MAKING PEACE
Posted by: henkf <henkf@...>
THE JOY OF MAKING PEACE
MATTHEW 5:9
Introduction
(1) At Jesus’ birth the host of heaven declared “peace on earth among men”, Lk 2:14
· Jesus came to bring peace to mankind.
· Peace with God - self- each other (supreme peacemaker).
(2) In Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, He taught that we should all follow His example, Mt 5:9.
(3) We will be studying how to be a peacemaker, and the blessing related to it.
I. The Principle:
(1) In order for us to be a “peacemaker” it is important to know what it is.
· “Peace” = not only means the absence of trouble, but also everything which makes for man’s highest good.
· “maker” = one who seeks ways to create peaceful circumstances
(1) Rom 12:18
Rom 14:16-19
(2) Loving peace (absence of strife) doesn’t necessarily make peace.
(3) “The peace of the 7th Beatitude is not the spurious peace of avoiding the issue, but it is the peace that comes from facing the issue no matter what the risk might be” James Tolle
(4) the peacemaker is prepared to suffer for the cause of peace.
· So, the peacemaker removes strife and replaces it with good. Rom 12:17,21 Don’t just desire peace, desire the things which make for peace.
(2) There are three areas where peacemaking is needed (YOU are responsible in each area).
· Between you and God.
(1) Sin separates you from God, thus destroying peace
(2) Is 59:1-2
Rom 5:10
(3) Jesus came to settle the dispute, Col 1:21,22,
II Cor 5:18-19
(4) You must seek the peace God offers—be a peace-maker, Rom 5:1
(5) then truly you can be the son of God, Mt 5:9
(6) Peacemakers help others find this peace.
· Between you and you (inner peace)
(1) there is inner conflict in us all (good vs evil),
Col 5:17
(2) hospitals are full of people who are at war with themselves (and lost!)
(3) the peace maker has learned to make peace within himself with the help of God, Gal 5:24; 2:20
(4) once the inner battle is controlled you can now enjoy the peace that can only be found in Christ,
Phil 4:7, Rom 15:13
(3) Between you and your fellowman (tend to be peace demanders).
(1) we are to be at peace with all men—if it is possible, Rom 12:18.
(2) Some specific relationships where we are to be peacemakers:
· Home
(1) Husband-Wife, Eph 5:22-25
(2) Parent-child, Eph 6:1-4
(3) Child-child, Eph 5:21 (if old enough to be a christian, are old enough to begin to act like one).
· Work
(1) Employees, Eph 6:5-8
(2) Employer, Eph 6:9
· Church
(1) You’d think there would never be discord in the church.
(2) Jesus came to bring peace within the church, Eph 2:14, 17-19
(3) We are to be peacemakers within the church (Rom 16:17-18)
· reprove sin, Mt 18:15-17, II Thess
3:11-16
· be forgiving, Eph 4:31-32
· preserve peace, Eph 4:1-3 (not compromise)
(3) Heb 12:14 - Be a maker and persuer of Peace.
II. The Promise (Reward: not Nobel peace prize)
Does it seem ironic to you that the man responsible for funding the Nobel Peace Prize amassed his fortune by inventing and manufacturing dynamite?
Alfred Bernard Nobel was granted a patent for dynamite in 1867. His will established a trust to provide prizes in the areas of physics, physiology, chemistry, literature and peace. The Nobel peace prize coming from the inventor and manufacturer of dynamite! Jesus would like for you to win that prize. Jesus wants every one of His disciples to be peacemakers! Mt 5:9 Who will win the next Nobel Peace Prize? I don’t know who will, but I know who should:
Jesus. The world has never seen—before or since—a peacemaker like Jesus. And you know what, Jesus wants us to be peacemakers, too.
(1) “sons of God” = Jewish (idiom) phrase meaning “like God”.
(2) God is often referred to as the God of peace.
· He sent His only Son to “make peace” in this world.
· He will say we are “like Him” if we are peacemakers.
(3) The virtue of peacemaking brings its own rewards: happiness - Godliness - peace with God, self and fellowman.
Conclusion:
(1) Why are there wars—turmoil—divorces—murders— confusion—despair?
· The answer is sin.
· Sin has taken peace from this earth.
(2) The blood of Jesus is the only power capable of restoring peace.
· Without it there is no peace with God, self or people around you.
(3) Do you posses the peace that comes only from God?
….
http://www3.sympatico.ca/henkf
…
************************************ Weekly messages of hope and comfort for those who want to learn more about Jesus and His glorious plan for our lives. To find out more about our ministry go to : worldoutreach.ca/sotn.htm visit our "Cartoon Site" www.worldoutreach.ca/DearGod/ ************************************* -- To unsubscribe, send ANY message to: sermonsonthenet-unsubscribe@welovegod.org