“The Peacemaker” Matthew 5:9 Beatitudes - #7
Intro: (Local Festival Rumble - Confrontation - Threw some weak punches - Went Home
I was young - Didn’t make much sense to me)
As I grew up, I realized that many people did not live “at peace” with each other. Kids vs.
Kids; Kids - Parents; Husbands - Wives; Teammates; Player - Coach; Boss - Employee;
Next-Door Neighbors; Relatives; In-laws; and Church Members. Wherever you have
people, there seems to be plenty of disagreements and “warring” going on. I’ve noticed
that there are plenty of “Warriors” among us, but very few “Peacemakers.”
However, in Matthew 5:9, Jesus tells us it is a Blessed thing to be a “Peacemaker.” That we
will experience a deep sense of satisfaction and joy if we are Peacemakers. So, who is
the peacemaker? What do they look like? How do we become one? (First of all.....)
A PEACEMAKER STRIVES TO MAKE PEACE WITH GOD
Romans 5:1 says, “..since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God
through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
It is only after we have made true peace with God that we can rightly deal with our problems.
We all have a battle raging within us. The Devil is actively fighting for our souls. It’s an
internal war that not everyone can see, but one that we who are Christians have felt,
sometimes with a gut-wrenching intensity. When we’ve “made peace with God,” it is here
where we can know that His Promises are True, He is Faithful and that He is our Everything.
A PEACEMAKER STRIVES TO MAKE PEACE WITHIN OTHERS
Romans 14:19 says, “...let us make every effort to do what leads to peace and
mutual edification.”
This is where we share the Peace we have with God with others who so desperately need it.
This is where we can lift up others, encourage them, edify them, maybe help them to see the
“Big Picture,” that God is Sovereign, that He is in control and that we have the Victory through
faith in Him. “Peacemaking” is not a concept, it’s an activity. It’s not passive, it’s active.
It’s not something you are, it’s something you do. (You receive His Peace and pass it on.)
A PEACEMAKER STRIVES TO MAKE PEACE BETWEEN OTHERS
Romans 12:21 says, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
As a peacemaker, we will not be concerned about “killing off the enemy” which solves
nothing. We will want to work to solve disputes, to reconcile differences and to form and
build relationships. Jesus does not teach us to “annihilate those who oppose us,” but
rather to “love our enemies” and to attempt to make peace with them. This is hard to
understand at times, and yet it’s what Jesus said and it’s what His Life modeled for us.
With God’s Peace within us, and with His Spirit’s working, we can “overcome evil with good”
in ways that seem impossible to us, but very possible with God. (No “eye for eye”)
There is a myth about “peacemakers” that I want us to get straight. “Peacemakers” love
peace, but they do not passively accept trouble. They are persons who are “strong in the
Lord” and do not remove themselves from conflict and troubles. They will stand strong
in the face of adversity and will not run away from the problem. They will face it and
address it in a bold and righteous way. They will face trials like Christ Himself did.
Matthew 5:9 goes on to say that peacemakers will be called Sons of God. This will be the
reward of the true peacemaker. We will be “Adopted” as a child of Almighty God.
Read Galatians 4:4-7. Here’s where it gets Exciting! As a “peacemaker,” through Jesus
Christ, we become HEIRS and obtain the “full rights of an adopted son.” Means 3 things:
1. It means we’re adopted permanently. Under Roman Law, you could not be adopted one
day and disinherited the next.
2. It means we immediately have all the rights and privileges that other family members have.
Even though a person was not a “Blood Relative,” the Righteousness of the Blood
of Jesus Christ, intercedes here and gives us the “full rights of an adopted son.”
3. The adopted son was looked upon as a NEW PERSON. Any old debts and obligations
with his former family and life were canceled out and were treated as if they
had never existed. Scripture says that as believers, we are “joint-heirs” of Jesus
Christ. Because of HIM, we receive an INHERITANCE that we don’t deserve.
By His Grace, Mercy and Love and by our Belief in Him, all of it is ours!
Conclusion: What’s the most important reason to be a “Peacemaker?” Simply because
Jesus was a peacemaker. Not only was He a peacemaker, HE WAS THE PEACEMAKER!
As we look into the purpose of His Ministry, we see that Jesus Christ sought to bring peace
to a hurting and needy world. He saw you and me and how we struggle with sin. He saw
how we would have no way out. He saw the “warring” and the “torment” within our souls.
In our helplessness, He saw Satan tearing us apart, just waiting to devour us. He saw us in
our “War” and in His Compassion, He longed to bring us His “Peace.”
Jesus Christ is THE PEACEMAKER for you and I in that, “...He was pierced for our
transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace
was upon Him, and by His Wounds we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:5-6)
Jesus Christ is indeed “The Prince of Peace.” HE IS OUR EXAMPLE. Let us also strive to
live at Peace with Him, to encourage His Peace to be in others and do the best we can
to facilitate His Peace between others who are “warring” against one another. (Today.....)
What are you “warring” with? Who are you “warring” with? Where are you angry and bitter?
God longs for all of us to experience the Blessing of being a Peacemaker. His Desire is to
adopt you, give you full rights and for you to share the inheritance of eternal life with Him.
HE’S OFFERED IT, WILL YOU ACCEPT IT? IF YOU ACCEPT, WILL YOU APPLY IT TODAY?
Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.” (Jn.14:27) As He has given
His Peace to us, may we also disperse it generously to everyone we meet. -Prayer
