The Teaching: “Peace in a world of Warâ€
Today, I proceed directly to the teaching. I was thinking about the time that Jesus was born. It was a time of Roman occupation. It was a time of civil unrest, as zealot Jews sought to overthrow the Roman occupiers. It was a time of blatant hedonism and rebellion, as witnessed by the courts of King Herod, and the description of some of the other characters in the gospels. It was a time for prostitutes, tax collectors, and corruption (Mary Magdalene, Matthew, and Zaccheus, as examples who were changed!). The word was in tumult as Rome used it’s force to dictate the lives of others all over the region in terms of slavery and servitude.
Indeed, the Jews hoped for the Messiah to come. Indeed, the Jews prayed the Messiah would come. But in truth, there was a lot of hopelessness in Judea and Galilee regions of Roman order.
We are in a similar time. Is the second advent at hand? The people cry, “Peace, peace, but there is no peace.†The wars continue to rage whether it be the Iraq conflict, or Afghanistan, or conflicts in Africa, or the Middle East, or Eastern Europe in Kosovo or Serbia, where there is still unrest.
Abraham Lincoln spoke over 130 year sago saying, “And now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether this nation or any nation….. can long endure.†And so we have in the United States the clashing of blue states and red states, of political correctness versus Godly values, of secularism versus people of faith, of atheists versus believers. In 2007-2008, we ARE engaged in a great civil war all over again.
Today we see churches in the South burned. We see young missionaries in training shot by someone mad at Christians. We see others shot over the years right in the churches.
Dear people of God, there is a WAR out there. It is not a surprise, but it altogether too real. We live in an age of war and unrest. It is just such conditions that Jesus came to us as the babe born in the manger. Could it be that this same Jesus, who died and arose again fro the dead, is waiting in like manner to come again?? Church believe it. Church pray for it, just as the early Jews prayed for Messiah. “Maranatha,†even so come Lord Jesus, come!
The war is blasted on the airwaves, on the radios, in the movie theaters. It is a clash of values, of error versus truth, of self-centered, egotistical people forcing their agendas on others. The war is people “casting aside constraint,†and becoming like the people of the cities destroyed by God, even Sodom and Gommorah.
“See that no one leads you astray,†said Jesus in Matthew 24, “For many will come in my name saying ‘I am the Christ, and they will lead many astray. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed for this MUST TAKE PLACE, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise up against nation (the story of history—mine), and kingdom against kingdom (the World Wars seem to work here—mine), and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. Al these are but the beginning of the birth pangs.â€
So the end is not coming yet, Lord Jesus?
“Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and death (more martyrs have died in the 21st century than ALL the other the previous centuries combined since Christ!!), and you will be hated by the nations for my name’s sake (just read the press here!). And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another (like what happened in Colorado and many other places, my friends). And many false prophets will arise to lead many astray (prophesying that we all can get rich through God; prophesying that God will spare the United States no matter what; prophesying peace, when there is no peace). And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold (who can you trust or reach out to when there are so many people out to rip you off—and so many Christians don’t reach out at all anymore). But the ONE WHO ENDURES TO THE END WILL BE SAVED (Hallelujah! Praise God, for it is worth it to try to be a good witness until He comes!). And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the world as a testimony to all the nations, AND THEN THE END WILL COME.â€
It must be added here that only a few obscure languages or peoples are yet to hear the Gospel in their OWN language. This may take place within a couple of years. It is amazing what linguistic people like Agape Feaster Lana Martens (thanks Lana for your tedious and beautiful work for God!) have done throughout he world.
So where does the shalom come from? How do we find it amidst war?
First we must understand that peace is NOT the absence of war, as some have said. This peace that Jesus gives is one that takes hold of our whole being regardless of outside circumstances. It is a part of our legacy being members of the Kingdom of God. Paul defined the Kingdom of God as “righteousness, PEACE, and joy in the Holy Spirit.†So the first place we find this peace is within ourselves. With the knowledge that we are Christ’s, no matter what may be happening around us there comes a wonderful peace within in times of trouble, or times of safety. Jesus’ Kingdom is a Kingdom of Peace.
What did He impart to His disciples, along with the Holy Spirit? He said in John 14:27, “Peace I LEAVE with you, MY PEACE, I GIVE to you. Let not your hearts be troubled neither let them be afraid.â€
How is this peace manifest in our lives? It is through the fact that we know the end from the beginning. All these troubles, all these trials, all these problems were TOLD TO US BY JESUS in preparation. Since we know the outcome through Jesus eventual return, we can have peace as the market crashes, or we lose a job, or a loved one is taken from us. The eventual outcome is guaranteed through Jesus’ resurrection from the dead and His prophetic voice that warns us and sets us apart today.
From the time the prophet Isaiah spoke the famous Christmas passage that is true for us today, this peace has become a hallmark of the Christian hope and experience. “For to us a CHILD is born, to us a SON is given; and the government shall be upon HIS shoulder (not ours dear pastors, but His!), and His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, PRINCE OF PEACE. Of the increase of His government and of PEACE there will be no end, on the throne of David and over His Kingdom to establish and uphold it with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of Hosts will do this.â€
Jesus is the PRINCE OF PEACE. Amidst the war whether civil, spiritual, or on a larger scale, Jesus is the way to peace; He is OUR peace. Remember, peace is NOT an absence of war, but an attitude, a place of security and safety created by God Himself, as we TRUST in HIM, as we LOVE Him.
Mary and Joseph had just had the miracle of Jesus’ birth happening to them, when God warned Joseph of King Herod’s evil plans to kill the children of Bethlehem under two years of age. Quickly, Joseph took Mary and Jesus to Egypt, of all places, to enjoy some safety and peace, before returning home to Nazareth.
In like manner, as we open our ears to God, He can bring us to these places of safety and peace in our troubled lives or amidst the wars raging around us. Isaiah said again in chapter 26, “Thou doest keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on thee, because he trusts in thee.â€
TRUSTING IN GOD LEADS TO PEACE!
KEEPING OUR MINDS STAYED ON GOD LEADS TO PEACE!
And Paul said, “The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about ANYTHING but in EVERYTHING by PRAYER and SUPPLICATION with THANKSGIVING let your requests be made known to God. And the PEACE of God that passes all understanding will guard your minds and your hearts in Christ Jesus.â€
PRAYER AND SUPPLICATION WITH THANKSGIVING LEADS TO PEACE!
Peace can be found in all our situations if we remember these vital connections to our Lord through the Holy Spirit. “Peace†he gives to us, not as the world gives it. The world tries to negotiate settlements to wars and calls it peace. The Christian’s peace is a contentment by surrendering our will and way to the ONE who controls eternity. By being linked with Him, the spiritual peace is always available; it is our legacy as Christians.
Jesus told us to be PEACEMAKERS in this troubled world. In doing this we tell others about the Prince of Peace, even Jesus, and how His love will give them spiritual peace, and God’s kingdom is extended. We also bring peace hopefully by our presence in real life situations, by drawing on God’s power to meet people’s real needs. In this way, we are also peacemakers.
Paul told us to be eager to maintain the peace in our fellowships. Selfishness and divisiveness are not from God, but from the evil one. We are to be people of grace and love with one another to make for a peaceful community in which all share with one another, and also all have a share when needed. We humble ourselves, we forgive others, we do what is necessary to make and keep the peace in God’s precious Body, the Church.
More tribulation is coming my friends. The wars raging in our world will not just go away. They are products of man’s inhumanity to man, of man’s quest for power and rule. These rumors of wars and wars will continue until the Prince of Peace returns.
So my friends, receive the peace of God. It will keep your hearts and minds stayed on Christ Jesus, even as Paul said. Almost all the Epistles have the phrase, “Peace be with you.†The early church used it as one of their greetings, along with “He is risen.â€
May we begin anew to share the PEACE of God with one another as a blessing to build each other up. For He is our peace. May the PEACE of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you. Amen!
Pastor Peter Olson & Agape Feast Creative & Outreach Ministry
