Down With The Walls Series

1. Berlin Wall

Under the cover of darkness on Aug. 13, 1961, a wire barricade was stretched the middle of Berlin. It ended up 28 miles long and became one of the most controversial boundary lines of the 20th century. It eventually became known as the “Berlin Wall.” It was the symbol of the border between Communism and Capitalism; oppression and freedom; control vs. creativity.

After the wall was built, a mine field was place on the east side, not to keep people from entering the east side but to keep people from leaving

People by the 1000’s left the east and headed west because it was sensed that the east was oppressive and freedom lay to the west. Many were beaten, jailed even shot.

The wall itself was a symbol of something much bigger; different ideologies that separated those who were free from those that were in bondage.

On June 12, 1987 (70 years after the Socialist takeover of Russia) President Ronald Reagan gave a speech at the Berlin Wall. Mr. Gorbachev, open this gate. Mr. Gorbachev...Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!

2. Walls Divide Us:

a. Jew and Gentiles – Ephesians 2:11-14 (especially verses 13-14 “Soreg”)

11 Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called “the uncircumcision” by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands— 12 remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14 For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility

b. The Mundane – Sports – OU vs. OSU; Thunder vs. GS

c. Serious – Politics and philosophies – capitalism and socialism

d. Racial – Gandhi heard about our Jesus and he liked what he heard. So he went to church one Sunday. But he didn’t look like they did. And he didn’t act like they did. And he didn’t talk like they did. So they told him to go on down the street to a church that was “like him.” He reportedly said: “If this how Christians treat others I might as well remain a Hindu.”

e. Denominational – For many years a large silver star adorned the top of the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem. Back in the 1800’s, the Roman Catholic Church, which shares a part of the building with a Greek Orthodox Church, decided to take down the Silver Star & replace it with their own star. But the Greek Orthodox Church refused to let them.

The Greek Orthodox Church was supported by Russia, & the Roman Catholic Church was supported by France. But it was Turkey who actually ruled over Palestine at that time. When Turkey sided with the Roman Catholic Church, Russia declared war on Turkey. France & England allied themselves with Turkey, & fought the Crimean War (1853 – 1856). At the end of that war the star came down.

f. Status – rich/poor; white-blue collars; tattoos & piercings vs. non; suits/casual

3. Walls Exist Everywhere – Internal Ones and External Ones – to keep others (including God) OUT!

4. For the sake of peace and the One who brings peace, tear down our walls!

I. Tearing Down the Walls Begins Internally

Lucy from Peanuts, “I hate everything, I hate everybody, I hate the whole wide world!” Charlie Brown says, “But I thought you had inner peace?” “I do, but I also have outer obnoxiousness.”

Colossians 3:15, “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.”

A. It Brings Peace with God – Ephesians 2:13 (NCV) But now in Christ Jesus, you who were far away from God are brought near through the blood of Christ’s death.

B. It Brings Peace with Others – Ephesians 2:17-19 Christ came and preached peace to you who were far away from God, and to those who were near to God. 18 Yes, it is through Christ we all have the right to come to the Father in one Spirit. 19 Now you who are not Jewish are not foreigners or strangers any longer, but are citizens together with God’s holy people. You belong to God’s family.

C. It Brings Peace Beyond Comprehension – Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

II. Tearing Down the Walls Is Intentional – Matthew 5:9 (NLT)

God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God.