PEACEFUL PRACTICES: DIGNITY

Message by Josh Mutter – November 5, 2023

BIG IDEA: To be a peacemaker means that we include action in our dialogue.

Mark 11:15-19 NIV  On reaching Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple courts and began driving out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves, and would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts. And as he taught them, he said, “Is it not written: ‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations’? But you have made it ‘a den of robbers.’” The chief priests and the teachers of the law heard this and began looking for a way to kill him, for they feared him, because the whole crowd was amazed at his teaching. When evening came, Jesus and his disciples went out of the city.

1. Jesus names the wrong for what it is

Jeremiah 7:11 NIV  Has this house, which bears my Name, become a den of robbers to you? But I have been watching! declares the Lord.

2. Jesus disrupts oppressive systems.

a. Dialogue does not exclude action.

b. Dialogue recognizes imbalances of power.

c. Dialogue addresses deep conflicts.

d. Dialogue isn’t always beneficial for everyone.

Love and faithfulness meet together; righteousness and peace kiss each other. – Psalm 85:10 NIV

You can listen to the sermon on YouTube here.

To access the Peaceful Practices guide, click here or go to https://connect.westheights.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Peaceful-Practices.pdf.

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