Dean’s List
Disciples Blessing
November 17, 2024
Rev. Dr. Gabe Sylvia
True peace—biblically understood as shalom, freedom in relationship with God and others—is not merely the absence of conflict but must be grounded in truth, embodied in Christ, actively pursued through sacrificial peacemaking (the 'four Gs'), and supported by the church and covenant practices like the Lord's Supper.
Summary
Using Neville Chamberlain's failed appeasement as a cautionary example, the sermon contrasts a hollow absence of hostility with true peace (shalom), which is total well‑being and freedom rooted in right relationship with God through Christ. True peacemaking requires believers who are already children of God to practice peace actively, confronting and restoring with truth and love. The process—summarized as the four Gs: glorify God, get the log out of your own eye, gently restore, and remember what peace is—often costs us sacrificially as it did Christ, but leads to restoration, reward, and the growth of God's people. The church is called to be a place of peacemaking, and covenant signs like the Lord's Supper give assurance and strengthen us for this work.
Key Points
- Chamberlain's 1938 'peace' shows that absence of conflict is not true peace
- True peace (shalom) = total well‑being and freedom in relationship with God and others
- Peace must be based on truth; peace without truth is not genuine
- To be peacemakers we must already be children of God and actively pursue reconciliation
- Peace is often preceded by necessary confrontation aimed at restoration
- The 'four Gs' of peacemaking: glorify God; get the log out of your own eye; gently restore; remember what peace is
- Jesus is the model: his freedom produced true peace and required sacrificial giving of life
- Believers can suppress peace through self‑condemnation; we must rest in Christ and repeat that reliance
- Peacemaking costs us but is rewarded by the Father with a people and a kingdom
- The church should be a place where peace is made, and the Lord's Supper strengthens assurance of the covenant
- Closing: pray for help to practice true peacemaking and participate in the Lord's Prayer and Supper
The audio description and summary text on this page was generated using AI, please report any errors to office@christouhopechurch.com