Finding True Peace Through Christ's Reconciliation
Summary
### Summary
In today's world, hostility and conflict seem to be ever-present, whether on a global scale or within our own families. The Bible acknowledges this reality, stating that there is a time for war and a time for peace. However, it also offers a profound promise: God stepped into our broken world to bring us peace through Jesus Christ. Ephesians 2:14-16 reveals that Jesus is our peace, breaking down the dividing walls of hostility and reconciling us to God and to one another through His sacrifice on the cross.
The Nobel Peace Prize, often awarded to individuals who have made significant contributions to peace, serves as a worldly symbol of reconciliation. Yet, even this prize has been subject to controversy and division, as seen in the creation of the Confucius Peace Prize by China. This illustrates that even the concept of peace can be contentious. In contrast, God's peace, offered through Jesus, is far superior and unifying.
Jesus Himself is our peace. He reconciles us to God, transforming us from children under wrath to those declared righteous by faith. This peace is not just an inner tranquility but a relational harmony with God and others. Jesus' sacrifice on the cross put to death the hostility between us and God, and between different groups of people, such as Jews and Gentiles. This reconciliation is a divine act that transcends human efforts and political agendas.
The story of Jerem Thomas and Michael Galen serves as a poignant reminder of the futility of seeking revenge and the importance of forgiveness. The Bible calls us to be peacemakers, not to seek vengeance or harbor hostility. Jesus' mission was to reconcile the irreconcilable, to bring together those who were once at odds. This unity is achieved not through human striving but through resting in Jesus' finished work on the cross.
As we navigate a world filled with division and conflict, we are called to be agents of God's peace. This involves loving our neighbors, forgiving those who wrong us, and trusting in God's promise to make all things new. By resting in Jesus and His promises, we can experience true peace and be instruments of reconciliation in a broken world.
### Key Takeaways
1. God's Promise of Peace: Despite the pervasive hostility in the world, God promises peace through Jesus Christ. This peace is not merely an absence of conflict but a profound reconciliation with God and others. Jesus' sacrifice on the cross broke down the dividing walls of hostility, offering us a peace that surpasses all understanding. [02:39]
2. Jesus as Our Peace: Jesus Himself is our peace. He reconciles us to God, transforming us from children under wrath to those declared righteous by faith. This peace is both an inner tranquility and a relational harmony with God and others. Through Jesus, we are no longer at war with God but are united with Him. [08:00]
3. The Futility of Revenge: The story of Jerem Thomas and Michael Galen illustrates the futility of seeking revenge. The Bible calls us to be peacemakers, not to seek vengeance or harbor hostility. True peace comes from forgiveness and reconciliation, not from getting even. [12:45]
4. Reconciliation Through Jesus: Jesus' mission was to reconcile the irreconcilable, bringing together those who were once at odds. This unity is achieved not through human striving but through resting in Jesus' finished work on the cross. By trusting in God's promise, we can experience true peace and be instruments of reconciliation. [16:26]
5. Living as Peacemakers: As followers of Christ, we are called to be agents of God's peace. This involves loving our neighbors, forgiving those who wrong us, and trusting in God's promise to make all things new. By resting in Jesus and His promises, we can navigate a world filled with division and conflict, bringing God's peace to those around us. [24:55]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:03] - Hostility in the World
[01:49] - God's Promise of Peace
[02:39] - Ephesians 2:14-16
[03:38] - Prayer for Peace
[04:19] - The Nobel Peace Prize
[05:52] - The Confucius Peace Prize
[07:15] - God's Superior Peace
[08:00] - Jesus as Our Peace
[09:02] - Peace with God
[10:24] - Peace with One Another
[11:36] - Story of Jerem Thomas and Michael Galen
[13:19] - Call to Be Peacemakers
[15:45] - Reconciliation Through Jesus
[17:24] - God's Purpose at the Cross
[19:56] - Unity in Christ
[22:03] - The Gospel of Reconciliation
[24:55] - Living as Peacemakers
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Ephesians 2:14-16
- Romans 5:1
#### Observation Questions
1. According to Ephesians 2:14-16, what did Jesus do to bring peace between different groups of people? [02:39]
2. How does Romans 5:1 describe the peace we have with God through Jesus?
3. What was the significance of the Nobel Peace Prize and the Confucius Peace Prize as discussed in the sermon? [04:19]
4. What story was shared in the sermon to illustrate the futility of seeking revenge? [11:36]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. What does it mean that Jesus "tore down the dividing wall of hostility" as mentioned in Ephesians 2:14? How does this apply to our relationships today? [02:39]
2. How does the peace that Jesus offers differ from the peace symbolized by worldly awards like the Nobel Peace Prize? [07:15]
3. In what ways does the story of Jerem Thomas and Michael Galen highlight the dangers of seeking revenge instead of forgiveness? [12:45]
4. How can believers practically live out the call to be peacemakers in a world filled with division and conflict? [13:19]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you experienced hostility in your own life. How did you handle it, and how might you handle it differently by resting in Jesus' peace? [01:03]
2. Jesus reconciled us to God and to one another. Is there someone in your life with whom you need to seek reconciliation? What steps can you take this week to begin that process? [10:24]
3. The sermon mentioned that true peace comes from forgiveness and reconciliation, not from getting even. Is there someone you need to forgive? How can you start that journey today? [12:45]
4. How can you be an agent of God's peace in your community? Identify one specific action you can take this week to promote peace and reconciliation. [13:19]
5. The sermon emphasized the importance of loving our neighbors and forgiving those who wrong us. Think of a neighbor or coworker you have had conflicts with. What is one practical way you can show them love and forgiveness this week? [24:55]
6. How can you rest in Jesus' finished work on the cross to experience true peace in your daily life? What are some practical ways to remind yourself of this truth? [16:26]
7. The sermon called us to trust in God's promise to make all things new. What is one area of your life where you need to trust God more? How can you actively practice this trust? [24:26]
Devotional
Day 1: God's Promise of Peace
In a world filled with hostility and conflict, God's promise of peace through Jesus Christ stands as a beacon of hope. This peace is not merely the absence of conflict but a profound reconciliation with God and others. Ephesians 2:14-16 reveals that Jesus is our peace, breaking down the dividing walls of hostility and reconciling us to God and to one another through His sacrifice on the cross. This divine peace surpasses all human understanding and efforts, offering a unity that transcends worldly divisions. [02:39]
Ephesians 2:14-16 (ESV): "For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility."
Reflection: Think of a current conflict in your life. How can you invite God's peace into this situation today?
Day 2: Jesus as Our Peace
Jesus Himself is our peace, transforming us from children under wrath to those declared righteous by faith. This peace is both an inner tranquility and a relational harmony with God and others. Through Jesus, we are no longer at war with God but are united with Him. This unity is not achieved through human striving but through resting in Jesus' finished work on the cross. By trusting in God's promise, we can experience true peace and be instruments of reconciliation. [08:00]
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: In what areas of your life do you need to experience Jesus' peace? How can you rest in His finished work on the cross today?
Day 3: The Futility of Revenge
The story of Jerem Thomas and Michael Galen illustrates the futility of seeking revenge. The Bible calls us to be peacemakers, not to seek vengeance or harbor hostility. True peace comes from forgiveness and reconciliation, not from getting even. Jesus' mission was to reconcile the irreconcilable, bringing together those who were once at odds. This unity is achieved not through human striving but through resting in Jesus' finished work on the cross. [12:45]
Romans 12:19-21 (ESV): "Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, 'Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.' To the contrary, 'if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.' Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."
Reflection: Is there someone you need to forgive today? How can you take a step towards reconciliation and peace?
Day 4: Reconciliation Through Jesus
Jesus' mission was to reconcile the irreconcilable, bringing together those who were once at odds. This unity is achieved not through human striving but through resting in Jesus' finished work on the cross. By trusting in God's promise, we can experience true peace and be instruments of reconciliation. This divine act transcends human efforts and political agendas, offering a peace that is far superior and unifying. [16:26]
2 Corinthians 5:18-19 (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."
Reflection: How can you be an agent of reconciliation in your community? What steps can you take to promote unity and peace?
Day 5: Living as Peacemakers
As followers of Christ, we are called to be agents of God's peace. This involves loving our neighbors, forgiving those who wrong us, and trusting in God's promise to make all things new. By resting in Jesus and His promises, we can navigate a world filled with division and conflict, bringing God's peace to those around us. This mission is not just about inner tranquility but about actively working towards relational harmony with God and others. [24:55]
Matthew 5:9 (ESV): "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God."
Reflection: What practical steps can you take today to be a peacemaker in your family, workplace, or community? How can you show God's love and forgiveness to those around you?
Quotes
### Quotes for outreach
1. "God stepped into our broken world in order to heal our brokenness and give us peace. Ephesians chapter 2 is where we're going to be this morning. We're going to be talking about this idea of how even though there's so much hostility in the world and there seems to be no alternative to all the wars that we see and all the dissension and all the disagreement, and yet God stepped into that to bring us peace." [01:49] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Thankfully, God offers us something much better than the world's version of a Peace Prize. God doesn't just want us to get a little medal or a little statue of some kind and say, yes, you've done some good things, you should be awarded a Peace Prize. No, God's idea of a Peace Prize is so much better than that, far better than something that we can obtain in this life." [07:15] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Jesus is our peace. Jesus himself is our peace. When you think about who God is, who Jesus is, how he was God, and is God, and he came down from heaven to show us himself, he is our peace. He's our peace. We don't need to look outside of Jesus to obtain other things for ourselves. And certainly we should seek to be peacemakers with other people, other countries. But even in doing that, we don't gain more peace outside of Jesus himself. Jesus is our peace. And if you have Jesus, you have peace. You have peace." [08:00] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "By dying on the cross for our sins, Jesus put to death our hostility toward one another. That's the goal. That's the outcome. That will come. So the question for us today is, are you fighting against it or pursuing it and resting in it? In other words, are you hostile towards others? Are you estranged from family? Do you hold their sins against them? See, God has called us to peace." [24:55] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for members
1. "Jesus reconciled all of us to God. Look at verse 16. He did this so that he might reconcile both to God in one body through the cross by which he put hostility, put the hostility to death. This is the gospel. This is the gospel, the mystery of Christ. And we're talking more about the mystery of Christ once we get a little bit further in Ephesians. But basically it's this, that the mystery, the promise of salvation isn't just for one family, the Jews, but it's for the Gentiles. The nations." [22:03] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "We can't earn peace with God. We can't earn peace with our neighbor. We have to believe God's promise. Believe God's promise that God gives us peace with him. God gives us peace with our neighbor through Jesus, what Jesus has done for us. And yes, we should walk in it. And yes, we should strive for it. But don't act like you can do it yourself. Because that just leads to depression. That leads to the more you don't have it, thinking that you did something wrong to not have it. No, rest in the fact that God's promised it. God's gonna bring it about. And you can trust his promise that he's making all things good." [24:05] (47 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Jesus came also to reconcile what we think are the unreconcilable. People who are totally at odds with each other. Family members who seem like they're never going to get along. Friends and racial tensions that you just think, what good can possibly come of this? Jesus came to tear down the wall of hostility. You know, we have an election coming up. Man, those groups are sometimes really hostile to us. They don't want to talk to each other. Names are called. Shots are fired. How can this possibly be? How can any good come of this? God's talking about that too." [16:26] (59 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "See, Jesus, it says, accomplished this in his flesh. He accomplished it in his flesh. He made to no effect all the laws and regulations that the Jews thought they were saved by doing those things. Just like we as Christians sometimes think that we're saved by living a certain way or maybe holding on to certain things. I don't know. We know that salvation is by grace alone, but sometimes we act like, well, at least I'm not doing that. At least, you know, all those people out there, they're the problem with the world, is sometimes what we think. But I've got to be right. God's happy with me. No, the thing is, we're only saved by grace. God's grace alone." [20:13] (43 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "God isn't content that we would all be lost forever. But one by one, in his time, he's bringing us to know Christ. And for some, it's gonna take a lot longer than others. And for some, they're gonna go through a lot more pain, a lot more turmoil. But God sent Jesus so that he would bring us together, so that he might make one new man out of the two who were irreconcilable before. Gradually, just like in my band, all the instruments came together in perfect harmony. Through Jesus, God is bringing us all together to be united in Christ." [19:36] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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