Embracing the Call to Peacemaking in Community
Summary
In today's sermon, I explored the challenging yet vital role of peacemaking within the Christian community. I began by acknowledging the reality that conflicts are inevitable, even among followers of Jesus. However, I emphasized that Jesus does not leave us without guidance on how to resolve these conflicts. As peacemakers, we are called to embody honesty, humility, and a vision for the bigger picture of God's kingdom.
I shared personal anecdotes about sibling rivalries, illustrating that disputes are a natural part of family life, including our church family. I reminded us that as brothers and sisters in Christ, we are not immune to disagreements, whether they be over politics, church governance, or even as trivial as wearing name tags. Yet, these feuds present us with an opportunity to act as peacemakers.
Drawing from the Sermon on the Mount, I highlighted Jesus' beatitude, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God." This statement sets the tone for our calling to actively create peace where there is discord. I pointed out that peacemaking is not about maintaining a superficial peace but about addressing underlying issues to foster true harmony and shalom.
I delved into the practical aspects of peacemaking, suggesting that it involves courageous honesty in confronting issues directly, humility to examine our own hearts and motives, and the ability to see beyond our personal concerns to the greater good of the community. I used scriptural examples, including Jesus' teachings on reconciliation and the apostle Paul's advice to the early church on handling disputes over dietary practices, to illustrate these principles.
I concluded by encouraging each member of our congregation to aspire to be peacemakers, especially within our church community. I urged us to embrace the challenge of peacemaking, not just for our own sake but for the sake of a world in desperate need of the peace and shalom that Jesus offers.
Key Takeaways:
- Peacemaking requires courageous honesty. It's not enough to ignore conflicts or wait for others to address them. We must be willing to initiate reconciliation and ask difficult questions like, "Have I done something to offend you?" This approach reflects Jesus' teaching and is essential for healing and unity within the church. [42:37]
- Humility is a cornerstone of peacemaking. We often assume we understand others' motives, but in reality, we must examine our own hearts. By acknowledging our own contributions to conflict and seeking God's guidance, we can approach disagreements with a spirit of humility and openness to change. [49:27]
- Peacemakers see the big picture. They recognize that the church is not about individual preferences but about our collective witness to the world. By prioritizing the community's well-being over personal rights, we embody the love and peace that Jesus calls us to spread. [58:04]
- Conflict within the church is not a sign of failure but an opportunity for growth. When we engage in peacemaking, we demonstrate what it means to be children of God. Our efforts to resolve disputes can serve as a powerful testimony to a watching world. [36:41]
- Peacemaking is an active process. It's not about keeping the peace at all costs but about creating peace where it is lacking. This may involve challenging the status quo and addressing uncomfortable truths, but it is through such actions that we bring about God's shalom. [39:10]
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Matthew 5:9 - "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God."
2. Matthew 5:23-24 - "Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift."
3. James 4:1-2 - "What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God."
### Observation Questions
1. What does Jesus mean when He says, "Blessed are the peacemakers" in Matthew 5:9? How does this relate to being called children of God? [36:23]
2. According to Matthew 5:23-24, what should one do if they realize someone has something against them while offering a gift at the altar? [40:02]
3. In James 4:1-2, what are the underlying causes of fights and quarrels among people? How does this passage suggest we address these issues? [50:01]
4. What examples of conflicts within the church did the pastor mention in the sermon? How do these examples illustrate the need for peacemaking? [33:56]
### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the concept of peacemaking in Matthew 5:9 challenge the way we typically handle conflicts? What does it mean to be called children of God in this context? [36:23]
2. Why does Jesus emphasize the importance of reconciliation before offering a gift at the altar in Matthew 5:23-24? How does this reflect the values of peacemaking? [40:02]
3. James 4:1-2 speaks about desires that battle within us causing conflicts. How can recognizing these internal battles help us become better peacemakers? [50:01]
4. The pastor mentioned that peacemaking requires humility and seeing the bigger picture. How do these qualities help in resolving conflicts within the church? [49:33]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a recent conflict you had within the church or your community. How could you have approached it differently as a peacemaker? What steps can you take to reconcile now? [40:02]
2. The pastor mentioned the importance of courageous honesty in peacemaking. Think of a situation where you avoided addressing an issue directly. How can you practice courageous honesty in that situation? [42:07]
3. Humility is crucial in peacemaking. Can you identify a time when your pride got in the way of resolving a conflict? How can you practice humility in future conflicts? [49:33]
4. The sermon highlighted the importance of seeing the bigger picture in conflicts. How can focusing on the well-being of the community over personal preferences change the way you handle disputes? [58:04]
5. The pastor shared that conflicts are opportunities for growth. How can you shift your perspective to see conflicts as opportunities rather than failures? What practical steps can you take to grow from a recent conflict? [36:41]
6. Peacemaking is an active process. Identify a specific conflict in your life where peace is lacking. What actions can you take this week to actively create peace in that situation? [39:10]
7. The pastor encouraged the congregation to be peacemakers for the sake of a world in need of Jesus' peace. How can you be a peacemaker in your workplace, family, or community this week? [01:01:00]
Devotional
Day 1: Courageous Honesty in Reconciliation
Honesty is the bedrock of peacemaking, especially within the context of a faith community. It requires the bravery to step forward and address conflicts head-on rather than allowing them to fester. This form of honesty is not about assigning blame but rather seeking to understand and to heal. It involves asking probing questions that can sometimes be uncomfortable, such as inquiring if one's own actions have caused offense. This level of transparency is necessary for the healing of relationships and the unity of the church. It reflects the teachings of Jesus, who consistently advocated for direct and loving communication as a means to resolve disputes. [42:37]
"Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted." - Galatians 6:1 ESV
Reflection: Consider a recent conflict where you may have contributed to the discord. How can you approach the other person with honesty and gentleness to initiate reconciliation today?
Day 2: Humility as the Cornerstone of Peace
Humility is essential in the pursuit of peace. It begins with a willingness to look inward and examine one's own heart and motives before passing judgment on others. This self-reflection allows for a more compassionate approach to resolving conflicts, as it acknowledges our shared human fallibility. When disagreements arise, it is often easier to assume understanding of another's intentions, but true peacemaking calls for a humble acknowledgment of our limited perspective. Seeking God's guidance in these moments can lead to a spirit of humility and openness that paves the way for genuine resolution and stronger relationships within the community. [49:27]
"Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves." - Philippians 2:3 ESV
Reflection: In what ways can you practice humility in your interactions today, especially with those with whom you disagree?
Day 3: The Big Picture of Community Well-being
Peacemakers possess the ability to see beyond personal concerns and focus on the collective well-being of the community. This perspective is not about suppressing individual preferences but rather about prioritizing the unity and witness of the church. It is a recognition that the body of Christ is called to demonstrate love and peace to the world, which often requires setting aside personal rights for the sake of the greater good. This vision aligns with the teachings of Jesus, who encouraged his followers to seek the kingdom of God above all else, trusting that in doing so, they would be living out their true purpose as children of God. [58:04]
"Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others." - Philippians 2:4 ESV
Reflection: How can you contribute to the well-being of your church community today, even if it means setting aside your own preferences?
Day 4: Conflict as an Opportunity for Growth
Rather than viewing conflict within the church as a sign of failure, it can be seen as an opportunity for growth and a demonstration of what it means to be children of God. Engaging in peacemaking is a powerful testimony to the world, showing that it is possible to resolve disputes in a manner that reflects God's love and grace. This approach to conflict transforms potentially divisive situations into chances for strengthening the bonds within the church and enhancing its witness to the world. [36:41]
"Let us therefore strive to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification." - Romans 14:19 ESV
Reflection: Think of a current conflict in your church or community. How can you approach it as an opportunity to foster growth and peace?
Day 5: Active Peacemaking as a Creation of Shalom
Peacemaking is an active process that involves creating peace where it is lacking. It is not about passively maintaining the status quo but about courageously addressing uncomfortable truths and challenging systems that disrupt harmony. This active stance is what brings about God's shalom—a peace that encompasses justice, wholeness, and well-being. It is through such actions that the church can be a beacon of hope and reconciliation in a world that is in desperate need of true peace. [39:10]
"If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all." - Romans 12:18 ESV
Reflection: What is one action you can take today to actively create peace in an area of tension or conflict in your life?
Quotes
1) "Peacemakers act with courageous honesty. Peacemakers act with courageous honesty. Here's what Jesus says, Matthew chapter 5, right? So a few verses after he says blessed are the peacemakers, then he makes his comment. Therefore, if you're offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them and then come and offer your gift." [39:58] ()
2) "Like this is why I say peacemakers have courageous honesty because like the easy thing to do is to say, oh you know what, if they got a problem with me, maybe they can come and find me. That's their problem. If they're upset by what I did, that's not on me. If they're too sensitive or they're easily offended, that's not my problem. And Jesus says, wait a minute, if you know that's a problem for them, go and be reconciled." [41:54] ()
3) "Peacemakers also practice humility. This is for us, so we're going to meddle just a little bit here, right? It's interesting to see how when you read the Gospels, when you read about Jesus' interaction and how often Jesus is involved in these conflicts with people. But interestingly, Jesus' approach to that is often like he kind of steps around the conflict and he goes to the issue behind or beneath the issue." [46:24] ()
4) "So if we're going to be Jesus-like peacemakers, it will require reflection. It will require any of us who want to be a peacemaker to say, I'm going to need to step back for a moment and do a little reflection on what's going on in here. I'm going to need to invite God as the writer of Psalm 139 says, search my heart and see if there's any wicked way in me. God, help me understand what's going on in here. In a word, it will require humility." [51:46] ()
5) "Peacemakers see the big picture. They see the big picture. So Jesus' family isn't about me. It isn't about you or you or you. It's about all of us together, right? It's about a new kind of community, a new kind of family, a new kind of humanity. Pastor Katie talked about this a little bit last week when she preached. You didn't hear that. Get the message and take it to heart." [52:54] ()
6) "And then he adds this, right? And there's you can read the rest of this chapter on your own, right? But later on, a couple of verses later, Romans 14 verse 19. Therefore, he says, let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification. It's kind of a fancy church where just means like building things up, right? Building what up? This community that Jesus came to start, right?" [58:36] ()
7) "Here's some ways that family feud, I think, could be handled based on some of the things that we've looked at, right? Courageously speak honestly to the person involved. We talked about that. Be willing to say, you know what? It's not my favorite thing to do, but I think it's really important because this is how we're going to create peace where it does not exist." [59:54] ()
8) "My hope and my prayer is that you will aspire to be that kind of peacemaker in your relationships, particularly in your church community, your church family with these siblings. Will you be a peacemaker? The opportunity is waiting for you at the next family." [01:01:36] ()
9) "Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called the children of God. Blessed are the peacemakers. And understand like Jesus was talking to people who were living in a very conflicted time. Like they were living in an environment where their country was being governed by an occupying army." [36:41] ()
10) "Family feuds need peacemakers. Family feuds need peacemakers. And I think Jesus knew this. I think Jesus anticipated this. And the reason I say that is because from the very beginning in the first recorded conversation we have from Jesus, his first message, the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus jumps in and he talks specifically about peacemakers." [36:00] ()
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