Sermon # 18 - Peace-Makers Series

We read in Jonah 1:15, “And they lifted Jonah up and threw him out into the sea; and the sea ceased from its raging.” (AFV)

The background to this verse is that a sea-voyage which commenced peacefully, with the hopes of a tranquil journey, was suddenly confronted with a furious and violent storm. As the ship passed through this tempest, those aboard that ship were filled with dread and realized that the storm was unmanageable. Somehow, in the midst of this fierce storm they concluded that someone on that ship was responsible for this crisis. When the mariners cast lots, they discovered that Jonah was the one who was the wrong-doer. They questioned Jonah, and found out that Jonah was disobedient to God’s word to go to Nineveh, and was fleeing from God in the opposite direction to Tarshish. Jonah agreed with the men that the calamity they encountered, was on account of him, and that he was to blame for the crisis they faced.

When Jonah suggested that he be thrown aboard the ship, the men on that ship were hesitant, and did their best to try, and get the ship to safety, so they could save Jonah’s life. As all their efforts failed they had no choice, but to cast Jonah into the sea. No sooner did they do so, that the sea became completely calm and serene. The ship was able to continue its journey with no peril whatsoever. It was evident to all that one man Jonah, was responsible for the huge calamity that came upon the entire ship and everyone on board.

Most of us may know of that one person in our family, work place or even in the church who will be the main cause for trouble and dissension. Many might have had this experience in their place of work. There will be that person who does not fulfill the duties entrusted to him or her, and when the higher official calls them in for clarification, they will come out, and rally together a group around them to justify themselves, and make the superior look a bad person. They will cause confusion at the work place, when there is absolutely no need to do so. So also, in the family there are those who cannot bear the thought of family members being united, and will interfere to cause discord. Then there are those who if they are aware of some serious issue between a husband and wife, will subtly try to turn one against the other. Sadly, even in the church there are those who will even misconstrue the word that is being preached, and make another member feel that the sermon was targeted towards them. This will often result in confusion and division among the members in the congregation.

Blessed are the peace makers

In this message we will analyze ourselves to see if we are instruments of peace, or those who create discord in the places where God has kept us. We should be cautious to never be those who are the cause for any sort of division or disunity in any place. If we have been such, we should repent, and remember that Jesus came into this world to transform us to be those who will be more like Him in every way.

We read in Matthew 5:9, "How blessed are those who make peace, because it is they who will be called God's children!” (ISV)

If we want to have the reputation that we are God’s children, we should make every effort to be at peace, and make peace with everyone. As children of God we will have differences and will certainly have conflict with others. There was no one who could have been a better leader than the Lord Jesus Himself. However, though the disciples of Jesus were just twelve in number, even they had difference of opinion in various matters. They had arguments as to who would be greatest among them, and had differences in many other matters too.

It is good to analyze ourselves to see if we are those who cause discord, or those who bring peace in the situations that we find ourselves in. Differences are bound to come, but as children of God we are called to be peace-makers, whether it is in our families, work place or the church we worship in. Many families are divided, simply because there is one family member who instigates these quarrels and divisions among others in the family. If we are such we should pray and ask God to forgive us, and change us to be those who are peace-makers.

Barnabas was a peace-maker

We read in Acts 9: 26-28, After Saul arrived in Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples. But everyone was afraid of him. They wouldn’t believe that he was a disciple. Then Barnabas took an interest in Saul and brought him to the apostles. Barnabas told the apostles how Saul had seen the Lord on the road and that the Lord had spoken to him. Barnabas also told them how boldly Saul had spoken about the one named Jesus in the city of Damascus. Then Saul went throughout Jerusalem with the disciples. He spoke boldly with the power and authority of the Lord. (GW)