Embracing True Peace Through Relationship with Christ
Summary
Embracing peace is a profound journey that begins with understanding the dual nature of embracing: holding close and accepting wholeheartedly. As we navigate the Advent season, we are called to embrace Jesus not only as a belief but as a close, intimate relationship. This relationship is the foundation for experiencing true peace, a peace that transcends the temporary and fleeting offerings of the world. In Genesis, we see the original state of peace between humanity and God, a perfect harmony that was disrupted by sin. This separation from God introduced a lack of peace, a condition that humanity has struggled with ever since.
The world's peace is often temporary, marked by fleeting moments of calm amidst chaos. However, biblical peace, as described by the Greek word "irene," signifies a binding together of what was once separated. It is a peace that is not merely the absence of conflict but the presence of harmony and unity. This peace is made possible through Jesus Christ, who reconciles us to God, transforming us from enemies to children of God. Through faith in Jesus, we are justified and granted peace with God, a peace that is eternal and unchanging.
This peace extends beyond our relationship with God to encompass peace with ourselves and others. When we embrace our identity in Christ, we are freed from guilt and shame, allowing us to live joyfully and with hope. This internal peace empowers us to be peacemakers in the world, seeking harmony and reconciliation with others. As Christians, we are called to embody this peace, recognizing that it is a gift from God, distinct from the world's understanding of peace.
Biblical peace is a gift that unifies and restores creation to its intended state. It is a peace that is promised in the prophecies of Isaiah, where even natural enemies coexist in harmony. This vision of peace is a foretaste of the eternal peace that awaits us in God's kingdom. As we partake in communion, we are reminded of the sacrifice of Jesus, who made this peace possible. Let us examine our hearts, seek reconciliation, and embrace the peace that Christ offers, living as ambassadors of this peace in a world that desperately needs it.
Key Takeaways:
1. Embracing Jesus involves both belief and a close, intimate relationship, which is essential for experiencing true peace. This peace is not just a concept but a transformative relationship with God that brings harmony and unity. [03:11]
2. Biblical peace, unlike worldly peace, is eternal and rooted in reconciliation with God through Jesus Christ. It is a binding together of what was once separated, offering a sense of completeness and well-being. [08:59]
3. Through faith in Jesus, we are justified and granted peace with God, freeing us from guilt and shame. This internal peace allows us to live joyfully and with hope, embracing our identity in Christ. [12:11]
4. As Christians, we are called to be peacemakers, seeking harmony and reconciliation with others. This peace is not passive but active, requiring us to work towards unity and understanding in our relationships. [22:43]
5. Biblical peace is a gift from God, distinct from the world's understanding of peace. It is a promise of restoration and unity, as prophesied in Isaiah, where even natural enemies coexist in harmony. [28:32]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[03:11] - The Meaning of Embrace
[04:36] - Genesis and the Original Peace
[06:43] - The Fall and Loss of Peace
[08:03] - Worldly Peace vs. Biblical Peace
[08:59] - Understanding Biblical Peace
[10:40] - Peace and Reconciliation
[12:11] - Justification and Peace with God
[12:48] - Biblical Peace in Ephesians
[14:48] - Forgiveness and Restoration
[15:31] - Conditional Nature of Peace
[16:29] - Peace Among Those God is Pleased With
[18:53] - Peace with Ourselves
[20:07] - Identity in Christ and Inner Peace
[22:43] - Peace with Others
[25:38] - Peace as a Gift from God
[28:32] - Isaiah's Prophecy of Peace
[31:45] - Communion and Embracing Peace
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: Embracing Peace
Bible Reading:
1. Genesis 1:27-31
2. Romans 5:1
3. Isaiah 11:5-9
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Observation Questions:
1. According to Genesis 1, what was the original state of peace between humanity and God? How did this change after the fall in Genesis 3? [04:36]
2. What does the Greek word "irene" mean, and how does it describe biblical peace? [08:59]
3. In Romans 5:1, what is the result of being justified by faith in Jesus Christ?
4. How does Isaiah 11:5-9 depict the peace that is promised in God's kingdom?
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of biblical peace differ from the world's understanding of peace, as described in the sermon? [08:03]
2. What does it mean to have peace with God, and how is this peace achieved according to Romans 5:1? [12:11]
3. How does embracing our identity in Christ lead to internal peace and freedom from guilt and shame? [20:07]
4. In what ways are Christians called to be peacemakers, and how does this role extend beyond personal peace to relationships with others? [22:43]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current relationship with God. Do you feel you are embracing Jesus both as a belief and in a close, intimate relationship? What steps can you take to deepen this relationship? [03:11]
2. Consider the areas in your life where you experience temporary peace. How can you seek the eternal peace that comes from reconciliation with God through Jesus Christ? [08:03]
3. Identify any guilt or shame you may be holding onto. How can embracing your identity in Christ help you release these burdens and live joyfully? [20:07]
4. Think of a relationship in your life that lacks peace. What practical steps can you take to seek harmony and reconciliation in that relationship? [22:43]
5. How can you actively embody biblical peace in your community, especially in situations of conflict or misunderstanding? [23:39]
6. Reflect on the vision of peace described in Isaiah 11:5-9. How does this vision inspire you to live as an ambassador of peace in the world today? [28:32]
7. As you prepare for communion, consider the questions posed in the sermon about making peace with God and others. What actions can you take to ensure you are approaching the table with a heart of peace and reconciliation? [35:57]
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing Jesus as a Transformative Relationship
Embracing Jesus involves more than just belief; it requires cultivating a close, intimate relationship with Him. This relationship is the foundation for experiencing true peace, a peace that transcends the temporary and fleeting offerings of the world. In this relationship, Jesus is not just a figure of faith but a personal companion who walks with us through life's journey. By embracing Jesus in this way, we open ourselves to a transformative experience that brings harmony and unity into our lives. This peace is not merely a concept but a living reality that changes how we interact with God, ourselves, and others. [03:11]
"Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving." (Colossians 2:6-7, ESV)
Reflection: How can you deepen your relationship with Jesus today to experience His transformative peace more fully?
Day 2: Eternal Peace Through Reconciliation with God
Biblical peace, unlike worldly peace, is eternal and rooted in reconciliation with God through Jesus Christ. This peace signifies a binding together of what was once separated, offering a sense of completeness and well-being. Through Jesus, we are reconciled to God, transforming us from enemies to children of God. This reconciliation is not a one-time event but an ongoing process that continually renews our relationship with God. As we embrace this peace, we find a stability and assurance that the world cannot offer, a peace that remains constant despite life's challenges. [08:59]
"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: In what ways can you actively participate in the ongoing process of reconciliation with God in your daily life?
Day 3: Justification and Internal Peace
Through faith in Jesus, we are justified and granted peace with God, freeing us from guilt and shame. This internal peace allows us to live joyfully and with hope, embracing our identity in Christ. When we understand that we are justified, we can let go of the burdens of past mistakes and live in the freedom that Christ offers. This peace is not passive but empowers us to live boldly and confidently, knowing that our identity is secure in Him. As we embrace this peace, we are better equipped to face life's challenges with a spirit of joy and hope. [12:11]
"Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God." (Romans 5:1-2, ESV)
Reflection: What past guilt or shame do you need to release to fully embrace your identity in Christ and live in His peace?
Day 4: Active Peacemaking in Our Relationships
As Christians, we are called to be peacemakers, seeking harmony and reconciliation with others. This peace is not passive but active, requiring us to work towards unity and understanding in our relationships. Being a peacemaker means taking the initiative to resolve conflicts, extend forgiveness, and build bridges where there are divides. It involves listening, empathizing, and striving to understand others' perspectives. By embodying this peace, we become ambassadors of Christ's love, bringing His peace into a world that desperately needs it. [22:43]
"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God." (Matthew 5:9, ESV)
Reflection: Who in your life needs you to take the first step towards reconciliation and peace today?
Day 5: The Gift of Biblical Peace
Biblical peace is a gift from God, distinct from the world's understanding of peace. It is a promise of restoration and unity, as prophesied in Isaiah, where even natural enemies coexist in harmony. This peace is a foretaste of the eternal peace that awaits us in God's kingdom. As we partake in communion, we are reminded of the sacrifice of Jesus, who made this peace possible. Let us examine our hearts, seek reconciliation, and embrace the peace that Christ offers, living as ambassadors of this peace in a world that desperately needs it. [28:32]
"The wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the young goat, and the calf and the lion and the fattened calf together; and a little child shall lead them." (Isaiah 11:6, ESV)
Reflection: How can you actively embrace and share the gift of biblical peace in your community today?
Quotes
"Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Isn't that interesting? When we believe in Jesus. When we really take that to heart, when we live for him, we have peace with God." [00:12:24] (21 seconds)
"Now that you have received your salvation, you're free from the burden of guilt and shame, and we can begin to live our life as it was designed for. We have been saved. We have been accepted and have found our identity in Christ." [00:20:07] (16 seconds)
"This is what we're called to do as Christians, to be peacemakers, to have peace with all peoples. Now, there's a whole other sermon we'll give another day. Okay, let's not mistake peace with somebody that just rolls over and gets run over. That's not biblical peace either." [00:23:29] (24 seconds)
"Peace I leave with you. Peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Don't let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful. Notice that it is Jesus himself that says, peace I give to you, not as the world does." [00:25:45] (21 seconds)
"This is why biblical peace is different from how the world understands peace. God's peace is eternal. It seeks to unify all of his creation, and it is perfect. That's why we embrace." [00:26:51] (15 seconds)
"The Bible describes peace as a state where no one goes hungry or is abandoned. A state where people support each other's thriving. A state where people celebrate differences as gifts." [00:27:06] (19 seconds)
"Isaiah, as you would any other book, and not understanding the context. So I want to read these passages to you, or this passage. It comes from Isaiah 11, beginning in verse 5. And it says, That's pointing to Jesus. So I just want to include that so you see that this is about Jesus." [00:28:26] (26 seconds)
"now if you're just reading that that may sound really funny to you why did Isaiah throw that in there what's this the cow and the bear graze together what does that have to do with Jesus ladies and gentlemen that's biblical peace what the prophet Isaiah is saying is when Jesus comes and he restores all of humanity let me take that line out when he restores all his creation it's perfect as intended the cow and the bear will graze together the little child will play with the cobra not cute words it's a beautiful picture that there is perfect peace in God's creation probably never saw that before it's beautiful isn't it" [00:30:28] (58 seconds)
"To help us make peace with God, we should be asking ourselves, questions like these. Have I confessed my offenses against God and others? And pleaded for their forgiveness. Have I forgiven all who have asked for it? Have I sought reconciliation with those who have hurt me?" [00:35:47] (22 seconds)
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