Live in Harmony and Peace

Live in Harmony and Peace

(2 Corinthians 13:11-14)

Yearly Theme:  “Peace is…”

Series Title:  “Parting Peace”

November 7^th, 2021

Something to think about:

Parting words, or last words, can be very significant, and can leave a great impact on people.  Today, we’re looking at the closing words of Paul in his second letter to the Corinthian Church.  In order to understand better the importance of these words, it’s necessary that we understand Paul’s relationship with the believers in Corinth.

After combatting false teaching/teachers, and slanderous rumors that were being spread about him to the believers at Corinth, Paul finally concludes his second letter to them with words of encouragement and peace.  Let’s take a closer look today…

2 Corinthians 13:11-14 (NLT),

¹¹ Dear brothers and sisters, I close my letter with these last words: Be joyful. Grow to maturity. Encourage each other. Live in harmony and peace. Then the God of love and peace will be with you.

¹² Greet each other with a sacred kiss. ¹³  All of God’s people here send you their greetings.

¹⁴ May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. [1]

Though they had caused him much pain and strife, Paul’s love for the church at Corinth superseded his anger toward them.  His utmost desire for them is that they would truly learn what it meant to live in peace and harmony with one another.  This leads to our key point this morning…

Key Point:  “If believers in Christ live in harmony and peace, then the GOD of peace will be with them.”

What were Paul’s last words to the believers at Corinth, and how do they apply to us today?

• Be  and grow in  .

2 Corinthians 13:11a (NLT), Dear brothers and sisters, I close my letter with these last words: Be joyful. Grow to maturity.

•  each other and live in  and  .

2 Corinthians 13:11b (NLT), Encourage each other. Live in harmony and peace. Then the God of love and peace will be with you.

• Greet each other with a  .

2 Corinthians 13:12-13 (NLT), ¹²  Greet each other with a sacred kiss. ¹³  All of God’s people here send you their greetings.

Something to take home:

The very last words of Buddha to his disciples were, “Strive without ceasing.”  How different these are to the last words of Jesus who said, “It is finished”[2]

How do you speak to others?  How do you use your words?  Do you speak words of life and encouragement even when speaking the truth in a corrective way?  When you part ways with someone, do you take care for the last words you speak to them?  Do you truly desire to in harmony and peace with others, and if so, how are you actively pursuing this?

We need to take heed of the words we speak because the words we speak can breathe life or death.  Let your words be Christlike and full of love!

Key Point:  “If believers in Christ live in harmony and peace, then the GOD of peace will be with them.”

[1] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (2 Co 13:11–14). Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.

[2] John 19:30