The Way to Peace

Well, for the main message today, our title is The Way to Peace. The Way to Peace. And we are in our Fruit of the Spirit series. We have addressed previously love, joy, and now peace. And I want to hear at the beginning of our message for us to just acknowledge a simple but profound truth. And it is that the way to peace in the world in which we live is going to be immensely hard-earned. Peace. True peace is hard-earned. Why? Well, it's because of the problem that peace addresses. And the problem is so immense, the problem is so ingrained, the problem is so profound that we are confidently able to say that then peace is going to be immensely hard-earned. You know, peace is not merely the absence of conflict. Rather, it is the resolution to a deep brokenness, a brokenness which originated from the very beginning of mankind. When man broke his relationship with God, thereby ushering in this peace, you see. Again, because peace is not merely the absence of conflict, and because peace is the resolution to such deep brokenness, because of that true lasting peace can only be achieved when that brokenness is reversed. So, another way of putting it, true lasting peace is achieved when it will fully confront man's rebellion. Rebellion against God. And so, anything that goes to that depth of resolution, it will never be easy. And the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ himself as he has described, makes it unmistakably clear that it is going to be hard-earned in the passage that we're going to come to today. And the words that we're about to read from the Prince of Peace, they are words that are going to perhaps rock us back on our heels, and they're going to challenge the notion that peace comes from comfort, and that peace will come from compromise. But it's just not true. Peace for mankind will only come from transformation, and it's a transformation that is costly. So, we're going to ask today, what is the process to bring peace about? And we're going to see that true peace involves three things, and I'm going to give them to you right up front here. The way to peace involves three things. Number one, peace involves a consuming and refining fire.

Number two, peace involves a costly baptism.

And number three, peace in the end will involve division. Division and separation from those things that perhaps we hold most dearly. So, those are the three aspects to the way to peace, and they're going to be given to us by Jesus Christ himself, the peacemaker, and it's found in Luke 12 verses 49 through 53. So, if you have your Bibles, we can open them together now to Luke 12. We're going to read the passage verses 49 through 53, where we're going to find, once again, again, a Luke recording the Prince of Peace words, Jesus Christ, as he's going to reveal the way to peace, and it's absolutely striking. Look at this. Luke 12, and let's read verses 49 through 53. Here Jesus says, he says, I came to send fire on the earth, and how I wish that fire were already kindled. But I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how distressed am I until it is accomplished? Verse 51, Jesus says, do you suppose that I came to bring peace on earth? I tell you, not at all. Rather, division. For from now on five, the one house will be divided. Three against two, two against three. Father will be divided against son, son against father, mother against daughter, daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law, and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law. Let's stop there. So, in reading this passage from the The Peacemaker, it's so interesting, isn't it? And even somewhat baffling, I think we could say. Because you'll remember when this very one, Jesus Christ, came into the world, what was announced? Well, peace was announced. Let me remind you of that. If you'll just keep your marker here, and let's just turn back a few chapters to Luke 2 verses 8 through 14, where we have that birth announcement and proclamation. Luke 2 verses 8 through 14 here. Actually, let's read just verses 10 through 14. Luke 2 will begin in verse 10 and read verses 10 through 14. Here, the angel comes on to the scene here, and look what he announces here regarding this one, Jesus Christ. Luke 2, beginning in verse 10, then the angel said to them, Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which will be for all the people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you. You will find a babe wrapped in swaddling cloths lying in a manger. And suddenly there was an angel in a multitude of heavenly hosts praising God, saying, Listen, verse 14, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men. Let's stop that. Let's stop there. So, was peace to be automatic from this time when Jesus came into the world? Well, no. First, brokenness. The brokenness would have to be mended. It's the only way. It's the only way. And if you think about it, that is true, because from this time, from the time Jesus entered into the earth, man, despite the fact that man has strived for peace, it has not come. Man speaks about peace. Man unites around peace. Man marches for peace. But this is not a peaceful world, is it?

Take a look at the world. So much destruction and fighting in the world, and on our nation's streets. It's destructive fighting. Even in our schools, we have this strife and this peace, even in our homes. So the lack of peace is evident. So let's ask, despite all who are seeking it, why can't man achieve it? Well, again, the answer from Scripture, the answer that Scripture provides is that the world has lost any experience of true peace because of their rebellion against God. We have the absence of peace because of our separation from God from the beginning. There in the Garden of Eden, that rebellion, that sin, which ushered in this dis-peace. This is a fact. Let me punctuate this fact. Again, we'll come back to Luke 12 in just a moment, but let's turn to the Old Testament and see that this was the very truth. Isaiah 48 verse 22. Isaiah spoke of this dis-peace. The prophet Isaiah, Isaiah 48 verse 22. Here we find this very clear statement as to the ultimate reason for man's lack of peace.

Here it is. Isaiah says, Isaiah 48 verse 22, very clear. He says, there is no peace, says the Lord, for the wicked. Very clear. Who are the wicked? Man and woman is the wicked. We are wicked by nature, sinful by nature. So Isaiah says, there is no peace for the wicked. There. Go forward a few chapters staying here in Isaiah, but look at Isaiah 59 verse 8. Isaiah reinforces the fact again. Look at what he says in chapter 59 verse 8. Isaiah 59 in verse 8. Once again, the prophet says here, he says, the way of peace they have not known, and there is no justice in their ways. They have made themselves crooked paths. Whoever takes that way shall not know peace. Let's stop there. Very clear. The way of peace they have not known. Why? Well, there's no justice in their ways. They've taken crooked paths, he says. That's just one example in the Old Testament. How about the New Testament? Turn with me, if you will, to Romans 3 verses 10 through 17. A classic statement in the New Testament.

That's Romans 3 verses 10 through 17. And the reason we're doing this exercise here at the beginning of turning to these scriptures is just to punctuate the fact as to why there is this dis-peace on earth today, despite all those who are seeking it. Look at what Paul says in Romans 3 beginning in verse 10. Paul says, as it is written, there is none righteous, no not one. Okay, so we're all in this together. There is none who understands, there is none who seeks after God. They've all turned to a side, they have all together become unprofitable. There is none who does good, no not one. In fact, verse 13, their throat is like an open tomb. With their tongues, they have practiced deceit. The poison of the asp is under their lips, whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness. Their feet are swift to shed blood. Destruction and misery are in their ways. Verse 17, and the way of peace they have not known. So, we take this moment here at the beginning of the study on peace just to seal in our minds the cause and the reason for dis-peace. So, no matter the peoples, no matter the political system, the fact of the matter is we are all guilty under God and in dis-peace because of our rebellion against Him. And this dis-peace, it is ingrained in us from the very beginning. From the very beginning. So, wow! This seems insurmountable. How could man ever find peace?

Well, it was insurmountable until we discover God's provision for it. And He made a provision in and through a peacemaker when the angels sang on that day, glory to God in the highest there at His birth and on earth peace, goodwill toward men. God sent His Son to make peace possible. And before we get back to that peacemaker's words and He instructing us to the way of peace, before on our way back there, let's just turn to one other passage of Scripture just to get clear in our minds that Jesus is the provision from God to this way of peace for us. And so let's turn to Colossians 1, verses 19 and 20. Colossians 1, verses 19 and 20. Jesus is where peace is ultimately found and discovered. There's no doubt about it. Look at this. Colossians 1, verses 19 and 20. I don't know if the writer could say it any clearer here. Colossians 1, verses 19 and 20. Here it is. The provision from the Father.

For it pleased the Father that in Him, that's Christ, all the fullness should dwell, and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross. Let's stop there. So we have this problem. War-torn humanity. God in heaven. Man on earth. God sends His Son to bring peace to man and woman through the blood of His Son on the cross. So that in the end, those of us without peace may come to know peace, and the weight of peace is found in the process of finding Him. It's that simple, but it is a way that man does not know. I think we can clearly say this. And ironically, and surprisingly, man's solution for peace is just the opposite. Did you know that? That man's understanding and solution to the way to peace is actually to get rid of the peacemaker, Jesus Christ. Those of you of a certain age, or those of you who like the classics, will know that the Beatles sung it to us back in 1971, I believe it was, John Lennon. And by doing so, they created man's anthem and displayed man's solution to peace in the great song, Imagine. Let me sing it to you just a short bit. Imagine there's no heaven, it's easy if you try, no hell below us, above us, only sky. Imagine all the people living for today.

I was waiting. I'm not going to try to hit that note.

We wouldn't be able to post this later, I don't think. But so interesting, man's solution to the problem of this peace is to imagine there's no heaven, right? And to put forth the strategy of living only for today. There is no tomorrow, there is no future beyond this physical life you see. And the song goes on, and no religion too. Lennon writes, imagine no religion. Imagine all the people living life in peace. That's his great conclusion there. You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one. I hope someday you'll join us, and the world will be as one. That's the mantra of mankind. In other words, imagine no God, and that is the way to peace. Mankind longs for peace and cannot find it. Why?

They're eliminating Jesus Christ the peacemaker from their lives. It's that simple. An end to religion, an end to heaven, and get rid of Christ. So, it is so fascinating that the devil has convinced so many that the answer is the problem. Isn't that true? The devil has convinced people that God and Jesus Christ are the problem in achieving peace, when in fact that's where the answer lies. Jesus Christ is the answer to peace for war-torn humanity. In that same one, then, Luke records here in chapter 12 the words which that one says is the way back to peace. So let's give ourselves to that at this time. If you'll turn back to Luke 12, with all that as a way of foundation, Luke 12 verses 49 through 53 again, this is where we begin. And we have those three aspects given to us by the peacemaker. Jesus Christ is the way to peace, and understandably, knowing human nature, it's going to be counterintuitive to our thinking. So just be ready for that, but let's consider what he says as to the way to peace. And Luke 12, beginning here in verse 49, he begins by saying, consider the first aspect on the way to peace is fire. He says, verse 49, I have come, he says, to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it was already kindled. Let's stop there. Difficult words, right, to our normal reasoning, human reasoning.

So let's wrestle with this. Fire, the first aspect to the way to peace. Now, when you begin to consider fire, you realize this is not unique to this reference here. We find fire all throughout Scripture. Fire, in biblical terms, does two things. Fire consumes, and fire purifies. Okay? And this is what Jesus Christ is putting forth in using this imagery. Fire consumes, and fire purifies. So this is speaking of, and referring to, the consuming fire of God's judgment, a judgment which will be unleashed on the world, a judgment in which, on those individuals who have turned their back onto him, there is a consuming fire of judgment.

And there is a purifying fire, a purifying fire for those who are his own and have not blocked him out. A purifying fire to purify the sin and remove those impurities, those things which are constantly looking to separate us from him. So fire, consuming and purifying, is number one in the way to peace. And we could say, okay, how could Jesus look forward to this? He says. I wish it was already kindled, he says.

Well, he's looking forward to the day in which that which has separated us from his father will be eliminated. He's looking forward to the day when evil and sin will be completely removed from the world. He's longing for that day when evil will be consumed, fully consumed and removed from the world, thereby ushering in peace.

Evil is a great enemy to peace. Sin is a great enemy to peace. And fire is necessary to consume it. Fire is also necessary with those of his own. In the purifying process on which God produces the true fruit of peace in those to whom he's calling now, fire is part of the process of bringing forth this fruit of the spirit, peace. And to his own, on that day, he says, one day for the entire world, I will be sending fire, and I wish it was already kindled.

Now, we know if you know anything about fire, this is fire is exactly how John the Baptist prepared for and introduced Jesus Christ himself. Keep your marker here in Luke 12. Let's go back to Luke 3. Luke 3 verse 9. Look at what John says as he stepped onto the world's stage, and as he was preparing the way for Jesus and announcing his coming.

Look what John says in Luke 3 verse 9 with regards to this consuming and purifying fire. Luke 3 verse 9. Here it is. John, John the Baptist, here. Here's the words, And even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

Go down to verse 16. Verse 16, he picks up this fire imagery again. Luke 3 verse 16. John answered, saying to all, I indeed baptize you with water, but one mightier than I is coming, whose sandals strap I am not worthy to loose. He, Jesus, will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. Fire is part of the process, brethren.

Where in being baptized, one of God's own not only receives God's Holy Spirit, but also receives fire. Fire. Go down to verse 17 here. Verse 17. The third reference here. Jesus, his winnowing fan, is in his hand, and he will thoroughly clean out his threshing floor and gather the wheat into his barn, this is Jesus, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire. Let's stop there. So in these verses we can see there's this purification aspect, there's this burning up or consuming aspect to this fire. A fire whose purposes are to ultimately bring peace.

So when we say that this peace that is part of this fruit of the Spirit is hard earned, immensely hard earned, this is what we're speaking about. Because this peace can only come when it addresses the root of man's separation from the Father. And this is how John the Baptist introduced Jesus Christ, coming into the earth. And even prior to John the Baptist, we see this imagery.

Let's go back to the Old Testament, Malachi 3 verses 2 and 3. Let's turn there, if you will, to see that this isn't some kind of New Testament notion only. Malachi 3 verses 2 and 3, a very well-known passage of Scripture speaking of fire here, comparing Jesus Christ to a great refiner of this fire. Matthew, Malachi, excuse me, Malachi 3 verse 2 and 3.

Here Malachi says, But who can endure the day of his coming? That's Jesus Christ. And who can stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner's fire and like a launderer's soap. He will sit as a refiner and a purifier of silver. He will purify the sons of Levi and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer to the Lord an offering in righteousness.

Let's stop there. That's the purpose. The purpose of the fire in our lives is so that in the end we will have an offering in righteousness at his return. You see. So when Christ says there in Luke 12, I have come to bring fire to the earth, how I wish it was already kindled. He's referring to fire where there's this dimension of a consuming judgment. This chaff of dis-peace will be burned up. The consuming fire of the wicked. But God is merciful.

That consumption is only for a time. God will raise them back up at the second resurrection so that they may know true peace. But again, for us here today, we say this aspect of purification and cleansing. So the same fire which consumes the wicked is the same fire which refines the righteous. Very important to understand. This is what we're engaging in. When we are participating in the plan to bring peace to this earth, just know the first aspect for you and I is fire for the purposes of refining. So we can't let it consume us. We've got to allow this fire to purify us so that we can have an offering to Christ of righteousness at his return. Jesus Christ, God the Father through Jesus Christ, through fire, fiery trials. He's using those things to remove the impurities from our life. The sinfulness, any wickedness found in us. So Jesus says, don't think that I came to bring peace. Not yet. There's a process by which that has come. And I got to tell you, it's immensely hard-earned because of what we're addressing. Sin is the greatest enemy to peace. So Jesus to peace. So the way to peace, number one, fire.

Second, second aspect of three, to the way of peace, the way to peace. Number two is a costly baptism. Okay, so let's turn back to Luke 12, if you will, in verse 50. There is a baptism that each of us must undergo. That baptism Jesus speaks of as the second aspect to the way of peace here in Luke 12, verse 50, where next Jesus says here, but I have come, he says, Luke 12, verse 50, I have a baptism to be baptized with. And Jesus says, and how distressed I am, till it is accomplished. Let's stop there. So Jesus is distressed by this baptism until it is accomplished. What is this baptism? Well, it's the baptism of costly sacrifice. That is the second aspect to bringing peace to this earth. And it's going to be a lasting peace because of the work to establish it. And the second aspect is a baptism of costly sacrifice. The way to true peace, brethren, is and has always been for the people of God through crucifixion and sacrifice. In fact, with regards to Christ's sacrifice, the way to true peace is by the means of His crucifixion. No man or woman will ever find peace who hasn't been brought to the crushing experience of His sacrifice. So there is a fire. Jesus wishes it was already kindled. But before that, He says, I must go through a baptism. I must undergo a baptism. And let me tell you, brethren, He says, I'm distressed until it's accomplished. Now, we know this is the baptism of the costly sacrifice that He speaks of. That fact is on full display in the other Gospel writer Mark's writings. Let's turn there, if you will, and read more about this baptism. Mark 10 verses 32 through 40.

Mark chapter 10 verses 32 through 40. Jesus here is with James and John and the sons of Zebedee, and He speaks of this baptism in which He will partake here, His sacrifice. And initially, the disciples don't understand here. His followers don't understand the gravity of it all. But we must. Mark 10, let's begin in verse 32 and read through verse 40. Now, they were on the road going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was going before them, and they were amazed. And as they followed, they were afraid. Then He took, that's Jesus, the twelve, aside again and began to tell them of the things which would happen to Him. This is the sacrifice that He would tell them. Behold, we are going to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed by the chief priests, by the scribes. They will condemn Him to death and deliver Him to the Gentiles, and they will mock Him, scourge Him, spit on Him, and kill Him, and the third day He will rise again. So He's letting them know this is what's going to occur here. And now He's going to bring in this imagery of that crucifixion being a type of baptism. A baptism. Verse 35. Then James and John, sons of Zebedee, they didn't get it. They came to Him saying, teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask. And He said to them, what do you want Me to do for you? And they said to Him, grant us that we may sit, one on your right hand and the other on your left, in your glory. But Jesus said to them, you do not know what you ask. Listen to this question. And this is for us today. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? Still not understanding. They said we are able. So Jesus said to them, and He says to us today, you will indeed drink the cup that I drink. And with the baptism I am baptized with, you will be baptized. But to sit on my right hand and on my left is not mine to give. But it is for those for whom it is prepared. Let's stop there. So this is the baptism of sacrifice. This is the cup that all of Christ's fathers will drink from. And He's asking us today again, are we able to be baptized with the baptism that He would undergo? His crucifixion, the baptism at His crucifixion, the cup that He drunk from, the death on the cross, the death by the way which we read, was the THE very means by which the center could be brought to peace. Finally, that was the provision from the Father, the ultimate peace to the center, to receive the peace of eternal life through baptism. Baptism. It's not a peace without cost. Peace will only come with a price, the ultimate price. So this is the baptism of sacrifice. Are we ready to be baptized with this baptism?

I think God's preparing us. I do. And I feel fully confident that if we will give ourselves to Him, He will bring us into victory. We will persevere through it all. I have no doubt about that. And part of this is understanding what we're enduring right now. Many of us are enduring what we will endure so that we can be ready for it. So we can step up and say, yes, I understand. I understand there's a purifying fire. I understand there's a costly baptism of sacrifice. And I'm ready to endure it for you, the one who endured it for me.

So these are the two aspects. Without these things, peace is not possible. And that brings us to the third and final aspect that Jesus speaks of back in Luke 12 verse 51. Luke 12 verse 51.

So we have, leading up to this third aspect, fire, fiery trials, purifying fire, a baptism of sacrifice, a costly baptism. And now, thirdly, in verse 51, he asked that question, Do you suppose that I came to give peace on earth? I tell you not at all, but rather division. That's the third aspect, division.

So from now on, he says, you will discover that the way of peace will divide you from those things which you hold most dear. Verse 52 and 53. Give us some of those things we hold most dear to which we will be divided from, from which we will be separated from. Amongst each other, there will be five, two against three, three against two. It's going to hit us at our most intimate family relationships, as we see displayed there in verse 52. Son against father, father against son, and mother against daughter, daughter against mother.

The mother-in-law never gets a good a good rap, right? The mother-in-law makes an appearance here.

So, you know, it's interesting. No one could ever say, well, Jesus didn't explain to me what was involved in following him. He's telling it like it is here. And he speaks in such a way so that his fathers will know, know what's coming, be prepared. He's not asking us to do anything he wasn't prepared to do, as our elder brother. And he's living in us so as to give us the power to accomplish these things, to bring peace to the earth. He is the ultimate peacemaker, but who are the peacemakers here today? You and I, his people. So we're engaging in the very process by which he did. Now, with regards to division, Matthew, in his parallel passage on this, picks up this same recording by Jesus, and it's found in Matthew 10, verses 34 through 39. If you'll turn there with me, we'll see the parallel passage to Luke, where Jesus speaks of these things, but now recorded for us by Matthew, Matthew 10, verses 34 through 39. Here's Matthew's recording of it, but he picked up on some more details here for us, in his recording. Matthew 10, beginning in verse 34, here's Jesus's words, Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword, Matthew records. For I have come to set a man against his father, a daughter against his mother, her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law, and a man's enemies will be those of his own household. He who loves his father or mother, here's the the extra that Matthew adds here, he who loves father or mother more than men, and he who loves his mother more than men is not worthy of me. And he who loves son or daughter more than men is not worthy of me. Verse 38, here's some more details, getting deeper. And he who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Verse 39, And he who finds his life in this world will lose it, and he who loses his life in this world, for my sake will find it. Let's stop there. You know, these are the most precious relationships we have on earth. Father, mother, children, they're being set against each other. Staggering statements here. Do we not love our families? Absolutely. They are of our highest concern. But I believe the crux of the matter here is in verse 38. Who do you love, truly love? Are you willing to be part of this process of peace, even if it is as a result of division? Verse 38 again, He who does not take his or her own cross and follow me is not worthy of me. That's the imagery. You know, when we become his, he carried his cross and he says, well, there's your cross. Pick it up and let's go. Follow me. This is the way to peace. Peace in your life and ultimately peace for the world. The way to peace, it is absolutely transformational. And whenever there's such a transformation that occurs, there's an inevitable clash with culture and clash with even in our families. This is the point. Those who are nearest and dearest to us. An inevitable division. But just know, the division is temporary because the peace which Jesus is ushering in will be eternal. And we pray for that day. We pray for that day. But until then, we must be prepared to commend ourselves to this process. We must persevere through the purifying fire.

Allow the purification to occur to remove our imperfections. We must bear up under the costly baptism, taking up our own cross, ready to make any sacrifice for God the Father and Jesus Christ. Be ready, ready in ourselves for division, which will inevitably come. And in it all, so that we may show the world the magnitude of the process to reverse the disbeads which began there at the beginning. It's the only way. It's the only way. Peace, brethren, as we begin to work to a conclusion. It is not discovered in a program. It is not discovered in any of man's strategies or social constructs. Peace for man will not come by merely imagining it. No, peace is only discovered in a person, and he came to show us the way.

So as we conclude, may we deeply consider these things? May we engage in this process of creating peace in ourselves individually and as a church, so that when Christ returns, it may be that he finds peace on earth in us. So let's sing our song until that time. Imagine all the people living life in peace. You may say we're dreamers, but we're actually believers. And we're not the only one. We hope that one day you'll join us at a time in which the world will truly be as one.

We hope that one day you'll join us at a time in which the world will truly be as one.