds)

People of God, we have been called as bridges of peace, and it begins with us, begins from our hearts. As we go to the places God has called us this week, as Jesus breathed on the disciples and said, Let peace be with you. May the breath of God fill our homes with the peace, and may we be the bridge and embodiment of peace. There is a gap God is calling you, and we look forward to see you filling that gap, the peace of God. [01:04:52] (44 seconds)

Ask a question about this sermon

Chatbot

What does it mean to love boldly in faith?

How can believers serve joyfully amid exhaustion?

In what ways does Christ bridge societal and spiritual gaps?