Embracing God's Peace: A Call to Action
Summary
In today's message, we explored the profound theme of peace as presented in Ephesians 2:11-22. The essence of this passage is that God gives peace—individually, relationally, and evangelistically. Individually, we are reminded that the peace of Christ is available to us daily, yet many of us fail to experience it because we do not align our lives with the truth and values of Christ. Relationally, we are called to be peacemakers, as the peace we have with God through Christ should extend to those around us. This is especially relevant during times of family gatherings, where strife and dysfunction may arise. Evangelistically, we are reminded that there are many who do not know the Prince of Peace, and it is our mission to share this peace with them.
Paul's letter to the Ephesians emphasizes the importance of remembering where we once were, separated from God, and how through Christ's sacrifice, we have been brought near. This remembrance should heighten our gratitude for the peace we now have. The peace that Christ offers is not just the absence of conflict but a profound reconciliation that transforms enemies into friends. This is illustrated by the historical example of soldiers from opposing sides in World War I laying down their weapons to celebrate Christmas together.
Furthermore, Paul uses the imagery of citizenship, family, and temple to describe our new identity in Christ. As citizens of God's kingdom, members of His family, and His dwelling place, we are called to live out this peace in our daily lives. This challenges the consumeristic mentality that often pervades our approach to church and community, reminding us that we are part of a larger, interconnected family where everyone plays a role.
Ultimately, the message is a call to action: to examine our lives and relationships, to repent where necessary, and to embrace the peace that God freely offers through Jesus Christ. This peace is not just for our benefit but is meant to be shared with the world, bringing hope and transformation to those who are far from God.
Key Takeaways:
1. Individual Peace: The peace of Christ is available to us daily, but we often miss it because we don't align our lives with His truth and values. To experience this peace, we must meditate on what is true, noble, and right, and align our pursuits with the work of Christ. [37:39]
2. Relational Peace: We are called to be peacemakers, extending the peace we have with God to those around us. This requires self-control and a willingness to reconcile with others, even when it is difficult. [41:36]
3. Evangelistic Peace: Many do not know the Prince of Peace, and it is our mission to share this peace with them. True peace cannot be found in a state of rebellion against God, and we are called to help others find peace through Christ. [43:19]
4. Theological Peace: We do not make peace with God; He made peace with us through Jesus. This divine initiative is a hallmark of Christianity, emphasizing that peace is a gift from God, not something we achieve on our own. [44:43]
5. Community Peace: As members of God's family, we are called to live out peace in our community, challenging consumeristic attitudes and embracing our roles within the church. This involves serving, loving, and forgiving one another as part of God's household. [46:21]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:45] - Introduction and Announcements
- [02:30] - Ephesians 2:11-22 Overview
- [05:15] - God Gives Peace: Individually
- [10:00] - God Gives Peace: Relationally
- [15:30] - God Gives Peace: Evangelistically
- [20:00] - Theology of Remembrance
- [25:00] - Reading Ephesians 2:13-18
- [30:00] - The Significance of Circumcision
- [35:00] - Why We Need Peace
- [40:00] - How God Made Peace with Us
- [45:00] - The Temple and Spiritual Separation
- [50:00] - The Imagery of Peace
- [55:00] - Citizenship, Family, and Temple
- [01:00:00] - Call to Action and Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: Peace in Ephesians 2:11-22
Bible Reading:
- Ephesians 2:11-22
Observation Questions:
1. What are the three types of peace that God gives according to the sermon? ([05:15])
2. How does Paul describe our new identity in Christ using the imagery of citizenship, family, and temple? ([46:21])
3. What historical example was used in the sermon to illustrate the concept of peace and reconciliation? ([44:43])
4. What does the sermon say about the role of gratitude in experiencing peace? ([37:39])
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the sermon explain the reason why many believers do not experience the peace of Christ daily? ([05:15])
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that relational peace should be extended to those around us, especially during family gatherings? ([41:36])
3. What does the sermon imply about the importance of sharing the peace of Christ evangelistically? ([43:19])
4. How does the sermon describe the theological concept of peace as a divine initiative rather than a human achievement? ([44:43])
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your daily life. Are there specific areas where you struggle to experience the peace of Christ? What steps can you take to align your life more closely with His truth and values? ([05:15])
2. Think about your relationships, especially with family. Is there someone you need to reconcile with or extend peace to? What practical steps can you take to be a peacemaker in that relationship? ([41:36])
3. Consider someone in your life who does not know the Prince of Peace. How can you share the peace of Christ with them this week? ([43:19])
4. The sermon challenges us to remember where we once were and to be grateful for the peace we now have. How can you cultivate a heart of gratitude for the peace God has given you? ([37:39])
5. Reflect on the consumeristic mentality that can pervade our approach to church and community. How can you actively participate in your church community as a member of God's family, serving and loving others? ([46:21])
6. The sermon mentions the importance of repentance in embracing God's peace. Is there an area in your life where you need to repent and seek God's peace? ([01:00:24])
7. How can you practically live out the peace of Christ in your community, challenging consumeristic attitudes and embracing your role within the church? ([46:21])
Devotional
Day 1: Aligning with Christ's Peace
The peace of Christ is a profound gift available to us every day, yet many of us struggle to experience it fully. This often happens because our lives are not aligned with the truth and values of Christ. To truly embrace this peace, we must intentionally meditate on what is true, noble, and right, and align our pursuits with the work of Christ. This involves a daily commitment to live according to His teachings and to let His peace rule in our hearts. By doing so, we open ourselves to the transformative power of His peace, which surpasses all understanding and guards our hearts and minds. [37:39]
Isaiah 26:3-4 (ESV): "You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock."
Reflection: What specific steps can you take today to align your thoughts and actions with the truth and values of Christ, allowing His peace to fill your life?
Day 2: Extending Peace to Others
As recipients of God's peace through Christ, we are called to be peacemakers in our relationships. This means extending the peace we have with God to those around us, even in challenging situations. It requires self-control, humility, and a willingness to reconcile with others, even when it is difficult. During times of family gatherings or interactions with others, we may encounter strife and dysfunction. In these moments, we are reminded of our calling to be agents of peace, reflecting the love and grace of Christ in our interactions. [41:36]
Romans 12:18 (ESV): "If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all."
Reflection: Think of a relationship in your life that needs reconciliation. How can you take a step towards being a peacemaker in that relationship today?
Day 3: Sharing the Peace of Christ
Many people in the world do not know the Prince of Peace, and it is our mission to share this peace with them. True peace cannot be found in a state of rebellion against God, and we are called to help others find peace through Christ. This involves being intentional in our evangelistic efforts, sharing the message of Christ's peace with those who are far from God. By doing so, we participate in God's redemptive work, bringing hope and transformation to those who are lost. [43:19]
2 Corinthians 5:18-20 (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. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us."
Reflection: Who in your life needs to hear about the peace of Christ? How can you share this message with them in a loving and authentic way today?
Day 4: Embracing God's Gift of Peace
The peace we have with God is not something we achieve on our own; it is a divine gift made possible through Jesus Christ. This theological peace emphasizes that God took the initiative to reconcile us to Himself, highlighting the grace and love inherent in the Christian faith. Understanding this truth should fill us with gratitude and humility, as we recognize that our peace with God is a result of His work, not our own efforts. This realization calls us to live in a way that honors this gift, continually seeking to deepen our relationship with Him. [44:43]
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: Reflect on the ways you have tried to earn peace with God through your own efforts. How can you rest in the truth that peace is a gift from God, and how does this change your approach to your relationship with Him?
Day 5: Living as a Community of Peace
As members of God's family, we are called to live out peace within our community, challenging consumeristic attitudes and embracing our roles within the church. This involves serving, loving, and forgiving one another as part of God's household. By doing so, we reflect the unity and love that characterize the body of Christ, creating a community where everyone plays a role and contributes to the common good. This communal peace is a powerful testimony to the world of the transformative power of the gospel. [46:21]
Ephesians 4:2-3 (ESV): "With all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."
Reflection: In what ways can you contribute to fostering a spirit of peace and unity within your church community? How can you serve and support others in a way that reflects the love of Christ?
Quotes
"Individually. You can have the peace of Christ in your life. We know that you have the peace of Christ when you've repented and believed upon Jesus, but God wants us to have peace every day of every week, of every month. And a lot of us don't experience that peace. The God of peace we don't feel is with us." [00:33:56] (13 seconds)
"Well, relationally, there's some things that are going on in your life, probably at work, at home. With family, particularly we think about this around Thanksgiving and Christmas as family gets together, and perhaps there's strife, there's dysfunction, or maybe dysfunction's been thrust upon you, or you have thrust dysfunction upon other people." [00:34:56] (20 seconds)
"Like you can't have peace in a state of rebellion where you've not yet surrendered your life to Jesus. And God wants that for you. He wants you to have peace, all right? So we're gonna talk about how God gives peace from Ephesians chapter two, verses 11 through 22. And what Paul is doing is he's engaging in this theology of remembrance that God gives peace." [00:37:10] (20 seconds)
"Why do we need peace? Well, look at verses 11 through 12. Several things that he tells us. You were separated from Christ. Separated. You were far away from Jesus. You were aliens. We don't use that language, but it's in the Old Testament. Aliens from Israel. Aliens from the people. People of God. He's talking to Gentiles, non-Jews." [00:39:11] (17 seconds)
"God gets close to us. How do you make peace with God? You don't make peace with God. I understand what people say. We were talking about that this morning and as we were walking through the morning. And I know when people have a loved one and the person's about to pass away, they'll say things like, and maybe you've said it, I've said it before, hey, are you ready to meet God?" [00:42:32] (19 seconds)
"God made peace with us. It's one of the hallmarks of Christianity. In fact, the language, the verbiage in Ephesians 2, 11 through 22, is that Jesus made peace and there's two parties involved, but one party takes the other party as the initiative to bring peace to the other party." [00:43:03] (16 seconds)
"Paul says, God gave peace through Jesus. You're a citizen of the kingdom, and now you're part of God's family. Welcome to the large, extended, dysfunctional family called Graceland. I'm so glad that you're here. Yeah, you can clap this month. Somebody clap. You're about to clap. That's fine, all right?" [00:59:37] (21 seconds)
"Jesus is the peace that we need, and the church is a display of that peace, which is a transition to the last thing I wanna say. It's on the screen. Individually, relationally, evangelistically. Individually. You might be a believer, but you're not walking, you don't have a sense of peace." [01:00:30] (17 seconds)
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