The Peace Of Christ - Making Peace With Mankind

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                         "THE PEACE OF CHRIST"

                       Making Peace With Mankind

INTRODUCTION

1. We began this series by defining peace as...
   a. "a state of harmony, tranquility"
   b. "the absence of hostility, the absence of mental stress or
      anxiety"
   c. In the NT, often referring to the inner tranquility and poise of
      the Christian whose trust is in God through Christ - Nelson's New
      Illustrated Bible Dictionary

2. Our first lesson introduced Jesus as "The Prince Of Peace", in which
   we stressed...
   a. Not everyone enjoys peace
   b. Jesus came to bring peace
   c. The peace that Jesus offers entails many things

3. Our second lesson then discussed "Making Peace With God"...
   a. How sin alienates man from the God of peace
   b. How Jesus offers peace with God through justification and
      reconciliation
   c. How peace with God can be enjoyed through obedience to the gospel
      of Christ

[As "The Prince Of Peace", Jesus offers more than just peace with God.
He also offers the only real solution for "Making Peace With Mankind".
To understand how, let's first consider...]

I. THE NEED FOR PEACE AMONG MANKIND

   A. WE LIVE IN WORLD OF DIVERSITY...
      1. Racial differences (e.g., white, African-American, Asian)
      2. Ethnic differences (e.g., Hispanic, Oriental)
      3. Political differences (e.g., conservative, liberal, moderate)
      4. Economic differences (e.g., poor, wealthy)
      5. Lifestyle differences (e.g., simple, extravagant)
      6. Gender differences (e.g., male, female)
      -- Amazingly diverse is the world in which we live

   B. DIVERSITY OFTEN LEADS TO HOSTILITY...
      1. Racial differences can lead to racism
      2. Ethnic differences can lead to prejudice
      3. Political differences can lead to wars
      4. Economic differences can lead to envy
      5. Lifestyle differences can lead to arrogance
      6. Gender differences can lead to harassment
      -- Such diversity often contributes to the lack of peace

[Peace between mankind is greatly needed.  But Jesus did not die just to
help man make peace with God, but that there might also be peace between
mankind...]

II. JESUS DIED TO MAKE PEACE FOR MANKIND

   A. BEFORE HIS DEATH, THERE WAS DIVISION...
      1. Between Jews and Gentiles (non-Jews)
      2. The nation of Israel was God's elect people - cf. Deut 10:15;
         14:2
      3. The Gentiles did not enjoy the blessings of Israel - Ep 2:11-12
      -- While temporary and foreordained by God, there was division
         nonetheless

   B. JESUS DIED TO END DIVISION...
      1. To bring Gentiles near, through His blood (His death on the
         cross) - Ep 2:13
      2. To make peace, breaking down the dividing wall (the Law) - Ep
         2:14-15; cf. Col 2:14-17
      3. To reconcile both Jews and Gentiles to God as one new man - Ep
         2:16-18
      -- Jesus died not only to reconcile man to God, but man to man!

[Because of His death on the cross, real peace between mankind is now
possible.

III. THE PEACE JESUS OFFERS MANKIND

   A. WHERE DISTINCTIONS PALE...
      1. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female
         - Ga 3:28
      2. Salvation is available to all through Christ - Ga 3:28b-29; cf.
         Ac 15:11
      3. We can all be fellow-citizens, God's family, God's building
         - Ep 2:19-22
      4. This does not preclude differences in various roles - cf. Col 3:
         11,18-19,22; 1Co 14:34-37
      -- Jesus makes it possible for all to be citizens of the
         kingdom of God!

   B. WHERE ACCEPTANCE ABOUNDS...
      1. We receive those weak in faith, and bear their infirmities - Ro
         14:1; 15:1
      2. We seek to worship God with one mind and one voice - Ro 15:5-6
      3. We receive one another, as Christ received us! - Ro 15:7
      -- Jesus makes it possible for us to serve and praise God
         together!

CONCLUSION

1. Again, Jesus died to break down divisions...
   a. The division between God and man, making peace with God
   b. The division between man and man, making peace for mankind

2. What distinctions exist are diminished...
   a. No matter our earthly citizenship, we are fellow citizens - Ep
      2:19; Php 3:20
   b. Men and women may have different roles, yet can be fellow workers
      - Php 4:3
   c. Husbands and wives have different responsibilities, yet are fellow
      heirs - 1Pe 3:7
   d. We are all one in Christ! - Ga 3:28

Just as Jesus is the only one who can truly make peace with God, so He
is the only one who can truly make peace for mankind...!

   "To give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death,
   to guide our feet into the way of peace." - Lk 1:79
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