Finding True Peace Through Reconciliation with God

 

Summary

In the Epistle of James, chapter 4, verse 1, we are confronted with a profound question: "From whence come wars and fightings among you?" This inquiry is as relevant today as it was nearly 2,000 years ago. On this Remembrance Sunday, as we reflect on the wars of the past century and the looming threat of future conflicts, we must consider the root causes of these wars and the turmoil in our world. The Bible, often dismissed as outdated, offers a timeless and profound perspective on these issues.

The world today is plagued by superficial solutions to deep-seated problems. Many believe that human reason and intellect alone can solve the world's issues, but history has shown that this is a fallacy. The belief that man is the center of the universe and inherently good is flawed. The Bible presents a different view: man is not the master of his fate but a creature in rebellion against God, influenced by unseen spiritual forces. This rebellion and the influence of the devil are the true sources of the world's chaos and conflict.

The Bible's message is not just about diagnosing the problem but also offering a solution. The solution is not found in human reason or effort but in the transformative power of God through Jesus Christ. Christ's sacrifice on the cross reconciles us to God, delivering us from the wrath of God, the power of the devil, and the lusts that war within us. This reconciliation brings peace and righteousness, not just individually but also collectively, as it reconciles us to one another.

The hope for the world lies in acknowledging this truth and submitting to God. Only then can we experience true peace and be delivered from the irrationality and lust that lead to conflict. The day is coming when Christ will reign supreme, and peace will spread like a river across the world. Until then, we must embrace the message of the Bible and live in the light of its truth.

Key Takeaways:

- The Bible offers a profound and timeless perspective on the root causes of wars and conflicts, emphasizing that they stem from humanity's rebellion against God and the influence of the devil. This view challenges the superficial solutions often proposed by the world. [05:34]

- Human reason and intellect alone cannot solve the world's problems. The belief that man is inherently good and the center of the universe is flawed. True understanding begins with acknowledging God's sovereignty and man's dependence on Him. [09:02]

- The Bible presents a deep and complex view of human nature, recognizing that man is not just a creature of reason but also of lust and desire. This understanding explains the irrationality and conflict in the world. [39:33]

- True hope and peace come from being reconciled to God through Jesus Christ. Christ's sacrifice on the cross delivers us from the wrath of God, the power of the devil, and the lusts within us, offering a new beginning and a transformed life. [46:59]

- The ultimate solution to the world's problems is found in submitting to God and living in the light of His truth. This submission brings peace and righteousness, both individually and collectively, as we are reconciled to one another. [49:51]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:11] - Introduction to James 4:1
- [00:53] - The Purpose of Preaching
- [01:44] - The Problem of Our Times
- [02:43] - The Tragedy of Ignoring the Bible
- [05:18] - The Cleavage of Opinions
- [06:37] - The Question of Wars
- [08:49] - The Non-Biblical View
- [12:29] - The Superficiality of Human Solutions
- [17:13] - The View of Man
- [21:14] - False Hopes and Human Reason
- [25:15] - The Contradiction in Human Reason
- [31:20] - The Biblical View of Man
- [36:37] - The Influence of the Devil
- [39:33] - The Nature of Man
- [46:29] - The Solution in Christ
- [49:51] - The Only Way to Peace

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- James 4:1 - "From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?"

Observation Questions:
1. According to James 4:1, what is identified as the source of wars and fightings among people? How does this align with the sermon’s perspective on human nature? [39:33]
2. In the sermon, what are some of the superficial solutions the world offers to address conflicts and wars? [12:29]
3. How does the sermon describe the world's view of man as the center of the universe, and what are the implications of this belief? [14:11]

Interpretation Questions:
1. The sermon suggests that human reason and intellect alone cannot solve the world's problems. How does this perspective challenge the common belief in human progress and self-sufficiency? [09:02]
2. What does the sermon imply about the role of spiritual forces in the conflicts and chaos of the world? How does this understanding affect our view of human responsibility? [36:37]
3. How does the sermon describe the transformative power of Christ’s sacrifice, and what does it mean for individuals and communities? [46:59]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you relied solely on your own reasoning to solve a problem. How might acknowledging God’s sovereignty have changed your approach? [09:02]
2. The sermon emphasizes the need for reconciliation with God through Jesus Christ. What steps can you take this week to deepen your relationship with God and experience His peace? [46:59]
3. Consider the influence of unseen spiritual forces in your life. How can you become more aware of these influences and seek God’s guidance in overcoming them? [36:37]
4. The sermon challenges the belief that man is inherently good. How does this perspective affect your understanding of human nature and your interactions with others? [39:33]
5. Identify an area in your life where you have been seeking superficial solutions. How can you seek God’s wisdom and transformative power to address the root cause? [12:29]
6. The sermon speaks of a future where Christ will reign supreme and peace will spread across the world. How can you live in anticipation of this hope and contribute to peace in your community today? [49:51]
7. Reflect on a personal conflict you are currently facing. How can the message of reconciliation through Christ guide you in seeking resolution and peace? [46:59]

Devotional

Day 1: Humanity's Rebellion and Spiritual Conflict
The Bible offers a profound and timeless perspective on the root causes of wars and conflicts, emphasizing that they stem from humanity's rebellion against God and the influence of the devil. This view challenges the superficial solutions often proposed by the world. The world today is plagued by superficial solutions to deep-seated problems. Many believe that human reason and intellect alone can solve the world's issues, but history has shown that this is a fallacy. The belief that man is the center of the universe and inherently good is flawed. The Bible presents a different view: man is not the master of his fate but a creature in rebellion against God, influenced by unseen spiritual forces. This rebellion and the influence of the devil are the true sources of the world's chaos and conflict. [05:34]

Ephesians 6:12 (ESV): "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."

Reflection: In what ways have you relied on human wisdom to solve problems in your life, and how can you begin to seek God's guidance instead?


Day 2: The Flaw of Human-Centered Solutions
Human reason and intellect alone cannot solve the world's problems. The belief that man is inherently good and the center of the universe is flawed. True understanding begins with acknowledging God's sovereignty and man's dependence on Him. The world often promotes the idea that human intellect and reason are sufficient to address the complexities of life. However, this perspective overlooks the deeper spiritual realities that influence human behavior and societal issues. The Bible teaches that true wisdom and understanding come from recognizing God's authority and our need for His guidance. By acknowledging our limitations and seeking God's wisdom, we can begin to address the root causes of conflict and turmoil in our lives and the world. [09:02]

Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV): "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you have relied on your own understanding? How can you begin to trust God more in this area today?


Day 3: Understanding Human Nature
The Bible presents a deep and complex view of human nature, recognizing that man is not just a creature of reason but also of lust and desire. This understanding explains the irrationality and conflict in the world. Human nature is often misunderstood as purely rational and logical, but the Bible reveals that it is also driven by desires and passions that can lead to irrational behavior and conflict. This dual nature of humanity explains why, despite our best efforts, we often find ourselves in situations of turmoil and strife. By understanding this aspect of human nature, we can better comprehend the need for divine intervention and transformation through God's power. [39:33]

Jeremiah 17:9 (ESV): "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?"

Reflection: Reflect on a recent conflict or struggle in your life. How might your own desires and passions have contributed to the situation, and how can you seek God's help in overcoming them?


Day 4: Reconciliation Through Christ
True hope and peace come from being reconciled to God through Jesus Christ. Christ's sacrifice on the cross delivers us from the wrath of God, the power of the devil, and the lusts within us, offering a new beginning and a transformed life. The message of the Bible is not just about diagnosing the problem but also offering a solution. The solution is not found in human reason or effort but in the transformative power of God through Jesus Christ. Christ's sacrifice on the cross reconciles us to God, delivering us from the wrath of God, the power of the devil, and the lusts that war within us. This reconciliation brings peace and righteousness, not just individually but also collectively, as it reconciles us to one another. [46:59]

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: How has your relationship with Christ brought peace into your life, and how can you share this peace with others around you?


Day 5: Submission to God's Truth
The ultimate solution to the world's problems is found in submitting to God and living in the light of His truth. This submission brings peace and righteousness, both individually and collectively, as we are reconciled to one another. The hope for the world lies in acknowledging this truth and submitting to God. Only then can we experience true peace and be delivered from the irrationality and lust that lead to conflict. The day is coming when Christ will reign supreme, and peace will spread like a river across the world. Until then, we must embrace the message of the Bible and live in the light of its truth. [49:51]

James 4:7-8 (ESV): "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself resisting God's truth? What steps can you take today to submit to His will and experience His peace?

Quotes

"The Bible says that this problem is the greatest problem in the whole universe. The difficult problems are not the problems of shooting a man up into outer space or even landing a man on the moon or on Mars. That's not the difficult problem. Do you know the problem? The problem is man himself: why he lives as he does, why he is irrational, why he is a fool, why he has wars and rumors of wars. Simple problem? It's the profound problem in the whole universe." [00:32:19]

"According to this teaching, man, far from being the center and the control and the governor, is nothing but the helpless slave of evil powers and forces entirely unseen. You can't see them, you can't analyze them, you can't describe them, but they're there. There is an evil power controlling this universe, and man is just being handled and manipulated by this evil power." [00:37:24]

"Man is selfish and self-centered. I know he's got a great brain, but why does he behave as he does? Because he's selfish, because he is self-centered, because he's a creature of greed and of ambition and of desire, and these forces in him are so strong that he becomes utterly irrational. He knows what's right, but he doesn't do it. Why? Well, because he prefers the other thing." [00:40:40]

"Man is helpless. He cannot respond. He's a victim, he's a slave. He needs to be delivered. He needs to be changed. He needs to be delivered from the wrath of God and to be blessed again and smiled upon by God. He needs to be delivered from the power of the devil, the forces and factors unseen that are round and about him and that are too much for him." [00:44:58]

"Christ came into this world in order that the wrath of God against sin might come upon him. That's why he took our sins and his guilt himself in his burn body on the cross, and there God was reconciling the world unto himself by punishing our iniquity and sin in his own son, and there he reconciles and again we come under the blessing and the benediction of God." [00:46:59]

"Jesus Christ, if you believe in him, will give you a new nature. You'll be made a new man, my friend. He doesn't just appeal to your reason and leave you to try to do it now. No, he'll give you a new reason, a new understanding. Old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. What this offers is a rebirth, a new beginning." [00:47:58]

"Christ has beaten him. He's a vanquished foe. He's delivered us from the power of the devil and hell as well as from the wrath of God and the lust that masters us within. He and he alone can do this because he reconciles men to God, because he and he alone can reconcile men to men." [00:48:35]

"The moment we're all humbled together before God, we're at peace with one another. We recognize there's only one God, and we live for him and for his glory and in his strength and in his power. That's the only solution. It's the only way. Every other way has been tried, and you see where it brings us." [00:49:51]

"Here is a way that does succeed. Here is a way that in the first century reconciled Jew and Gentile for the first time. Here is a way that has reconciled people who have been at warfare with one another thousands and thousands of times. Here is a way that is still working. He is the king of righteousness and the prince of peace." [00:50:01]

"The battle is not merely a battle between men. It is ultimately this great cosmic battle between God and the devil, and Jesus Christ is the captain of salvation. He came into this world, he beat the devil in face-to-face contact in the temptation in the wilderness and in many another time. He defeated him finally upon the cross." [00:50:34]

"A day will come when he will come back into this world, and he'll finally rout his every enemy, the devil and all his forces, and Hades and evil in every shape and form will be cast to everlasting destruction. And Jesus Christ, the King of Glory, the King of Righteousness, the Prince of Peace, will reign from shore to shore." [00:51:02]

"Thank God the position is not hopeless. In spite of the irrationality, God has provided a way of deliverance, a way of salvation. Oh, my dear friend, while there is still time, enter into it. Believe this message, acknowledge its truth, submit yourself unto God, and he will deliver you in and through his dearly beloved Son." [00:53:09]

Chatbot

  • I'm an AI bot trained specifically on the sermon from May 25, 2017. Do you have any questions about it?

Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?