Peace by Those Who Make Peace

Peace by Those Who Make Peace

Introduction:

Aude McKee: Peace is a precious commodity; most of the time it is in great demand and in short supply. Peace highly praised in Scripture. Need more preaching on peace these days. Perhaps a lack of preaching on this subject is ONE of the reasons behind problems brethren experience today in brotherhood as a whole. What is God’s attitude toward peace? Rom. 15:33; 16:20; Phil. 4:9; Heb. 13:20; 1 Thess. 5:23 – He is the God of peace! In short,…God IS peace! Pro. 6:14, 16-19 – He HATES those who destroy peace. Mt. 5:9: disciples of Jesus are characterized as peacemakers. Need to make sure peace and the love of it is an attribute in our lives.

I. Peace among brethren is something to be ___________________.

A. Rom. 12:18 - If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.

B. Rom. 14:17-19; Gal. 5:22 – it is a fruit of the spirit.

C. Eph. 4:3 - be diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

D. 1 Thess. 5:13 – it is COMMANDED! See also Heb. 12:14.

II. How can we ____________ _________________? Js. 3:13-18

A. 3:13 – Lead lives driven by ______________ & __________________.

1. See also: 2 Cor. 10:1; Gal. 5:23; Col. 3:10, 12.

2. it’s to be used when _______________ others.

a) 2 Tim. 2:24-26 – Timothy reminded of meekness/gentleness!

b) Gal. 6:1-2 – what does the HS instruct us?

3. Must exercise wisdom from above. lack it? 1:5 – ask of ______….it WILL be given!

4. 3:13 - Should carry over into _______________!

B. 3:14-15 – Avoid pitfalls of bitter ____________ and selfish ________________.

1. These attitudes DESTROY peace!

2. 3:14 – “faction” (ASV) … describes spirit of ____________ or selfishness which exists in the heart.

3. Self _____________ is part of the problem James deals with in 3:14-15!

C. 3:16 - Be aware of ___________ ______ that peace is slipping away.

1. “Confusion” = environment w/no _______; no cooperation; no stability in any plan!

2. “Every evil thing.” = No love; no harmony; no ______________.

D. 3:17-18 – Put on __________ from ______________

1. James is talking about the effect of Christianity upon the _________ & life.

2. Peace cannot reign until _________ controls the heart!

3. Some focus on “pure” in 3:17 and conclude that no peace can exist until purity has been obtained. This is not what this passage teaches!

4. Don’t misunderstand. Purity of doctrine is absolutely essential!

a) Accomplished through solid teaching done tastefully & ____________!

5. Guy N. Woods: An alleged defense of the truth at the expense of a sincere heart & peaceful disposition is illogical & irrational. It is absurd to attempt to do right by doing wrong. Men have made themselves murderers on the pretense of doing God’s will.

E. 3:17-18 – Look at the disposition w/in the individual which produces & maintains _______.

1. _____________ & _____________.

2. full of __________ & good _________

3. _________________ & w/o _____________.

Conclusion:

A. Compare Mt. 5:9 to Js. 3:18

B. Peacemakers are intimately related to God.

C. Are we seeking the wisdom from above?

D. Eph. 2:14 – Jesus is our peace. Seek His forgiveness; obey Him; and it will be yours!



Peace by Those Who Make Peace Introduction: Aude McKee: Peace is a precious commodity; most of the time it is in great demand and in short supply. Peace highly praised in Scripture. Need more preaching on peace these days. Perhaps a lack of preaching on this subject is ONE of the reasons behind problems brethren experience today in brotherhood as a whole. What is God’s attitude toward peace? Rom. 15:33; 16:20; Phil. 4:9; Heb. 13:20; 1 Thess. 5:23 – He is the God of peace! In short,…God IS peace! Pro. 6:14, 16-19 – He HATES those who destroy peace. Mt. 5:9: disciples of Jesus are characterized as peacemakers. Need to make sure peace and the love of it is an attribute in our lives. I. Peace among brethren is something to be ___________________. A. Rom. 12:18 - If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men. B. Rom. 14:17-19; Gal. 5:22 – it is a fruit of the spirit. C. Eph. 4:3 - be diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. D. 1 Thess. 5:13 – it is COMMANDED! See also Heb. 12:14. II. How can we ____________ _________________? Js. 3:13-18 A. 3:13 – Lead lives driven by ______________ & __________________. 1. See also: 2 Cor. 10:1; Gal. 5:23; Col. 3:10, 12. 2. it’s to be used when _______________ others. a) 2 Tim. 2:24-26 – Timothy reminded of meekness/gentleness! b) Gal. 6:1-2 – what does the HS instruct us? 3. Must exercise wisdom from above. lack it? 1:5 – ask of ______….it WILL be given! 4. 3:13 - Should carry over into _______________! B. 3:14-15 – Avoid pitfalls of bitter ____________ and selfish ________________. 1. These attitudes DESTROY peace! 2. 3:14 – “faction” (ASV) … describes spirit of ____________ or selfishness which exists in the heart. 3. Self _____________ is part of the problem James deals with in 3:14-15! C. 3:16 - Be aware of ___________ ______ that peace is slipping away. 1. “Confusion” = environment w/no _______; no cooperation; no stability in any plan! 2. “Every evil thing.” = No love; no harmony; no ______________. D. 3:17-18 – Put on __________ from ______________ 1. James is talking about the effect of Christianity upon the _________ & life. 2. Peace cannot reign until _________ controls the heart! 3. Some focus on “pure” in 3:17 and conclude that no peace can exist until purity has been obtained. This is not what this passage teaches! 4. Don’t misunderstand. Purity of doctrine is absolutely essential! a) Accomplished through solid teaching done tastefully & ____________! 5. Guy N. Woods: An alleged defense of the truth at the expense of a sincere heart & peaceful disposition is illogical & irrational. It is absurd to attempt to do right by doing wrong. Men have made themselves murderers on the pretense of doing God’s will. E. 3:17-18 – Look at the disposition w/in the individual which produces & maintains _______. 1. _____________ & _____________. 2. full of __________ & good _________ 3. _________________ & w/o _____________. Conclusion: A. Compare Mt. 5:9 to Js. 3:18 B. Peacemakers are intimately related to God. C. Are we seeking the wisdom from above? D. Eph. 2:14 – Jesus is our peace. Seek His forgiveness; obey Him; and it will be yours!