17. Blessed Are The Peacemakers

Introduction

A modern parable about a woman at the airport…

Today, we’re stepping back into the Beatitudes with Matthew 5:9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.”

Subject: What is a peacemaker?

Body

Peacemakers are not passive pushovers or belligerent bullies. Peacemakers are not timid appeasers or hostile aggressors.

Explanation

Not a passive pushover (Hebrews 12:14 “Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.”)

A peacemaker “strives for peace with everyone.” A peacemaker also strives for holiness. Without holiness, we can’t have peace. That’s why Matt 5:9 (peacemakers) comes after Matt 5:8 (pure in heart).

Sometimes, we’re tempted to ignore sin, look the other way, or tolerate injustice to “keep the peace.” We shouldn’t engage in unnecessary hostility, but tolerating injustice for the sake of avoiding conflict is not making peace.

“The words ‘peace’ and ‘appeasement’ are not synonyms. For the peace of God is not peace at any price.” —John Stott

Not a belligerent bully (John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you…”

Peace “as the world gives” is Pax Romana…

As Christians, we must beware of the temptation to establish so-called peace through intimidation, domination, slander, or cancel culture.

We need to be very careful when accusing people of heresy or canceling them… Peacemaking does not mean canceling everyone who disagrees with you.

Application: Peace is not the absence of tension but the presence of shalom.

Shalom is the biblical concept of a relationship of love and loyalty with God and others. It means the presence of flourishing, wholeness, and justice.

On this side of the return of Christ, being a peacemaker who brings shalom will not eliminate tension but create it. That’s why after Matt 5:9 (peacemakers), Jesus said Matt 5:10 (persecuted for righteousness’ sake).

Peacemakers are children who look like their Heavenly Father. Peacemakers are portraits of Christ.

Explanation (Matthew 5:9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.”)

Like children bearing a family resemblance, when we strive for shalom, we look like our Father in Heaven. // Peacemaking is God’s family business…

The greatest obstacle to peace is self-preservation… That’s why we need Philippians 2:3–5 “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus.”

Illustration: Example of a peacemaker in my life, Brian Bill…

Conclusion

1 John 3:16 (NIV), “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.”

Do you have peace with God? // We cannot establish on Earth what we do not have with Heaven. If we are at war with God, we will never be at peace with one another.

Do you have peace with yourself?

Are you bringing peace to others through love and self-sacrifice?