Embracing the Call: From Peacekeepers to Peacemakers
Summary
### Summary
Today, we explored the profound difference between being a peacemaker and a peacekeeper, drawing from the Beatitudes in Matthew 5:9, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God." The essence of being a peacemaker is not merely maintaining peace but actively creating it, often in the face of chaos and conflict. This calling is deeply spiritual, rooted in the understanding that our battles are not just physical but spiritual, involving principalities and powers that have existed since the beginning of time.
We delved into the personal struggles and spiritual attacks that can accompany the journey of preparing and delivering God's message. These struggles are a reminder that the enemy is always at work, trying to derail us from our divine purpose. However, the solution lies in surrendering to God and allowing the Holy Spirit to guide us, rather than relying on our own strength.
The sermon emphasized the importance of understanding our role as peacemakers in a world filled with moral, ethical, and political chaos. We are called to bring God's solution to the world, a solution that addresses not just the symptoms but the root causes of chaos—sin, death, and demonic influence. This involves a deep, often uncomfortable, engagement with the world around us, shining light into dark places and bringing about true transformation.
We also discussed the practical aspects of being a peacemaker, such as engaging in evangelism, deliverance, and personal healing. The journey of a peacemaker is one of continuous growth, moving from glory to glory, and always striving to manifest God's wisdom and love in every situation. This calling requires boldness, humility, and a deep love for others, reflecting the agape love of the Father.
### Key Takeaways
1. Peacemakers vs. Peacekeepers: Peacemakers actively create peace by addressing root issues, while peacekeepers maintain surface-level peace. Peacemakers are bold and willing to engage in difficult conversations and actions to bring about true peace, reflecting their identity as sons of God. [52:47]
2. Spiritual Battles: Our struggles are not just physical but deeply spiritual. The enemy attacks us to prevent us from fulfilling our divine purpose. Surrendering to God and relying on the Holy Spirit is crucial in overcoming these attacks and walking in our calling as peacemakers. [51:19]
3. Engaging with the World: As peacemakers, we are called to bring God's solution to a chaotic world. This involves addressing not just the symptoms but the root causes of chaos—sin, death, and demonic influence. Our role is to shine light into dark places and bring about true transformation. [57:24]
4. Personal Healing and Growth: Being a peacemaker involves continuous personal growth and healing. We must address the chaos within our own lives, allowing the Holy Spirit to cleanse and transform us. This inner peace then manifests outwardly, enabling us to effectively minister to others. [01:13:40]
5. Boldness and Love: The journey of a peacemaker requires boldness, humility, and a deep love for others. We must be willing to step out of our comfort zones, engage with those in need, and bring the love and wisdom of God into every situation. This reflects the agape love of the Father and fulfills our calling as His children. [01:26:20]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[48:33] - Opening Prayer
[49:04] - Introduction and Personal Struggles
[49:42] - Anxiety and Confusion
[50:11] - Beatitudes and Peacemakers
[50:52] - Spiritual Attacks and Surrender
[51:19] - Worldly Solutions vs. God's Solution
[52:47] - Peacemakers vs. Peacekeepers
[53:28] - Sons of God and Peacemakers
[54:19] - Ephesians 3:8-11 and Spiritual Wisdom
[55:11] - Manifesting God's Wisdom
[56:06] - Ancient Problems and Spiritual Solutions
[57:24] - Jesus' Solutions to Sin, Death, and Demonic
[58:36] - Bringing the Solution to the World
[59:06] - Acts 2:38 and the Born Again Experience
[01:00:34] - The Role of a Peacemaker
[01:02:20] - Peacekeepers vs. Peacemakers Explained
[01:05:13] - Jesus Flipping the Tables
[01:09:01] - Creating Peace in Our Lives
[01:12:51] - Personal Healing and Discipline
[01:16:10] - Deliverance and Being a Peacemaker
[01:19:05] - The Great Commission
[01:22:06] - Colossians 1:15-19
[01:25:16] - The Calling of a Peacemaker
[01:27:23] - Encouragement and Homework
[01:29:21] - Baptism and the Solution
[01:30:20] - Loving Others and Being a Peacemaker
[01:33:11] - Final Encouragement and Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Matthew 5:9 - "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God."
2. Ephesians 3:8-11 - "This grace was given to me—the least of all the saints—to proclaim to the Gentiles the incalculable riches of Christ, and to shed light for all about the administration of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things. This is so that God’s multifaceted wisdom may now be made known through the church to the rulers and authorities in the heavens. This is according to his eternal purpose accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord."
3. Colossians 1:15-19 - "He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For everything was created by him, in heaven and on earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and by him all things hold together. He is also the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he might come to have first place in everything. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile everything to himself, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross."
### Observation Questions
1. What is the difference between a peacemaker and a peacekeeper as described in the sermon? ([52:47])
2. According to Ephesians 3:8-11, what is the purpose of making God’s wisdom known through the church? ([55:11])
3. How does Colossians 1:15-19 describe Jesus' role in creation and reconciliation? ([22:06])
4. What are the three root causes of chaos mentioned in the sermon, and how did Jesus address them? ([57:24])
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does the sermon emphasize the need for peacemakers to address root issues rather than just maintaining surface-level peace? ([52:47])
2. How does understanding our struggles as spiritual battles change the way we approach them, according to the sermon? ([51:19])
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that personal healing and growth are essential for being effective peacemakers? ([01:13:40])
4. How does the concept of agape love play a role in the journey of a peacemaker, as discussed in the sermon? ([01:26:20])
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a recent conflict in your life. How can you approach it as a peacemaker rather than a peacekeeper? ([52:47])
2. Have you experienced spiritual attacks that seemed to derail you from your purpose? How did you respond, and what might you do differently in the future? ([51:19])
3. What are some practical steps you can take to shine light into dark places in your community or workplace? ([57:24])
4. Identify an area in your life where you need personal healing. How can you invite the Holy Spirit to cleanse and transform this area? ([01:13:40])
5. Think of a situation where you need to step out of your comfort zone to show boldness and love. What specific action can you take this week to engage with someone in need? ([01:26:20])
6. How can you incorporate the practice of evangelism into your daily life? Share a specific plan or strategy you can implement. ([01:00:34])
7. Reflect on the concept of agape love. How can you demonstrate this kind of love in a challenging relationship or situation you are currently facing? ([01:26:20])
Devotional
Day 1: Peacemakers Actively Create Peace
Peacemakers are not content with maintaining a superficial peace; they actively seek to create true peace by addressing the root issues of conflict. This involves engaging in difficult conversations and actions that may be uncomfortable but are necessary for genuine reconciliation and transformation. Peacemakers reflect their identity as sons of God by being bold and willing to step into chaotic situations to bring about lasting peace. They understand that true peace is not the absence of conflict but the presence of justice, righteousness, and harmony.
[52:47]
Bible Passage: "And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace." (James 3:18, ESV)
Reflection: Think of a situation in your life where you have been avoiding conflict to keep the peace. How can you address the root issues in this situation to create true peace?
Day 2: Spiritual Battles Require Spiritual Solutions
Our struggles are not merely physical but deeply spiritual. The enemy seeks to derail us from our divine purpose through various attacks. Recognizing that our battles involve principalities and powers, we must surrender to God and rely on the Holy Spirit for guidance and strength. This surrender is crucial in overcoming spiritual attacks and walking in our calling as peacemakers. By relying on God's power rather than our own, we can stand firm against the enemy's schemes and fulfill our divine purpose.
[51:19]
Bible Passage: "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places." (Ephesians 6:12, ESV)
Reflection: Identify a recent struggle you have faced. How can you surrender this struggle to God and rely on the Holy Spirit for strength and guidance?
Day 3: Engaging with the World to Bring God's Solution
As peacemakers, we are called to bring God's solution to a world filled with moral, ethical, and political chaos. This involves addressing not just the symptoms but the root causes of chaos—sin, death, and demonic influence. Our role is to shine light into dark places and bring about true transformation. This requires a deep engagement with the world around us, often stepping into uncomfortable and challenging situations to manifest God's wisdom and love.
[57:24]
Bible Passage: "For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God." (Romans 8:19, ESV)
Reflection: Think of a specific area in your community or workplace where you see chaos or conflict. How can you bring God's solution to this situation and address the root causes of the chaos?
Day 4: Personal Healing and Continuous Growth
Being a peacemaker involves continuous personal growth and healing. We must address the chaos within our own lives, allowing the Holy Spirit to cleanse and transform us. This inner peace then manifests outwardly, enabling us to effectively minister to others. The journey of a peacemaker is one of moving from glory to glory, always striving to manifest God's wisdom and love in every situation.
[01:13:40]
Bible Passage: "And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit." (2 Corinthians 3:18, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on an area of your life where you need personal healing. How can you invite the Holy Spirit to cleanse and transform this area?
Day 5: Boldness and Love in the Journey of a Peacemaker
The journey of a peacemaker requires boldness, humility, and a deep love for others. We must be willing to step out of our comfort zones, engage with those in need, and bring the love and wisdom of God into every situation. This reflects the agape love of the Father and fulfills our calling as His children. By embodying boldness and love, we can effectively minister to others and bring about true peace and transformation.
[01:26:20]
Bible Passage: "By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." (John 13:35, ESV)
Reflection: Think of someone in your life who needs to experience God's love. How can you step out of your comfort zone to show them boldness and love today?
Quotes
1. "So blessed are the peacemakers actually this is funny for those who got the text yesterday was talking about being a peacemaker and actually in this and I'm going to be talking about how a peacemaker and a peacekeeper are different but then at the very end of the text it said and we're going to dive into what it means to be a peacemaker and I was like oh no because yeah peacemaker peacekeeper what's it like to be a peacekeeper and I was like peacemaker and peacekeeper are two separate things and I really want I'm actually going to talk about why they're different but you know if anyone saw that for me I'm like it's a big deal for me because I'm talking against being a peacekeeper I'm talking about being a peacemaker so it's a big deal for me I'm like was like a gut punch for a second I'm glad it wasn't to you that's great that's the goal." [52:19] (50 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "The Lord wants to use us as that solution ok so going back to that back to the enemy I'm getting hit, I'm getting smacked around this is really cool and this is the interesting part I actually didn't think about this until God really encouraged me and solidified the message the other day I kept on going through in my own strength I'm getting hit, having anxiety, I'm confused I was asking some questions to elders and just people that I trusted but I never really came to him and said Lord I'm getting, really I'm just getting my butt kicked right now and I need you was very easy for me like I gotta do the work I gotta prepare this I have to do this and I did that for about four days just to be open and vulnerable with you that's what I did and I continued on in my own strength and I kept on needing to find my own solution and then God was like well that's what the world is doing the world is trying to find their own solution because we are in that political time right now we're hoping for the right choice and that that will solve the problem and that's not the first time we've seen this many times and we've seen this before modern history before we're in this modern age we've seen it they've always wanted a king they've always wanted someone to come solve the problems that was always the thing so I found myself now and of course mine wasn't as big of a scale but it was still the same idea wanted to fulfill this and I kept on doing it absent of the Holy Spirit now this was the work of the Holy Spirit this is what I wanted to do with him and for him but in my own strength I found myself not getting where he wanted me to be I was looking for the solution how can I get through this in reality he wanted me to come to him and he would give me that solution." [50:52] (112 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "We need to bring the solution to the world because we have a world of chaos and it does not know where to go it tries to brainstorm there's so many gifted gifted people there's so many gifted people but they do it in such a fleshly selfish way they do it absent of God so how do we how do we bring this to the world how do we bring the solution to the world so I love Acts 2.38 I live like I like live by that scripture because that's the start of the born again experience it's a beautiful beautiful scripture repent be baptized in the name of Jesus and receive the Holy Spirit so it's the image of baptism I'm going to play it out when you repent it's time for you to get baptized you die with Christ in the water you come up to new life defeating death in that process you're forgiven of your sin you're washed clean of all sin and then you receive the Holy Spirit given the authority that Jesus has and now you overstep you can step on the kingdom you can step on the demonic kingdom we receive the solution and then we walk and we bring other people into the solution and I was like well God so loved the world that he gave his only son and you know he died on the cross and Jesus' blood is so amazing just one drop cleansed the whole entire earth and all who are in it but if they receive it the solution isn't just there because he did it it's waiting for you and he's like this here I have a solution for you will you just accept that so now we see this amazing amazing opportunity where God says to us each and individually son daughter I want to partner with you let's go change the world let's go see people let's go find the lost sheep let's go bring the prodigals home you can be a part of something you can start something whatever it is but what it is is and this is a huge thing this is the standard of God what we would call the weakest link in the kingdom of God is still a world changer right we need to have that mindset when we're doing this so that's the whole point of being a peacemaker like when you go out and you're preaching the gospel you're going and talking to people it's very uncomfortable it's extremely it's like I don't want to talk to this guy God shows you a vision of something or you're just like I don't have to do that I'm about to go to lunch dude it's like really God do I have to do this it's like yeah you do because it's not about us we get to partake in an eternal purpose that Jesus fulfilled that God fulfilled through Jesus on the cross the father fulfilled through Jesus on the cross and we get to partake in that manifesting his wisdom not just in manifesting it on earth sorry that word manifest has kind of been abused lately but manifesting his wisdom on earth we get to partner with him to do that it's an incredible calling." [58:36] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "So wherever Jesus talks about the temple you can also reference that to the physical body too so the second temple you can reference that to the physical body Jesus says I will destroy this temple and rebuild it in three days so like it's taking so many years to build this thing how are you going to do that what are you like the craziest contractor ever it's because I have a body that I'm going to resurrect but when you say you see this and this is really cool this is the con this is a this is a conflict that we deal with this is a chaotic situation that we that we deal with too not just the outward stuff because like it's very easy like look at what's happening out there look what's happening in the political realm look what's happening in the everything ethically all this stuff but then we forget it's like this is a battle realm too you know we're always going through some some sort of battle with the enemy but the holy of holies the inner core and the outer core this this thing that Jesus did is just coming into the temple and flipping it was in the outer core right there was there was a prostitution of the body it was selling inside inside a place of holiness and it was disgusting it was terrible but if you were just to walk a little bit further you would find the place where only one priest who was cleansed would be able to go into one time a year because the place was so holy if you weren't cleansed you weren't you weren't free from sin you would die in that place they'd actually tie a rope around their leg when they would go in there for their for their sacrifices um and but they weren't cleansed they would die and they would have to drag them out that same place is in the same place that the prostitution of the body is happening in the outer core so Jesus is like this is not happening in my in our in the temple that you worship my our father in there's no way so he comes in here flips it cleanses it it's empty now that is a sign of deliverance that is Jesus going into a place where it's meant for the Holy Spirit to live in saying this is not okay I'm going to kick this out let's kick out this demonic stuff and what's really interesting is imagine the crossover that's happening right in the middle the inner core you have people from the outer core walking through you have people around the holy of holies walking through you have holy people and you have unrighteous people walking through and and and the inner core is kind of mingled in between now you can think about the soul right our soul is our will our thoughts our emotions that's why like for myself I was getting attacked with an anxiety I was getting attacked with a foggy mind you know I was like really uncomfortable I felt like you know when you get an anxiety attack you're just like it just mangles you that's where a lot of the chaos happens that's where a lot of our chaos comes from because the enemy comes and just tries to poke inside those places but it's really awesome to see what Jesus did here was he went in there as a peacemaker and he saw the unrighteousness that was happening in that place and he created peace if you were to create peace in your outer court then what's going to be flying through your soul if you go and create peace in your create peace around you going through trauma your whole life having generational curses all these different things that you experience going through healing going through deliverance praying for others to go through healing and deliverance and then here is a temple that is made for the Holy Spirit that dwells with only the Holy Spirit I just think that was kind of like a cool cool thing there." [01:06:03] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "So this is as a peacemaker it is so important to have a victorious mindset I think that's one of the biggest things and I think for myself when I was creating this message it was I really had a battle with that I'm not going to lie even up to this morning I didn't want to preach I to be up here I really didn't I was getting I was getting attacked left and right and it was just like that's the feeling that I was getting that's the attack that I was getting it was like don't do this like there's no reason for you to do this and it was like I can handle thoughts for me it's the emotions that come with it and it was just it was so strong I didn't want to come up here I didn't want to finish the message earlier in the week it was that that strong but that's how the enemy wants to come against us right and and the same thing happens when we're on the street and we see somebody who's in need right I love the scripture that Cody brought up last week when he was speaking on mercy and grace I was like did you not feed me when I was hungry did you not clothe me when I was in need of clothes it's like what are you talking about you weren't I didn't see you hungry he's like no it's the people if you don't feed the people you're not feeding Jesus and it was interesting like those situations it's so easy to be walking around in those situations like it's kind of weird I don't want to do that it could have been the same exact situation I mean it's a different situation same exact feeling that I felt for the past couple of days go out there and talk to somebody I know like there's a lot of people in here that I've heard testimonies from who are very active and just you know God just moves through them and it's amazing but then for myself I'm like even for me I'm like the venison when we first came to the Lord what we could do that's all we did and now I have so I have a lot of I have a lot of hard times just going out there and finding somebody on the street and wanting to go pray for them or I feel a download the Holy Spirit gives me a download about this person and I like I'm like am I gonna look weird am I gonna act you know how am I gonna be I think they're okay where they're at you know but that's not a peacemaker you know I'm not trying to hurt anyone's feelings if you don't do that it's more of an encouragement to Christ rise with Christ receive the Holy Spirit and replicate I always love to see it I always like to see it like the Holy Spirit gives you a key and you can make duplicates and give that key out you know it's an amazing purpose it's so it's so amazing but in that it's a victorious position and I think that's part of the reason why I made it through was I was like no but I know I need to lord you're guiding me you're guiding me and then went off my own way tried to do it on my own and that's a whole other part of the peacemaker thing is humbling yourself, and sometimes that doesn't feel good, but it was great. And I received prayer and then came into worship today, and I was just absolutely moved, super moved." [01:09:18] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "Being a peacemaker isn't necessarily just going out and creating peace and bringing people to the Lord. It's finding chaotic situations that's in our lives and finding the discipline to bring them under the submission of the Holy Spirit. That, for me, was one of the hardest things. It was actually a little bit harder. Going out and talking to people actually is a lot harder because I had to face what I hated. I had to face the problems that I had. I had to face who I used to be, the things that created who I was before I knew Jesus. And that's not fun, but what it did was, the way I like to say it is you have this, I love coffee. Who else loves coffee? So you have a coffee filter, right? We're pouring coffee on top of our grounds. But if you keep using this, the same filter and you never replace it, you never clean it, it's going to taint the coffee, the taste. It's going to be disgusting. It's going to have mold on it. And after a while, if it doesn't get changed and fixed, you can go in there and you can just try to scrape it off or something. But unless you take it through a cleansing, it's not going to be healthy for you. It's not going to taste the same. Especially when it comes to, like, after doing all the espresso and stuff, I'm like, okay, there's actually, like, it's like, no, you can pull the shot one second long and it causes a problem. Pull the shot one second less and it causes a problem. I'm like, this is intricate stuff. But it's the same way with our souls, though. It's the same way with us. Like, we have to be active peacemakers wanting to go into these places and to create peace in our own souls. And that will just manifest outwards. Right? And I think that was part of the thing that Vanessa and I were experiencing at first. Very zealous for the Lord. Very excited. But we would go out there with a soul that's just, like, really just jacked up. And although Jesus, Jesus uses everything. It was something that we needed to get done in order to bring his fruits out for people. And even in situations like this, like what I was experiencing this week, this attack. Right? Like, it's very easy to just, oh, I'm going through something and then you start to put that on everyone else around you. Because it triggers something in you that has been healed. Happens to a lot of us. Happens to a lot of us. But a peacemaker is Someone who goes into their family and finds this is not in order. I'm going to put this in order. Holy Spirit, let's do this. Let's create peace in my family. My workplace. God, I know there's people around here that you want. Your lost sheep. I think it's really interesting that they're not just lost goats that God doesn't care about. They're lost sheep that God wants to find. They're sheep. They're children. They're beautiful. Bring them back. We need to partner with them to bring them back. And our workplaces and our friendships can be in the light and the darkness." [01:12:51] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "I think a lot of the church has become a lot of peacekeepers and not a lot of peacemakers. And I think it looks the same to a lot of people. The word peace is in front of it. I think that's why I slipped up on the text because the word peace is in front of it. And I didn't realize it because I didn't really look at it. If I actually paid attention to it, I would have seen it. And I think that's what we see in the church. We see a lot of people who aren't really walking the way they should with the Lord. But to someone on the outside, they're like, oh, wow, peace. Peace, peace, peace, peace, peace, peace. And then what? Peace and then what? are you a peacemaker or are you a peacekeeper? I love peace. I love this. Peacekeepers are content with surface control while peacemakers dive deep to uncover source problems. I love that. That's what I'm talking about, about going deeper, about going to deliverance. It's easy when someone comes up for prayer, someone needing prayer, and they're having a hard time. Sure, sometimes they just need a hug. Sometimes they need a solution. Sometimes they need deliverance. Sometimes they need healing. But I know a lot of times, and I've done this. I've done this myself where I just, I take the easy route. I have taken the easy route where I just do a simple blessing over them. I just want to encourage them with words. It's not a problem. There's a time and place for each and every one of those things. God will give us understanding on what to do. But it's being equipped and wanting and desiring to be equipped to do those things, to be all things to all men. And whenever God calls us to do these things, we are ready to do them. Right? We are to bring everyone to the kingdom of God. Okay, it's quiet. It's just quiet. But we are called to bring the kingdom of God, the solution of the kingdom, to the world. Right? That's our mandate. That's what the Great Commission is, is we bring the kingdom blueprint to the world around us. And I know I'm speaking like an evangelist. everyone here calls me an evangelist. But I know I'm speaking like an evangelist. But it's true, though. You know, I'm speaking like an evangelist. You know, we have a world that's dying for the solution. Really. Like, they're dying for a solution and they don't have it. You know, we have, what, two billion Catholics." [01:17:12] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "So, I leave that with you. Be peacemakers in a world that is dying for peace. Be a peacemaker in a place that is chaotic. Anything that is not under the submission of the Holy Spirit is chaotic in nature. But you have a key. I have a key. We all have keys. We have to make duplicates and we get to save a world with the Holy Spirit. It's a glorious purpose. So, I'll pray us out really quick. I want to, yeah, I'll pray us out. Father, I thank you. I Lord, I thank you that you've called all of us to be peacemakers. Lord, I thank you that you partner with us in a glorious purpose that you've given us a manifold wisdom to present to the spiritual realm. Father, you've given us the ultimate solution that brings everything that the demonic wants to do into shambles and it brings everything into purity. You create purity everywhere you go. So, Lord, I pray that our hearts are just told that you are totally, are totally submitted to what you want. God, I pray that we have boldness. I pray that we have the love, the God-made love that you have for us and for the world. God, I pray that we are willing to serve you in being undignified in doing it no matter what it looks like, no matter what you ask of us, that we will submit ourselves to your plan and to what your will is. Holy Spirit, I ask that you would just light a fire in each and every one of us right now. Holy Spirit, I ask that you would bapt
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