Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God,” (Matt. 5:9). But in a world divided by conflict, violence, and war, there is so much that gets in the way. This series delves into some of the common obstacles to peacemaking – complacency, resentment, and violence – leading us first to receive Christ’s peace in our own spirits and then get to the hard work of making peace in the world.
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Week 1: Wade in the Waters | Amos 5:21-24
We love our churches and our Sunday morning worship services. But if going to church is the only way we live out our faith, we are missing something essential: working for the justice that will make God’s kingdom come “on earth as it is in heaven.” The prophets call out this complacency and teach us that living faithfully includes working for justice in the world. www.youtube.com/live/lNqVZ6GoKqA?si=ckIO64xcb0dXJ-vz |
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Week 2: When Resenting is Preventing | Matthew 20:1-16
Resentment can lead to anger and anger to violence. By embracing God’s grace and generosity to us and to others, we can let go of our feelings of entitlement and comparison, allowing true peace to take root in our hearts and extend to our neighbors. |
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Week 3: From Death to Life | Micah 4:1-5
When we turn to God, the Holy Spirit helps us transform instruments that bring death into ones that bring life. When we have the complete peace of God, we no longer desire to take from others by force but are finally content with what we have. |
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Week 4: The Kingdom of God: And Let it Begin with Us | Ephesians 2:14-16
Christ proclaims peace, brings peace and is our peace. Yet, our society is steeped in violence and our own spirits may be riddled with hostility. How do we claim the power and the promise of the cross to tear down the walls that have been constructed —and the walls that we have built? This is our task. The work of peacemaking begins here, with us. |
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Week 1: Embodied Believing
www.youtube.com/live/PSw6CCregRI?si=7WSY8TAah-nNl14I
www.youtube.com/live/PSw6CCregRI?si=7WSY8TAah-nNl14I
Week 2: Casting Nets
www.youtube.com/live/7laDCVprjOs?si=XwE2-FxuyCwry3iA
www.youtube.com/live/7laDCVprjOs?si=XwE2-FxuyCwry3iA
Week 3: Springs of The Living Water
www.youtube.com/live/V0v4QQEecDE?si=2sW5L0WsCoXZafwV
www.youtube.com/live/V0v4QQEecDE?si=2sW5L0WsCoXZafwV
Week 4: A New World
www.youtube.com/live/QWZSjy2DmUk?si=kN0go9aAQpWp4lKA
www.youtube.com/live/QWZSjy2DmUk?si=kN0go9aAQpWp4lKA
Week 5: The Tree of Life
www.youtube.com/live/uIn0wOQ2Wsk?si=3_ukBj5bqVagnY2f
www.youtube.com/live/uIn0wOQ2Wsk?si=3_ukBj5bqVagnY2f
Week 6: Becoming One
www.youtube.com/live/fP_rc5KW4Pc?si=RosA-rW2P2vtibyD
www.youtube.com/live/fP_rc5KW4Pc?si=RosA-rW2P2vtibyD