Sermon Notes

Radical Red Letters

Blessed are the Peacemakers (Week 8)

 

The Beatitudes: Eight radical declarations of kingdom living resulting in contentment in the midst of the chaos

 

“Now when Jesus saw the crowds, He went up on the [a]mountain; and after He sat down, His disciples came to Him. And He opened His mouth and began to teach them, saying, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. “Blessed are the [c]gentle, for they will inherit the earth. “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied. “Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.” – Matthew 5:1-9

WHAT IS A PEACEMAKER?
Biblical definition of a peacemaker—one who takes responsibility for reconciling broken relationships.

WHAT DOES LOOK LIKE PRACTICALLY LIVE AS A PEACEMAKER?
 

I am responsible to share with others how they can have peace with God
 

“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”—Romans 5:1

 

“Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things have passed away; behold, new things have come. Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, namely that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.”—2 Corinthians 5:17-20

 

I am responsible to pursue peace in my relationships with others
 

“Pursue peace with all men…”—Hebrews 12:14a

 

“The essence of our duty toward all other people, in all circumstances and relationships, is to seek peace with them.”—John Owen

 

“The church is God’s world-changing social experiment of bringing unlikes and different to the table to share life with one another as a new kind of family. When this happens, we show the world what love, justice, peace, reconciliation, and life together are designed to be by God. The church is God’s show-and-tell for the world to see how God wants us to live as a family.”—Scot McKnight (A Fellowship of Different, p.16)

 

“Live in peace with one another.”—1 Thessalonians 5:13b

 

Unresolved conflict and relational brokenness have NO place in the family of God!

 

“Therefore if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering.”—Matthew 5:23-24

 

“If you are in a state of conscious enmity against another, if you are not speaking to another person, or if you are harboring these unkind thoughts and are a hindrance and an obstacle to that other, God’s Word assures you that there is no value in your attempted act of worship. It will avail you nothing, the Lord will not hear you. According to our Lord the matter is so vital that you must…as it were, even keep God waiting. Go and put it right, He says; you cannot be right with God until you put yourself right with man.”—Martin Lloyd-Jones

 

I am responsible to seek to bring peace between others
 

Common Obstacles to Peacemaking:

 

Unforgiving Spirit

 

Taking up offences of others

 

A tongue that is out of control

 

A lack of compassion

 

WHAT IS THE PROMISE TO THOSE PURSUING PEACE?
 

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the sons of God.” Matthew 5:9