BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS
(Matthew 5:9)
INTRODUCTION
A. Our study of the Sermon on the Mount has focused so far
upon the beatitudes
1. The beatitudes serve as an introduction to the Sermon on
the Mount – it is a basic primer on the content to follow
2. The beatitudes are also a description of basic
characteristics that the man or woman of God must
possess to have a saving faith
a. Remember Hebrews 11:6
b. But remember also Matthew 7:21
c. James 2:24
3. The beatitudes are very much a primer on faith. The
beatitudes teach us:
a. How faith begins
1) Poor in spirit
2) Mourners
3) Meekness
b. How faith grows – Hunger and thirst after
righteousness
c. How faith matures
1) Merciful
2) Pure in heart
3) Peacemakers
d. How faith is tested – Persecution
B. Matthew 5:9
1. In the over 3100 years of recorded world history, the
world has only been at peace 8% of the time or a total of
286 years and 8000 treaties have been made and broken
2. Peace often seems to elude us
C. Remember that the beatitudes build on one another
1. A peacemaker must first learn to practice the two other
elements that indicate maturity of faith
2. Becoming merciful and pure in heart are essential to
becoming a peacemaker
D. Today we will look at what it means to be a peacemaker
and how it affects our lives
DISCUSSION
A.. THE MEANING OF PEACEMAKER
1. The Biblical Idea of Peace
a. A positive force – the presence of all that is good
b. Peace carries the idea of total well-being of mind and
heart and body
c. It is not just the cessation or absence of war or conflict –
absence of conflict does not insure any positive blessing
d. Peace is both relief from war and the possession of all
that one needs for a full and satisfying life
2. A peacemaker is a person who is actively seeking to
establish and maintain peace
a. He is a person who does not make war or create conflicts
with others
b. He is a person who seeks to resolve conflicts and
eliminate all hostility
c. He is a person who tries to provide what others need for
life
d. He is a positive force for good and all that is profitable
for mankind
B. PEACEMAKERS ARE THOSE WHOSE LIFE
DEMONSTRATES PEACE
1. Peacemakers are at peace with God
a. Romans 5:1
b. James 4:1-4
c. Sin makes us an enemy of God
2. Peacemakers are at peace with others
a. Romans 14:19
b. 2 Corinthians 13:11
c. Romans 12:18
3. Peacemakers are at peace with themselves
a. Psalm 122:8
b. Proverbs 3:1-2
c. Colossians 3:15
THUS: Peace makers are at peace with…
C. PEACEMAKING IS THE ULTIMATE WORK
OF GOD IN THE WORLD
1. Perhaps one of the reasons that making peace is a
characteristic of mature faith is that peace is the ultimate
work of God
a. Romans 15:33
1) What an all-encompassing statement
2) When the God of peace is with us, conflict is
eliminated and all the positive blessings for life are
ours
b. Romans 16:20
1) It is the God of peace who defeats Satan, the enemy
2) God resolves the war to bring peace to our lives
c. Philippians 4:9
1) The God peace is with those who do His will
2) Our trusting obedience in following His teachings will
produce peace in our lives
d. 1 Thessalonians 5:23
1) The God of peace sanctifies – sets us apart to holiness
2) The sanctification and peace have eternal
consequences in our favor
e. Hebrews 13:20-21
1) The God of peace equips us to do His will
2) His peace does not leave us floundering or wondering
how to please him
CONCLUSION
A. We need to remember a few basics as we close
1. The source of peace is God – that’s why it’s a matter of
faith – we must trust and obey him in order to receive and
give peace
2. The enemy of peace is Satan and sin – wherever there is
discord, or conflict you can know that Satan is having his
way
3. Christians reflect peace in their lives both as a quality they
have within themselves and as a blessing they share with
others
B. Making peace requires a tremendous faith
1. It is always easier to create conflict
2. Peace demands that we turn to God and to his ways
C. If we were to look at your life, what legacy would it be leaving?
1. One of peace
2. One of conflict
fromthepreacherspc 