Scripture: Matthew 5:9
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the sons of God.
I. WHO is a Peacemaker?
... seeks to influence people to stop hostilities, arguments, quarrels ... lead to peaceful solution.
Peace: Shalom
Maker: person with ability and capacity
A. A Devout Christian
Root: Christ
Stem: -ian
… it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. (Gal 2:20)
- Christ, the Prince of peace (Isa 9:6)
- The Father, the God of peace (Rom 15:33)
B. A Reconciling Ambassador
… an official diplomatic envoy of the highest rank accredited to a foreign government or sovereign as the resident representative of his government. It’s often temporary diplomatic assignment. (Merriam-Webster Dictionary)
Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God. (2 Cor 5:20)
II. WHAT is Peacemaking?
NOT
- keeping or maintaining peace.
Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. (Jn 14:27)
IS
- the divine work of God by which He reconciled with His people
Intertestamental Era: between OT and NT
400-Year Silence: God's voice unheard for 400 years from Prophet Malachi to John the Baptist
Reason: God and His people were estranged
But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, to redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. (Gal 4:4-5)
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. (Rom 1:16)
… in Christ you… brought near by the blood of Christ… our peace… made both one… broken down… wall of separation… abolished… enmity… create…one new man… making peace… reconcile… to God in one body through the cross… putting to death the enmity… He came and preached peace to you… afar off and to those… near. (Eph 2:13-17)
- a Christian ministry of actively producing and directly promoting peace
III. WHY be a Peacemaker
A. A Command
B. A Calling
IV. WHEN to be a Peacemaker
A. Opportunity
- Be diligent
- Be discerning
- Be determined
Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! (Psa 133:1)
B. Availability
If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with ALL men. (Rom 12:18)
V. WHERE to be a Peacemaker
A. At Home
Do you suppose that I came to give peace on earth? I tell you, not at all, but rather division… five in one house will be divided: three against two, and two against three. Father… against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. (Luke 12:51-53)
B. At the Workplace / School
Where there are people, there will be trouble.
In the world, you will have tribulation. (Jn 16:33)
Now the works of the flesh are evident… adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; … those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. (Gal 5:19-21)
C. In the Church
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another. (Jn 13:34-35)
VI. HOW to be a Peacemaker
A. Put on Christ's mind volitionally
For as he thinks within himself, so he is. (Pro 13:7)
Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who … did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant… in the likeness of men… found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. (Phi 2:5-8)
Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. (Mt 28:19)
B. Pay price willingly
C. Practice impartiality
Be quick to hear; slow to speak.
D. Pray earnestly
Do as if everything depends on us. Pray as if everything depends on God.
Reward:
... for they shall be called the sons of God.
sons : huios
- Not gender-biased
- Legitimate, mature heirs
Challenge
1. Be a peacemaker
2. Be an Ambassador of Christ
3. Be a son / daughter of God
Lord make me an instrument of Your peace. Where there is hatred let me sow love. Where there is injury, pardon. Where there is doubt, faith. Where there is despair, hope. Where there is darkness, light. Where there is sadness joy. O Divine master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console. To be understood, as to understand. To be loved, as to love. For it's in giving that we receive. And it's in pardoning that we are pardoned. And it's in dying that we are born to eternal life. - St. Francis of Assisi.
