Waging Peace in a Divided World

Sep 17, 2025

Devotional

Day 1: Walk Worthy of Your Calling with Humility and Love

Paul urges believers to live in a manner worthy of their calling, marked by humility, gentleness, patience, and bearing with one another in love. This call is not theoretical; it is a challenge to remain present and engaged, even with those we disagree with, refusing to withdraw or respond with venom. Instead, we are to carry each other's burdens, seek face-to-face understanding, and reflect the grace that Jesus has shown us, remembering that our true battle is not against people but against deeper spiritual forces. [29:15]

Ephesians 4:1-2 (ESV)
"I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love."

Reflection: Who is one person you have disagreed with recently—online or in person—whom you can reach out to this week with humility and gentleness, seeking to understand rather than to win?

Day 2: Eagerly Maintain the Unity of the Spirit

True unity in the church is not about uniformity or tribalism, but about the supernatural bond given by the Holy Spirit. This unity is a gift from God, rooted in the unchanging good news of Jesus, and it transcends political or cultural differences. We are called to steward this unity, to prioritize it above the shifting narratives of our world, and to let it shape how we engage with others, even when we hold different views or preferences. [33:55]

Ephesians 4:3-6 (ESV)
"Eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call—one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all."

Reflection: What is one practical way you can prioritize unity with another believer this week, even if you disagree on important issues?

Day 3: Speak the Truth in Love, Not Outrage

Followers of Jesus are called to speak the truth in love, growing together into Christ and building up the body. In a world where silence and words are both weaponized, and where outrage is often louder than love, we are challenged to resist the pull of algorithms and party lines. Instead, we are to surrender our voices to Jesus, refusing to dehumanize others or reduce them to categories, and to communicate with both conviction and compassion, remembering that Jesus is Lord over all. [40:57]

Ephesians 4:15-16 (ESV)
"Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love."

Reflection: Is there someone you need to apologize to or a conversation you need to have where you can speak truth in love rather than in frustration or sarcasm?

Day 4: Do Not Let Anger Take Root

Anger is not a sin in itself, but when it lingers and festers, it gives the enemy a foothold and poisons relationships. Paul calls us to urgently seek peace, to put away falsehood, and to speak truthfully to one another, refusing to let the sun go down on our anger. In a culture that thrives on outrage and quick reactions, we are invited to pursue substance, seek reconciliation, and show the world a different way—one marked by forgiveness, patience, and love. [47:43]

Ephesians 4:25-27 (ESV)
"Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil."

Reflection: What anger or bitterness are you holding onto that you need to bring before God or another person today, so it does not take root in your heart?

Day 5: Wage Peace, Not War, in a Divided World

The real battle is not won by louder outrage or by winning visible wars, but by waging peace in our hearts, homes, and habits. We are called to resist being discipled by headlines, algorithms, and outrage, and instead to be shaped by Jesus, the Prince of Peace. Even when the world incentivizes division and conflict, we are to remember that our hope, unity, and calling are found in Christ, and to let the bond of peace hold us together as a witness to a watching world. [49:45]

Philippians 4:7 (ESV)
"And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

Reflection: In what area of your life do you most need to intentionally wage peace this week, and what is one step you can take to do so?

Sermon Summary

In a time marked by division, outrage, and the temptation to retreat into echo chambers, the call is to be a people who wage peace in a world at war. The events of recent weeks, including the tragic assassination of a political figure, have only highlighted how polarized and reactive our culture has become. The church is meant to be a countercultural community, one that refuses to be discipled by headlines, algorithms, or the outrage industry, but instead is shaped by the way of Jesus. Our faith is not a lens we put on after we’ve chosen our politics; it is the lens through which we see everything—including our politics, our relationships, and our response to conflict.

Drawing from Ephesians 4, there are five practical ways to wage peace. First, don’t sacrifice your presence. It’s easy to withdraw from those we disagree with, but we are called to stay engaged, to bear with one another in love, and to carry each other’s burdens. Second, stand your ground for unity. Unity is not uniformity, nor is it tribalism. The unity of the Spirit is a gift from God, rooted in the gospel, and it is something to be stewarded and protected, even when it’s uncomfortable. Third, don’t concede your hope. The temptation to cynicism is strong, especially when politics seem to offer no solutions. But our hope is not in any party or policy; it is in the unchanging reality of Jesus, who is still at work in the world.

Fourth, don’t surrender your voice. Silence in the face of lies or injustice is not an option, but neither is shouting in outrage or parroting party lines. We are called to speak the truth in love, to be people of both conviction and compassion, and to remember that our words have the power to build up or tear down. Finally, don’t arm yourself with anger. Outrage is not a spiritual weapon. When we let anger fester, it gives the enemy a foothold and poisons our relationships. Instead, we are to urgently seek peace, pursue reconciliation, and fight with the weapons of forgiveness, patience, and love.

The real war is not the one in the headlines, but the one in our hearts, homes, and habits. Even if we win the visible battles, we risk losing the invisible one that matters most. The invitation is to be a church that lives differently, that refuses to be discipled by the world’s outrage, and that holds fast to the bond of peace given by Christ.

Key Takeaways

1. Stay Present in Disagreement Withdrawing from those who think differently may feel safe, but it only deepens division and dehumanization. True Christian love means bearing with one another, carrying burdens, and engaging in real, face-to-face conversations—not just online performances. Presence is a spiritual discipline that resists the urge to retreat and instead chooses to love in proximity, even when it’s uncomfortable. [32:05]
2. Steward the Gift of Unity Unity in the church is not something we manufacture; it is a supernatural gift from God, rooted in the gospel and crystallized over centuries. This unity is not about uniformity or tribal allegiance, but about holding fast to the essentials of our faith while allowing for differences in perspective. We are urged to steward this unity with vigilance, resisting the cultural pressure to divide over secondary issues. [35:47]
3. Hold Fast to Hope, Not Cynicism It is easy to become cynical when politics and culture seem irreparably broken, but hope is not naïve optimism—it is trust in God’s ongoing work. Our hope is anchored in the reality that God is still sovereign, still writing the story, and still calling us to pray for and love even those we find most difficult. Refusing to concede hope is a radical act of faith in a world addicted to despair. [39:19]
4. Speak the Truth in Love, Not Outrage The temptation to either remain silent or to shout in anger is strong, but neither reflects the way of Jesus. Speaking the truth in love requires courage, humility, and a willingness to see others as more than categories or enemies. Our words should be shaped by both conviction and compassion, building up the body and refusing to surrender our voice to algorithms or party scripts. [40:57]
5. Wage Peace, Not War, with Your Emotions Anger is not inherently sinful, but when it is left unchecked, it becomes a tool for division and destruction. We are called to urgently seek peace, to pursue reconciliation, and to refuse to let anger fester into bitterness. The weapons of Christ are forgiveness, patience, and love—these are how we fight the real war, the one that matters most. [47:43]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:45] - Introduction of Elder Candidates
[03:10] - Special Weekend: ACM, Elders, and Bylaws
[05:30] - Addressing Polarization and Tragedy
[07:55] - The Screwtape Letters Satire
[10:22] - Prayer for Discernment and Peace
[12:00] - Losing Our Third Place and the Rise of Outrage
[14:40] - The Church’s Countercultural Role
[16:00] - Five Ways to Wage Peace
[17:15] - Don’t Sacrifice Your Presence
[20:05] - Stand Your Ground for Unity
[22:00] - Don’t Concede Your Hope
[24:00] - Don’t Surrender Your Voice
[27:00] - Don’t Arm Yourself with Anger
[30:00] - The Real War: Waging Peace
[32:00] - Closing Prayer and Worship

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Waging Peace in a World at War

Bible Reading

Ephesians 4:1-6, 15-16, 25-27 (ESV)

> 1 I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

> 15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.

> 25 Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. 26 Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, 27 and give no opportunity to the devil.

Observation Questions

According to Ephesians 4:2-3, what attitudes does Paul say are necessary for maintaining unity in the church?
In the sermon, what does the pastor say is the difference between unity and uniformity? [[33:55]]
What does Paul mean when he says, “speak the truth in love” (v. 15), and how does the sermon describe the dangers of speaking only in outrage or silence? [[40:57]]
What warning does Paul give about anger in Ephesians 4:26-27, and how does the sermon connect this to the way we handle conflict today? [[47:43]]

Interpretation Questions

The sermon says, “Presence is a spiritual discipline that resists the urge to retreat and instead chooses to love in proximity, even when it’s uncomfortable.” Why might it be so tempting to withdraw from those we disagree with, and what does it cost us and others when we do? [[32:05]]
The pastor describes unity as a “supernatural gift from God, rooted in the gospel.” How does this understanding of unity challenge the way we often approach disagreements in the church? [[35:47]]
The sermon warns against conceding hope and giving in to cynicism, especially in a broken political climate. What does it look like to hold fast to hope in practical terms, and why is this so important for Christians? [[39:19]]
The message says, “Outrage is not a spiritual weapon.” How can unchecked anger give the enemy a foothold in our lives and relationships, according to both Paul and the sermon? [[47:43]]

Application Questions

Think of a recent disagreement you’ve had—either in person or online. Did you stay present and engaged, or did you withdraw? What would it look like to “bear with one another in love” in that situation? [[32:05]]
Are there secondary issues (political, cultural, or personal preferences) that you have allowed to threaten your unity with other believers? What is one step you can take this week to steward the gift of unity in your relationships? [[35:47]]
When you feel cynical about the world or the church, what helps you remember that your hope is in Jesus and not in any political solution? Is there a specific practice (like prayer for those you disagree with) you can try this week? [[39:19]]
Have you ever been tempted to stay silent when you should have spoken up, or to speak in outrage rather than love? What would it look like for you to “speak the truth in love” in a current relationship or situation? [[40:57]]
Is there someone you need to apologize to or seek reconciliation with because of something you said or posted in anger? What is stopping you from taking that step, and how can you move forward? [[45:09]]
The sermon says, “When anger lingers over time and overnight, it doesn’t shrink. It festers.” Is there any anger or bitterness you are holding onto right now? What would it look like to urgently seek peace and forgiveness this week? [[47:43]]
The pastor challenges us to “refuse to be discipled by headlines and algorithms and outrage, and instead choose to be discipled by Jesus.” What is one practical way you can limit the influence of outrage culture in your life and focus more on the way of Jesus? [[49:45]]

Sermon Clips

22s

#peacewinshearts

“See, we have been convinced that the war being waged in the headlines is something we must fight on the same terms, but the true war is a spiritual war and it isn't in the headlines. It's in our hearts. It's in our homes. It's in our habits. The true war that we are fighting is won by waging peace. And that's what we're going to talk about today.”

30s

#truthinlove

“In Jesus, we have far more in common than we have different. And that's such good news. The kingdom of heaven is here, and it is revealing itself more and more every day. Politics are not going to be the ultimate solution that God uses, but he will use them. Even with broken policies and fallen leaders, God has always been ushering in the hope that comes from our call to a greater kingdom. He's still doing it today.”

21s

#perspectiveoverpartisanship

“Refuse to buy into the cynicism that says nothing can change. Refuse to accept that the only options are anger or apathy. Hope does not mean ignoring reality. It means trusting that God is still writing the story. I'm so glad he is. Even in a divided world.”

29s

#forgivenessistheweapon

“``That's why Paul's words are so urgent. Speak the truth in love, not the truth in outrage, not the truth in sarcasm, not the truth in a viral post, the truth in love. If you lean right, that means remembering that protecting life also means protecting the poor and the stranger. If you lean left, that means remembering that justice also includes holiness and accountability. Jesus is not the mascot of your political party. He is the Lord over everything.”

19s

#wagepeacealways

“Have perspectives, but don't lose perspective in sharing them. Advocate for leaders that you believe in, but don't forget about the leader who you believe in who will never fail you, who will never leave you embarrassed from a scandal, who offers you hope and peace, not simply weapons for an unwinnable culture war. Remember that leader above all the rest.”

31s

“When anger lingers over time and overnight, it doesn't shrink. It festers. It's like a disease in our soul. When it festers, the enemy uses it to poison relationships, split churches, and blind us to the humanity of the person across from us. That is why Paul says, urgency matters. Don't let this sit in. Don't wait for the next tragedy to think about it again. Do not give the devil a foothold.”

22s

“Because when we arm ourselves with anger, we are fighting the wrong war with the wrong weapons. But when we choose forgiveness, when we choose patience, when we choose love, we are fighting with the very weapons of Christ. The real war that we are fighting, Menlo, is not won by nursing our outrage. It's won by waging peace.”

33s

“But what if we were the kind of people who live differently? What if we were the kind of church that refused to be discipled by headlines and algorithms and outrage, and instead chose to be discipled by Jesus? What if we remembered that even if we win the war we can see, we'll lose the one we can't, unless we fight the way that God has called us to fight? The real war that we are fighting is won by waging peace.”

Ask a question about this sermon

Menlo Church This sermon · AI assistant

What does it mean to wage peace in a divided world

How can Christians respond to political polarization effectively

What is the true spiritual war Christians are called to fight