Blessed Are the Peacemakers

Matthew 5:1 -- 12

Introduction

1.      review of the Beatitudes -- Matthew 5:3 – 9

2.      gear shifts have three positions, reverse, neutral and forward -- the same is true with respect to peace, there are peace breakers, peacekeepers, and peacemakers

3.      since Christians are the "salt of the earth", it is evident that God intends that we have an effect upon the world in which we live -- God wants us to be peacemakers  

Discussion

1.      Sources of trouble and conflict that destroy the peace (these come from my own experiences)

a.       the turmoil that comes as a result of sin - see for example Cain (Genesis 4: 1 -- 9), King Saul (1 Samuel 16:14)  

b.      the turmoil that comes from a loss of material things - see for example Job 3: 1 – 10; Luke 12: 13 – 15  

c.       the turmoil that comes from what others do to us -see Luke 9:51 – 54  

d.      the turmoil that comes from what we do to others - David (Psalm 51:1 -- 13)  

2.      Peace is possible because of the commands, promises and actions of God

a.       peace through God's commands - Psalm 119:50, 92  

b.      peace through God's promises - Psalm 29:11; Isaiah 26:3  

c.       peace through God's actions - Matthew 11:28 -- 30; Philippians 4:7  

3.      The role of the peacemaker

a.       the peacemaker must first of all understand why there is no peace - whether it is oneself or another, the way to peace begins by inquiring into the circumstances that have brought trouble  

b.      the peacemaker must know the solutions that God offers - there can be no lasting peace without knowing the word of God, what it says to do, what it says to believe and what it says about calming the storms of life  

c.       the peacemaker must apply those solutions to the problem at hand - neither understanding the trouble nor knowing the way out that God has provided can bring peace without change to follow the word of God  

Conclusion

1.       since peacemakers will be called "sons of God," and this is a title used for every Christian (Galatians 3:26) it is evident that God intends for all of us to be peacemakers

2.      we are peacemakers because we want to bring peace to others

3.      we are peacemakers because we have made our peace with God