Principles of Peacemaking
Griffith Baptist Church – 10/28/07
A.M. Service
Text: Matthew 5:38-42
Purpose: We should not think of retaliation but of peace for the cause of Christ.
The Introduction
When he was an attorney, Abraham Lincoln was once approached by a man who passionately insisted on bringing a suit for $2.50 against an impoverished debtor. Lincoln tried to discourage him, but the man was bent on revenge. When he saw that the man would not be put off, Lincoln agreed to take the case and asked for a legal fee of $10, which the plaintiff paid. Lincoln then gave half of the money to the defendant, who willingly confessed to the debt and paid the $2.50! But even more amazing than Lincoln’s ingenuous settlement was the fact that the irate plaintiff was satisfied with it. --Brown Book of Anecdotes
Christ began his sermon with ”9Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. 10Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. 12Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.” (Matthew 5:9-12)
A. The Law provided for retaliation (Ex. 21:24; Lev. 24:20; Deut. 19:21)
1. Lex Talionis = law of retaliation (retribution, legalized vengeance
2. This was under the direction of judges
3. It was tit for tat, eye for eye, tooth for tooth
4. It had deteriorated over time and people were tempted to get more than even
B. Exceptions:
1. We should never take any teaching to extremes
2. When your life or others lives are in danger
3. Government retribution (Rom. 13:1-7; 1 Pet. 2:13-14)
C. There are times when resistance is necessary:
1. Jesus resisted evil in chasing the moneychangers from the temple (Matt. 21:12; John 2:15)
2. We are to resist the devil (Jms. 4:7; 1 Pet. 5:9)
3. Paul opposed Peter over compromise (Gal. 2:11)
4. Immorality in the congregation (1st Cor. 5:13)
5. The Matthew 18 principle of confrontation (Matt. 18:15-17)
D. These problems can hit us in several areas:
1. Personal attacks – 39 (1st Pt. 3:13-17)
2. Legal attacks – 40 (1st Cor. 6:7)
3. Inconveniences – 41 (ex. Matt. 27:32)
4. Financial, material – 42 (Jms. 2:15-16; 1st Jn. 3:16-18)
E. Christ is saying, do not repel one outrage by inflicting another
F. Leave revenge for God – Rom. 12:19
G. Being a peacemaker does not guarantee us escape from the meanness of others.
1. It makes us distinct
a. Matthew 5:9 – Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
b. 1 Peter 2:9 - 9But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light:
2. It helps us conquer anger and bitterness – Eph. 4:26-32
3. It makes us overcomers (Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good – Rom. 12:21)
4. It pleases God.
The principles of being a peace-maker:
1. A vengeful spirit only adds trouble
A. A lady was sick, so she went to the doctor. He examined her, did a number of tests and told her the bad news. "I’m sorry to have to tell you this, but I’m afraid you’ve contracted rabies."
The doctor left the room for a minute, and when he returned the woman was busy writing on a piece of paper. He asked, "What are you doing, writing your will?" She said, "No, I’m making a list of all the people I’m going to bite."
B. It creates tension
C. It increases hatred
D. It can be dangerous and even lethal
2. Going beyond what is expected is a mature and wise reaction
A. This was evidenced in the life of Jesus, always giving while others were taking
B. James 3:17 - 17But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
C. This is what Christ is saying as a response to what others do to us
3. Responding rightly to persecution brings glory to God
A. There’s a story about an Irish lady whose husband was always drunk. She went to a pastor and said, "I’ve done all I can to correct my husband’s life. I’ve even chased him around with a frying pan." The pastor said, "Have you thought about heaping coals of fire on his head?" She replied, "I’ve thought of some awful things, but not that!" She missed the point. To heap coals of fire on someone’s head is simply to give your love in return for someone’s hate. The pastor was saying to overcome evil with good.
B. Love your enemies – Matthew 5:43-45 – 43Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. 44But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; 45That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
C. 1 Peter 3:13-17 - 13And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good? 14But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; 15But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: 16Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ. 17For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.
Conclusion:
How do you respond when confronted with pushy people?
When someone tries to take advantage of you as a Christian, does the testimony of Jesus Christ affect what you will do?
Romans 12:20-21 - 20Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. 21Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
