"blessed Are The Peacemakers" Series

“Blessed are the Peacemakers”

“Becoming a Peacemaker: Reflecting the Son of God”

Matthew 5:1–9 ESV

1 Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him.

2 And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying:

3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

5 “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.

7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.

8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

Introduction:

Good morning, everyone! Today, we continue our series titled “Becoming,” where we’re diving deep into the Beatitudes.

As we’ve discussed, the Beatitudes aren’t just moral ideals—they are the blueprint for becoming more like Christ.

They reveal not only how a Christian should look but also how a true Christian should live.

Everyone wants to be blessed… We want to be blessed in life, blessed in death, and blessed in eternity.

The Beatitudes show us the pathway to this blessed life.

Jesus, the Son of God, doesn’t just describe the blessed life; He guides us on how to pursue it.

Throughout this series, I’ve emphasized that the Beatitudes build upon each other, creating a comprehensive picture of Christian character.

They lead us progressively toward a deeper understanding of what it means to live a blessed life in God’s kingdom.

Imagine the Beatitudes as the rungs of a ladder leading upward, each step dependent on the one before it.

1. First rung: "Poor in spirit" (Matthew 5:3) - The journey begins with recognizing our spiritual poverty, our need for God, which forms the foundation for the entire ladder.

2. Second rung: "Those who mourn" (Matthew 5:4) - As we acknowledge our spiritual need, we naturally mourn over our sin and brokenness, leading us to seek God's comfort.

3. Third rung: "The meek" (Matthew 5:5) - Mourning our sin softens our hearts, creating meekness—a humble acceptance of God's will and a gentle spirit towards others.

4. Fourth rung: "Hunger and thirst for righteousness" (Matthew 5:6) - With a meek and humble heart, we begin to crave righteousness, desiring to live in a way that pleases God.

5. Fifth rung: "The merciful" (Matthew 5:7) - As we pursue righteousness, we recognize our need for mercy and, in turn, extend mercy to others, reflecting God’s grace.

6. Sixth rung: "The pure in heart" (Matthew 5:8) - Showing mercy leads us to seek purity of heart, striving for an undivided devotion to God.

7. Seventh rung: "The peacemakers" (Matthew 5:9) - With a pure heart, we become instruments of peace, actively working to reconcile others to God and each other.

8. Eighth rung: "Those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake" (Matthew 5:10) - As we become peacemakers, we may face persecution for our righteousness, but we hold firm, knowing that the kingdom of heaven is ours.

9. Ninth rung: "When people insult you and persecute you" (Matthew 5:11-12) - The final rung is enduring personal attacks and false accusations because of our faith, yet we rejoice, understanding the great reward that awaits us in heaven.

Each Beatitude represents a step closer to God, where the growth in one area naturally leads to the next.

See... spiritual maturity is a journey where each stage prepares us for the next, ultimately leading us to a fuller experience of God’s kingdom.

Today, we reach a significant step in this progression, step 7—Matthew 5:9

Matthew 5:9 ESV

9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

This Beatitude naturally follows the others, showing how a heart transformed by Christ will seek to bring peace in a world of conflict.

A peacemaker embodies the qualities we’ve discussed in the previous weeks and receives the ultimate blessing of being recognized as a child of God.

This identity comes with a role in God’s kingdom—being agents of His peace and reconciliation.

Two weeks ago, Justin referred to these as attitudes, and I couldn’t agree more.

The Beatitudes shape our inner character, while the fruit of the Spirit represents the actions that flow from these attitudes.

Today, we’re focusing on the attitude of peacemaking.

Today we are focusing on Matthew 5:9...

Matthew 5:9 (ESV)

9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

Peacemakers are those who have been reconciled to God through the cross, experiencing true peace with Him.

• Having received this peace, they now dedicate their lives and witness to guiding others—including their enemies—toward reconciliation and peace with God.

1. The Identity of a Peacemaker