Finding True Peace Through Christ's Sacrifice
Summary
### Summary
In today's sermon, we explored the profound concept of peace, particularly the peace that comes from God. We began by acknowledging the myriad of ways people seek peace through various methods and philosophies, yet often find themselves still yearning for true tranquility. The essence of peace, as we discussed, is not the absence of conflict but knowing where to turn amidst it. We delved into Paul's letter to the Colossians, where he emphasizes that Christ is the visible image of the invisible God and the source of all creation. Paul urges the Colossians to stop seeking peace through syncretism—mixing various beliefs and practices—and instead to focus solely on Christ.
We learned that real peace is a priority for God, so much so that He sent His only Son, Jesus, to reconcile us to Himself through the cross. This peace is costly, bought with the life of Jesus, and it is through His sacrifice that we can experience true peace. We also discussed the importance of not just knowing this peace but showing it to others. As followers of Christ, we are called to be peacemakers, reflecting the love and peace of God in our interactions with others.
Conflict is inevitable, but it is also an opportunity to demonstrate the peace of God. We are encouraged to trust in Jesus, who holds all things together, and to be agents of peace in a world filled with strife. The early Christians, despite living in a time of great conflict, transformed their world by embodying the peace and love of Christ. We are challenged to do the same in our own lives, bringing peace to our families, workplaces, and communities.
### Key Takeaways
1. True Peace Comes from God: Peace is not merely the absence of conflict but knowing where to turn in the midst of it. God, who created and designed us, desires to fill us with His peace. This peace is found in Christ, who is the visible image of the invisible God and holds all creation together. [54:19]
2. The Cost of Peace: Real peace is a priority for God and it came at a great cost—the life of His Son, Jesus. Through Jesus' sacrifice on the cross, we are reconciled to God and can experience true peace. This peace is not cheap; it was bought with the precious blood of Christ. [01:00:33]
3. Being Peacemakers: As followers of Christ, we are called to be peacemakers, not just peacekeepers. This means actively bringing God's peace into situations of conflict and brokenness. We are to reflect the love and peace of God in our interactions, showing the world the transformative power of Christ's peace. [01:05:22]
4. Conflict as an Opportunity: Conflict is an inevitable part of life, but it is also an opportunity to know and show the peace of God. By trusting in Jesus and turning to Him in times of strife, we can experience a peace that surpasses understanding and demonstrate this peace to others. [01:08:11]
5. Living as Images of Christ: We are to be the visible images of the invisible God, just as Jesus was. This means living in such a way that others see Christ in us. The early Christians transformed their world by embodying the peace and love of Christ, and we are called to do the same in our own lives. [01:11:17]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[0:30] - Introduction to Peace
[1:45] - Seeking Peace in the Wrong Places
[3:20] - Paul's Letter to the Colossians
[5:00] - Christ: The Visible Image of the Invisible God
[7:30] - The Priority and Cost of Peace
[10:00] - Being Peacemakers, Not Just Peacekeepers
[12:45] - Conflict as an Opportunity
[15:00] - Living as Images of Christ
[17:00] - Early Christians and Their Impact
[19:00] - Personal Reflection and Challenge
[21:00] - Invitation to Prayer
[23:00] - Closing Prayer and Benediction
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Colossians 1:15-20 (NIV)
> "The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross."
#### Observation Questions
1. According to Colossians 1:15-20, what role does Christ play in creation and the church?
2. How does Paul describe Jesus in relation to God and creation in Colossians 1:15-20?
3. What does the sermon say about the cost of peace and how it was achieved? [01:00:33]
4. What were the early Christians known for in their communities, according to the sermon? [01:12:38]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Paul emphasize that Christ is the visible image of the invisible God in Colossians 1:15-20? How does this relate to our understanding of peace?
2. The sermon mentions that real peace is a priority for God and came at a great cost. How does understanding the cost of peace affect our appreciation of it? [01:00:33]
3. How can conflict be seen as an opportunity to demonstrate the peace of God, as mentioned in the sermon? [01:08:11]
4. What does it mean to be a peacemaker rather than just a peacekeeper, according to the sermon? [01:05:22]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a recent conflict in your life. How did you handle it, and how might you handle it differently by turning to Jesus for peace? [01:09:44]
2. The sermon challenges us to be peacemakers. What specific steps can you take this week to bring peace into a situation of conflict or brokenness in your life? [01:05:22]
3. Think about the early Christians who transformed their world by embodying the peace and love of Christ. What practical actions can you take to reflect Christ's peace in your community? [01:12:38]
4. The sermon mentions that Jesus holds all things together. How can this truth provide comfort and guidance in your current life circumstances? [57:13]
5. Identify one person in your life who is experiencing conflict or brokenness. How can you actively show them the peace and love of God this week? [01:03:35]
6. The sermon speaks about the cost of peace being the life of Jesus. How does this understanding impact your willingness to sacrifice for the sake of peace in your relationships? [01:00:33]
7. How can you ensure that your actions and words reflect the peace of God in your daily interactions, especially in challenging situations? [01:16:07]
Devotional
Day 1: True Peace Comes from God
Description: True peace is not merely the absence of conflict but knowing where to turn in the midst of it. God, who created and designed us, desires to fill us with His peace. This peace is found in Christ, who is the visible image of the invisible God and holds all creation together. When we seek peace through various methods and philosophies, we often find ourselves still yearning for true tranquility. However, by focusing solely on Christ, we can experience the profound peace that comes from God. [54:19]
Colossians 1:16-17 (ESV): "For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together."
Reflection: In what areas of your life are you seeking peace through worldly means? How can you turn to Christ today to find true peace in those areas?
Day 2: The Cost of Peace
Description: Real peace is a priority for God, and it came at a great cost—the life of His Son, Jesus. Through Jesus' sacrifice on the cross, we are reconciled to God and can experience true peace. This peace is not cheap; it was bought with the precious blood of Christ. Understanding the cost of this peace helps us to appreciate its value and motivates us to live in a way that honors the sacrifice made for us. By embracing this costly peace, we can find true reconciliation with God and a deep sense of tranquility in our lives. [01:00:33]
Isaiah 53:5 (ESV): "But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed."
Reflection: Reflect on the sacrifice Jesus made for your peace. How does understanding the cost of this peace change the way you live your life today?
Day 3: Being Peacemakers
Description: As followers of Christ, we are called to be peacemakers, not just peacekeepers. This means actively bringing God's peace into situations of conflict and brokenness. We are to reflect the love and peace of God in our interactions, showing the world the transformative power of Christ's peace. Being a peacemaker involves more than avoiding conflict; it requires us to engage in it with the intention of bringing reconciliation and healing. By embodying the peace of Christ, we can make a significant impact on those around us and demonstrate the reality of God's love. [01:05:22]
Matthew 5:9 (ESV): "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God."
Reflection: Think of a current conflict or broken relationship in your life. How can you actively bring God's peace into that situation today?
Day 4: Conflict as an Opportunity
Description: Conflict is an inevitable part of life, but it is also an opportunity to know and show the peace of God. By trusting in Jesus and turning to Him in times of strife, we can experience a peace that surpasses understanding and demonstrate this peace to others. Instead of avoiding or fearing conflict, we can see it as a chance to rely on God's strength and wisdom. Through our response to conflict, we can reveal the peace of God to those around us and be a testimony of His grace and power. [01:08:11]
James 1:2-4 (ESV): "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."
Reflection: How can you view a current conflict in your life as an opportunity to demonstrate God's peace? What steps can you take to trust Jesus more in this situation?
Day 5: Living as Images of Christ
Description: We are to be the visible images of the invisible God, just as Jesus was. This means living in such a way that others see Christ in us. The early Christians transformed their world by embodying the peace and love of Christ, and we are called to do the same in our own lives. By reflecting Christ's character in our actions and interactions, we can make a profound impact on our families, workplaces, and communities. Living as images of Christ involves a daily commitment to follow His example and to be a light in a world filled with darkness. [01:11:17]
2 Corinthians 3:18 (ESV): "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."
Reflection: In what specific ways can you reflect the image of Christ in your daily life? How can you be a visible representation of His love and peace to those around you today?
Quotes
1. "Your Heavenly Father who designed this world created you designed you is the one who literally desires to fill you with peace and his desires to fill you with peace because once again peace is not the absence of conflict honestly peace peace is knowing where to turn in the middle of conflict it's knowing where to look in the middle of the conflict it's learning where to look in the middle of brokenness." [54:19] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Paul says you've been mixing all of these things together but there is one thing that you're truly missing and it's the most important thing and honestly it's the only thing and so Paul is writing to them and and he's got this first part of the letter where he greets them and that stuff but then he gets into verse 15 and he starts with this he says that Christ is the visible image of the invisible God there is a God who created and who designed and put this whole thing together and Christ we know him as Jesus Jesus is the visible image of the invisible God and he existed before everything and anything was created and is supreme over all of creation." [55:48] (48 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Real peace is a priority of God it's a huge it's a real priority in fact what I love is that what God did is he didn't send an angel he a messenger right I mean we see angels throughout the Bible and and here's this this message and this message and this message and God wants to hey listen Jason I love you hey Jason I've got a plan for you there's messages all over but God didn't send an angel to bring peace he didn't even send a prophet it wasn't a prophet to begin to preach or proclaim or teach or or kind of call people together and say let's have a discussion." [58:59] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "The God who created and designed this universe and designed this world and designed you sent his word that means things were pretty important that means that the peace that God desires for you and desires for me is a real priority he didn't want to trust it to an angel or a messenger or to a prophet he said listen what I want to make sure and do is I'm going to send up my very son who has been with me even before creation even before the beginning of the world and who I everything is created in him and through him and for him I'm sending my son to you because real peace real peace for you and for me and for we real peace is a priority as a real priority to your heavenly father." [01:00:33] (49 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "The peace that that God brought cost him the life of his son Jesus now it's this understanding that God's so loved the world right for God so loved the world that he gave his only son Jesus to die so that we might live in fact in another area it says this is how God showed his love for us and that while we were yet sinners while we were still away from God while we were still antagonistic while we were still broken in our lives and brokenness sin brings about brokenness sin brings brings about death the cost of sin is death and while we were still living life our own way God sent his son to die so that we might live he died so that you and I might have life and have the fullness of life that he longed for us to understand and to have." [01:02:17] (69 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "Conflict happens because of people there's brokenness in our world there's opinions there's things that we want and that we don't get because somebody else got it or somebody else wouldn't let us have it or whatever so there's this conflict in our world and what God wanted to do is say listen I don't want you looking over here for life and I don't want you looking over there for life I want you to look for me for life and I want you to trust me and in you trusting me watching how I love and watching how I care and watching how I walk alongside watching how I do all of these things you I want you to not only experience that love but and experience that peace but also turn around and share that love and share that peace." [01:03:35] (43 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "Followers of Jesus are to be the images the invisible god what we are to do now we're not the fullness of the revelation of god like jesus was but what we are as disciples is we're to be little christ we are to be people who are so close to jesus that when people see us when people talk to us when people are around us every time we walk in the presence of jesus we are to be the images of the invisible god walk through anywhere we walk through all of a sudden they get a glimpse and an image of the living christ of jesus himself." [01:11:17] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "Conflict is our opportunity to know the peace of god but also to show the peace that comes from jesus and the peace that comes from god it's our opportunity you and i we don't get to walk away from conflict conflict is everywhere we turn it's it's once again it's it's like an opinion everybody's got one everybody's got a nose it's conflict is always around us everywhere we turn but the opportunity to know that in the middle of the conflict we can turn to the one who can bring peace into our lives there is one that we can turn to and know that we can trust him for life itself there's one that we can know and we can turn to and look to him in the middle of the things that want to pull us away and bring conflict into our lives and brokenness into our lives the sin of the world there's one that we can turn and we can trust and his name is jesus and when we trust in him and when we look to him and we will look solely to him then what we get a chance to know is we get to know the peace that god brings into everyone's life that desires it it's a peace that passes understanding." [01:09:44] (69 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "Rome was known for conflict either you fit in or you didn't live you fit in or you didn't survive and these people that were followers of jesus they began to change their world they were the ones that that were walking around their towns and villages and all the different places there in rome and they were the ones that were bringing peace to a nation that was filled with conflict they were the ones that were going to people and and going through the night when people would literally set their babies outside the door because they didn't want that baby it whatever was going on and they were the ones that were bringing peace to a nation that was wrong with it at least what they thought was wrong with it the people of god said no no we want we want everybody to know that there's value in every life and so they would go and they would pull in little babies whenever they had their houses full they said we can't afford to just sit back we've got to bring peace into people's lives." [01:12:38] (54 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "What am i doing to bring peace into the world what am i doing to to enter into people's lives what am i doing to make sure that my neighbor or my co-worker or whoever it is that's on the either side of me that they get a chance to know who god is and who god longs to be do they see me and experience peace do they see the peace of god written on my face and heard in my voice and follow through in my actions or is it is it the thing where the world that i've been pulled into the tv dramas and facebook fightings and the neighborhood squabblings and the workplace bickerings do they see in me do they see in us the very image of jesus conflict is our opportunity to know and to show the peace that comes from jesus." [01:16:07] (74 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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