Peacemakers - The prophets who spill blood for peace. Matt 5: 9-12

Introduction

G-Morning Life Church.

Stand with me as we read together

Matthew 5:9–12 NASB95

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. “Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. “Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

IMAGINE BEING A ZEALOT IN THE CROWD AS JESUS GAVE THIS MESSAGE.

You are tired of your culture, faith, traditions, and values being overthrown by the elite.

You are disgusted seeing those who have worshipped with give into the Paganism that now surrounds you at all times.

You have had enough and chose to join a group known as the Zealots.

You are now willing to spill blood to bring the Kingdom of God.

AND THEN YOU HEAR JESUS -

Matthew 5:9 NASB95

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

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IF YOU WERE UNFORTUNATE ENOUGH TO WATCH THE OPENING OF THE OLYMPICS YOU MAY FEEL SIMILAR TO THE WAY OF THE ZEALOTS.

Trans ideology which springs from ancient Paganism was front and center.

We had a golden calf.

The white horse with death riding upon it.

And then we a reenactment of the Last Supper - A woman was the Christ character, surrounded by Trans People and one child.

The meal - A blue Pagan god spread over the table in front of them.

WE LIVE IN A WORLD THAT IS POST-CHRISTIAN AND RUSHING TOWARDS PAGANISM.

And the one faith the world desperately wants to destroy is Christianity.

WE LIVE IN A TIME THAT IS VERY SIMILAR TO JESUS’ AND THE FIRST CHURCH.

SO HOW ARE WE TO RESPOND? WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE PEACEMAKERS?

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CONTEXT CONTEXT CONTEXT.

It would be easy to fall into two camps.

Appeasement or Violence.

A Peacemaker is neither of these.

Let’s look at a few of Scriptures to see what Jesus is talking about.

THE CONTEXT OF THE PEACEMAKER IS IN THE LAST THREE INTRODUCTORY POINTS TO HIS SERMON.

Remember - First 3 - Who the Kingdom as been presented to.

Second Three - What the Kingdom of God turns us into.

The final 3 - What the People of the Kingdom should expect in this world.

Peacemakers are tied in with -

Those persecuted for the sake of righteousness.

And blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you for His name sake.

For in the same way they persecuted the prophets before you.

JESUS IS CONNECTING THE PEACEKEEPERS WITH THE TRADITION OF THE PROPHETS WHO SPOKE OUT ON BEHALF OF YAHWEH.

1 Kings 18:4 NASB95

for when Jezebel destroyed the prophets of the Lord, Obadiah took a hundred prophets and hid them by fifties in a cave, and provided them with bread and water.)

2 Chronicles 36:15–16 NASB95

The Lord, the God of their fathers, sent word to them again and again by His messengers, because He had compassion on His people and on His dwelling place; but they continually mocked the messengers of God, despised His words and scoffed at His prophets, until the wrath of the Lord arose against His people, until there was no remedy.

A COUPLE THINGS TO NOTE

The Love of God to continue to send His prophets to people who have turned their back to Him.

The prophets brought a message of Peace - A Peace treaty from God.

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GOD IS CALLING US THE CHURCH OF JESUS TO THE PLACE OF THE PROPHET NOT THE ZEALOT.

AS PEACEKEEPERS WE HAVE THE GOSPEL OF PEACE WHICH GOD HAS OFFERED THE WORLD THROUGH JESUS.

Acts 2:22–23 NASB95

“Men of Israel, listen to these words: Jesus the Nazarene, a man attested to you by God with miracles and wonders and signs which God performed through Him in your midst, just as you yourselves know— this Man, delivered over by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, you nailed to a cross by the hands of godless men and put Him to death.

Acts 2:32–33 NASB95

“This Jesus God raised up again, to which we are all witnesses. “Therefore having been exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He has poured forth this which you both see and hear.

Acts 2:36–38 NASB95

“Therefore let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ—this Jesus whom you crucified.” Now when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brethren, what shall we do?” Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

NOW IS NOT THE TIME TO BE QUIET IT IS A TIME TO SPEAK BOLDLY THE GOSPEL.

The Gospel of Jesus is God’s peace plan to the nations.

Those that repent and place their faith in Jesus will be saved from God’s judgment.

Those who do not will be damned eternally.

THE WORLD WANTS TO SEE YOUR RAGE BUT, THEY ARE TERRIFIED OF THE GOSPEL.

Stay calm and speak the Gospel!

Do not let your anger turn to sin.

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AS PROPHETS OF PEACE NOT ONLY ARE WE CALLED TO PREACH THE GOSPEL IN THE FACE OF PERSECUTION WE ARE CALLED TO LOVE OUR ENEMY.

Matthew 5:43–48 NASB95

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ “But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. “For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? “If you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? “Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

You cannot love your enemy if you do not have enemies.

If you are living the faith and preaching the Good news of Jesus, you will have enemies.

Again Jesus speaks of sonship to those who are Peacemakers.

As we go not in the Spirit of Jonah but rather in the Spirit of Jesus, we show the world who God is.

John 3:16–19 NASB95

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. “For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. “He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. “This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil.

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CONCLUSION

GOD HAS NOT GIVEN US A SPIRIT OF FEAR BUT OF POWER, LOVE, AND A SOUND MIND.

The Church does not lose, cannot lose, and will not lose.

Jesus is King and the kingdoms of this world will become the kingdoms of our Lord..

GOD HAS CALLED HIS CHURCH TO BE A CITY ON THE HILL

HE HAS CALLED HIS CHURCH TO BE PROPHETS TO THE NATIONS.

HE HAS CALLED HIS CHURCH TO PROCLAIM THE GOOD NEWS OF GOD’S PEACE - JESUS.

Our end may be persecution, lies, rejection, and even death.

BUT THE KINGDOM OF GOD WILL OVERCOME THIS WORLD!

BE PROPHETS OF GOD

LOVE YOUR ENEMIES AS GOD LOVES THEM.

AND NEVER STOP PROCLAIMING THE GOSPEL TO THOSE WHO HAVE BE-OCME ENEMIES OF GOD.

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I AM GOING TO END TODAY BY READING TO YOU AN ANCIENT PROPHECY.

Isaiah 9:2–7 NASB95

The people who walk in darkness Will see a great light; Those who live in a dark land, The light will shine on them. You shall multiply the nation, You shall increase their gladness; They will be glad in Your presence As with the gladness of harvest, As men rejoice when they divide the spoil. For You shall break the yoke of their burden and the staff on their shoulders, The rod of their oppressor, as at the battle of Midian. For every boot of the booted warrior in the battle tumult, And cloak rolled in blood, will be for burning, fuel for the fire. For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace, On the throne of David and over his kingdom, To establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness From then on and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will accomplish this.