Week of March 23rd - Be a Peacemaker

Key Thought:
Our daily news is filled with reports of violence, hatred and chaos. By and large, people do not know how to relate to one another. Offenses are allowed to grow until they become huge issues of bitterness. Power is wielded for selfish reasons by those with authority and influence. Injustices and violence are perpetrated against innocent people all around the world, time and time again.

Just as the core cause can always be traced back to human sinfulness, the initiative to solve these deep-seated societal ills rests with people. These are men and women who are no longer ruled by the sinful nature, but who now possess the very righteousness of Jesus Christ. This righteousness hasn’t been attained or gained by the true children of God, it is a righteousness that has been bestowed or else given by God.

As the righteousness of Jesus Christ takes hold in our lives, one outcome will be our effectiveness in serving as peacemakers. We will keep short accounts with people in our lives. We will quickly and freely offer forgiveness. We will act with humility toward others. We will learn what it means to truly love others, both friends and enemies; both family and outsiders; both the lovely and the undesirable. Peace overtakes our world one Christ-centered person at a time. Have you received his righteousness and begun to be a peacemaker?

Sermon Highlights:
Take some time to write down some important thoughts that have stuck with you from Steve’s sermon Fighting For Peace (Easter Sunday, 2008).

Bible Reading:
Monday – Romans 8:10-16
Tuesday – Romans 14:17
Wednesday – Romans 12:17-19
Thursday – Matthew 5:9; 18:15
Friday – Luke 23:33-35

Key Questions to Ponder During the Week:

1. Do you remember a time that you put off confronting someone about a conflict that ended up being no big deal in the end?
2. Why is it so important to resolve conflicts? Why is it important to Christ that we resolve conflicts?
3. What does the righteousness of Christ have to do with helping me become a peacemaker?
4. Are there people in your life that you need to forgive who have asked for your forgiveness? What about people who haven’t asked for it?
5. Is there conflict in your life (perhaps going back years ago) that you have been unwilling to take responsibility for?
6. How does knowing that Jesus forgave the people who unjustly tortured and murdered him make it easier for you to forgive others?