Peaceful

Did you know that in the over three thousand years of recorded world history that the world has only been at peace 8% of the time. During the last three hundred years more than eight thousand peace treaties have been made and most of them have been broken. Since the end of WWII there have been eighty-five wars. That’s eighty-five wars in less than eighty-five years.

Hearing those statistics it would be easy to believe like the cynic who says that peace is that glorious moment in history when everyone stops at the same time to reload. That’s the story of peace on the world stage.

However, even when we get more personal with peace it can be hard to find. How many work places or schools can be defined as peaceful? Even in our homes peace can sometimes be difficult to find. How many homes are filled with screaming and yelling? Harsh words are said that lead to anything but peace. And to be honest the church has not been the greatest example of peaceful relations. How many congregations deal with division and dissention? Some people who want this and others that want that. There seems to be no peace.

SLIDE 1 Turn to Mathew 5 as we continue our study of the Beatitudes this morning. There are eight beatitudes, seven of which describe the character of a Christian. The last beatitude describes the reception Christians who are described by these beatitudes can expect to receive in the world. This morning we are on the seventh beatitude, the last of the characteristics of a Christian. Again, this is what a Christian looks like.

1Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2and he began to teach them. He said: 3“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. 6Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. 7Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. 8Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. 9Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. (Matthew 5:1-9)

Jesus says that a Christian is a peacemaker.

I want make two quick observations. First, the previous beatitudes lead up to this one and this is the most difficult of the seven. Each of the beatitudes prepares us for the one that follows, and this one is no different. A purity of heart will lead us to be peacemakers. Jesus calls each of us to be peacemakers and certainly we live in a time that needs more peacemakers.

Second, there is a difference between a peacemaker and a peacekeeper. A peacekeeper simply keeps two people who don’t like each other from getting into a fight. They keep the peace. But a peacemaker is one that works at bringing these two people who don’t like each other together in peace so they no longer want to fighter each other. Peacemakers make peace. Blessed, Jesus says, are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

SLIDE 2 Turn to Psalm 55. This psalm was written by David. Many believe it was written after the conflict he had with his son Absalom who led a revolt against David forcing David to flee the city. David prays in verse 9:

9Lord, confuse the wicked, confound their words, for I see violence and strife in the city. (Psalm 55:9)

Where does David say he sees this conflict? He sees it in the city. The city he’s referring to is Jerusalem. David sees conflict right outside his window. He goes on in verse 12 to describe the one causing him problems.

12If an enemy were insulting me, I could endure it; if a foe were rising against me, I could hide. 13But it is you, a man like myself, my companion, my close friend, 14with whom I once enjoyed sweet fellowship at the house of God, as we walked about among the worshipers. (Psalm 55:12-14)

David says the person causing all the trouble used to worship beside him. He’s a friend. And if speculation is correct, he’s David’s own son.

Maybe you’ve had a similar experience. You suffered grief and pain at the hand someone close to you. You understand the feeling of betrayal. David says:

20My companion attacks his friends; he violates his covenant. 21His talk is smooth as butter, yet war is in his heart; his words are more soothing than oil, yet they are drawn swords. (Psalm 55:20-21)

It is difficult when you are in conflict with someone, but it is made all the more difficult when it is someone you have trusted. But David gives these words of comfort.

22Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken. (Psalm 55:22)

When we speak about strife and conflict it speaks into the world in which we live because we have all faced it. But the promise we have from God is that he with us and that he will give us strength.

Thomas Watson gives a great word picture of what is happening when there is conflict, and especially I think when there is conflict between two Christians. He says: SLIDE 3

It is Satan who kindles the fire of contention in men's hearts – and then stands and warms himself at the fire!

Can you see that picture in your mind? It is not God who causes contention between people. If there is strife you can be certain that Satan has a hand in it. We’re told that Jesus is the Prince of peace. He came into the world to make peace between us and God. The Spirit is a spirit of peace. When the Spirit descended upon Jesus after his baptism what form did he take? He came as a dove, the symbol of peace. And we’re told that God is a God of peace. As we read in 1 Corinthians: SLIDE 4

For God is not a God of disorder but of peace. (1 Corinthians 14:33a)

Jesus came into a world torn by conflict to make peace and he calls us to be peacemakers.

I don’t know what conflicts you face in your life. It may be with someone you work with. It may be with a friend. Worse, it may be with a family member. Whoever your conflict is with God is calling you to be a peacemaker.

So how do we bring peace?

SLIDE 5 First, if we are going to be peacemakers for God we must experience God’s peace in our own lives. Listen to this definition of a peacemaker and I think it will give us a good step towards becoming peacemakers. SLIDE 6

Peacemakers are people who bring peace because they have it themselves.

You can’t give what you do not have. If you have not experienced the peace of God you will not be able to share the peace of God.

SLIDE 7 Have you ever noticed that conflict just seems to follow some people around? It goes with them because it lives in them. What you are filled with will spill from you when someone bumps into you. If you are filled with peace, joy, and love that is what will spill out. But if you are filled with anger and hate that will spill out. What are you filled with? You cannot share the peace of God if you are not experiencing the peace of God.

So how do you get peace in your life? It flows from purity in your heart. Remember what I’ve been saying all along. One beatitude flows to the next. A purity of heart will bring peace to your life which will flow from you making you a peacemaker. James shares this same order with us. SLIDE 8

17But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure [the sixth beatitude]; then peace-loving [the seventh beatitude], considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. SLIDE 9 18Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness. (James 3:17-18)

There is an order. A life of peace flows from a purity of heart. It only makes sense. The pure in heart is the person who wills one thing. Those not pure in heart are distracted. They are torn between more than one thing. They are divided and this division causes inner conflict. As long as there is that unresolved conflict there can be no peace in the heart. James asks: SLIDE 10

What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? (James 4:1)

Does that sound peaceful? But if your heart is focused on pursuing God it will be united and there will be peace. So first, to be a peacemaker we must experience God’s peace in our lives.

SLIDE 11 Second, if we are going to be peacemakers for God we must give up claim to our rights. If Jesus had demanded his rights he never would have come to earth as a man. If Jesus had demanded his rights he never would have allowed himself to be arrested, beaten, and crucified. If God demanded his deserved rights we would all be condemned to hell. We live in a world of rights. You hear everyone demanding their rights. If you want to make peace you must give up claim to your rights.

There are two caveats. First, on occasion you may need to demand your rights. I’m not saying you need to be a doormat and never speak out, but in our interpersonal relationships more often than not we need to give up our claims to our rights in order to make peace. Second, remember the difference between peacekeeping and peacemaking. Don’t try to pacify another in order to keep peace. Some people think if you just keep giving in and giving them what they want there will be peace. That’s peacekeeping. Work at making peace. That should serve as a guide as to when you need to stand for your rights.

SLIDE 12 Third, if we are going to be peacemakers for God we must move towards the trouble. Some people are drawn to trouble. That’s not what I’m talking about. But a peacemaker moves toward trouble. Isn’t that what God did? He sent his Son into the midst of the trouble.

One person gave this advice about making peace: SLIDE 13

Always move towards the barking dog.

That just doesn’t sound very smart to me. I don’t particularly enjoy barking dogs. Even if I’m not afraid a dog will bite I don’t like dogs barking at me. But that is what God did. When the world was barking at God he moved towards it.

What this is telling us is that peacemakers do not avoid conflict. In fact, you cannot make peace if you insist on avoiding conflict. You must face conflict. There can only be peace if conflict is dealt with. Too many people want to ignore it and hope it goes away. Jesus knew that in order for there to be peace he had to address the conflict. However, he also knew there would be some who would not appreciate it.

If we are going to be peacemakers we must be ones who diligently work at peace. If you want to know what that means just think about how God makes peace. Think about what God did to make peace with us. That is the example we are to follow. And just as a warning, peacemaking is not for the faint of heart. It cost Jesus his life.

SLIDE 15 Fourth, if we are going to be peacemakers for God we must make peace by loving before we are loved. It is obvious how God did that when making peace. We are told in Romans 5:

SLIDE 16 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)

SLIDE 17 . . . while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son. . . . (Romans 5:10)

God didn’t stand on his rights. He moved toward the trouble even when it meant the death of his own Son. He demonstrated his love towards us long before we ever loved him.

Could you do that? Not unless the Spirit of Jesus resides in you.

SLIDE 18 Back on January 1st when I was introducing this series on the Beatitudes I mentioned that the Hebrew word shalom which is often translated as peace means much more than just the absence of war or conflict. When someone greets you wishing you shalom they’re wishing you peace, joy, and favor from God that brings a life of contentment. It is a prayer for God’s blessing.

So far I’ve been emphasizing making peace by stopping conflict, but I want us to see peacemaking as more than just that – though that’s important. I also want us to think about how we can bring blessings into the lives of those around us. Let me give you an example of a missed opportunity.

I mentioned a few weeks ago that our daughter is now engaged. Sarah’s boyfriend met with us at the end of January asking for her hand in marriage. Then he invited us to his house a few weeks later for a surprise engagement party. I’m not sure what Sarah thought about it, but I think he did it right. He knew Sarah would want to share the news so he secretly invited to his house everyone she might want to share the news with.

I had talked to a friend of mine before I left for the party and it was suggested I should have a toast ready just in case. I thought it was a good idea, but I forgot all about it and I didn’t prepare a toast. In fact, I didn’t think about again till after the party was over and we were halfway home. Then I wished I had thought about it and had taken that opportunity to publically say how much I love Sarah, how proud I am of her, and how pleased I am to have Tom as a son-in-law. But I didn’t do it. It just didn’t even cross my mind until it was too late. I’m sure I’ll have more opportunities to do that, but I missed that one. I missed an opportunity to speak a blessing into their lives and give them shalom.

How many opportunities do we have to speak blessings into the lives of others that will bring peace – shalom? Making peace isn’t just about finding two people who aren’t getting along and stopping the fighting, being a peacemaker is also about creating an atmosphere where is becomes easier to get along with others. Your words and peaceful sprit make it easier for others to feel at ease and peaceful themselves.

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.