Christ: The Source of True Peace and Reconciliation
Summary
In Ephesians 2:17, Paul speaks of Christ preaching peace to those who were far off and those who were near, symbolizing the unification of Jews and Gentiles through the church. This peace was made possible by Christ's death on the cross, which broke down the dividing wall of hostility and abolished the law of commandments. The cross is central to this reconciliation, as it was there that the veil was torn, signifying the end of separation between God and humanity. The message of peace is not just a historical event but a present reality proclaimed through the apostles and the church, emphasizing that peace with God is available to all, regardless of their background.
The sermon explores the nature of this peace, highlighting that humanity's fundamental need is peace with God. This peace is not merely the absence of conflict but a deep, abiding tranquility that comes from being reconciled to God. The restlessness of humanity, likened to the troubled sea, is a result of being out of alignment with God, a condition that began with the fall in Eden. This restlessness manifests in various ways, from the overt chaos of sinful living to the hidden turmoil of those who appear morally upright but lack true peace.
The message is clear: both those who are far from God and those who seem near need the same peace. The distinction between being "far off" and "near" is relative, as all are in need of reconciliation with God. The sermon challenges the notion that moral or religious people are inherently closer to God, emphasizing that true peace comes only through Christ. This peace is a gift, made possible by Christ's sacrifice, and is available to all who recognize their need for it.
Key Takeaways:
- Humanity's fundamental need is peace with God, which is made possible through Christ's death on the cross. This peace is not just the absence of conflict but a deep, abiding tranquility that comes from being reconciled to God. [14:15]
- The restlessness of humanity, likened to the troubled sea, is a result of being out of alignment with God. This condition began with the fall in Eden and manifests in various ways, from overt chaos to hidden turmoil. [16:18]
- Both those who are far from God and those who seem near need the same peace. The distinction between being "far off" and "near" is relative, as all are in need of reconciliation with God. [25:54]
- True peace comes only through Christ, who has made the way for reconciliation with God. This peace is a gift, available to all who recognize their need for it, regardless of their background or moral standing. [41:00]
- Christ offers peace with God, peace with others, and peace within. This peace is a free gift, available to all who come to Him, and it is the only true solution to the restlessness and turmoil of the human condition. [44:42]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:11] - Introduction to Ephesians 2:17
[00:36] - Unity of Jews and Gentiles
[00:59] - The Cross as the Means of Reconciliation
[01:35] - The Veil Torn at the Cross
[02:13] - The New Body: The Church
[02:50] - The Way of Salvation
[03:36] - Proclamation of Peace
[04:15] - Christ's Role in Preaching Peace
[05:28] - Preaching Through the Apostles
[06:13] - Ministry Confined to the Jews
[07:09] - Indications of a Universal Gospel
[08:47] - The Gospel for All
[10:36] - The Promise to All
[12:30] - The Christian Message
[14:15] - The Need for Peace with God
[16:18] - The Restlessness of Humanity
[25:54] - Peace Needed by All
[41:00] - Christ as the Source of Peace
[44:42] - Invitation to Receive Peace
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Ephesians 2:17
- Isaiah 57:20-21
- John 14:27
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Observation Questions:
1. What does Ephesians 2:17 say about the message of peace that Christ preached? How does this relate to both Jews and Gentiles? [00:11]
2. According to the sermon, what significant event at the cross symbolized the end of separation between God and humanity? [01:35]
3. How does the sermon describe the restlessness of humanity, and what biblical imagery is used to illustrate this condition? [16:18]
4. What does the sermon suggest about the relative nature of being "far off" and "near" in relation to God? [25:54]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the sermon explain the concept of peace with God as more than just the absence of conflict? What does this peace entail? [14:15]
2. In what ways does the sermon challenge the notion that moral or religious people are inherently closer to God? [26:10]
3. How does the sermon interpret the role of Christ's death on the cross in breaking down the "dividing wall of hostility"? [01:18]
4. What does the sermon suggest about the universal need for reconciliation with God, regardless of one's background or moral standing? [32:53]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own life: Do you experience restlessness similar to the "troubled sea" described in the sermon? What steps can you take to seek peace with God? [16:18]
2. The sermon emphasizes that true peace comes only through Christ. How can you actively seek this peace in your daily life? [41:00]
3. Consider the idea that both those who are "far off" and "near" need the same peace. How does this perspective change the way you view your own spiritual journey? [25:54]
4. The sermon challenges the belief that being morally upright equates to being close to God. How can you ensure that your relationship with God is based on faith in Christ rather than personal merit? [26:10]
5. How can you share the message of peace with God with someone who might feel "far off"? What practical steps can you take to reach out to them this week? [12:49]
6. Reflect on a time when you felt at peace with God. What circumstances or actions contributed to that feeling, and how can you recreate those conditions in your current life? [14:15]
7. The sermon mentions that Christ offers peace with God, others, and within oneself. Which area do you feel most in need of peace, and what specific actions can you take to pursue it? [44:42]
Devotional
Day 1: Reconciliation Through the Cross
The cross of Christ is the pivotal point of reconciliation between God and humanity. Through His death, Jesus broke down the barriers that separated us from God, offering peace to both those who were far from Him and those who were near. This peace is not merely the absence of conflict but a profound tranquility that comes from being in right relationship with God. The cross signifies the tearing of the veil, ending the separation and inviting all into a new relationship with God. This peace is a present reality, available to all who seek it, regardless of their past or background. [14:15]
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: Consider a barrier in your life that separates you from experiencing God's peace. How can you invite Christ to break down this wall today?
Day 2: The Restlessness of Humanity
Humanity's restlessness is a result of being out of alignment with God, a condition that began with the fall in Eden. This restlessness is likened to a troubled sea, manifesting in various ways, from overt chaos to hidden turmoil. Even those who appear morally upright may lack true peace if they are not reconciled with God. The deep, abiding tranquility that comes from being aligned with God is the solution to this restlessness. Recognizing our need for this peace is the first step toward finding true rest in Him. [16:18]
Isaiah 57:20-21 (ESV): "But the wicked are like the tossing sea; for it cannot be quiet, and its waters toss up mire and dirt. There is no peace, says my God, for the wicked."
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you feel restless or out of alignment with God? What steps can you take today to seek His peace?
Day 3: Universal Need for Peace
Both those who are far from God and those who seem near need the same peace. The distinction between being "far off" and "near" is relative, as all are in need of reconciliation with God. Moral or religious standing does not inherently bring one closer to God; true peace comes only through Christ. This peace is a gift, available to all who recognize their need for it. Understanding that everyone is in need of this peace can transform how we view ourselves and others, fostering a spirit of humility and compassion. [25:54]
Romans 3:22-24 (ESV): "The righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus."
Reflection: Reflect on someone you perceive as "far off" from God. How can you extend grace and understanding to them, recognizing your shared need for Christ's peace?
Day 4: Christ as the Source of Peace
True peace comes only through Christ, who has made the way for reconciliation with God. This peace is a gift, available to all who recognize their need for it, regardless of their background or moral standing. Christ offers peace with God, peace with others, and peace within. This peace is the only true solution to the restlessness and turmoil of the human condition. Embracing this peace requires acknowledging our need for Christ and accepting His gift of reconciliation. [41:00]
Colossians 1:19-20 (ESV): "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."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you have not fully accepted Christ's peace? How can you open your heart to His reconciliation today?
Day 5: Invitation to Receive Peace
Christ offers peace with God, peace with others, and peace within. This peace is a free gift, available to all who come to Him. It is the only true solution to the restlessness and turmoil of the human condition. Accepting this invitation requires a willingness to let go of our own efforts to find peace and to trust in Christ's provision. As we receive His peace, we are empowered to extend it to others, becoming agents of reconciliation in a world in need. [44:42]
2 Corinthians 5:18-19 (ESV): "All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; 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."
Reflection: Who in your life needs to experience the peace of Christ? How can you be an instrument of His peace and reconciliation today?
Quotes
Now the Apostle has been reminding us in detail of what exactly all that involved and he has told us how the Lord Jesus Christ by dying upon the cross has broken down the middle wall of partition. It was there the middle wall of partition was broken down on the cross, not before then, not until then. [00:59:39]
The Apostle is asserting a fact, whether it began with the Lord himself in his Earthly Ministry or not, the fact is this: that the Christian message is a proclamation to Jews and Gentiles, Gentiles and Jews, that the way to peace with God has been opened by Jesus Christ and him crucified. [12:34:00]
Men's fundamental need is peace with God. That is the peace that our Lord preaches, peace with God. It's a continuation, you see, of the statement of the previous verse that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby by the cross. [14:00:40]
The wicked are like the troubled sea when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt. Now we're all familiar with that picture. The sea is always restless. And why is the sea always restless? Why is the sea always in motion? Why are there waves? Why is there ebb and flow? [16:01:00]
Man was made by God and he was in Paradise. There was no motion there, there was no restlessness in Paradise. Why? Well, there was there only one force working upon men: God. God made him in his own image. He was in correspondence, in communion with God. [18:20:00]
The tragic position of the Jews was this: they thought that because they had the law, that that somehow meant that they'd kept it, that because they knew there was a law, that they put them right with the law. And so Paul has to say, by the law is the knowledge of sin. [27:01:00]
There are many people who think that the gospel in an Evangelistic form certainly needs to be preached to certain people, but not to all. They say that's not necessary for people, surely, who have been brought up in Christian homes and who were taken to Sunday school and have always gone to a place of worship. [27:50:00]
The whole purpose of the Gospel is to say this: that they're identical. They need exactly the same message. The second type needs the message of Peace as much as the first. Peace to them that were nigh as well as those that were afar off. These people seem at the very door of the kingdom. [32:43:00]
Christ and Christ alone offers and can give this peace to all who see their need of it. That's what the Apostle is glorying in. He has made the way, he has opened it. No man can find out God by seeking, no man can reconcile himself to God, but Christ has made peace between man and God. [41:00:00]
The peace of God that passes all understanding can keep your heart and mind if you but go to him in nothing be anxious, but in all things with prayer and supplication and Thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. [43:05:00]
Christ gives peace with God, peace with others, peace within. He came and preached peace to them that are afar off and to them that are nigh. There may be somebody in this service this morning who been living as it were in the very jaws of hell. [44:37:00]
It is the free gift of God through Jesus Christ Our Lord. Have you got it? Are you rejoicing in it? It can be yours now and evermore. Amen. [45:20:00]
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