BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS

A World at War

Isaiah 59:7–8 “Their feet run to evil, and they are swift to shed innocent blood; their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity; desolation and destruction are in their highways. The way of peace they do not know, and there is no justice in their paths; they have made their roads crooked; no one who treads on them knows peace.”

See James 4:1–4...

Discuss how all of the strife and conflict we see in the world is a result of the overflow of our hearts. (Mark 7:20-23)

Romans 8:7 “For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot.”

The Prince of Peace

2 Thessalonians 3:16 “Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all.”

Men are without peace because they are without God, the source of peace.

Isaiah 9:6 “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

See Ephesians 2:12–19...

Romans 5:10 “For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.”

Philippians 4:6–7 “do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

The Peacemakers

Ephesians 5:1 “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children.”

Galatians 5:22–23 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”

John 13:34–35 “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.””

Romans 12:18 “If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.”

See 2 Corinthians 5:17-21...

Matthew 4:19 “And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.””

Isaiah 48:22 ““There is no peace,” says the Lord, “for the wicked.””

Jeremiah 8:11–12 “They have healed the wound of my people lightly, saying, ‘Peace, peace,’ when there is no peace. Were they ashamed when they committed abomination? No, they were not at all ashamed; they did not know how to blush. Therefore they shall fall among the fallen; when I punish them, they shall be overthrown, says the Lord.”

True and lasting peace doesn’t come by sweeping things under the rug. It comes by dealing with them in righteousness and truth.

Hebrews 12:14 “Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.”

Psalm 85:10 “Steadfast love and faithfulness meet; righteousness and peace kiss each other.”

The Blessing

1 John 3:1 “See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him.”

John 13:35 “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.””

See Galatians 4:4–7...