GOD -- AT PEACE WITH MAN

Text: Colossians 1:19-22

-- For it pleased the Father that in Him (Jesus) should all fullness dwell; - And, having made peace through the blood of His cross, by Him to reconcile all things unto Himself; By Him, I say, whether they be things in Earth, or things in Heaven. - And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath He reconciled - In the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy and unblamable and unreprovable in His sight.

Introduction:

I have never met folk singer Barry McGuire, but I have appreciated his witness for Christ for many years. If you can't place the name, here are a few things about him that may jog your memory...in 1962, he was one of the co-founders of a group called the New Christy Minstrels, whose ranks included Glen Campbell and the Smothers Brothers.

They helped popularize the folk-music style of that time. Later the Minstrels folded and Barry McGuire went solo for awhile. It seems the rock music and drug culture adopted him as sort of a hero after he recorded a song called "The Eve of Destruction" in 1967. Some of you may remember the song. Ten years later, Barry McGuire reached his own eve of destruction... burned out by drugs and wasted by a generation gone after the next high, Barry literally sat in a run-down hotel with a gun in his hand ready to commit suicide, but at the last minute the strains of "Amazing Grace" filtered through the window.

We can guess the story from here. The Lord moved mightily in this man's life. He had no more need for the drugs, booze, cigarettes or any of the sort. The Lord cleaned him out, filled him up, and the next time anyone heard from Barry McGuire, he had written a song of praise to His Lord...(sing Bullfrogs and Butterflies). One thing I have noticed about Barry's music since he was saved is that he returns time and time again to this idea we have read about in Colossians chapter one.. God's great call to man is one of peace, reconciliation and unity. These are lofty, idealistic goals, but they are attainable.. .if we are willing to do the things our Lord commands.

I. Consider, if you will, the example our Lord gave us in prayer... Matthew 6:10-- "Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven."

A. How many of us pray the Lord's prayer and not think twice about what we are praying for?

B. In Heaven, all the beings there are listening for the voice of God. When God says "GO!", they respond, "Yes, Lord" and off they go wherever He sends them. There is total obedience in Heaven.

C. In Heaven, no one argues with God. Some tried once, and God cast them out. If Heaven has radios, Rush Limbaugh and Gordon Liddy will not be heard on them. There is absolute peace in Heaven.

D.There are no wars in Heaven. God's presence is so overpowering that none dare stand against Him. The power of the Holy Spirit brings ultimate reconciliation in Heaven.

E. There are no theological debates in Heaven. When you're "there", free choice or God's soverign election is a moot point. There is complete unity of the faith in Heaven.

II. These all sound like great ideas, don't they? But frankly I don't see too many believers pushing for these things here on Earth.

A. If God tells us to talk to a neighbor about coming to church, is our answer, "Yes, Lord!" or "I'll think about it."

B. (illustration - Phone call/God) What would God get if He called you? agreement with His purpose, or 1001 reasons why it can't be done?

C. All over this world there are people lining up against each other.. Jew against Muslim.. .Serb against Croat. . Catholic against Protestant. One refuses to have anything to do with the other except fight. Today's Christian does nothing more than turn off the TV in disgust.

D. On our Jobs, when the talk turns to Christianity, it seems there is unending debate one believer against the other over minor things while the world Christ died to save is physically and spiritually starving and we're not doing a thing about it.

E. It seems we would have things our way rather than desire God's will. Maybe we ought not pray that line until we're ready for it to be.

III. Many other places in the Bible demonstrate that making peace is a virtue considered very highly by Almighty God.

A. Matthew 5:9 -- "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the Children of God."

B. II Corinthians 1 3:11-- The believer should strive to live peaceably with all people.

C. Romans 14:19-- Paul tells us we should follow after things that bring peace.

D. In other places Christ taught that we should defeat our enemies by turning them into friends.

IV. I know all of this goes against the grain of life in these modern times.

A. Mothers and fathers tell their sons and daughters, "If someone hits you, you hit them back!"

B. People vote based on where the candidate stands rather than on his skills at building a concensus and getting things done in office.

C. This even carries over into some people's religion.. we see people killing abortion doctors "in the name of Christ", and others agreeing with this action, rather than praying and witnessing for these people.

 

V. If we are really going to take the words from Colossians we have read today, and stake our claim as sons and daughters of God, we are going to have to become peacemakers.

How are we to do this?

A. (read I Peter 3:8-12) All of these are characteristics of a peacemaker.

B. An attitude of servitude to mankind (John 13...disciples arguing Jesus takes a bowl and towel and washes their feet.

C. A willingness to suffer for Christ's sake. John 16:32-33-- "These things I have spoken unto you that ye may have life. In the world you will have tribulation and fear, but be of good cheer. For I have overcome the world.

 

Conclusion:

Finally, I would call your attention to a prayer for peacemaking written by one Francis of Assisi nearly 700 years ago. Listen to what he says, and see if you can't apply in in your heart and life...

Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace;
Where there is hatred, let me sow charity;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is error, the truth;
Where there is doubt, the faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light; and
Where there is sadness, joy.

O, Divine Master,

Grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled, as to console;
To be understood as to understand;
To be loved as to love;
For it is in giving that we receive;
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
And it is in dying to ourselves that we are born to eternal life.

In this we find what it really means to be a Child of God. When we put these principles in our lives we can truly express the desire of Christ when He said, "My peace I give unto you. Not as the world gives, give I unto you, but MY PEACE.. PEACE THAT PASSES ALL UNDERSTANDING...GIVE I UNTO YOU."