“Jesus disagreed with a lot of people, but He loved every one of them. That’s something we need to remember in a time when disagreement so often feels like hatred. Our culture has trained us to think that if you don’t see the world my way, I can write you off, cut you off, or cancel you. But that’s not the way of Christ.
Paul said in Romans 12:18, ‘If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.’ And Hebrews 12:14 tells us to ‘pursue peace with everyone, and holiness—without it no one will see the Lord.’ Those aren’t optional extras. They are essential to showing the world who Jesus is.
So today, we want to talk about what it means to be a people of peace. How do we handle disagreement without hatred? How do we resist the cancel culture that’s dividing families, friendships, and even churches? And how can we make sure bitterness doesn’t take root in our hearts? Because in the end, our calling is simple: to be like Jesus—full of truth, but also full of love.”
Christ’s Expectations for Peace
Matthew 5:9 – Peacemakers are blessed and identified as God’s children.
Matthew 5:44 – Love and pray for enemies, not retaliate against them.
Romans 12:18 – As far as it depends on us, live at peace with everyone.
Hebrews 12:14 – Pursue peace and holiness; without these, no one will see the Lord.
Disagreement ≠ Hatred
Jesus disagreed with many—Pharisees, Sadducees, disciples—but He loved them all.
Healthy discipleship means truth spoken with love (Ephesians 4:15).
Our culture confuses disagreement with hostility, but Christians can disagree without dividing.
The Cancel Culture Challenge
Cancel culture thrives on pride and fear: “If you don’t agree with me, you’re out.”
Sadly, this mentality seeps into the church—devouring one another (Galatians 5:15).
True kingdom culture is reconciliation, not cancellation.
The Danger of Bitterness
Example: a social media post where someone “cut off” family over politics, climate change, and faith.
That choice produces isolation, not peace.
Hebrews 12:15 warns against the “root of bitterness” that defiles many.
Cancelling others kills opportunities for influence and gospel witness.
How God’s People Live as Peacemakers
Listen before reacting (James 1:19).
Distinguish between faith and opinion (Romans 14:1).
Speak truth with respect (1 Peter 3:15).
De-escalate conflict (Proverbs 15:1 – gentle answer turns away anger).
Forgive quickly and fully (Colossians 3:13).
Pray for opponents (Matthew 5:44).
Our Witness Depends on It
Pursuing peace shows the world Christ’s character (John 13:35).
Without peace and holiness, others will not see the Lord in us (Hebrews 12:14).
Peace doesn’t erase differences but proves the power of the gospel.
Closing Theme
“Jesus disagreed with a lot of people, but He loved every one of them.”
The model: truth and love together.
The world cancels, but Christ reconciles.
As His people, let’s do everything in our power to live at peace (Romans 12:18).
Closing Remarks
“As we close today, let’s remember what Scripture calls us to. Jesus said, ‘Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God’ (Matthew 5:9). He also said, ‘Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you’ (Matthew 5:44). Paul wrote, ‘If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone’ (Romans 12:18). And Hebrews reminds us, ‘Pursue peace with everyone, and holiness—without it no one will see the Lord’ (Hebrews 12:14).
Jesus disagreed with a lot of people, but He loved every one of them. That’s our model. In a world that cancels and cuts off, we’re called to be people who reconcile and forgive. Peace doesn’t mean compromise on truth, but it does mean treating others with dignity, gentleness, and love—even when we differ.
So let’s not feed bitterness, let’s not add fuel to cancel culture. Instead, let’s show the world a better way—the way of Christ. The way of peace. And when people see that in us, they’ll see the Lord.”