Beatitude Series # 7
Eric A. Snyder, Minister, Farwell Church of Christ
Matt 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called sons of God
Original date May 22, 1999
Revised June 10, 2001
Conflict Jokes
"If you were my husband, I’d put poison in your coffee."
-- Lady Astor
"If you were my wife, I’d drink it."
-- Winston Churchill
"You, sir, are drunk." --Woman "Yes. But you, madam, are ugly, and I shall be sober in the morning." --Sir Winston Churchill
As human beings we are going to have conflict between us. And this conflict carries over to nations and Government structures as well
One researcher has noted recently that in the past 4,000 years there has been less than 300 years of world peace.
World war one was supposed to be The war to end all wars
But wars have not ceased we just build more deadly weapons and recruit more people
There are an estimated three hundred thousand child soldiers around the world. Every year the number grows as more children are recruited for use in active combat.
Children are used in wars taking place in Sierra Leone, Liberia, Congo, Sudan, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and Burma.
The development of lighter weapons - such as the AK47 - means that boys as young as eight can be armed.
The smallest boys are placed closest to the enemy. In war, they are said to be fearless. Children are often less demanding soldiers than adults. They are cheaper to keep as they eat less and are easier to manipulate.
Both sides believe the unpredictability of small children makes them better fighters.
Some are sent into battle high on drugs to give them courage.
The Burmese military regime also uses children in combat. The children work as slave laborers, carrying army supplies or working on government construction projects
In combat children are often captured and threatened. They fight for whoever controls them in order to stay alive.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/people/features/childrensrights/childrenofconflict/soldier.shtml
Matthew 5:9 “Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called the sons of God”
Prayer
Jesus is not referring to peace–keepers but to peace–makers in Matthew 5:9. He said, " Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God." The difference is a peacemaker actively overcomes evil with good. Some people are never happy unless they are fighting with someone. A peacemaker on the other hand finds great satisfaction in removing hostilities and effecting reconciliation between enemies.
Peace keepers VS. Peacemakers
To be a peacemaker you have to understand the real definition of peace.
1. True peace is not Absence of conflict
2. True peace is not simply two enemies who are not fighting
B. What it is – an absence of conflict in which opposite sides are being brought
together in righteousness, ending in a right relationship
There are some that think a truce is a peace treaty
John MacArthur – “A truce just says you don’t shoot for awhile. Peace
comes when the truth is known, the issue is settled, & the parties
embrace each other.
"Peacemakers" are those disciples who strive to prevent contention and strife. However, they are not peacekeepers, but are active makers of peace. They use their influence to reconcile opposing party strife among individuals, families, churches, and the community. They change hostile attitudes to attitudes that seek the best interests of everyone.
Haden Robinson Writer of Salt and Light “No peace will exist between nations until peace reigns in each country. And no country will have peace until peace dwells with the people. And no people will have peace until they surrender to the prince of peace.”
Peace on earth a Christmas wish
When Christ was born the angels sang of peace on earth
Because Real peace lasting peace begins with Jesus
1. Making peace with the SAVIOR
The reason that we do not have peace is sin. The reason that a man walked into an elementary school and began stabbing 1 and 2 graders is because of sin.
Our problem is human greed, lust and selfishness, not political, economic or social. Those are symptoms of a deeper problem. It is sin and depravity in the heart of man. Until there is a change in the heart there will never be any solutions to the problems on the surface. The source of the problem is within man. Nothing but a new heart, and new man, will bring peace. What is in the heart of man inevitably comes out of him.
There are those who believe that the only value of religion is their moral value and not salvation.
What these people fail to understand is that we live by our values because of salvation. Even the apostle Paul said that if Christ was not crucified then our lives are in vain.
We are a people who need to get peace with God we need to establish it
We need to live in it and we need to look forward to it.
The bible reminds us
"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Romans 3:23
"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 6:23
Our Attempts to Reach God
People have tried in many ways to bridge this gap between themselves and God...
The Bible says...
"There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death." Proverbs 14:12
"But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear." Isaiah 59:2
Jesus Christ died on the Cross and rose from the grave. He paid the penalty for our sin and bridged the gap between God and people.
The Bible says...
"For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Jesus Christ." 1 Timothy 2:5
"For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God." 1 Peter 3:18
"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8
God has provided the only way. Each person must make a choice.
Here is how you can receive Christ:
1.Admit your need (I am a sinner).
Blessed are the poor in spirit Come to him and admit the bankruptcy of your spirit
2.Be willing to turn from your sins (repent).
Blessed are those who mourn. Have you really spent time weeping over sins
3.Believe that Jesus Christ died for you on the Cross and rose from the grave.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness.
4.Confess that Jesus is the one and only son of God
Blessed are the pure in heart for they will see God.
5.Through Baptism , invite Jesus Christ to come in and control your life through the Holy Spirit. (.)
The final step to making peace with God
God of Peace
Jesus; Prince of Peace
Holy Spirit brings peace
We are only able to make peace with God because He made peace with us first through Jesus. The armistice has been signed in the blood of the lamb.
2. Making peace with the SELF
Peanuts Lucy “I hate everything I hate everybody I hate the whole wide world” Charlie says “But I thought you had inner peace”
Lucy replies “ I do but I also have outer obnoxiousness.”
Dr. James Gill Says that there are four major scales in which people base their self worth: Significance, Competence, Virtue and power.
Bob George wrote “People will determine their identities through their appearance, occupation, abilities, family relationships, friends, denominational affiliation and many other ways.”
Josh McDowell points our that we can only be truly comfortable with ourselves when we are at Peace with Jesus.
This is because Peace with God frees up our perspective. It changes our world view because we are forced to look at ourselves as God looks at us.
You were created in His image formed by His hand. The bible says that we are all his workmanship. Only when we come to a right relationship with God can we begin to understand and accept ourselves.
So we do not build our self worth on our successes or failures. We do not build our self worth on how many children we have, how much money we make. What kind or car we drive. We don’t build our self worth on what church we attend or how many community events we are active in.
One song writer puts it this way
In Christ Alone
I place my trust
And find my glory
In the power of the cross
In very victory
Let it be said of me
My source strength
My source of hope
Is Christ alone
Our self worth comes from understanding that you have value to God. That He wants to mold you and shape you and use you.
I talk to people all the time who can’t stand something about themselves
If you are in this boat this morning you need to give yourself permission to accept yourself by looking through the eyes of Christ
3. Making Peace with SOCIETY
True peacemakers bring others to peace with God
a. Show Courage
Be strong and courageous Joshua
b. Show Compassion
Cry with those who need it
c. Show Competence
Do what you do with excellence
d. Show Commitment
Make Christ a priority in your life
e. Show Christ
Telemachus was a monk who lived in the 4th century. He felt God saying to him, "Go to Rome." He was in a cloistered monastery. He put his possessions in a sack and set out for Rome. When he arrived in the city, people were thronging in the streets. He asked why all the excitement and was told that this was the day that the gladiators would be fighting and killing each other in the coliseum, the day of the games, the circus. He thought to himself, "Four centuries after Christ and they are still killing each other, for enjoyment?" He ran to the coliseum and heard the gladiators saying, "Hail to Caesar, we die for Caesar" and he thought, "this isn’t right." He jumped over the railing and went out into the middle of the field, got between two gladiators, held up his hands and said "In the name of Christ, forbear." The crowd protested and began to shout, "Run him through, Run him through." A gladiator came over and hit him in the stomach with the back of his sword. It sent him sprawling in the sand. He got up and ran back and again said, "In the name of Christ, forbear." The crowd continued to chant, "Run him through." One gladiator came over and plunged his sword through the little monk’s stomach and he fell into the sand, which began to turn crimson with his blood. One last time he gasped out, "In the name of Christ forbear." A hush came over the 80,000 people in the coliseum. Soon a man stood and left, then another and more, and within minutes all 80,000 had emptied out of the arena. It was the last known gladiatorial contest in the history of Rome.
Called (Greek) means “to give a name to…to bear the title of…sons of God.”
When Alexander the Great ruled nearly the entire known world, it was his policy to allow anyone charged with a crime, to appeal to him. When the appeal was made, his judgment was final. He was known as fair but ruthless, so appeals were not often made to him. However, one young soldier was brought before him on appeal. The young man wore the tunic of Alexander’s army. " With what is he charged?" asked Alexander. " He is charged with cowardice in battle," answered the prosecutor.
A hush fell over the assembly at the judgment hall. They knew Alexander as a general who expected his men to be gallant and brave, since he, did not push his soldiers but led them into the thick of battle. Alexander looked at the young soldier who was a mere youth. The angry scowl on his face slowly changed to a more understanding look. " What is your name, soldier?" asked the king. " Worthy King," responded the youth, " my name is Alexander." Alexander the great replied angrily, "You say your name is Alexander? You are found guilty of your crimes and must pay the penalty. I sentence you to either change your conduct or change your name. For no man can bear the name Alexander – my name – and do the things you have done."
Today God is saying Christian Change your behavior For you bear the name of my son
Or perhaps God is saying to you that you need to Change your name
He deals with identity conversions with spiritual makeovers He changed Saul from a murderer to a minister
He changed Abraham from faithless to fruitful
And He can change you too. Will you be a peacemaker this morning?
