Embodying Divine Peace: Our Call as Peacemakers

 

Summary

In our journey of faith, we are called to be peacemakers, reflecting the divine nature of God, who is the ultimate source of peace. The Bible describes God as the God of peace, embodying a perfect unity within the Trinity—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This divine harmony is a model for us, showing that peace is not merely the absence of conflict but the presence of unity and love. Jesus, the Prince of Peace, entered the world to establish peace between humanity and God. His mission was to reconcile us to God and to one another, a mission accomplished through the shedding of His blood on the cross. This act of sacrifice is the greatest revelation of God's glory, where His love and justice meet to create peace.

The Holy Spirit, symbolized as a dove during Jesus' baptism, is the Spirit of peace, guiding us to live in harmony with God and others. As followers of Christ, we are called to be peacemakers, reflecting God's glory in our actions. When we actively pursue peace, we mirror the divine nature and are recognized as sons and daughters of God. This calling is not just about resolving conflicts but about embodying the peace that comes from a deep relationship with God. Our lives should be a testament to the peace that surpasses all understanding, drawing others to the source of true peace.

Key Takeaways:

1. God as the Source of Peace: God embodies peace within Himself, exemplified by the perfect unity of the Trinity. This divine peace is a model for us, showing that true peace is rooted in unity and love, not merely the absence of conflict. [00:35]

2. Jesus, the Prince of Peace: Jesus came into the world to establish peace between humanity and God. His sacrificial death on the cross is the ultimate revelation of God's glory, where love and justice meet to create peace. [01:07]

3. The Role of the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit, symbolized as a dove, is the Spirit of peace. He guides us to live in harmony with God and others, helping us to embody the peace that comes from a deep relationship with God. [01:25]

4. Our Calling as Peacemakers: As followers of Christ, we are called to be peacemakers, reflecting God's glory in our actions. This involves actively pursuing peace and embodying the divine nature, which leads to being recognized as sons and daughters of God. [02:18]

5. Peace as a Reflection of God's Glory: When we make peace, we reflect God's glory, just as it was revealed at the cross. Our lives should be a testament to the peace that surpasses all understanding, drawing others to the source of true peace. [02:04]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:14] - Gazing on God's Glory
[00:35] - God of Peace
[00:53] - Jesus, the Prince of Peace
[01:07] - Christ as Our Peace
[01:25] - The Spirit of Peace
[01:42] - Love and Justice at the Cross
[02:04] - Reflecting God's Glory
[02:18] - Blessed are the Peacemakers

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Peacemakers Reflecting God's Glory

Bible Reading:
1. Matthew 5:9 - "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God."
2. Ephesians 2:14 - "For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility."
3. John 14:27 - "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."

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Observation Questions:

1. How does the sermon describe the relationship within the Trinity as a model for peace? [00:35]

2. What role does Jesus play in establishing peace according to the sermon? [01:07]

3. How is the Holy Spirit symbolized during Jesus' baptism, and what does this symbolize about His role? [01:25]

4. What is the significance of the cross in revealing God's glory and peace? [01:42]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. In what ways does the unity within the Trinity serve as a model for human relationships and peace? [00:35]

2. How does Jesus' sacrificial death on the cross reconcile humanity to God and to one another? [01:07]

3. What does it mean for the Holy Spirit to guide us in living in harmony with God and others? [01:25]

4. How can the act of making peace be seen as a reflection of God's glory in our lives? [02:04]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a recent conflict in your life. How can you apply the concept of divine peace to resolve it? [00:35]

2. Jesus is described as the Prince of Peace. How can you invite His peace into a specific area of your life where you feel unrest? [01:07]

3. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of peace. What practical steps can you take to be more attuned to His guidance in your daily interactions? [01:25]

4. Consider a situation where you can act as a peacemaker. What actions can you take to reflect God's glory in that situation? [02:04]

5. How can you cultivate a deeper relationship with God to embody the peace that surpasses all understanding in your life? [02:18]

6. Identify a person in your life who needs peace. How can you be an instrument of God's peace to them this week? [02:18]

7. Reflect on the statement "Blessed are the peacemakers." How does this calling challenge you in your current relationships and community involvement? [02:18]

Devotional

Day 1: God as the Source of Divine Unity
In the divine nature of God, peace is not just the absence of conflict but the presence of unity and love. The Trinity—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—embodies perfect harmony, serving as a model for us to emulate. This divine peace is rooted in unity, showing us that true peace is a reflection of God's nature. As we strive to be peacemakers, we are called to reflect this divine unity in our relationships, fostering an environment where love and harmony prevail. [00:35]

"For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere." (James 3:16-17, ESV)

Reflection: Consider a relationship in your life that lacks unity. How can you actively work towards fostering divine unity and love in that relationship today?


Day 2: Jesus' Sacrificial Peace
Jesus, the Prince of Peace, came into the world to establish peace between humanity and God. His sacrificial death on the cross is the ultimate revelation of God's glory, where love and justice meet to create peace. This act of sacrifice is not just a historical event but a living reality that calls us to reconcile with God and with one another. As we reflect on Jesus' mission, we are reminded of the profound peace that comes from being reconciled to God through His sacrifice. [01:07]

"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." (Colossians 1:19-20, ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on an area of your life where you need reconciliation. How can you embrace Jesus' sacrificial peace to bring healing and restoration to that area today?


Day 3: The Holy Spirit's Guidance to Harmony
The Holy Spirit, symbolized as a dove, is the Spirit of peace who guides us to live in harmony with God and others. This guidance is not passive but an active pursuit of peace that comes from a deep relationship with God. As we yield to the Holy Spirit, we are empowered to embody the peace that surpasses all understanding, living in harmony with those around us. This divine guidance is essential for us to reflect God's glory in our daily lives. [01:25]

"And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful." (Colossians 3:15, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you allow the Holy Spirit to guide you towards greater harmony in your interactions with others today?


Day 4: Our Divine Calling as Peacemakers
As followers of Christ, we are called to be peacemakers, reflecting God's glory in our actions. This calling involves actively pursuing peace and embodying the divine nature, which leads to being recognized as sons and daughters of God. Being a peacemaker is not just about resolving conflicts but about embodying the peace that comes from a deep relationship with God. Our lives should be a testament to the peace that surpasses all understanding, drawing others to the source of true peace. [02:18]

"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God." (Matthew 5:9, ESV)

Reflection: Identify a situation where you can act as a peacemaker today. How can you reflect God's glory in your actions to bring about peace?


Day 5: Reflecting God's Glory Through Peace
When we make peace, we reflect God's glory, just as it was revealed at the cross. Our lives should be a testament to the peace that surpasses all understanding, drawing others to the source of true peace. This reflection of God's glory is not just a personal endeavor but a communal one, where our actions inspire others to seek the divine peace that only God can provide. As we strive to be peacemakers, we are reminded of the profound impact our lives can have in drawing others to God. [02:04]

"Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord." (Hebrews 12:14, ESV)

Reflection: How can your actions today reflect God's glory and inspire others to seek His peace? What specific steps can you take to be a beacon of peace in your community?

Quotes

The Bible describes God as the God of peace, he has peace in himself. Think of the complexity of the Trinity and all that God is, and he is at peace. He is the God of peace. There is no tension between the Father, the Son, and the Spirit. There is a unity of purpose, a unity of love that is peace. [00:00:22]

Jesus comes into the world, and who is he? He's the Prince of Peace. The angels appear in the sky, and they say, "Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, goodwill towards men." The Bible says in Ephesians that Christ is our peace. All peace that we experience is going to come from him and through him. [00:00:52]

He came into the world, why? To make peace between us and God, and in that way then to reconcile us to each other. And how did he do that? He did it by shedding his own blood on the cross. And the Holy Spirit is the spirit of peace. Remember when Jesus is baptized, the Holy Spirit comes down, and in what form is he seen? As a dove. [00:01:07]

The greatest revelation of the glory of God ever to be made in this world is right there at the cross, where his love and his justice meet. And why are his love and his justice meeting there? Because he's making peace. God's glory is revealed at the cross more than anywhere else, where he makes peace. [00:01:39]

When you make peace, a reflection of his glory is seen so that even angels in heaven would say, if no one on earth does, there's a remarkable reflection of the glory of God in what that man, in what that woman is doing. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. [00:01:58]

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Transcript
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