Blessed Life: The Peacemakers

Introduction:

RED LETRS - words of Jesus; Sermon on Mount - until April

Please stand, if you can.

Matthew 5:3–9 ““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 meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the PEACEMAKERS, for they will be called children of God.”

May be seated.

Those living the good life… those God can use for His kingd…

Look like the needy mourners, the spir’ly poor, meek.

Look like those desiring what’s right, what’s gracious, & pure.

Look like those fighting for wholeness.

What does ‘peacemaking’ mean?

Start with a quick overview of Biblical ‘peace’

Though writing in gk., thinking in Hebrew. SHALOM.

Heb. “Shalom” means an ideal state with no divisions, brokenness; e.g. complete. Jesus makes the church perfectly Shalom: Ephesians 2:14-15

Ephesians 2:14 “For [Christ] himself is our peace, who has made [Jews & the nations] one.

Jesus IS our peace. He is the one who makes our relationship with God complete; and he makes the Church whole (complete)!

Biblically, we can be ‘at peace’ even in times of distress because Jesus is our source - not just having an easy life.

OK OK, so if that’s a snapshot of what peace is… what’s peacemaking.

start with what it’s NOT.

Peacemaking is not peace-keeping; it’s confrontational!

P’making is not just letting time heal all wounds. Not rolling over and playing nice even tho you’re being mistreated.

P’making is not avoiding convo bc it’s going to be uncomfortable, awkw’d. Not guilt someone into changing.

Peacemaking is generous and loving, but also confrontational.

Confrontation still made humbly, hat in hand, petition for the best both parties; mediation.

PeaceMAKING assumes that peace is NOT there; needs to be cultivated.

You won’t need to MAKE it if it’s already existing, complete.

Paul assumes that we’re going to have broken relat’s; even in Church.

To the hearers of his ltr we call Eph (likely written to make churches)…

Ephesians 4:3 “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.”

Apparently, we’re resp. for “making an effort”… knows humans; challenging.

Typically we don’t even make any effort.

“I’m offended, so I’ll just go some’re else!” “I’ll quit ministry! That’ll show them.” “They’re not family, don’t need to patch up.” “I’ll spread rumors about them.” “Hold bitterness in my heart, never speak again!”

Exactly what the enemy wants!

Not saying it’s easy. May take some time… but make EFFORT like AP cmds.

Seen so many Xians resist restor’g peace among other believers. NOT XLIKE.

Always caveat: if unsafe, dang’ous, other intervention needs happen.

THEN, making peace is actual police interv’n!

See, making peace requires backbone; confidence.

Making Peace breeds Resistance.

Jesus who preached about those who make peace between parties also forecast problems for those who do.

Matthew 5:9–10 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

There will always be those who disagree with how to make it right.

Main factions of JC’s day each had diff. ways of dealing w/ Rome:

Essenes: W/draw, separate & devote } Phar’ees: Follow law & make more } Sadu’ees: mold devo’n to match Rome & work with } Zealots: KILL EM ALL!

Each group had own way of ‘making peace’ or making whole, right curr. polit. situation.

Jesus’ teachings inflamed each group…

Jesus died at the request of people who were dissatisfied with His Way of making peace in the world.

If Jesus faced persecution for making peace, then >>

I will Face Persecution…

Matthew 5:11 ““Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.”

On the heels of His defining those who embody good life as those who create peace, personalizes this ‘blessed saying’: you WILL be persecuted.

2 BIG CLARIFICATION: 1. Persecuted “bc of me”.

Not persec. bc of your haircut | choice of music/movies | gender | politics

ALSO: not being hated/rebuked for acting selfishly!

Not necessarily living the ‘blessed life’.

2. Doesn’t mean have to seek out persec. Will honestly just happen!

Ask: "Ok Jesus; what DOES being persec. for my sake mean?”

Well, ties directly to making peace. AND, if continue to read/listen to S.o.M., JC will define how we’re supposed to make peace with var. people:

You will be persecuted >>

…When I Defend the Powerless.

Standing up for those w/o voice can disrupt the comf’ble social hierarchies we exist in

Can trigger a backlash from those who benefit from the status quo!

ILLUS: William Wilberforce and the slave trade hearings

WW’s spoke, as Xian, in Parliament against Slave trade

Not just abstract sermons—he brought evidence, eyewitness testimony, & graphic descriptions of slave ship conditions.

The comfortable could no longer pretend not to know.

Mocked, stalled, blacklisted, & opposed at every turn, her persisted in what he knew was right.

WW spent 20 yrs pressing issue in British Parliament until the Slave Trade Act of 1807 ended Britain’s participation in the slave trade. Days before his death saw Slavery Abolition Act of 1833 ratified.

Proverbs 31:8–9 “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.”

Let your ears prick up when one group is generalizing, speaking ill of a particular group of ppl.

Instead of going along with popular voice, research & listen to stories of the very ppl we’re told to hate.

When it comes to a divisive or hot-button topic,

Enter into a conversation with grace and let God’s Word & His Way guide us inform our views.

May we, as the wise book says, “judge well”.

However, I guarantee that offering a compassionate POV will stir many to hatred.

We can be persecuted for standing with the Powerless OR >>

…When I Forgive instead of Take Revenge.

World often views forg'ss as weakness! Calls "getting even" justice.

Many many (really entertaining & good) movies just about ‘getting even’. Something so fulfilling about that, yet…

Something that should really be left up to God!

Extending grace not popular ideal. Can alienate you from peers—want to see "eye-for-an-eye" retaliation!

AP warns us:

Romans 12:19–20 “Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.””

There is a third way that is harder and does not come naturally…

Showing honor or even love toward some1 who you disagree with; who’s nasty to you; who’s sincerely offended you; U have every good reason to hate…

…will challenge you on the level with Jesus who said:

Matthew 5:44 “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,”

And, to those who had just whipped, mocked & shamed him:

Luke 23:34 “Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing…”

You WILL receive flack from others if you choose to forgive your enemies.

Doesn’t mean be best friends; allow 'self to be hurt again; spend time with…

Does mean release the hate or bitterness & choose to let God (and/or courts) handle justice

I’ll be persec.: Defend powerless; 4give && >>

…When I Suggest a Compromise

In our polarized world, being "peacemaker" is risky!

I do my very best to try and see both sides of an argument, political position, stance

Helps me be a better pastor to challenge your view and consider another

Hwver, Offering a counter-POV or even asking one side to concede s’thing leads to being attacked by both sides of an issue—PICK A SIDE!

Galatians 1:10 “Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.”

Rather than get angry or entrenched—(I have my convictions and I don’t waver) >>

1. I like to help others see debates from more circumspect perspective

2. Often what media treats like a gospel issue is a side issue OR

3. The way of politics hardly ever fully lines up w/ Jesus & want U to ackn. where U’re making concessions!

Jesus’ brother James says:

James 3:17–18 “But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial & sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.”

Again: this means speaking up and having a voice—not rolling over!

And people will be confused at best—violent & threatening at worst.

My Response? Rejoice!

Matthew 5:12 “Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

This is a theme in the Bible of rejoicing even in times of trial or challenge.

Again:

Joy is a confident disposition of knowing “God’s got this”! Jesus’ crucifixion is the prime example! See: 1 Peter 4:13-14, Acts 5:41

May or May not involve actual smiling.

Move though life re: finances, politics, relat's, ultimately in peace bc you know that - @end of day, God’s in control & we trust in Him.

And, when we do good and get flack for it, can ultimately rest easy knowing will be vindicated.

Like what Peter says in first letter…

1 Peter 4:13–14 “But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.”

Make SURE you know you’re on the side of Jesus!!!

Peter says: Spirit rests on some1 who stands up for Jesus’ prior.

OR—Apostles [in Acts}, who, after being flogged by the authorities, left the presence of the council:

Acts 5:41 “The apostles left… rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name.”

Here’s the thing — Jesus promises great reward in His kingdom

My Reward? Great!

The final beatitude reminds us that…

Matthew 5:12 “…great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

The sting of earthly rejection is eclipsed by the weight of heavenly reward.

Jesus himself is our reward.

The victor over death; substitute for our sin; the Way through; the 1st/last…

Stand with the least, last, & lost—don’t defend those who hurt them.

Forgive even when it’s difficult.

Present a compromise & see peace flourish.