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Church of the Nazarene – Harrisonburg

Learning & Unlearning:

The Polarized World

In every single one of your relationships, bring the peace of Christ with you.

Series Purpose:

We must gain a perspective on how living as a Christian may be different now that we are, for the most part, on the “other side” of the pandemic. We will grasp that there are things to “unlearn” – setting aside old ideas – and “learn” gaining new understanding for real outreach and discipleship post COVID.

Today’s focus:

This world is more divided, more polarized than ever before. And in the midst of the turmoil, our Savior declares: “Blessed are the peacemakers.”

A recent international study declared emphatically: “No established democracy in recent history has been as deeply polarized as the U.S.”

In the midst of this polarized world, we must ask the Lord, “what is my mission?”‭‭

Matthew‬ ‭5:3-10‬‬

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Here’s the word of the Lord Himself to those living in a divided world:”

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”

What is a peacemaker?

To be a peacemaker is to love and obey the Prince of Peace, know His gift of peace and diligently share it with others.

1. Peacemakers take action.-Peacemakers are involved in the action of healing and restoring.-Peacemakers don’t avoid conflict. While they certainly don’t try to create conflict, they are so committed to this idea of seeing God’s peace enter into the lives of others that they are willing to endure conflict.‭‭

2 Corinthians‬ ‭5:16-20‬‬

So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.

2. Peacemakers reconcile (people with God & themselves with others)-Peacemakers carry a burden for a broken world and desperately want every person to be reconciled to God, the Prince of Peace.-Peacemakers extend the call of reconciliation a step further: reconciliation with each other.-If we are passionate about seeing all people reconciled with God, then we also are passionate to see people reconciled with one another.

3. Peacemakers build bridges (and not barriers)-Peacemakers never have permission to ‘write off’ someone else in their life. They see the disruption and polarization around us as a divine opportunity.

Bottom Line:

In every single one of your relationships, bring the peace of Christ with you.Verses for further study/reflection:

Proverbs 12:20

Romans 14:19

Romans 12:18

Genesis 13:8-9

Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.

James 3:18

Church of the Nazarene – East Rock

Learning & Unlearning: Peacemakers

Learning and Unlearning Part 3‭‭Luke‬ ‭9:52-55‬‬And he sent messengers on ahead, who went into a Samaritan village to get things ready for him; but the people there did not welcome him, because he was heading for Jerusalem. When the disciples James and John saw this, they asked, “Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to destroy them?” But Jesus turned and rebuked them.

In this scene, we see Jesus acting as Peacemaker.

Jesus didn’t run from that tension, he stood firm on the kingdom truth that his followers were to love their enemies.

That’s Jesus. The reconciler, the mediator, the peacemaker for you and for me.

A Peacemaker is not only who Jesus is, it is who he invites us to be within our tumultuous world.

Welcome back to our teaching series “Learning and Un-learning”

Within this series we are trying to see the importance and the necessity of believers and the church adapting to the changes and disruptions in our world.

I know you might be thinking that we are trying to change the message… that’s not it at all. In fact, the best news we can share is that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever. That alone is news worth sharing!

The point of this series is that we want to see how we are to live out the timeless truths of scripture in our ever-changing world.

Paul’s ministry wasn’t quite the same as Peter’s and the evangelists of 19th century America didn’t have the same issues to face that we have today. The question is, are we, the church, ready for such a time as this?‭‭

Matthew‬ ‭5:3-10

‬‬“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Any genuine reader of scripture will quickly realize within our teaching text, that this is no ordinary way of living. In fact, it’s pretty much exactly opposite of the way the world operates. And friends, that’s the point of the sermon on the mount, it reveals the “upside-down” nature of the kingdom of God.

So, the teachings we find here are not optional accessories for the fashionable Jesus believer.

They are not given as extra credit options for those who need a better grade on their eternal report card. These are the key features, the elements, the ingredients, the essentials of what it means to be a Christian.

It’s within these first few verses that we find Jesus pronouncing blessing, joy, fulfillment, on those who are peacemakers.‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭5:18-20‬‬All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.

As peacemakers in 2022, we share in the same ministry of the Apostle Paul.

The call of Jesus to be Peacemakers in our world should cause us to ask a few questions in reflection:

1. Do I have this peace in my own heart?

2. Am I living as a peacemaker or only a peacekeeper?

3. Finally, where do I begin?

Verses for further study/reflection:

Proverbs 12:20

Romans 14:19

Romans 12:18

Genesis 13:8-9

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Church of the Nazarene – Harrisonburg

Learning & Unlearning: Compassion

Compassion may be what the people around you need most.

Can they count on it from you?

Series Purpose:

We must gain a perspective on how living as a Christian may be different now that we are, for the most part, on the “other side” of the pandemic. We will grasp that there are things to “unlearn” – setting aside old ideas – and “learn” gaining new understanding for real outreach and discipleship post COVID.

Today’s focus:

It’s been said that we are living in a “desert of empathy” or “drought of compassion.” As believers, we may be the only source of love and compassion left in our day-to-day world.-Compassion is at an all-time low in our society. Researchers have begun to use the term ‘compassion fatigue’ to describe this widespread decline in the ability to feel and act from a place of compassion.-One researcher states it this way, “Essentially, compassion fatigue disturbs the ability to think clearly, modulate emotions, feel effective, and maintain hope.”‭‭Matthew‬ ‭24:12‬‬Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold,‭‭

Mark‬ ‭6:30-34‬‬

The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught. Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place. But many who saw them leaving recognized them and ran on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them. When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things.

Jesus begins teaching – out of a heart of compassion. Compassion is his initial response. He leads with compassion.

If Jesus’s response is compassion, what is ours?

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭22:34-40‬‬

Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”-We can never escape the fact that, Jesus couldn’t give just one – Love God.

He had to give the second (remember, He was only asked for “the greatest.”).-Jesus is saying that ‘all the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments’. All the truth of God hangs on these together.

Bottom Line:

Compassion may be what the people around you need most.Can they count on it from you?Verses for further study/reflection:

Colossians 3:12-13

Matthew 14:14

1 Peter 3:8

“Compassion costs. It is easy enough to argue, criticize, and condemn, but redemption is costly, and comfort draws from the deep. Brains can argue, but it takes heart to comfort.

“Samuel Chadwick”

Compassion is sometimes the fatal capacity for feeling what it is like to live inside somebody else’s skin. It is the knowledge that there can never really be any peace and joy for me until there is peace and joy finally for you too.”

Frederick Buechner

“Compassion will cure more sins than condemnation.”

Henry Ward Beecher

Church of the Nazarene – East Rock

Learning & Unlearning:

Compassion

Compassion may be what the people around you need most.

Can they count on it from you?‭‭

Matthew‬ ‭24:12‬‬

Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold,

What does this mean for us today? Those who call Christ Lord? What does it mean to you?

It’s all too easy to give into the currents of the world around us, to allow our love for our neighbor to fade amidst the disruption of our world.

But today, It is not hyperbole to suggest that compassion, love in action, may be the single greatest need of those around us.And His most important demand of the church.

As we continue in with Part 2 of our series, Learning and Un-learning, we will see that Jesus’ heart has always been one of compassion, and he is inviting us to re-learn what that means in our world.‭‭

Mark‬ ‭6:30-34‬‬

The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught. Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place. But many who saw them leaving recognized them and ran on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them. When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things.

Jesus likened the crowd that day to sheep without a shepherd, here is a glimpse behind that analogy..

Sheep without a shepherd have no protection from predators, they struggle to find pasture or water, the most basic of their needs.

They move about aimlessly, separating from the flock, getting lost, getting into trouble.

Sheep have been known to follow one another other over cliffs as they wander.

They get bored and are prone to wander off, following interest in random things.

But, mostly, and frankly, sheep without a shepherd are eventually dead.

It doesn’t take much imagination to see that the crowd Jesus engaged is not so different from our world today.

So, the question confronts us today friends, if in those moments, compassion was His response, what might ours be?‭‭Mark‬ ‭6:35-43‬‬By this time it was late in the day, so his disciples came to him. “This is a remote place,” they said, “and it’s already very late. Send the people away so that they can go to the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat.” But he answered, “You give them something to eat.” They said to him, “That would take more than half a year’s wages! Are we to go and spend that much on bread and give it to them to eat?” “How many loaves do you have?” he asked. “Go and see.” When they found out, they said, “Five—and two fish.” Then Jesus directed them to have all the people sit down in groups on the green grass. So they sat down in groups of hundreds and fifties. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to his disciples to distribute to the people. He also divided the two fish among them all. They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces of bread and fish.Jesus didn’t ask his disciples for food for 5 thousand men, he only asked for what they had.

Today, Jesus is not asking you or me for something we don’t have- He is asking us to bring him what we do have and allow him to bless and multiply it.

Can we give a few hours of our week to serve at Boys and Girls club, maybe at the food bank or the clothes closet?

Will I commit to the Lord my tithe’s and offerings to be used in his Kingdom work?

Can I use my work gloves to help out with someone’s lawn?

Or donate some of my time, and a little bit of strength to help a neighbor move?

The truth is friends, we all have something we can give, we all have something the Lord can receive, bless, and multiply in his compassionate response to our world.

Will we commit to un-learning and re-learning what it can mean for us to be a compassionate presence in our world?

Verses for further study/reflection:

Colossians 3:12-13

Matthew 14:14

1 Peter 3:8

http://bible.com/events/48949041

Church of the Nazarene – Harrisonburg & East Rock

Learning & Unlearning

You are alive right now for a reason. Are you ready?Series Purpose:

We must gain a perspective on how living as a Christian may be different now that we are, for the most part, on the “other side” of the pandemic. We will grasp that there are things to “unlearn” – setting aside old ideas – and “learn” gaining new understanding for real outreach and discipleship post COVID.

In 2021, a Pew Research Study issued the results of a study of nearly 10,000 Americans, asking how their lives have been impacted in the wake of a global pandemic.-40% of people reported a negative impact on personal relationships-28% reported a negative impact on their physical or mental health-23% said it negatively impacted their job-22% said it negatively impacted their personal finances

God’s Truth is unchanging no matter what happens around us.-God cannot change because He is perfect, pure and everlasting.-“Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8)-“Heaven and earth will pass away but my words will never pass away”

(Matthew 24:35)

At the same time, It would be irresponsible for us to ‘pretend’ that the world around us is returning back to “normal”.

This series was birthed out of a passion to see the church be faithful in these days.‭‭

John‬ ‭17:13-19‬‬“

I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them. I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.2 important truths from Jesus’ prayer:

1. We [His followers] are “not of the world”2. We [His followers] are “sent into the world”‭‭

Matthew‬ ‭5:13-14

‬‬“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.

You are the only salt and light the world will ever have – you can be faithful in that, or not.3 specific ways we are called to be learning & unlearning:1. We are a powerfully compassionate people2. We are peacemakers in a fractured world3. We are recommitted to one another

Bottom Line:

You are alive right now for a reason. Are you ready?

Verses for further study/reflection:

Hebrews

13:8Psalm 100:5

Isaiah 40:8

Psalm 102:27