Orlando Grace Church » Matthew Antolick

Why Another Class on Peacemaking? (Part 3 of 3)

Matthew Antolick — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 15:32:27 +0000

Conflict is not just about having an obvious fight, but about the thoughts and intentions we have toward one another, whether verbalized or not. It’s about how to love one another in the way Jesus intends when he tells us in John 13:34-35: “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” And it’s about knowing how to speak the truth in love, as we are told in Ephesians 4:15.

These are some of the things we will be unpacking this quarter: What is conflict? What is at the heart of conflict? What is the connection between conflict and idolatry? How do we ask deep questions? And more. We will not only discuss techniques, we will apply them in at least three separate workshop sessions. And we will be doing all of this in a deeply relevant way.

In addition to watching some great videos, we will study the Bible intensely to see what it has to tell us about our hearts, our relationships with others, what Jesus has to say about them, and the profound potential we all have to transform not only the culture of OGC, but the culture around us.

I hope you can join me, starting this Sunday morning, January 8th, at 9:30AM, in the main sanctuary.

Why Another Class on Peacemaking? (Part 2 of 3)

Matthew Antolick — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 16:28:57 +0000

When I talk about the necessity of peacemaking with people, the number one response I get is “Oh, I’m not in a conflict,” or “I get along with everybody,” etc. I think this is because people think of conflict as a heated argument, shouting match, or big fight. Such events are obvious. We know when we are in one of those, as do the people around us.

The question is this: how do I truly know if I am a peacemaker or a peace-faker when Jeremiah 17:9 tells us “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?” Should we just assume we know what “conflict” means? And if we do not completely understand the meaning “conflict,” how can we know whether we are actually “in” a conflict or not?

What if the actual meaning and presence of “conflict” in our lives runs much deeper than we think? What if “conflict” is more akin to the way Christ describes murder in Matthew 5:21–22?

“You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire.”

It is significant that Christ does not limit murder to the actual striking of a blow or the act that results in the death of another. He focuses instead on the heart, on the level of intentionality. We have no reason to assume the same is not true for conflict. It is even more significant that in the very next line we get one of the most often quoted peacemaking verses in the entire Bible:

“So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift” (Matt. 5:23–24).

There are two major takeaways from this passage. First, We are not even supposed to worship if we think we may be in conflict with another person. Being in conflict also does not mean that only I have something against someone. The way it’s worded here in Verse 23, I’m in conflict when someone has something against me, even if I don’t think there should be a problem. We are required to go to the person even if we think the claim is empty or stupid.

Secondly, and perhaps just as profound, is the connection Christ makes between murder and conflict. He tells us that even if we are angry with a brother, we have already murdered him in our hearts. We are, with regard to the condition of our hearts, in the same position as the person who actually delivers the death blow and stands over the body with the bloody weapon.

(To be concluded in Part 3)

Why Another Class on Peacemaking? (Part 1 of 3)

Matthew Antolick — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 16:38:58 +0000

It’s time for the new quarter of classes at OGC. I’m teaching a class on Peacemaking, but it’s up against some strong contenders — Systematic Theology being one of them. We like our doctrinal studies and Biblical exposition at OGC, as we should. So why shouldn’t everyone just attend the other classes, and forget about this Peacemaker class?

We hear the word “peacemaking” all the time. We are told it is important. But why do we need to learn peacemaking or talk to someone who is skilled in doing peacemaking when we are not even in a “real conflict” with anyone? Are we blowing our need for peacemaking out of proportion? What does this word really mean?

We can start with Jesus. He definitely thought peacemaking was a big deal. He said “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God” (Matt. 5:9). He actually considers how well we make peace as one evidence of our position as his children and disciples. Matthew Henry, in his commentary on this passage, says:

They shall be called the children of God; it will be an evidence to themselves that they are so; God will own them as such, and herein they will resemble him. He is the God of peace; the Son of God is the Prince of peace; the Spirit of adoption is a Spirit of peace. Since God has declared himself reconcilable to us all, he will not own those for his children who are implacable in their enmity to one another; for if the peacemakers are blessed, woe to the peace-breakers! (Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible)

Oh to be a peacemaker, and what a joy it is to be called “blessed…sons of God,” but do we know what peacemaking is? And do we know what “conflict” means? We’ll take a look in Part 2.