Make Peace
As born-again Christians, we are called to be peacemakers, choosing to resolve conflicts and promote peace, rather than resorting to violence or anger.
John Wesley emphasizes the call to make peace in a world rife with violence, referencing Jesus' command to put away the sword. He highlights the prevalence of violence in contemporary society, from wars to local acts of aggression, and stresses that Christians must not resort to violence in any form. Instead, they are called to be peacemakers, a role that requires courage and commitment to God's principles. Wesley challenges listeners to reflect on their own responses to conflict and to actively pursue peace in their communities. He concludes with a prayer for guidance in choosing the path of peace.
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"Put your sword back in its place," Jesus said to him, "for all who draw the sword will die by the sword." Matthew 26:52 Once again we find ourselves looking at the story of Jesus on the night in which He was betrayed and we remember how the crowd came for Him armed with swords and clubs. The spectre of violence was never far from Jesus and is never far from us living as we do in the twenty first century. How do we respond to violence? At the time of writing, there are not only wars currently being fought but there are also rumours of war and fears of localised skirmishes turning into allout war.
Many nations are all too quick to draw the sword. Never mind international issues, we live in a world under the threat of terrorism which can happen anywhere and any time with no particular place seemingly immune. Added to this, in many places violent crime is on the increase; in fact not just violent crime but meaningless acts of violence seem to be on the increase. At the time of writing, on the national news last night was not one but two stories of acts of violence in local schools, in one instance leading to the death of a schoolboy and in the other to the hospitalisation of a boy preparing to write matric exams.
Acts of domestic violence don't even make it into the news any more unless they are particularly gruesome. Surely it is time to "put the sword back in its place." Resorting to violence, drawing the sword, whether the sword be physical, emotional, or verbal, is not an option for born-again Christians. Killing innocent civilians in your country because you have killed innocent civilians in my country is not an option. Lashing out at you because you have lashed out at me is not an option.
There is already too much anger in the world without born-again Christians adding to it. We are called to be peacemakers. Notice we are not called to be peace-lovers or peace-keepers as much as we are called to be peacemakers. Peacemaking is hard work and it can be dangerous work. It might sometimes appear that the peacemaker is taking sides and this can cause him or her to end up being in the firing line. The truth is that peacemakers are really only taking the side of God and the Prince of Peace.
Is God calling you to "put away the sword" today, or is God calling you to be the peacemaker in your home, your school, your workplace or anywhere in the world around you? Make peace. Oh Lord, help me this day and always to choose the way of peace.
Sermon Outline
- I. The Problem of Violence
- A. The spectre of violence is present in our world
- B. Violence is not limited to international issues, but also affects our local communities
- II. The Call to Peacemaking
- A. Born-again Christians are called to be peacemakers, not peace-lovers or peace-keepers
- B. Peacemaking is hard work and can be dangerous, but it is a call from God
- III. The Importance of Choosing Peace
- A. We must choose to put away the sword and choose the way of peace
- B. God is calling us to be peacemakers in our homes, schools, workplaces, and communities
Key Quotes
“Put your sword back in its place, for all who draw the sword will die by the sword.” — John Wesley
“We are called to be peacemakers, not peace-lovers or peace-keepers.” — John Wesley
“Make peace.” — John Wesley
Application Points
- Choose to put away the sword and choose the way of peace in your life.
- Seek to be a peacemaker in your home, school, workplace, or community.
- Ask God to guide you and give you a heart for peace.