Blessed are the Peacemakers

Introduction:
The Jews were looking for anything but peace. Jesus dashed their hopes of a Messiah coming to rid them of Roman oppression. He spoiled their idea of having a material kingdom with the Jews being the “master” race. In short, Jesus was not what people expected. See Lk. 7:19 and John 6:1-15. In 5:9 Jesus says that peacemakers shall be called sons of God. Becoming a peacemaker is a natural result of being poor in spirit, sorrowful for sin, and meek. Indeed, the beatitudes are a description of what a saved person is to be! We must be working to make sure these qualities are in our lives. What exactly is “peace?” What exactly is a “peacemaker?”

I. A look at “peace” as found in God’s word.
    A. “Peace”—freedom from ________; disagreements; harmonious relations; calm; ______; peace of mind.
        1. “Peaceful” - not quarrelsome; free from ________________; calm; serene.
    B. What is God’s attitude toward peace?
        1. 1 Cor. 14:33; Rom. 15:33; 16:20; 2 Cor. 13:11; Heb. 13:20; 1 Thess. 5:23; Phil. 4:9…
        2. He is the God of _______________!
        3. He hates those who seek to destroy peace! See Prov. 6:14, 16-19.
    C. Jesus is the _____________ of ____________! (Isa. 9:6-7; Lk. 2:14) See also Jhn. 14:27; 16:33
    D. The Bible emphasizes peace in:
        1. The _____________. (Rom. 12:18; Eph. 4:3; 1 Pet. 3:10-11; Titus 3:10)
                a) does not mean peace ____ _______ _______!
        2. Our _______________. With our _______________.
        3. With our _________________.

II. Who/What is a Peacemaker?
    A. Someone who makes peace between __________ & __________.
        1. In this case….Jesus Christ! See Isa. 59:1-2
        2. Through the blood of Christ—Col. 1:19-22; Eph. 2:12-19
        3. We must take advantage of this peace—Rom. 6:1-6
    B. Someone who makes peace between __________ & __________.
        1. 1 Cor. 9:27; 2 Cor. 13:5—anything sinful needs to be removed!
    C. Someone who makes peace between ___________ & _________.
       1. A soul winner; urges people to be reconciled to God.
        2. Peace: getting sin in the open b/f God and requesting forgiveness!
    D. Someone who makes peace between ______________.
        1. Promotes unity, harmony; happiness—not discord/division!
        2. Rom. 12:18; Mt. 5:23; 18:15-17; 2 Cor. 5:7; Mt. 18:21-22
    E. Someone who learns when ________ to speak! Js. 1:19
        1. Looks for means of promoting peace; active rather than passive.
        2. Exhibited by being calm; _____________; loving; loveable; approachable!

III. Peacemakers are called children of God.
    A. “Called” means “___________.”
        1. These are those who resemble God.
    B. Eph. 2:19-22—Christians are part of God’s household! What a wonderful thought!

Conclusion:
    A. We will not always have perfect peace in this life (Mt. 10:34)
    B. But we can find peace through Jesus Christ.
    C. Have you found the peace that surpasses all understanding?



Blessed are the Peacemakers Introduction: The Jews were looking for anything but peace. Jesus dashed their hopes of a Messiah coming to rid them of Roman oppression. He spoiled their idea of having a material kingdom with the Jews being the “master” race. In short, Jesus was not what people expected. See Lk. 7:19 and John 6:1-15. In 5:9 Jesus says that peacemakers shall be called sons of God. Becoming a peacemaker is a natural result of being poor in spirit, sorrowful for sin, and meek. Indeed, the beatitudes are a description of what a saved person is to be! We must be working to make sure these qualities are in our lives. What exactly is “peace?” What exactly is a “peacemaker?” I. A look at “peace” as found in God’s word. A. “Peace”—freedom from ________; disagreements; harmonious relations; calm; ______; peace of mind. 1. “Peaceful” - not quarrelsome; free from ________________; calm; serene. B. What is God’s attitude toward peace? 1. 1 Cor. 14:33; Rom. 15:33; 16:20; 2 Cor. 13:11; Heb. 13:20; 1 Thess. 5:23; Phil. 4:9… 2. He is the God of _______________! 3. He hates those who seek to destroy peace! See Prov. 6:14, 16-19. C. Jesus is the _____________ of ____________! (Isa. 9:6-7; Lk. 2:14) See also Jhn. 14:27; 16:33 D. The Bible emphasizes peace in: 1. The _____________. (Rom. 12:18; Eph. 4:3; 1 Pet. 3:10-11; Titus 3:10) a) does not mean peace ____ _______ _______! 2. Our _______________. With our _______________. 3. With our _________________. II. Who/What is a Peacemaker? A. Someone who makes peace between __________ & __________. 1. In this case….Jesus Christ! See Isa. 59:1-2 2. Through the blood of Christ—Col. 1:19-22; Eph. 2:12-19 3. We must take advantage of this peace—Rom. 6:1-6 B. Someone who makes peace between __________ & __________. 1. 1 Cor. 9:27; 2 Cor. 13:5—anything sinful needs to be removed! C. Someone who makes peace between ___________ & _________. 1. A soul winner; urges people to be reconciled to God. 2. Peace: getting sin in the open b/f God and requesting forgiveness! D. Someone who makes peace between ______________. 1. Promotes unity, harmony; happiness—not discord/division! 2. Rom. 12:18; Mt. 5:23; 18:15-17; 2 Cor. 5:7; Mt. 18:21-22 E. Someone who learns when ________ to speak! Js. 1:19 1. Looks for means of promoting peace; active rather than passive. 2. Exhibited by being calm; _____________; loving; loveable; approachable! III. Peacemakers are called children of God. A. “Called” means “___________.” 1. These are those who resemble God. B. Eph. 2:19-22—Christians are part of God’s household! What a wonderful thought! Conclusion: A. We will not always have perfect peace in this life (Mt. 10:34) B. But we can find peace through Jesus Christ. C. Have you found the peace that surpasses all understanding?