#198 How to Make Peace in a World at War

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | Podcast Index | RSS

We all want to have peace in our lives, our nation and our world. But, as Christians, we are called to do more than experience peace. We are called to make peace. But how are we supposed to do that in a divided and angry society? And why should we make peace when others actively oppose us and attack our worldview? Here’s how and why.

Scripture: James 3:10-18

Cultural Analysis

• Approximately 50% of marriages end in divorce.
• 2020 and 2021 have produced church splits, disagreements among members over masks, closures, and vaccines, etc.
• We are the most litigious society in the world.
• We are seeing a dramatic rise in teen suicide, and many of us experience a social-media induced sense of fear and angst.
• Indianapolis had its deadliest year ever in 2020, and the city has experienced a recent murder spike.
• American society is increasingly polarized according to worldview and political party.
• The U.S. recently withdrawal from Afghanistan after a 20-year war, and there are 5,000 refugees at Camp Atterbury. We are also experiencing rising geopolitical tensions with China and Russia and renewed concerns over terrorism.
• In about 3,400 years of recorded human history, humans have been entirely at peace for 268 of them (or just 8 percent of recorded history).

Outline:

1. Say Your Peace
2. Hold Your Peace
3. Make the Peace

Key Takeaways:

• Reminders about the danger of the tongue–what you say will determine where you stay. And the tongue is one temptation that gets worse with age.
• The difference between a Chamberlain-like peace and a Christ-like peace.
• World’s definition of peace: “A superficial calm confidence that we produce/experience.”
• Scripture’s definition of peace: “A supernatural calm confidence produced by God’s presence.”
• Why we should not confuse meekness with weakness.
• Peace is a fruit of the spirit and should be the product of a well-lived Christian life.
• How to make peace in our homes, churches and communities.