Blessed are the Peacemakers
Notes
Transcript
Intro: If I asked “What does the word peace mean to you?”, I would probably hear some of these responses;
Absence of strife, harmony, tranquility, rest, calm, freedom from disturbance, children sleeping
Jesus is called The Prince of Peace (Isa. 9:6). God is also called the God of peace (Rom. 15:33).
Is there always harmony, calm and the absence of strife when Jesus/God are brought into the conversation?
Text; Mt. 5:9
Matthew 5:9 (NKJV)
9 Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God.
Blessed- is more than happiness, it’s joy in Jesus because you are washed in His blood [bloedsain/ Anglo-Saxon] and therefore have an inner peace in Christ.
What is a peacemaker?
The word peacemaker is made up of two words.
Peace (eirēnē, i-ray'-nay) describes harmonious relationships between God and men, and between people.
Makers (poieō, poy-eh'-oh) is an active verb. To take the initiative, in the context of this scripture means “restoring relationships.”
14 Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord:
Pursue is the key word in this scripture! It is the command to believers in all of life to pursue peace/reconciliation/restoring relationships with men to God and men to men!
2 Corinthians 5:18 (NKJV)
18 Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation,
How do we become peacemakers in such a hostile environment?
1. We have to want to be a Peacemaker; 9a
1. We have to want to be a Peacemaker; 9a
It’s amazing how many christians think that once you are saved, all that Jesus wants you to be just comes automatically/naturally.
12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling;
Hebrews 6:1a (NKJV)
1 Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection,...
There are two areas of responsibility in peacemaking
Peace between men and God- we must be ready/willing to share our faith
13 And who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good?
14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. “And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.”
15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;
The essential fact to comprehend is that the peace about which Jesus speaks is more than the absence of conflict and strife; it is the presence of righteousness. Only righteousness can produce the relationship that brings two parties together. Men can stop fighting without righteousness, but they cannot live peaceably without righteousness. Righteousness not only puts an end to harm, but it administers the healing of love.
MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (1985). Matthew (Vol. 1, p. 211). Moody Press.
The Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ;
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.
17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.”
23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.
10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
15 and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.
Peace between each other- we should pursue peace among men
18 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.
“If it is possible”- There are some people who don’t want peace, and some people you can’t make peace with because of sin. So what are you to do? Leave it in God’s hands and pray!
Matthew 19:23–26 (NKJV)
23 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.
24 And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”
25 When His disciples heard it, they were greatly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?”
26 But Jesus looked at them and said to them, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
Men can do nothing to save a person, but God can!
“As much as depends on you”- peacemaking efforts begin with you not the other person. And each circumstance for peacemaking calls for different methods.
Peacemaking with our kids comes by parents defining boundaries, setting a code of conduct and enforcing discipline if needed. It also involves love and giving praise to our kids in their obedience.
Peacemaking with our friends is being able to keep an open mind to hear them and their point of view, even to receive due criticism from them, but not to compromise your character/standard. Being willing to take a step towards reconciliation and away from anger.
Peacemaking with our spouse is often the most difficult to achieve. It takes a lot of listening, mutual confession, and sometimes outside help to restore and rebuild a love that has been severed or burned.
19 Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another.
20 Therefore “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.”
21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Do not live, act or react as the world does, but like Jesus did!
“Live peaceably with all men”- we need to strive to make peace with all. We need not think about payback or avenging ourselves against those who have wronged us, that’s God’s job! Seek their good through peace!
3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.
Matthew 5:38–41 (NKJV)
38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’
39 But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.
40 If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also.
41 And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two.
1 Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men,
2 for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.
3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior,
4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
We have to want and work diligently to prevent strife and disorder by promoting peace and unity!
2. “Sons of God”; 9b
2. “Sons of God”; 9b
Peacemaking can be difficult work. But, if we persevere in it, we will be called “sons of God” because we will resemble our heavenly Father.
Son of God- Jesus is a peacemaker. God sent His Son to be our mediator, bridging the gap created by our sin and granting us peace with God.
God also said of Jesus, “This is My beloved in whom I am well pleased.”
If we are called “sons of God” then we must be pleasing to the Lord as peacemakers!
Two things about “sons of God”
Sons of God are adopted; The picture of adoption is a beautiful picture of what God does for the Christian. In the ancient world the family was based on a Roman law called “patria potestas,” the father’s power. The law gave the father absolute authority over his children so long as the father lived. He could work, enslave, sell, and if he wished, he could pronounce the death penalty. Regardless of the child’s adult age, the father held all power over personal and property rights.
Therefore, adoption was a serious matter. Yet, it was a common practice to ensure that a family would not become extinct by having no male children. And when a child was adopted, three legal steps were taken.
1. The adopted son was adopted permanently. [eternal security]
2. The adopted son immediately had all the rights of a legitimate son in the new family. [all rights and privileges of a genuine son]
3. The adopted son completely lost all rights in his old family. The adopted son was looked upon as a new person—so new that old debts and obligations connected with his former family were cancelled out and abolished as if they never existed. [sin forgiven]
15 For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.”
Sons of God walk in righteousness
18 Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
Close;
Peacemakers are a lot like farmers. When a farmer plants/sows seed he is actually sowing a harvest [seed multiplies]
When we sow the seeds of peace [Gospel] a harvest of righteousness will be reaped!
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.”
Wretched are those who reject peace, for they will earn the title “sons of Satan.”