The Missing Peace: Q & A, Part 2
This is the second Q & A post from The Missing Peace series. The first Q & A post is here. Again, we’ve combined some of the similar questions and are posting our answers here in hopes that they are helpful and encouraging as you have peace, make peace and bring peace in Christ.
Many of the questions in this post were answered in a live session in the third week of the series. You can watch or listen here.
How do I make peace with a non-Christian?
Jason VanDorsten – As we talked about in week two, I think this has to back to the Gospel. I’m assuming that this question – for the most part – is from an evangelistic standpoint, not just interpersonal. Either way, the answer is still the Gospel – and I mean the Gospel not just as a presentation, but living the Gospel out before others.
Pastor Rick Warren makes the great point that our culture has generally accepted 2 specific lies – we operate under these false assumptions, and they play into how we live out the Gospel before others. The first lie is that if we disagree with someone else’s viewpoint or lifestyle, then we surely must hate and fear them. The second lie is that to love someone means we have to be totally on board with every little thing they say or do. Both of those are nonsense. We can be – we must be – deeply compassionate toward others without compromising the convictions and mandates of the Gospel that are at odds with others’ lifestyles.
But I think those cultural lies have lead us as Christians to be polarized in our interactions with people who are not like us. We tend toward peacebreaking (just smashing people with the truth at the expense of love) or we tend toward peacefaking (caring for people and loving them, but at the expense of truth.) We have to depend on God and His Spirit to lead us toward peace with right measures of grace and truth as we live the gospel out in our daily lives.
Prayer is an essential component – in living the Gospel out, we are to live in such a way that shows our peace lies in One greater than ourselves. We need God to empower us in that. And in the end, regardless of how well or how poorly you approach peace with a non-Christian, it is God who must ultimately capture the heart. So if we have ongoing relationships with non-Christians and we want them to see the light of Christ, we must pray for God to intercede and do that work. It may be through us or through some other means – but we should spend no small amount of time in prayer for that.
Beyond prayer? I would say obedience, love, and stewardship. Obedience – God has sent us out, so we are to move forward in obedience to Him in reaching others with His terms for peace, the gospel. Love – we know the greatest commandment is the love God with all we are, and the second is like it; to love others. Stewardship – we must be good stewards of the relationships and opportunities that God give us. I realize that’s really general, and in considering this question, I would love a “here’s 10 steps to relational peace” type of answer. I think there are guiding principles, but I’m not sure there’s a magic bullet that will work with the dynamics of every relationship – relationships are not formulaic. So I can’t really give a “follow these 10 steps” kind of answer. In the end, to have peace with a non-Christian, we are calling them to follow Jesus. “Follow Jesus” is a hard sell, because it’s not an invitation to an easy life – it’s a summons to give up your life. It’s a call to peace, but not the kind of peace people naturally want. So prayer, obedience, love and good stewardship are essential.
For good practical ways of doing that, I highly recommend a book called The Peacemaker by Ken Sande – extremely practical and helpful book.
Jason Goetz – I’d like to add a quick point here as well. In a very practical way, we need to be honest with ourselves over responsibility. We need to recognize what we are in control of and what we aren’t. In so many relationships, whether peacemaking or not, I see people taking responsibility for something outside of their control. “I can’t believe she said this, I can’t believe he did that,” etc. You can only control that which is in your control. I have this dialogue with my kids all the time because this isn’t natural and it needs to be taught.
How can I have peace between me and my unbelieving spouse?
JG – First, I’d like to acknowledge that this is a very difficult situation and we appreciate those of you hat shared so openly in your questions. We empathize with you and commit to praying for the situations that you find yourself within. If you are in the situation of being married to an unbelieving spouse, you entered this arena likely in one of two ways. The first scenario is one where you entered into marriage with an individual that didn’t acknowledge Jesus as Lord. The second scenario is one where you & your spouse got married as unbelievers, but the Lord graciously revealed Himself to you. Now you are in a position of accepting Jesus as your Savior, but your spouse isn’t there yet. Bridget and I entered marriage as unbelievers, but the Lord’s plan was to reveal Himself to us during the same season. This may not be the case for you.
To begin, I’d like to build off of what what has already been said. First, we need to recognize what is within our control and what is not. We cannot lead our spouse to Jesus or control if / when they recognize Christ’s gift to us on the Cross. We must recognize that our spouse’s salvation rests within God’s sovereign plan. However, as Jason said, we are called to prayer, obedience, love, stewardship within these situations. I love that God doesn’t leave us hanging on difficult matters like this, but He speaks to them directly. In this case, the Lord gives specific instructions to both women and men that find themselves in this scenario.
For wives with unsaved husbands, we read this in 1 Peter 3:1-2: Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives, when they see your respectful and pure conduct.
Wives are reminded to be subject to (or respectful of) their husbands. In this case, we’re told that “even some” of those husbands “do not obey the word” – that is, the Word of God, which gives us the instruction to accept Jesus as our Savior. In other words, these are men that haven’t accepted the truth of the Gospel. However, there is hope! These men may be “won without a word” – they may accept the good news of Jesus Christ without a Gospel tract or even a single word. How? Peter tells us that some of these men are won over to the truth of the Gospel “by the conduct of their wives.” When these husbands see the “respectful and pure conduct” of their wives, literally, an unsaved husband may witness the love of Jesus pouring out to him through his wife and be drawn to Jesus.
For husbands with unsaved wives, we have a similar instruction to that found in 1 Peter. But this instruction is for all husbands with Christ-following wives and those with wives that haven’t trusted in Christ. We find this instruction in Ephesians 5:25, which reads: “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her…”
We, as husbands, are called to love our wives in the same way that Christ loved His church. How or in what way did Jesus love the church? Jesus loved His church enough to come to earth as a human, humbling Himself, to live a perfect life that we cannot live, to die a death that we cannot die, and to rise from the grave on our behalf. In short, Jesus modeled for us unconditional love and forgiveness. Are we going to be perfect in our marriages and in our homes? Absolutely not – I know for sure that I’m not. But to model the gospel within the home is huge. To tee up the fact that with wife that you, aren’t going to be perfect, to not hold her to the unattainable standard of perfection, and to confess sin when we commit it and seek forgiveness. This speaks volumes to our wives and is so drastically different from what they see around them. Not to LEAN ON your wife to accept the gospel, but to LEAD ON in your marriage and your home toward Jesus is critical. You show me a man that is loving his unbelieving wife in this way – unconditionally, like Christ loved His church, and I’ll show you a woman that wants to find out what makes that man tick.
JVD – I would also throw in briefly that I wouldn’t want anyone in this situation to feel the pressure of “try harder, do better.” That’s not what we’re saying – that you should just buckle down and be perfect, or your spouse is never going to come to Christ and it’s all your fault. While Goetz emphasized not “leaning on” your spouse to pressure them into a decision, you should – you must – lean into Christ. Let Him be at work in you. Let Him be at work in your spouse. Trust Him through the process, and don’t succumb to the pressure that this somehow all rests on you. Lean into Jesus and let Him do what only He can do – redeem and restore.
Is shalom something that you learn as you get to know God more or something that God gives as a gift if you ask for it?
JG – Yes! It’s not an either/or, but actually both. I’ll answer the second part first. If you remember – we said that there was complete shalom in the Garden between God and man (Adam & Eve). This shalom was broken when man turned away from God and sinned. The restoration of that initial relational shalom is offered by Jesus as a gift to restore the broken relationship between God and man. As I mentioned earlier, we need to choose to step over the line and pass from Darkness (no Jesus) to Light (Jesus). When we accept Christ, we restore that core, central relationship to shalom, to the way it was intended to be.
But the first part is much more challenging to explain – total shalom (outside of that central relationship) is ALSO something that you learn as you get to know God. When the initial relational shalom was broken between Adam & Eve and God, it caused a ripple effect that went out into the world – causing evil, war, sickness, tragedy, suffering, pain, injustice, guilt, lust, and even death. As our shalom with Christ goes out, it collides with the rough waters – the lack of shalom, the negativity of the world in which we live, etc. – that’s already there.
As we grow and mature in our relationship with Christ, shalom starts to spread, impacting these areas of collision. Not because of anything that we’re doing, but because of what Christ is doing in us. The best verse that I can think of that speaks to this is in Paul’s letter to the Romans. In the beginning of Chapter 12, Paul tells the young church filled with young believers (new peacemakers), “in view of God’s mercy, offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
When we offer our body as a living sacrifice, when we turn our lives over to Christ, He changes us from within and renews our mind – literally causing us to think differently. We progressively move from wanting God to change the way He acts to wanting God to change the way we think. These new believers Paul is addressing (and us) will be able to test and approve, to understand, God’s perfect will and the ways that He is moving. We begin to have peace in the job loss, the miscarriage, the illness, the passing of a loved one. We also begin to get relational peace in the progress (or the lack of progress) and the persecution we face when bring peace to a person that desperately needs Jesus.
If shalom means the way things were meant to be and there is sin in the world can we ever really have true shalom here on earth?
JVD – In terms of world peace, or worldwide peace – I’m going to say definitely no. Worldwide peace is a beautiful ideal, but it is not one that will be realized until the return of Christ. In Matthew 24, Jesus is teaching – and it’s this dark, apocalyptic teaching on the end of the age, or the end times – and He says that until the day of His coming, there will be “wars and rumors of wars” and that “nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom” “famines and earthquakes” – believers will be put to death and hated for the sake of Jesus’ name. It’s dark, but that’s the way the world will be until Jesus returns for those who are His. No shalom in the created order, in the natural world. No shalom among nations. No shalom among people of opposing kingdoms.
So will there be overarching, lasting shalom on earth? Not until Jesus returns.
Can we experience true shalom until then? I think we certainly can catch glimpses of it. In John 14:27, Jesus says “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” Colossians 3:15 says that we are to let the peace of God rule in our hearts. Galatians 5 says that peace is one of the fruits of the Spirit. Scripture opens with peace in the garden, closes with peace when Christ comes back to rule, and everything inbetween seems to point to peace with God through Jesus Christ – so I have to say, that yes, we can experience pockets of shalom.
Do we have shalom with God? Yes – I believe that by faith, because the Scriptures tell me I do. The gospel assures me of a final, eternal shalom with God. I can live from that now. It is certainly a promise for later, but it is also a promise for now. Do we experience that shalom on this earth all the time? No. Not only do we live in a broken world – which is a major factor – we also live in a spiritual tension of being holy, yet being made holy.
I think of Hebrews 10:14 – For by a single offering He has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified. Being sanctified, or sanctification, is the process of being made holy, of being perfected. This verse says that God has perfected (past tense) those who are being perfected (present tense). It is as if God says, “I have done what I am doing.” In this process we call sanctification, our present realities are still lining up with our eternal status.
Experientially, personally, I feel like I catch glimpses here and there – times of wholeness, fullness, rightness. This is a stupid analogy, but it’s like golf for me – I play maybe once a year, and I am horrible. But there’s almost always that ONE SHOT that makes me believe this is a viable game. It’s just enough of a glimpse of what it should be like to keep me coming back.
So while we are perfect in the eternal sense and being perfected in the intermediary, we are able to see dim glimpses of something greater that will not be fully, consistently experienced until Christ returns. We live in the tension of I Corinthians 13:12 – “For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.”
Why does Paul start all his letters out with grace and peace to you? How are grace and peace related?
JVD – Paul often repeats that phrase, “grace & peace be with you.” He sometimes also uses the phrase “grace and mercy and peace be with you.” Briefly, I would say that peace is ultimately the result of grace and mercy. If grace and mercy are the foundation, peace is the house built upon them. A quick definition of mercy is not getting what we deserve (we deserve punishment, but God extends mercy and does not punish). In grace, we get what we do not deserve (God extending to us all the good things that we have no inherent right to).
As a result of God’s stance toward us in Jesus – mercy and grace – we have peace. I think when Paul says grace & peace (or grace, mercy & peace) be with you – he does this often in the epistles, those books of the BIble that were originally letters to local church congregations – it’s like a mini-sermon. It’s this tiny encapsulation of the gospel, reminding us that we are sustained by the faithfulness of God; it’s not by how good or bad we’re doing as we struggle through life – it’s the active grace and mercy of God that holds us, keeps us. Therefore, in light of His mercy and grace, we have peace because God made peace with us. We’re prone to forget, so Paul – like a good shepherd and a faithful apostle – is reminding us of the wonders of grace, mercy and peace we have in Christ.
Sunday Rewind | 10.13.13
MUSIC & SCRIPTURE
Our God Is Love (1 Iohn 4:9-10) – A Beautiful Exchange by Hillsong
Rock of Ages (Deuteronomy 32:3-4) – Death of Death by Charlie Hall
Beautiful Lord (Ephesians 2:4-5) – Sound of Melodies by Leeland
Always (Psalm 121:1-2) – Let The Future Begin by Krsitian Stanfill (Passion)
Lord of All (Psalm 97:5-6) – Attention by Kristian Stanfill
TEACHING: Philippians: A Journey Toward Humble Joy, Part 1
Joy is an inner spiritual confidence that God will see us through our earthly pilgrimage. In this message, Pastor Mike begins a series that will walk through the book of Philippians on a journey toward humble joy.
CLICK HERE FOR THE SERMON AUDIO/VIDEO
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR SHEPHERD GROUPS
- If you had to give an abbreviated version of this sermon, what one or two points would you make sure to include?
- What comes to mind when you think of the word “joy”? How is joy distinct from fun? What makes you joyful?
- Read and discuss Philippians 1:1-8. What themes do you see in these verses?
- What does Paul mean by “partnership” or “fellowship” in the gospel (v. 5)?
- As a part of a local church, how are you partnering in the gospel?
- What is fellowship? Why is fellowship important?
- What are some general ways you can fellowship with others? Can you think of a specific person you could reach out to in fellowship? Reach out to them this week and bring a report of what happened to your group next week.
Entropy & Other Laws of Marriage
en•tro•py ( n tr -p )
n. pl. en•tro•pies
1. A measure of the disorder or randomness in a closed system.
2. A measure of the loss of information in a transmitted message.
3. Inevitable and steady deterioration of a system or society.
en•tro pic ( n-tr p k, -tr p k) adj. en•tro pi•cal•ly adv.
There are natural laws that constantly govern our physical universe — invisible laws that govern movement, mechanics, motion, balance. These laws are in place and at work regardless of our belief in them or acceptance of them – they are part of the created order of our world. Is it possible that our marriages work in much the same way? Could there be invisible “laws” that govern the relational aspects of life with our spouse? What happens if we ignore those laws, or pretend they don’t exist?
Join us on Friday, October 18 for our next Marriage Booster, entitled Entropy & Other Laws of Marriage. You’ll enjoy an evening of looking at the laws of marriage that are impacting your relationship, or could impact them in the future. Pastor Paul Goodnight will lead our time…so you know it won’t be normal.
Sign up and get schedule information at www.restonbible.org/marriagebooster.
The Missing Peace: Q & A, Part 1
Thanks to the many who submitted questions throughout the series. We really appreciate it. We’ve combined some of the similar questions are posting our answers here in hopes that they are helpful and encouraging as you have peace, make peace and bring peace in Christ.
Many of the questions in this post were answered in a live session in the third week of the series. You can watch or listen here. Look for some additional Q & A posts, coming soon!
Why did you choose to speak on the topic of peace?
Jason Goetz – When Pastor Mike asked us to do a series, I told Jason (VanDorsten) that I had an idea for the topic. But his response really surprised me. He said, “If you don’t agree to talk about peace, I’m gonna punch you in the face.” I found that kinda ironic, but I don’t argue with guys that big.
Jason VanDorsten – Peace is something we thought would be a very relevant topic. I think we all to some degree deal with that tension of wanting peace, not having peace, wondering if Jesus is supposed to give us peace, then why don’t we have any peace, etc. I shared during week two that the topic of peace is also close to home for me in my season of life with my family – when relational peace is missing or ‘off’ between my wife and I, our whole household is affected. We can literally watch that spread to our kids – and I know I’m not alone in that. So peace has been somewhat of a recent focus the Lord has brought before my wife and I. We felt it would be both relevant and helpful to the body here at RBC.
…And for the record, I never threatened to punch Goetz in the face. Although, to be fair, I may have mentioned the word “dropkick.”
When we are told to be peacemakers, are we to be seeking peace between others and us, or between others and God, or is it a mix of both? And if it is a mix, is one more important than the other?
JVD – The “other” Jason covered that pretty well in week one, and I elaborated some in week two. Briefly, a peacemaker is to pursue peace with God, peace with the people of God and peace with all people – so in that sense, it is a mix. However, we would certainly reiterate that personal peace with God is the keystone foundation of any other peace or peacemaking – the “shalom” sense, not just the situational aspects. Simply put, we cannot bring to others what we do not possess ourselves.
Last week, after going through the beatitudes text in Matthew 5, you closed by asking the question “Should peacemakers expect persecution?” Probably to most of us reading the text, it seems to indicate the answer is yes. Is it? Can you elaborate?
JVD – Right. In week two, we looked at the sequence that unfolds in the Beatitude text – spiritual poverty, humility, mercy, hungering for righteousness, purity, making peace. We said it all sounds pretty good up to that point… but the thing that follows peacemaking in this sequence is persecution.
Matthew 5:10 – Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Apparently, that’s such a major idea that Jesus repeats it in verses 11-12- Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
So does peace divide? Should peacemakers expect persecution? Yes. And I don’t mean the general persecution that comes from living in a broken world. This is referring to specifically being persecuted because of the righteousness of God that is ours in Christ. Jesus says “persecuted for righteousness’ sake” and “on my account”.
The theme of RIGHTEOUSNESS that you see mentioned a couple times in the Beatitudes text is a big deal. Righteousness has to do with God’s perfect and just standards – righteousness, His standard of right-ness, holiness in regards to how we think, feel and act.
So if you are fulfilling your role as a peacemaker – as a son or daughter of God, carrying with you and in you the righteousness of Christ – yes, you will be persecuted, you will be opposed, it will be painful to some degree. Jesus makes it pretty clear here in Matthew 5 that this will happen. I also think of 2 Timothy 3:12 – “Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” Persecution of the godly – of those who have righteousness in Christ – is a given, it’s not optional.
Peacemaking implies that we are not sitting on our faith, but going out with the Gospel is wise and good and relational ways. Remember, peacemaking is active, not apathy; it is pursuit, not passivity. As we go out, it will chafe against those who don’t want to hear or respond to God’s terms for peace, which we talked about last week.
As a word nerd, I found this interesting: when Jesus says “persecuted” here in Matt. 5:10, he uses the same Greek word (dioko) Paul uses in Romans 14:16. In week two, we talked about Paul saying there that we are to “pursue” or “make every effort” to do what leads to peace. That’s the same phrase you would use with a gladiator entering the arena to fight for his life – “make every effort” to stay alive. We are to pursue peace with that kind of zeal. So Jesus is using that same word, indicating that just as we are to “make every effort” in pursuing peace, the world will likewise “make every effort” against those who bring God-glorifying, Christ-focused, cross-centered peace. This is a broken world’s reception to a biblical peacemaker.
How are we persecuted. We tend to think of the extremes – people being killed in the jungle, or the persecuted church in China, etc. But at times, persecution may be much more subtle. I think that’s probably what most of us face here in Northern Virginia – subtle persecution. We’re not likely being physically martyred or put in physical prisons up here – but I think where in other parts of the world, persecution looks like physical prisons, ours here tends to look like relational prisons. Persecution here looks different, but let me be clear that there is no less at stake. Most of the persecution I feel like I experience tends to be in the form of distraction, numbness, apathy. Our society and culture here is set up to keep us quiet, keep us entertained, keep our views to ourselves – just hush and play nicely with others. We are constantly being soaked in spiritual Novocaine. So our persecution is typically more subtle than in other parts of the world. Certainly at times, it may be more blatant and raw. But either way, we will experience persecution, and regardless of the form, there is much at stake.
Why would peacemakers be persecuted? Isn’t making peace a good thing, even by the world’s standards?
JVD – Well, I would bring up the point again that peacemaking is directly related to our identity in Christ. We don’t make peace in order to become peacemakers. We are peacemakers as sons and daughters of the living God. Making peace is inseparable from being co-heirs with Christ and living by His righteousness. There are two responses to godly righteousness being inserted into a broken world, and we can find these in John 3:19-21:
“And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.”
The two responses to righteousness – and thus to peacemaking – are that people will come to the light or hate the light. Remember, we are not bringing peace to neutral zones, but to war zones. As peacemakers, we come as light, and those who are not already of the light, or moving toward the light, HATE the light – that’s active resistance. They will “make every effort” against the light.
I think also of 2 Corinthians 2:15-16. We are the aroma of Christ. We smell like Jesus. To some people, we’ll smell like life, and they will be attracted. To others, we smell like death, and they will be repulsed. So it is normative that peacemakers will be persecuted, that peace will be resisted.
A gentleman stopped by my office and asked “Are you saying that peacemakers are troublemakers?” In this sense, I certainly am. If we are truly making every effort to do what leads to peace with God, with the people of God and with all men, we will be troublemakers for those who love the darkness.
Sounds weird and paradoxical, but in regards to peacemaking, you know you’re doing it right if there is opposition.
JG – I’m going to split up the question. Isn’t making peace a good thing? Yes – absolutely. Making peace with God’s people and bringing peace to the world is a great thing – from our perspective as Christ followers. Now is peace making a good thing by the world’s standard? Not necessarily. If we’re talking the Webster definition of lacking warfare, most people in the world would agree that it’s good. But if we’re talking shalom peace, the wholeness that comes from Christ, it’s going to face opposition.
The church today is facing a dilemma – which I call the “Nice Guy Dilemma”. We would prefer to look at the population of the earth as a bell-shaped curve. There are terrible people at this end (Hitler, Manson, Al Qaeda, etc.) We say they are bound for hell when they die. Then there are the Christians on the other end, and they are bound for heaven when they die. But everyone else, the majority, is in the middle and we’re not exactly sure where they’re heading. Some days it looks pretty good for them and some days it looks pretty bad – based on their actions, if they pass their holiness test. But this is not what the Scriptures say – not at all.
As Jason said, it’s black & white – literally. There are people in the Light and there are people in the Darkness. There is a single line of divide and His name is Jesus. As I tell my kids, there are two sides and you are either on one side or the other. It’s not Capture the Flag and there isn’t any No Man’s Land in the middle. Out of God’s tremendous love for His creation, His image-bearer – us – He sent His only Son to pay the penalty for our sins, to make a way for us to enter Heaven, to have peace… but we need to step over the line. Keep in mind, I started at the wrong side of that line. We all started over here.
So here’s the dilemma I referred to – we see the guy/gal in our extended family, in the office, in the neighborhood and they are really, really nice. They love there spouse, go to all the soccer games, work hard, pay their taxes. They are nice people and they appear to be peacemakers according to the world’s standard. But they are not true peacemakers, shalom-makers, according to Scripture because they are not Christ followers. As Jason so eloquently put it – this is a counterfeit shalom. But, you say, “They’re so nice and they do good things! That has to count for something.” Listen to these words from the prophet Isaiah – “All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away.” (Isaiah 64:6). Even though he doesn’t say it, the nice guy is doing nice things …for himself. So that he feels good about himself, so that people like him, because he would like some things back, because he desires for the world to be a perfect place, etc. He does the morally right thing, but – and this is key – with the wrong motive. Nice guys don’t go to heaven. Christ followers go to heaven, and they’re called to pursue peace to glorify God. A fallen world does not want to hear that message, because they love darkness.
What if I’m a Christian and feel like I am making efforts to bring peace, but I’m not experiencing persecution?
JG – When we are Jesus followers, peacemakers, we are called to be bring peace to the world around us. So let’s just assume this is happening in many relationships simultaneously – our neighborhood, our work, our workout gym, our favorite store, etc. Now let’s narrowly look at one of those relationships to answer the question. Why are we not feeling persecution in our relationship, with say, our atheist coworker? I believe the answer is because there are seasons to the process.
If we continue on in Matt 5, Jesus lays this out for us right after the beatitudes:“You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet. You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house.”
Jesus tells us to be salt. What does salt do? In ancient times and today it’s used to 1.) add flavor…..make things better, and 2.) to preserve. What does light do? It illuminates the dark. We are called to make the world better, to preserve that which is going bad, and to bring light to dark places.
In one season, we may be obedient to the call. We are being salt and light. We are investing in the relationship that the Lord has put before us with this coworker. It might be early on in the relationship where we are accumulating some relational capital. It might be further along and we’re having lunch with them periodically….occasionally having some deeper conversations. We might care for them during a difficult time….ask them how they’re doing (and show them that we really want to know) when times are tough. When they’ve lost a parent, are struggling in their marriage or with their kids, had a miscarriage, are hating their job. Please don’t be the obnoxious, in-your-face Christian – beating them over the head with your 5 lb. Study Bible. Simply ask yourself – if the roles were reversed, how would I want another human being to care for me? Then love like Christ loved.
The second season comes out of this narrative as well. What I find really interesting is what Jesus says about salt and light. He talks about salt losing its saltiness. I’m not a scientist or a chemist, but I think sodium chloride is always sodium chloride and it doesn’t change its flavor – unless you chose to dilute the salt. In the same way, light is always light. It doesn’t change its brightness, unless you chose to cover it. Sometimes we chose to dilute our salt and cover our light to avoid persecution, I’m afraid they may not like me anymore.
In the third season, your atheist coworker might just be in process. You’ve laid out some truth, asked them a tough question, and they’re thinking – which is great! You are just waiting for an opportunity to love on them again. It’s not up to you to force a decision, but to simply be obedient in the situations that God gives you to share.
So there are seasons. In the first season, you’re doing exactly what you’re told and there may be some persecution. In the second season we discussed, you are diluting your salt and covering your light. You aren’t moving forward, so there isn’t any resistance – I’m a coward, I shy away. We all shy away at times. In the third season, we aren’t feeling persecution because they are in process of moving out of darkness into light. Be patient.
We need to assess whether we are diluting our salt and covering our light. If we are, we need to change. But we also need to be thankful of the opportunities the Lord gives us to be salt and light and learn to be patient and rest while someone is in process.
The Missing Peace: Overview
ONLY IN JESUS CAN WE HAVE PEACE, MAKE PEACE AND BRING PEACE.
SERIES MEDIA: WEEK 1 | WEEK 2 | WEEK 3
WEEK 1: HAVE PEACE – LISTEN OR WATCH
“Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” – John 5:21
Sometimes,the Bible is just flat out confusing and it even seems to contradict itself. Take for example peace. Did Jesus come to the earth to bring peace or not? And if Jesus really was here to bring peace….why isn’t it here yet? We’d all like to have peace – in our world, in our country, in our neighborhood, in our marriage, in our home, and in our minds….but how do we get it?
A Jewish person would define peace as much, much more than the lack of fighting. They would say that it’s not just the absence of something….it’s the inclusion of many things. It’s completeness – it’s wholeness. “Shalom” is the Hebrew word that is translated into our word “peace”. We’ll define PEACE / SHALOM simply as “the way things are supposed to be”.
Jews believed that there was once true shalom in the Garden of Eden with Adam and Eve (Gen 1:31). This shalom was broken when Adam & Eve turned away from God and ate of the forbidden fruit (Gen 3:6). This was the first sin and the point in which sin entered the world for the first time…..breaking Shalom. Because of that sin – everything broke…..evil, war, sickness, tragedy, suffering, pain, injustice, guilt, lust, and even death – entered the world. Because of Sin —> Shalom ended (Rom 5:12)
The Jews longed for a way for Shalom to return. God had promised to send them a Messiah to His chosen people (pick your fav messianic prophesy :-). They waited for thousands of years……generation after generation….they waited. And then…..Jesus of Nazareth (John 1:41). But they weren’t sure it was the Messiah. And it sure didn’t look like it when Jesus was arrested, crucified, and buried.
But Jesus rose from the dead and appeared before his disciples and others over a 40-day period (Matt 28, Mark 16, Luke 24, John 20). When appearing in a locked room before His disciples, the risen Jesus repeats the phrase “Peace be with you” three times (John 20:19, John 20:21, John 20:26). Just as Jesus was sent by His Father (God) bring peace, He called His disciples to to go out into the world…..to reach others….to share peace (John 20:21).
One of Jesus’ Jewish disciples, Thomas, makes a profound statement when he declares Jesus as “My Lord and My God!” (John 20:28). He acknowledges Jesus as one true Creator God of the Universe. Only God could have restored the shalom that was broken in the Garden and He needed to die on a cross to accomplish it (Luke 24: 44-47). The best way to restore shalom, to bring things back to the way they were supposed to be, was to fix the root cause by addressing the sin of man. Jesus came so that all who trust Him can have peace!
WEEK 2: MAKE PEACE – LISTEN OR WATCH
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the sons of God.” – Matthew 5:9
Peacemakers are those who actively pursue God-glorifying, Christ-centered, cross-focused peace with God, with the people of God and with all men. They preserve peace where it is and bring peace where it is not.
Beware of PEACEBREAKING (Romans 16:17-18) and PEACEFAKING (Jeremiah 6:14).
THREE ARENAS IN WHICH WE ARE TO “MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO DO WHAT LEADS TO PEACE” (Romans 14:19):
- Pursue peace with God – Romans 5:1
- Pursue peace with the people of God – 1 Peter 3:8-11, Romans 12:16, Colossians 3:15
- Pursue peace with all men – Romans 12:18, Hebrews 12:14
PEACEMAKING IS MISSIONAL: John 20:19-21, 2 Corinthians 5:18-20, Romans 10:13-15
GOD’S TERMS FOR PEACE – THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST: Isaiah 52:7, Ephesians 2:14-17
As sons & daughters of the living God, our identity in Christ is foundational to peacemaking; we do not make peace in order to become peacemakers, rather, we make peace because it is intrinsic to our identity in Christ. As peacemakers, we are representing and emulating Jesus, the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6), the son of the God of Peace (Romans 15:33, Philippians 4:9, 1 Thessalonians 5:23).
Peacemaking is not ushering in the absence of pain and conflict, but rather bringing peace into places of conflict, despite the pain – whether our own or others’. If the peace we have or the peace we bring comes only from a circumstance or situation, then a situation or a circumstance can take that peace away. Therefore, have, make and bring peace that rests in the power and grace of the gospel.
WEEK 3: BRING PEACE – LISTEN OR WATCH
“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” – Matthew 5:10
In bringing peace, peacemakers can expect persecution. This is not necessarily the general persecution we all experience by living in a broken world; rather, this specific persecution will be directly related to the righteousness that we have in Jesus. (Matthew 5:10-12, 2 Timothy 3:12)
There are 2 general responses to righteousness – and thus to peacemaking – being inserted into a broken world. People will come to the light or they will hate the light (John 3:19-21, 2 Corinthians 2:15-16).
Despite the promise of persecution, we are called to go out into the word and be SALT & LIGHT (Matthew 5:13-16). Salt adds flavor and acts as a preservative. Light illuminates, holds back darkness.
The most foundational step to having peace in your life is to receive the peace that only comes through a relationship with Jesus Christ, then we must circle back to that constantly.
TRAIL GUIDE: Your Father Knows
The “Trail Guide” devotional is used by our adult leaders of grade school groups in Quest as a way to prepare their hearts and minds for the topics we will be covering with the children on the weekend. We have made them available here to help our parents of grade-schoolers engage with their children around the topics we are discussing and also for anyone else that might be blessed by following along.
FIVE BY FIVE*, LESSON 1: God answers prayer.
Smart phones, satellite phones, Skype, Facebook, Twitter, text messages, LinkedIn… and on it goes. We live in the most communicative era of human history. We will go to great lengths to facilitate quick, clear, on-demand communication with whomever, whenever we want. And when we lose connectivity? Look out. We want faster and clearer communication every day and we won’t tolerate downtime or poor connections. The demand has created a telecommunications industry valued in the trillions of dollars worldwide.
With our insatiable appetite for communications, why is it that when we address prayer, communicating with our God, we have so much trouble? There are books, seminars, systems, and campaigns, and yet we struggle both in theory and in practice when it comes to communicating in prayer with our Lord. Maybe it is because we don’t know how it works. Of course, for most of us, the same could be said about our smartphones – but that doesn’t stop us from using up the minutes like there’s no tomorrow.
I think it is more likely that we struggle because, in our heart of hearts, we are depending on ourselves and our gifts and talents to carry us through. But this is an illusion, for when we stop and recognize the truth, in light of God’s Word (Romans 12:6, Deut. 8:18), it is God who gives us those abilities in the first place. “In Him we live and breathe and have our being,” so we are in utter, constant dependency on God for everything, no matter how great or small, whether we recognize it or not. Prayer is our recognition of that dependency, an expression of our trust in Him, and a key to unlocking God’s transformative power in our daily lives through close fellowship with Him. It is how we can, “with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory” (2 Corinthians 3:18) and be changed forever. God’s Word is clear. Our God is a prayer-hearing, and prayer-answering God – a wonder-working God!
…Your Father knows what you need… -Matthew 6:8b
MEDITATING ON THE WORD:
2 Chronicles 7:14
Matthew 6:5-15
Matthew 7:7-12
Hebrews 4:16
*What does “5 by 5” mean? In spoken communication over two-way radios, a transmitting station may request a report on the quality of signal they are broadcasting. “Five by five” means a signal that has excellent strength and perfect clarity — the most understandable signal possible.
Gettin’ Schooled at Senior High
On September 29, GAP, our Senior High Youth Ministry, sponsored an event called Gettin’ Schooled. Gettin’ Schooled turned out to be a big success and a blessing to our students. It was an “in-reach” event designed around the thought of the students going back to school and how to spiritually equip them in this. We did this in three ways: food, fun competition, and electives.
The night started off with some dinner and hangout time, where we ate what you would get a school football game: hot dogs with chili, cheese and jalapenos, hamburgers, and nachos. We then had a competition between 10 teams of students and leaders, each team having 4-5 people. The first to finish all of the stations won; the stations were a hotdog eating contest, having to get 25 Skittles out of a bread loaf pan filled with whipped cream, smash a pumpkin off a rope while blindfolded, a teamwork game where you had to rearrange yourself on cinderblocks, and an alphabet soup game where the team had to make out the phrase “Gettin Schooled at the GAP.”
After the competition students then got to go “get their schedule” for the electives they had chosen. The electives they chose from were Quiet Time 101, How to Start a God-Movement at Your School, Standing up Without Standing Out, Study Skills 201, Stress Strategies and Prioritizing, How to Not Be a Follower, Dealing with Temptations, and Developing Friendships with Non-Believers. The students were really excited to get their schedules and the feedback from the teachers was that students were very involved. Our prayer was the students and staff alike were blessed and encouraged in their faith by attending the event and above all that God received all of the glory.
Please be in prayer for our students as they continue to grow in their faith and be a light for Christ in their schools.
Sunday Rewind | 10.6.13
MUSIC & SCRIPTURE
Be Lifted High (John 3:30) – Nothing Is Wasted by Elevation Worship
In Your Presence (Deuteronomy 31:6) – Nothing Is Wasted by Elevation Worship
Forever Reign (Lamentations 5:19) – A Beautiful Exchange by Hillsong
Jesus Paid It All (Colossians 2:13-14) – North Point Live by Krsitian Stanfill (North Point)
With Us (Psalm 46:10-11a) – God Is Able by Hillsong
TEACHING: The Missing Peace, Part 3
To wrap up our series on peace and peacemaking, Erik Palmer moderates a session with Jason VanDorsten and Jason Goetz to answer some of the questions that were submitted over the course of the series, including the topics of persecution, being salt & light, making peace with non-Christians, and more.
CLICK HERE FOR THE SERMON AUDIO/VIDEO
HAVE A STORY TO SHARE ABOUT PEACE OR PEACEMAKING?
We would also love to hear from you if you have a story of peace or peacemaking as a result of this series or just through something God has done in your life regarding peace. You can email your story to themissingpeace@restonbible.org. We’d love to share your stories in future blog posts, rejoice with you and encourage others by what God is doing in this area in our church body.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR SHEPHERD GROUPS
- Has this series been helpful to you in regards to the subject of peace or peacemaking? Why or why not?
- Read and discuss Matthew 5:1-16. What is your reaction to the introduction of persecution into the Beatitudes text? Why should peacemakers expect to be persecuted? Why would Jesus say “blessed are those who are persecuted”?
- Do you feel you have ever been persecuted as a direct result of following Christ?
- What is your response to Jesus’ admonition to “rejoice and be glad” in the midst of persecution (v. 12)? Why can Jesus make such a bold command?
- Have you ever made peace with a non-Christian? What happened? What was the process like?
- Do you tend to think of the Gospel mainly as a presentation or as a way of life? How can you grow in that area?
- What does it mean to “live out the Gospel” before others? How do you feel you’re doing with that?
- Do you know someone who is having a difficult time finding peace in the midst of a difficult season or situation? What could you do to encourage them? Take some time to pray for them in your group, then make some time this week to reach out and encourage them.
Men’s Ministry News – October 2013
The Men’s Ministry would like to invite you to some upcoming activities that have been designed to positively and encouragingly impact your walk with the Lord and in turn your spheres of influence.
WEEKLY DISCIPLESHIP CLASSES
Men’s Ministry weekly discipleship classes are a great way to get connected and increase your knowledge of the word and provide you with some mid-week encouragement. No previous experience or Bible knowledge is required; all you need is a willingness to grow and be challenged. For a course listing and full details, please visit www.restonbible.org/men.
- FUEL – The Journey to Authentic Manhood Continues. Current Series: Living a Life with Purpose; On Purpose – What road are you on? Where are you headed? Every one of us is on a road – and every road we are on is taking us somewhere. Where do you want to go, and what is the right road to get there? Join us for this workshop to help us create a framework for the future state of our lives. It’s about being intentional, on purpose, and the next step is up to you. At FUEL, our desire is to help men grow and live to be the Authentic Men God designed them to be as modeled by Jesus Christ. Join us! Tuesdays 6:25-7:30 AM – Sr. High Bldg.
- EXEMPLARY HUSBAND – The home is the most important area of ministry for husbands. It is often also the most difficult. Come out on October 23rd at 7pm in Room 236 for a 13-week study of ‘The Exemplary Husband’. It will be a challenging but also encouraging opportunity to explore how the Lord wants us to lead in our Marriages and Families. For questions or more information, contact Brad Hummel at mensministry@restonbible.org or 703-489-6028.
MARRIAGE BOOSTER
When: Friday, October 18, 2013, 8:00 PM
Where: RBC Sanctuary
Speaker: Pastor Paul Goodnight
Topic Entropy and Other Laws of Marriage
Registration: www.restonbible.org/
Join us for our next Marriage Booster where you’ll enjoy an evening of looking at the laws of marriage that are impacting your relationship, or could impact them in the future. Pastor Paul will lead our time…so you know it won’t be normal.
The booster consists of two parts: 1) An on-your-own dinner date with your spouse where you talk over advance questions provided by our speaker, and 2) a message followed by small group discussion at RBC. Child care reimbursement is provided by RBC as needed and information on the website.
THE SUMMIT
When: October 21, 2013, Monday 7:30-8:30 PM
Speaker: Congressman Daniel Webster of Florida
Topic: “How to Live with Integrity while Under Attack”
Where: RBC Sanctuary
Dinner: 6:30 PM RBC Clubhouse by Famous Dave’s BBQ
Registration: www.restonbible.org/summit
Our speaker will be Daniel Webster who has served as the Speaker of the Florida House and Majority Leader in the Florida Senate. He is currently a conservative congressman in the US House of Representatives where he has served since being elected in 2010. He is known for many things, but Daniel Webster still holds his faith, his family, and his principles as his biggest assets.
Come out and join us on Monday, October 21st, to hear how he views the challenges facing our county and the difference a personal relationship with Jesus has made in the life of a prominent leader in our country. We encourage you to bring a friend or co-worker.
FAITH & REASONING 101
When: Monday, October 14, 2013
Time: 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Where: Reston Bible Church, Room 238
Topic: God Created Sex…So Let’s Talk About It (Part 2 of 2)
Registration: Please e-mail wgaines@firstportfolio.com to RSVP that you will be attending so that we can plan accordingly.The popular view in our culture is that the Bible is outdated and irrelevant with regards to sex. This month we’re going to look at what our culture says about sex and contrast it with the Bible’s message, and ask, “Who’s Really Looking Out For You?”
Men, women and teens are welcome to join this adult conversation on an important Biblical topic. Hope to see you there!
Faith & Reasoning 101 Mission Statement: To equip believers in the Christian faith to be prepared to have answers for those who ask them for the reason for the hope that they have, and to assist those seeking spiritual truth by providing a comfortable place to learn.
Upcoming activities are scheduled in November and beyond. So mark your calendars.
MISSIONS CONFERENCE WEEK – 11/6-10 – watch the RBC website for info!
SERVICE OPPORTUNITY
Men’s Ministry is looking for a few good men to help with our event logistics. No special skills needed—just a servant heart. Events are The Summit, Men’s Retreat, Boosters, and special men’s events. We plan to have teams that can alternate events. If interested, please contact Brad Hummel at mensministry@restonbible.org.
As always the Men’s Ministry is here to be an encouragement in your walk with the Lord. Contact us at mensministry@restonbible.org if you have any questions or concerns.
God Bless,
The Men’s Ministry Leadership Team
Sunday Rewind | 9.29.13
MUSIC & SCRIPTURE
Sing, Sing, Sing (Psalm 47:6-7) – Hello Love by Chris Tomlin
Exalted One (Psalm 121:1-2) – For The Honor by Elevation Worship
Give Me Faith (Psalm 73:25-26) – Nothing Is Wasted by Elevation Worship
Nothing But The Blood (Ephesians 1:7-8a) – Facedown by Matt Redman
Majesty (Isaiah 53:5) – Majesty: The Worship EP by Leeland
TEACHING: The Missing Peace, Part 2
All Christ-followers are called to be peacemakers and “make every effort” to pursue peace with God, peace with God’s people, and peace with all men. Peacemaking in the biblical sense is bringing the fullness of the Gospel of Jesus into broken situations and hurting hearts, despite painful circumstances.
CLICK HERE FOR THE SERMON AUDIO/VIDEO
HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT PEACE?
We would love to have an interactive/collaborative component to our Missing Peace series. If you have any questions regarding the topic of peace or peacemaking, please email us at themissingpeace@restonbible.org. We will address some of your questions in the final part of the teaching series. The deadline for question submission is noon on Wednesday, October 2.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR SHEPHERD GROUPS
- What is one thing from this teaching that you found particularly helpful, insightful, or difficult to grasp?
- Is peace reliant on situations or circumstances? Why or why not?
- Read and discuss Matthew 5:1-10. What do you observe about the person of Christ? What does this indicate about the nature of man? What observations do you note about the sequence of the Beatitudes?
- Can you think of any examples you’ve seen or experienced of peacebreaking, peacefaking and/or peacemaking?
- Do you tend to lean more toward peacebreaking or peacefaking? What would it look like for you to move more toward peacemaking?
- Are you a child of God? Why or why not? How is this related to having peace, making peace and bringing peace?
- How is the good news of Jesus Christ God’s terms for peace & peacemaking?
- Is there a situation, circumstance or relationship in your life where you need to “make every effort to do what leads to peace” (Romans 14:19)? What would it look like to bring the gospel into that? Spend some time in prayer with your small group about it.