Blessed are the peacemakers

Matthew 5:9

Matthew 5:1-10 1 Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2 and he began to teach them, saying: 3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. 6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. 7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. 8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. 10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

ReviewOur needs:1. Poor in spirit2. Mourn3. Meek

Fulfillment of our needs:4. Hunger and thirst for righteousness

Results of being filled5. Merciful6. Pure in heart7. Peacemakers

Matthew 5:99 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.

What is peace?• Absence of conflict, war• Hebrew word salom - uninjured, safe & sound, whole• Biblically– Prosperity, contentment, anything working toward

safety, security, well-being and happiness,– Peace between God and man, between people

• Equality• Justice– Exodus 23:2-3 2 "Do not follow the crowd in doing wrong.

When you give testimony in a lawsuit, do not pervert justice by siding with the crowd, 3 and do not show favoritism to a poor man in his lawsuit.

What does it mean to be a peacemaker?One of three general ways of dealing with conflict• Escape• Attack• Peacemaking

What does it mean to be a peacemaker?Two main definitions:• Peaceable• Actively makes peace

What does this imply and involve?• Being meek• Having a pure heart• Being merciful

How does one be a peacemaker?Peaceable• Slow to speak, slow to get angry– James 1:19 19 My dear brothers, take note of this:

Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry

How does one be a peacemaker?Peaceable• Slow to speak, slow to get angry• When you speak, use grace filled words– Ephesians 4:29 Do not let any unwholesome talk

come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

– Proverbs 19:11 11 A man's wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense.

How does one be a peacemaker?Peaceable• Slow to speak, slow to get angry• When you speak, use grace filled words• Treat everyone equally– James 2:1 My brothers, as believers in our glorious

Lord Jesus Christ, don't show favoritism.

How does one be a peacemaker?Actively make peace• Take the initiative to make peace– Matthew 5:23-24 23 "Therefore, if you are offering

your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.

– 1 Peter 4:8 8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.

How does one be a peacemaker?Actively make peace• Take the initiative to make peace• Create win/win situations– Philippians 2:4 4 Each of you should look not only to

your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

How does one be a peacemaker?Actively make peace• Take the initiative to make peace• Create win/win situations• Help others make peace with God– 2 Corinthians 5:18-20 18 All this is from God, who reconciled

us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19 that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 20 We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God.

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.

Now

Yet to be

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.

Now• People call us sons of God– Matthew 5:14-16 14 "You are the light of the world.

A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.

Now• People call us sons of God• Holy Spirit tells us we are children of God– Romans 8:16 16 The Spirit himself testifies with our

spirit that we are God's children.

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.

Now• People call us sons of God• Holy Spirit tells us we are children of God

Yet to be• God will treat us as His children