Don't Keep Peace, Make It.

Sermon on the Mount  •  Sermon  •  Submitted   •  Presented   •  34:53
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Matthew 5:9 is somewhat the pinnacle of verses 7-9. As believers we are to be peacemakers, not peacekeepers. What do we mean by that? Listen to todays message and find out!

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***TALK ABOUT BABY DEDICATIONS COMING UP***

Intro

The real story of Tisquantum (Squanto)

Wrap-up Story

We all have this same choice at different times in our lives.
We’ve just been wronged, there was injustice, we don’t agree on petty things and so we choose to do one of two things.
1) Shut down and let resentment stir up inside of us
2) Become bitter, seek revenge and lash out
Our passage today, Matthew 5:9 will help us to understand what it looks like to be a true peacemaker.
We often mix up a peacemaker with a peacekeeper.
We’ll look at this concept in a few minutes.
(SLIDE) READ MATTHEW 5:9
Matthew 5:9 NIV
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

PRAY

SHOCK TO THE PEOPLE

What Jesus was saying here in this passage was probably a shock to his Jewish audience.
The thought that the coming kingdom at this point of the Messiah was to be a military one, a national one, a political and materialistic one.
Jesus reminded them by saying Matthew 5:9 and He must’ve started it off by sounding something like this:
“No, no you got it all wrong. You don’t understand… Blessed are the peacemakers. My kingdom is not of this world. If it were then my citizens would be fighting for this sort of thing. But it’s not that- you are entirely wrong in your whole outlook.”
William Barclay, a theologian and commentator, wrote that there were 3 common interpretations of this certain passage.
Being a peacemaker is pursuing action to make the world a better place to live in. Abraham Lincoln once said, “Die when I may, I would like it to be said of me that I always pulled up a weed and planted a flower where I thought a flower would grow.” So the first interpretation is that we are responsible for making this world a better place for everyone.
People make peace in their own heart, within their own soul because there is always inner conflict between food and evil. So blessed are those who have given their hearts fully to God and figured this out.
Jewish Rabbi’s held that the highest task that anyone could is to establish “right relationships” with others. And that is exactly what Jesus is referring to in Matthew 5:9.
Some people thrive on being the center of things. The center of storms. Drama, trouble, bitterness just to stir the people up around them. You may think, yea! That’s me, people are always causing drama around me and I do nothing… I got news for you. If drama, storms and conflict seems to be everywhere around you, maybe you’re part of the bigger issue in your relationships. The people who attract or create these storms, troubles and conflicts are troublemakers, not peacemakers. They are not doing God’s work but instead helping out the enemy accomplish mayhem.
On the other hand there are those people who are following Christ, who may have occasional storms, however pursue peace, bitterness and resentment can’t set in them for long because they are filled by God, they desire to heal burned bridges and troubled waters in relationships and engage in this peace on the front line. And they know this is all for God’s glory and fulfilling the ministry of reconciliation. 2 Corinthians 5:18-20
2 Corinthians 5:18–20 NIV
All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 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.
See the blessings apply to those who are peacemakers. Not peace-lovers.
It’s one thing to say you love something, it’s another to prove it by your actions.
Many think they love peace when they’re actually creating future trouble for themselves and others.
What do I mean by this?
They avoid conflict for the sake of “keeping the peace”. Remember we said earlier that peacemakers are not peacekeepers? And the title today is “Don’t keep peace, make it?”
So these people love the idea of peace so they let things go and let resentment stir.
They refuse to face the situation and take action which the situation demands.
The peace that God offers us is not from avoiding issues but facing them.
These problems or issues in life seem so overwhelming we thinnk it’s better to let them go but it’s not.
These issues are God sized and they demand a God sized peace.
(SLIDE)
Philippians 4:7–8 NIV
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
When issues seem endless, impossible or daunting, good. Give them to the Lord and trust His direction and that he will give you the right words.
We need God’s peace, not a world one.
We often leave relationships so easily today (marriages, friendships, churches, families… because it seems to be the easy way out BUT it does not promote or result in true peace, as God desires for us.
MEEK> PURE IN HEART > PEACEMAKERS
If you think about it, Jesus’ transition from being meek, to pure in heart, to peacemaking is a perfect one.
We can’t be pure in heart and filled by God if we are not meek and humble toward Him or others, and we can not be a peacemaker if we are not both meek and pure in heart before God and others.
Andy did an excellent job last week. I continue to be amazed by him and his love for God’s Word, serving and everyone of you. He and Steve both have been such a blessing to me and many of you over the years. We are a blessed church.
There are two verses I’d like to look at before we transition to the last part of Matthew 5:9 and they are James 3:18 and Romans 14:19.
They offer us two important truths.
Peacemakers sow peace to harvest righteousness. They know that the effort and intentionality to reconcile with others is worth the eternal gain.
Peacemakers realize that peace leads to edification of others. It helps others grow in Christ as they see God working through your character. It multiplies the blessing so to speak.
James 3:18 NIV
Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.
Romans 14:19 NIV
Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.
I know, there’s that annoying little brother or elephant that’s been in the room ever since I said the word peacemaker.
We all have that person, family or uncle in our life that we’ve tried and tried everything to make peace with.
It seems like you’ve exhausted yourself and can’t do anything else.
I don’t have all the answers for you, but I will give you this...
READ ROMANS 12:17-21
In the end, you can not make peace or have the best relationship with everyone, but you can be kind and respectful.
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”
Let’s look at some practical things to do regarding being a peacemaker:
Learn to control your tongue
(SLIDE)
James 1:19
James 1:19 NIV
My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,
We love to lash out and get the last word. Don’t.
In fact, don’t speak at all if you get to that point.
We love to gossip about the person that wronged us.
Don’t, in fact… pray for them.
2. View every situation in light of the gospel.
We should not speak but instead, think.
Ask yourselves
“what are the implications of me speaking?”
“what is cause of all this?”
“how will speaking affect my relationship with this person, the family, the church, an organization, my workplace, etc.?”
“how will this look to the people who are dependent on me? To the people watching my character- my children?”
See our response can be selfish or it can be humble and purposeful.
3. Simply put- be positive and go look for means and methods to make peace.
a. When we love our enemies we are showing we love God. When we hate our enemies we are giving glory to and helping Satan accomplish victory.
4. We should strive to diffuse trouble with peace wherever we are.
a. We should act selfless, lovable, approachable, having integrity and being respectful. We want people to feel comfortable to come to us and to approach us about anything. This create a way for reconciliation and restoration in a relationship.

CHILDREN OF GOD

Hebrews 13:20–21 NIV
Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Jesus came to earth to die for us to establish an eternal relationship. One that the world does not understand but only God can reveal to us when we put our trust in Him.
God created peace with us through His son Jesus.
READ COLOSSIANS 1:15-23
READ EPHESIANS 2:13-18
Matthew 5:9 ends with “they will be called children of God”
This translates to “sons of God”
In the NT people would not necessarily be described with an adjective but instead be called something like this:
if someone was an encourager to others they would be considered a son of encouragement. (Barnabas was called this)
if someone was a comfort to others they would be called a “son of comfort”.
So if we are peacemakers, Jesus says we are sons (and includes women as daughters) of God. In general we would be considered “children of God”.
In other words, we are doing a Godlike act by being a peacemaker.

SOURCE OF PEACE

God is the source of our peace.
“For I know the thoughts I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.”
Jesus, is our Savior and prince of peace
READ (Isaiah 9:6)
The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of peace that works in our lives.
READ (Galatians 5:22)

CLOSING

READ EPHESIANS 2:14-22

FUNERAL REMINDER

Yesterday we went up to Burney for a celebration of life service for one of my best friend’s dad.
It was actually one of the best memorial services I’ve ever been to and walked away encouraged.
Alisha and I both felt that way as we were driving back home.
One thing that I really walked away with was that my friend’s dad Larry just loved people.
He didn’t focus on the petty issues but did what he had to do to make peace with people and love people.
As we look back on this verse Matthew 5:9 we need to understand that God values relationships and how we treat one another.
In fact, relationships are the only thing we will take with us beyond this life, not material possessions.
(SLIDE)
Romans 12:18
Romans 12:18 NIV
If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
Matthew 5:9 NIV
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
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