Embracing Peace: A Call to Unity and Justice

 

Summary

Peace is a profound calling that transcends mere words or feelings; it is a way of life that embraces all of humanity. In the Gospel of Luke, we find two powerful images of peace: the angels at Jesus' birth proclaiming peace to all on whom divine favor rests, and Jesus sending his disciples into the world with a message of peace. These images remind us that peace is not just an abstract concept but a tangible mission that requires us to live in harmony with others, regardless of how they name or understand the divine.

In our world, where division often seems more prevalent than unity, it is crucial to recognize that peace is not conditional on agreement or sameness. It is about spreading love to all of humanity, acknowledging the sacred worth of every individual, and seeing the divine image in each person. This means advocating for the marginalized, breaking bread with neighbors of different faiths, and engaging in the hard work of justice. It means standing against racism, homophobia, transphobia, xenophobia, and all forms of discrimination and hatred.

Living in peace requires us to see the humanity in all people, even those we may disagree with or find difficult to love. It calls us to reflect God's inclusive love and to proclaim peace like the angels, crossing boundaries of faith, culture, and understanding. As we embrace the peace of God in our lives, we are called to share that peace with a world longing for hope and unity.

The recent sing-along event at our church is a testament to the power of community and unity. People of various faiths came together to enjoy fellowship, music, and fun, demonstrating that peace is possible when we come together in unity. This event, born from a small seed of an idea, has grown into a joyful tradition that brings people together and reminds us of our calling to carry peace into a divided world.

As we move forward, let us continue to live in peace, advocate for justice, and embrace the inclusive love of God. Let us remember that the peace we offer may not always be received, but it is never wasted. It is a gift we can carry forward, one act of love and understanding at a time.

Key Takeaways

1. Peace is a calling and a way of life that embraces all of humanity, transcending mere words or feelings. It requires us to live in harmony with others, regardless of how they name or understand the divine. [01:08]

2. In a world filled with division, true peace comes from placing the Divine at the center and allowing love to shape how we see the world and one another. This means advocating for the marginalized and engaging in the hard work of justice. [13:10]

3. Living in peace means spreading love to all of humanity, recognizing the sacred worth of every individual, and seeing the divine image in each person. It is not conditional on agreement or sameness. [20:46]

4. The recent sing-along event at our church is a testament to the power of community and unity, demonstrating that peace is possible when we come together in unity. It reminds us of our calling to carry peace into a divided world. [22:52]

5. The peace we offer may not always be received, but it is never wasted. It is a gift we can carry forward, one act of love and understanding at a time, as we proclaim peace and live peace in our daily lives. [28:15]

Youtube Chapters

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [01:08] - The Meaning of Peace
- [01:51] - Different Names for God
- [02:56] - Embracing Diversity in Faith
- [04:16] - The Angel's Song of Peace
- [05:12] - Division in Society
- [07:17] - The Challenge of Unity
- [08:35] - Extremism and Peace
- [10:16] - Growing in Peace
- [12:05] - Glorifying the Divine
- [15:09] - Recognizing Individual Worth
- [16:21] - Forgiveness and Peace
- [18:29] - Stories of Living Peace
- [20:46] - Peace Beyond Agreement
- [22:52] - Community and Unity
- [24:43] - Engaging in Justice
- [26:32] - Advocating for the Marginalized
- [28:15] - Carrying Peace Forward

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Luke 2:13-14 - "Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.'"
2. Luke 10:5-6 - "When you enter a house, first say, ‘Peace to this house.’ If someone who promotes peace is there, your peace will rest on them; if not, it will return to you."

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Observation Questions:

1. In Luke 2:13-14, what is the significance of the angels proclaiming peace at Jesus' birth? How does this relate to the sermon’s message about peace being a calling? [01:08]

2. According to Luke 10:5-6, what instructions does Jesus give to his disciples about spreading peace? How does this reflect the sermon’s emphasis on peace as a tangible mission? [15:09]

3. The sermon mentions a recent sing-along event at the church. How did this event serve as a testament to the power of community and unity? [22:52]

4. What examples from the sermon illustrate the idea that peace is not conditional on agreement or sameness? [20:46]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the proclamation of peace by the angels in Luke 2 challenge the divisions present in society both then and now? [04:16]

2. In what ways does Jesus’ instruction in Luke 10 to offer peace, even if it is not accepted, reflect the sermon’s message about the enduring value of peace? [28:15]

3. The sermon discusses the importance of recognizing the sacred worth of every individual. How does this align with the biblical concept of seeing the divine image in each person? [20:46]

4. How does the sermon’s call to advocate for the marginalized and engage in justice relate to the biblical understanding of living in peace? [24:43]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you found it difficult to live in peace with someone who had different beliefs or values. How can you apply the sermon’s message to see the divine image in them? [20:46]

2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of community events like the sing-along. How can you contribute to fostering unity and peace in your own community? [22:52]

3. Consider the sermon’s call to advocate for the marginalized. What specific actions can you take this week to support those who are often overlooked or discriminated against? [24:43]

4. The sermon mentions that peace is a gift we can carry forward, even if it is not always received. How can you practice offering peace in your daily interactions, especially in challenging situations? [28:15]

5. How can you engage in the hard work of justice in your own life, as the sermon suggests, while maintaining a spirit of peace and love? [24:43]

6. Think about a person or group you find difficult to love. What steps can you take to reflect God’s inclusive love towards them, as encouraged by the sermon? [27:47]

7. The sermon highlights the importance of breaking bread with neighbors of different faiths. How can you create opportunities for interfaith dialogue and understanding in your community? [24:43]

Devotional

Day 1: Peace as a Tangible Mission
Peace is not just an abstract concept but a tangible mission that requires us to live in harmony with others, regardless of how they name or understand the divine. In the Gospel of Luke, the angels at Jesus' birth proclaim peace to all on whom divine favor rests, and Jesus sends his disciples into the world with a message of peace. This calling to peace transcends mere words or feelings and embraces all of humanity. It challenges us to reflect God's inclusive love and to proclaim peace like the angels, crossing boundaries of faith, culture, and understanding. [01:08]

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

Reflection: Who in your life do you find difficult to live in harmony with, and how can you take a step towards peace with them today?


Day 2: Divine-Centered Peace in a Divided World
In a world filled with division, true peace comes from placing the Divine at the center and allowing love to shape how we see the world and one another. This means advocating for the marginalized and engaging in the hard work of justice. It requires us to stand against racism, homophobia, transphobia, xenophobia, and all forms of discrimination and hatred. By doing so, we acknowledge the sacred worth of every individual and see the divine image in each person. [13:10]

"Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good." (Romans 12:9, ESV)

Reflection: What is one specific action you can take this week to advocate for someone marginalized in your community?


Day 3: Unconditional Love and Peace
Living in peace means spreading love to all of humanity, recognizing the sacred worth of every individual, and seeing the divine image in each person. It is not conditional on agreement or sameness. This calling challenges us to see the humanity in all people, even those we may disagree with or find difficult to love. As we embrace the peace of God in our lives, we are called to share that peace with a world longing for hope and unity. [20:46]

"Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins." (1 Peter 4:8, ESV)

Reflection: Think of someone you disagree with. How can you show them love and recognize their sacred worth today?


Day 4: Unity Through Community
The recent sing-along event at our church is a testament to the power of community and unity, demonstrating that peace is possible when we come together in unity. This event, born from a small seed of an idea, has grown into a joyful tradition that brings people together and reminds us of our calling to carry peace into a divided world. It shows that when we embrace diversity and come together in fellowship, we can create spaces of peace and joy. [22:52]

"Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!" (Psalm 133:1, ESV)

Reflection: How can you contribute to creating a sense of community and unity in your church or neighborhood this week?


Day 5: The Enduring Gift of Peace
The peace we offer may not always be received, but it is never wasted. It is a gift we can carry forward, one act of love and understanding at a time, as we proclaim peace and live peace in our daily lives. This enduring gift of peace calls us to continue advocating for justice and embracing the inclusive love of God, even when it seems challenging. As we move forward, let us remember that each act of peace is a step towards a more united and hopeful world. [28:15]

"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: What is one act of love or understanding you can offer today, even if it may not be immediately received?

Quotes


Luke's Gospel provides two striking images. The angels at Jesus' cross. And how three angels at Jesus' birth announce you peace to all on whom divine favor rests. What does it mean for you to say in praise, peace, and peace, in your faith, peace and Jesus sending the disciples into the world to carry a peace, a message of peace, both remind us that peace is not just an idea or a feeling. [00:01:20]

It is a calling, a way of life that embraces all of humanity, regardless of how they name or understand the divine. There is an ideal that if we don't call God by God, or Lord, or Father, you must not believe in God. You must believe in something else. [00:01:41]

Even if someone does not address God by the word that you address God by, by the image that you address God by, they are addressing God. It's another reason why, as we became open and affirming, if you notice, there's a little note on the Lord's Prayer where it says, you pray whatever version you want. [00:02:59]

In Luke 2, the angel sings a song of peace. Declaring the glory. The will towards humanity. Amen. It's a beautiful image, yet it comes during deep division and hardship. See, it seems like, excuse me, it seems like we still don't get the message. [00:04:21]

how many people don't we have out there that claim to be leaders leaders but continue to engrave and instill division and hate and phobias that is not planting peace that is far from peace think of what's happening in our world right now think of what's happening with the three countries that are supposed to be in the pack together the division that is now happening [00:06:22]

It is those extremists that make it more difficult for us to come to the table to focus on peace. I shared to you before how when I started at the first seminary, and I won't say it out loud since we're live streaming, when I started at the first seminary, why I left after my first year. [00:09:21]

True peace comes from placing the Divine at the center. Allowing love to shape how we see the world and one another. think of this as When you go to a restaurant and the food is superb you're not about to write a complaint or likely you'll share and Elaine will go over to Holly and say oh Holly you've got to try this restaurant [00:13:10]

Living peace means spreading love to all of humanity, those who believe in the same divine being, those who believe in a different one, and those who do not believe. We're the nuns, and not as a nun with Catholic white and black outfits. None, as in, they have no religion, no faith practice they belong to. [00:20:46]

Live in peace means advocating for the marginalized. It means breaking bread with neighbors of different faith, classes, ethnicities, cultures, listening to the story of those who don't see the world as we do, and seeking common ground. Live in peace also means engaging in the hard work of justice. [00:24:43]

When we stand against racism, homophobia, transphobia, xenophobia, discrimination, and hatred and all that, we reflect a heart for a world where every person is valued. We reflect a heart for a world When we advocate for the needy, the elderly, the veteran in need of services, the refugees, the outcasts, this includes undocumented immigrants, trans kids, and the freedom to read any book, we embody the peace that offers support to all people, no matter where they come from or how they pray. [00:26:32]

The peace we offer may not always be received, but as Jesus reminds us, it will never be wasted. It is a gift we can carry forward, one act of love and understanding at a time. As you go into the world this week, and you proclaim peace, live peace, and trust that whatever it is that is received, the kingdom of God is there. [00:28:15]

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Transcript
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