Sermon: Humanity's Restoration - The Teeming Of Judah, Part 1
Audio: SermonAudio
Video: Youtube
Text: Joel 2:18-27
Slides: PDF
Series: Joel
Sunday, October 15, 2023
Saturday, October 14, 2023
BOOK SUMMARY: THE PEACEMAKER - PART 1 - GLORIFY GOD - CHAPTER 2 - LIVE AT PEACE
THREE DIMENSIONS OF PEACE
The God of peace calls us to live in
peace with one another (2 Cor. 13:11). Both the Old Covenant and New Covenant
are described as covenants related to peace (Heb. 13:20-21; Mal. 2:5). As God’s
people we are united by the peace we have with Him and should use this language
to encourage each other.
(1). Peace
with God (Rom. 5:1-2)
(2). Peace
with others (Rom. 12:18, Matt. 22:39)
(3). Peace
within ourselves (Gal. 5:19-20, 5:22-24)
It is impossible to know genuine
internal peace unless you also pursue peace with God and others. Internal peace
is a by-product of righteousness (Isaiah 26:3). We must trust God in salvation
and trust Him in obedience (1 John 3:23). Peace with God, others and within is
a complete package.
JESUS’ REPUTATION DEPENDS ON UNITY
When peace and unity characterize your
relationships with other people, you show that you are God’s child and He is
present and working in your life (Matthew 5:9).
We will have little success in sharing the gospel when your life is
filled with conflict.
Jesus’ High Priestly Prayer was about
how our unity effects the spread of the gospel (John 17:20-23). Similar words are found in John
13:34-35. It’s not about feelings. It’s
about right obedient action (1 Corinthians 13:4-7).
The Beatitudes show a flourishing life
for the one who is a peacemaker (Matthew 5:9). Later on in His sermon Jesus condemns
unrighteous anger (Matthew 5:21-24) and calls for resolution and peace. We mustn’t just hope that peace happens; we
must work towards it.
THE ENEMY OF PEACE
Satan’s name means adversary. He causes
division through a variety of sin (Acts 5:3, Ephesians 4:26-27, 1 Timothy
4:1-3). A lot of division is simply selfishness. “Look out for #1. I’ll
forgive but won’t forget. I deserve better than this. God doesn’t expect me to
remain in an unhappy relationship.” We
must see Satan as our adversary not others (Ephesians 6:12). But it’s not all
his fault. We must own up to our own sin.
STRIVE LIKE A GLADIATOR
Every NT Letter (epistle) contains
commands to live at peace with one another (Romans 15:5-7, 1 Corinthians 1:10,
Galatians 5:19-22, Ephesians 4:1-3, Colossians 3:13 & 15, 1 Thessalonians
5:13-15).
LAWSUITS AMONG BELIEVERS
1 Corinthians 6:1-8 teaches us that we
are capable of handling our affairs in-house. It’s a shame to go to the world
to be reconciled through an unbeliever. Chief Justice Warren Burger noted how courts
are overburdened because churches, neighborhoods and families can’t work out
their problems. Supreme Court Justice Antonin
Scalia made some important comments on 1 Cor. 6:1-8. We should be slow to sue
and quick to mediate. Litigation doesn’t bring peace or address underlying
problems. The gospel can do this. Our witness for Christ is preserved when we
are able to resolve conflict Biblically.
QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER
(1). Explain how internal peace is a by-product of
peace with God and peace with others.
(2). Are
you experiencing the kind of internal peace that God desires? What needs to
change?
(3). Is
there peace without our church that you need to pursue?
(4). Why
would Satan want to disrupt unity in the church? Does our speech promote
disunity?
(5). Why
would conflict in the church affect our gospel witness? How does it affect Jesus’ reputation?
(6). How
does the gospel help you to reconcile with others when you have conflict?
(7). Read
Ephesians 4:29-32. Are you thinking, speaking or acting in a way that grieves
the Holy Spirit?
(8). Why
can’t lawsuits address the root problem of conflict?
(9). What
are your thoughts on what the Chief Justice and Supreme Court Justice had to
say?
(10). What
change will you make this week to seek peace for God’s glory?
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