The objective of this lesson: (1) to focus attention on the fact that "the church" is composed of "called out" people; (2) to focus attention on the fact that "the church" is "called out" to peace.
This point was emphasized in lesson two: a basic concept of ekklesia is the "called out." Consciously realize the concept of "called out" requires people in the "called out" to be called from something to something in surrender to a purpose.
The "called out" nature of "the church" was discussed in the second lesson. Review that lesson to focus your thinking (if necessary).
Paul used a "before and after" comparison to stress the lives of Christians reflect a genuine transition and transformation. For example, the "before and after" conversion contrast is used in Ephesians 4:17-5:5. Paul discussed the transition from "before" to "after" in Ephesians 4:24. As the "called out," their new purpose was this: leave ungodly existence and be created anew by God to reflect Him. This statement emphasized the "called out" transition: "for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light" (5:8). Or, "Live daily in all of life as a person who belongs to God."
Paul used this teaching device several times, but one of the most obvious uses is found in Ephesians 4:17-5:5. Call the students' attention to the fact that the connection between the "before" state of the person and the "after" state of the person is found in Ephesians 4:24. Call to their attention that this new state is made possible by God again creating that person. Also call to their attention this new creation includes a new purpose. It restores God's likeness in the person (destroyed by evil) allowing the person to reflect God in righteousness and holiness.
Christians generally agree we are "called out" of evil. However, many need a clearer understanding of the meaning of rejecting an ungodly lifestyle. Basically, the "called out" reject the feelings, attitudes, behaviors, and social pressures that oppose God. In the typical view of American society, it is the "call" to allow God's values to direct daily life rather than allowing society's values to determine attitudes and behavior. The "call" is centered in the person's influences in life and in interactions with people."
Most Christians need a clearer, more accurate concept of being "called out" of an ungodly lifestyle. Point out that a person cannot deliberately choose to continue in an ungodly lifestyle (no resistance in his/her life in ungodliness) and be what God intended in "the church." It is not a matter of meeting human standards or complying with human control. It is the inner striving of the individual, known to God, but at times not obvious to humans. It involves learning God's values and allowing His values to be the primary influence in all of life.
The "called out" of God are called to peace. The word "peace" immediately is associated with numerous concepts and perspectives. Allow Jesus to define his and God's focus when they call us out of evil/darkness/Satan's interests to peace. Perhaps his most insightful commentary on this peace was given to eleven of his twelve disciples. The statement was given the last evening of Jesus' earthly life just prior to his arrest. It occurred in a conversation in John 16:29-33.
The word "peace" reflects numerous concepts to different people. The word itself properly reflects different concepts in its many usages. The challenge is to understand Jesus' concept of his promised peace with the awareness that his concept reveals God's concept.
Perhaps it would be insightful to note the conversation/events found from John 13:31-16:33. These disciples had a stimulating previous week. Jesus returned to the Jerusalem area without catastrophe. The twelve discouraged his return (11:7,8). When he raised Lazarus, Jesus' popularity soared in the area--he could openly teach in Jerusalem without arrest occurring. His popularity convinced the twelve that danger to Jesus had passed--he was untouchable!
It is most insightful to be aware of the twelve's' enormous mood swing in the last days of Jesus' earthly existence. They went from being quite fearful and concerned to being quite confident. The depth of their fear is seen prior to Lazarus' resurrection, and the height of their confidence is seen in their expectations produced by the last week of Jesus' life. They were totally unprepared for Jesus' death--that was not within their expectations! They expected Jesus to become Israel's new king--literally in a physical sense!
Then on the last evening they spent with him, Jesus did and said troubling things. It began when he washed the twelve's feet (13:5-11). After Judas left, he spoke of God being glorified in him (13:31), of their being upset (14:1), of leaving (14:2,3), of their responsibility (14:12-15), of the coming of the Spirit to replace him (14:16-21), of the essential commitment to be a part of him (15:1-11), of their relationship of love to each other (15:12-17), of coming hatred (15:18-25), of coming suffering (16:1-4), and of his impending death (16:16-22).
Many subjects Jesus' discussed in his last private meeting with eleven of the twelve were completely outside their expectations. In fact, much of what he said was in opposition to their expectations. Confusion is the appropriate word to describe their reaction to his "strange thoughts."
The entire conversation confused the eleven men. Jesus' emphasis and their expectations did not mesh! They did not hesitate to state their confusion. Thomas asked, "Where are you going, and why can't we go with you?" (14:5) Judas [not the betrayer] asked about Jesus revealing himself to them and not to those who opposed God (14:22). Some asked, "What is he saying?" (16:17) Some declared, "We do not know what he is talking about!" and wanted to question him (16:18,19).
Their responses in this last discourse and conversation reflect their confusion.
As the conversation ended (16:29-33), the disciples made a dramatic shift. They said they understood and had total confidence in him. Jesus knew their confusion continued and declared they soon would desert him. Then he said they would have peace in him even though they would experience suffering because he had overcome the forces that opposed God.
These eleven men did what we too often do. They pretended to understand and accept things they could not understand, therefore could not accept. In some way, they made what Jesus shared conform to their expectations. Believing people often do that! Jesus knew they were fooling no one but themselves! It was within that context that Jesus talked about their having peace.
Ask, "What was the nature of this promised peace?" Began by noting what that peace was not. (1) It was not based on perfect knowledge or complete insight/understanding. (2) It was not based on every physical expectation and desire being an experienced reality. (3) It was not based on the desirable occurring. (4) It was not based on the acceptance and understanding of others. (5) It was not based on freedom from hurtful opposition. (6) It was not based on freedom from pain. These confused men who would have their current expectations dashed, who would experience numerous undesirable moments, who would be rejected by many important to them, and who would experience pain would soon find peace in Jesus. How is that possible? Do those circumstances and occurrences fit your concept of peace in Jesus Christ?
In this situation, we are more likely to focus on the nature of the peace Jesus promised them by focusing on what that peace was NOT. It is seeing what it was NOT that immediately challenges many of our expectations and concepts.
Note: they would have peace because of him and what he accomplished, not because of them and what they accomplished.
Two things must be seen and stressed: (1) their peace would come when they had a fuller understanding of the meaning of Jesus' Lordship; (2) their peace would come when they realized what God did in Jesus' death. This peace would not depend on their achievements and position, but on God's achievements through Jesus' death and Jesus' position.
What would his death produce? Forgiveness! Redemption! Atonement! Justification! Sanctification! Remember Paul's statement to Corinthian Christians? "But by His [God's] doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, so that, just as it is written, "Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord."
Through Jesus' death God resolved some enduring crises created by evil. Those who place their faith in Jesus as the Christ would have peace because God resolved those problems. God eliminated humans' primary reasons to be afraid. The astounding thing is not what we do, but what God does!
To better focus on Jesus' promise, consider today's multitudes who have so much but live in anxiety and despair. Jesus' peace is not found in possessions, ungodly lifestyles, or personal pleasure and indulgence. It is found in trusting what Jesus does for us that we cannot do for ourselves. Please read Acts 10:34-36; Romans 5:1,2; Philippians 4:7; and Colossians 3:15.
These passages focus on this fact: the peace God gives us through Jesus exists because of the internal changes God produces in us, not the external realities that occur around us.
Christians as "the church" are "called out" from the despair of evil to Jesus' assurances. Peace does not occur because our circumstances change. It occurs because we allow Jesus Christ to change us.
Stress again that the primary peace that occurs in those people who are "the church," or God's "called out," is an internal condition within the believer, not a combination of desirable external conditions. Christians pursue and express peace in other forms because they, as individuals, are at peace with God through Jesus Christ!
Thought Questions:
A core understanding: when God's "called out" people exist in struggle and turmoil as individuals and as a group, they make God's promises through Jesus Christ appear empty and meaningless. While believers may be stressed by their circumstances and grieved by their relationships, the promises of their God allow them to endure confidently. It is what they have within themselves through God that is obviously more powerful than their conditions/circumstances.
Being at peace with God is more important to them than a physical life of peace in a godless society.
In their descriptions, the emphasis should be on matters such as forgiveness, redemption, purification, justification, etc. These things exist within the believer in Christ because of an act of God, not a human achievement.
Link to Student Guide
Lesson 5