"Blessed Are the Peacemakers"
Sermon on the Mount • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Read Matthew 5:1-12 -
The Beatitudes are the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount, where Jesus describes the character of those who are Kingdom bound. These characteristics are not the foundation for Salvation rather, they are the evidences of one’s Salvation.
By verse 9, Jesus has progressed from:
Poor in Spirit - that is the inner humility - (spiritual bankruptcy)
Mourn - repentance from past, present, and future sins
Gentle - power under control - submission
Hunger and thirst for righteousness - pursuing the holiness of God
Merciful and Pure in heart -
How a believer impacts others—through peacemaking
Proposition - As we come to the Scriptures together we will focus in on blessed are the peacemakers. We will examine: 1) the history of peace, 2) the foundation of peace, 3) the call to be a peacemaker, 4) the identity of a peacemaker, and 5) the hindrances of a peacemaker.
Interrogative Question - In what ways can we embody the characteristics of a peacemaker in our daily interactions?
The History of Peace -
The History of Peace -
9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
Jewish Understanding – Shalom
Shalom stands as perhaps the most recognizable word in the Hebrew language.
yet its richness defies simple translation, appearing in seventy different ways across a single Bible version.
This semantic depth reveals why shalom matters so profoundly in Scripture.
Beyond Absence of Conflict
The word derives from a root meaning “to be complete” or “to be sound,” translating fundamentally as “completeness,” “wholeness,” “well-being,” or “welfare and peace.”
Critically, when shalom refers to peace, it encompasses far more than mere absence of war or strife—it describes a positive peace featuring love, righteousness, calmness, and moral uprightness.
In Old Testament context, shalom means “well-being” in its fullest sense, gathering up all the blessings of God’s kingdom as life at its best under His gracious hand.
A Divine Gift and Requirement
God alone authors prosperity and peace, bestowing it upon the righteous, yet no peace exists for the wicked.
Shalom is reserved for those who walk with God in a positive relationship.
God requires peace of His people, and believers who have received peace are instructed to live in peace with others, becoming true spiritual peacemakers between humanity and God.
Fulfilled in Christ
Jesus’ use of shalom on Easter evening represented the first truly authentic bestowal of shalom in history, precisely because His death and resurrection brought God’s kingdom into realization.
His “Shalom!” on Easter evening complements His “It is finished!” on the cross, as the peace of reconciliation and life from God is now imparted.
[1] Eugene E. Carpenter and Philip W. Comfort, in Holman Treasury of Key Bible Words: 200 Greek and 200 Hebrew Words Defined and Explained (Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2000), 135.
[2] Bruce Milne, The Message of John: Here Is Your King!: With Study Guide, The Bible Speaks Today (Leicester, England; Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1993), 297.
[3] W. Adams Brown, “PEACE,” in A Dictionary of the Bible: Dealing with Its Language, Literature, and Contents Including the Biblical Theology, ed. James Hastings et al. (New York; Edinburgh: Charles Scribner’s Sons; T. & T. Clark, 1911–1912), 3:733.
The Hebrew concept of peace (shalom) meant far more than the absence of conflict. It included:
Wholeness
Harmony
Spiritual well-being
Right relationship with God
For Jews in Jesus’ day, peace was tied to God’s covenant blessings (Numbers 6:24–26).
Yet many expected the Messiah to bring political peace—freedom from Roman oppression. Instead, Jesus taught a deeper peace: reconciliation with God.
Roman Context – Pax Romana -
The Roman Empire promoted the Pax Romana (“Roman Peace”), which was:
Maintained by military force
Focused on order and control
This was not true peace—it was enforced silence.
The Roman Empire’s relationship to early Christianity shaped the faith’s explosive growth across the Mediterranean world. Roman rule over the biblical lands profoundly influenced the development of early Christianity.[1]
Infrastructure and Communication
Greek language and culture unified the New Testament world, enabling missionaries like Paul to communicate everywhere in Greek without language barriers.[2] Beyond language, Rome constructed an unequaled network of roads during the first century, and these Roman roads facilitated the spread of the gospel.[3] Many churches Paul established were situated on widely traveled roads, allowing believers in these cities to share the gospel with other travelers.[3] Sea travel became common throughout the eastern Mediterranean, and Roman roads made land travel easier, facilitating gospel expansion.[1]
Political Stability and Legal Status
Under Emperor Augustus, the Pax Romana imposed unprecedented stability through Roman government and law, eliminating passport troubles and wars between competing states.[2] Critically, early Christianity was initially considered a sect of Judaism by Roman authorities, making it a “licit religion” with guaranteed freedom of practice.[2] Paul’s status as a Roman citizen brought him opportunities to move freely throughout the empire on his missionary journeys.[1]
Political Complications
However, Roman rule created tensions. After Rome conquered Judaea, the Jews fought several wars of rebellion, with the First Jewish Revolt resulting in the destruction of the Jerusalem Temple in AD 70.[1] Roman taxation placed incredible burdens on those living in poverty, providing the backdrop for Jesus’s emphasis on God’s care for the poor.[3]
[1] Paul J. Martin, “Rome, Provinces Of, Eastern,” in The Lexham Bible Dictionary, ed. John D. Barry et al. (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2016). [See here, here, here, here.]
[2] Lawrence O. Richards, The Teacher’s Commentary (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1987), 784.
[3] John D. Barry et al., Faithlife Study Bible (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2012, 2016). [See here, here, here, here.]
👉 Jesus’ teaching stands in contrast:
Biblical peace is not forced—it is transformed hearts living in reconciliation.
Old Testament Foundation of Peace -
God is repeatedly revealed as a God of peace -
Judges 6:24 – “The LORD is Peace” (Jehovah Shalom)
24 Then Gideon built an altar there to the Lord and named it The Lord is Peace. To this day it is still in Ophrah of the Abiezrites.
6 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.
14 Depart from evil and do good; Seek peace and pursue it.
Peace was always tied to righteousness and obedience to God.
The Foundation of Peace -
The Foundation of Peace -
9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
Peace begins with reconciliation with God -
1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
20 and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven.
Historically, theologians have emphasized this throughout the ages -
Augustine described peace as “the tranquility of order”—a life rightly ordered under God
The Reformers taught that peace comes through justification by faith alone, not human effort
Remember you will never make peace with anyone if you are still at war with God.
Peace is not avoidance—it is restoration -
13 “For from the least of them even to the greatest of them, Everyone is greedy for gain, And from the prophet even to the priest Everyone deals falsely. 14 “They have healed the brokenness of My people superficially, Saying, ‘Peace, peace,’ But there is no peace. 15 “Were they ashamed because of the abomination they have done? They were not even ashamed at all; They did not even know how to blush. Therefore they shall fall among those who fall; At the time that I punish them, They shall be cast down,” says the Lord.
True peace confronts sin and brings restoration through the cross.
John Calvin noted that peace must be grounded in truth and righteousness, not compromise.
Biblical peace is not keeping everyone happy in the worlds eyes rather, it is bringing people into right relationship with God Almighty.
The Costly Treaty
After wars in history, peace treaties often came at great cost—land, resources, or lives.
But the greatest peace treaty was the cross:
Not negotiated
Not mutual
Paid entirely by Christ
👉 Peace with God required the sacrifice of the Son of God.
The Call to be a Peacemaker -
The Call to be a Peacemaker -
9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
Peacemaking reflects the character of God -
18 Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation.
God is the supreme peacemaker, reconciling sinners through His Son Jesus Christ. Those who know Christ are to reflect the very character of God as a peacemaker.
Throughout church history:
Early Christians were known for reconciling broken relationships
They stood out in a violent Roman culture by practicing forgiveness and unity
Remember - A peacemaker is someone who actively works to restore what sin has broken.
Peacemaking proclaims the gospel of peace -
14 For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, 15 by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances, so that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thus establishing peace, 16 and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the enmity.
15 How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news of good things!”
The early church spread rapidly because believers carried this message of the cross.
Remember - Peace with God is available through Jesus Christ alone.
Peacemaking pursues peace -
18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men. 19 Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.
14 Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord.
Historically:
The Puritans emphasized peace in the church as evidence of genuine faith
They taught that unresolved conflict often revealed unmortified sin
Peacemaking involves:
Humility
Repentance
Forgiveness
Loving confrontation
The Broken Wall
In ancient cities, walls separated enemies. When peace was made, walls were sometimes torn down.
Ephesians 2:14 – Christ “has broken down the middle wall of partition”
👉 A peacemaker doesn’t build barriers—they remove them through truth and grace.
The Identity of a Peacemaker -
The Identity of a Peacemaker -
9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
This is about recognition, not adoption.
1 See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God; and such we are. For this reason the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.
Peacemakers reflect God’s nature -
In ancient culture:
A “son” represented the character and reputation of the father
When you make peace, you display the likeness of your heavenly Father.
The Mediator
Think of a mediator stepping between two hostile parties.
He listens to both sides
He works toward reconciliation
👉 Jesus is the ultimate mediator (1 Timothy 2:5), and we reflect Him when we help reconcile others.
Hindrances of Peacemaking -
Hindrances of Peacemaking -
Pride -
10 Through insolence comes nothing but strife, But wisdom is with those who receive counsel.
Historically recognized as the root of division since the fall - speaking of pride.
Love of self over truth -
Compromising truth to avoid discomfort
Fear of man -
Avoiding biblical confrontation
👉 True peacemaking requires courage shaped by the truth of God’s Word.
SO WHAT?
How can we cultivate a heart of humility as mentioned in the Beatitudes?
What does it mean to hunger and thirst for righteousness in our daily lives?
In what ways can prayer contribute to our role as peacemakers in the world?
How can we actively seek to restore relationships that have been broken?
What specific actions can demonstrate God's peace in our interactions with others?
What are some practical steps we can take to pursue peace in our families?
How can we recognize and address our own pride as a hindrance to peacemaking?
In what situations have you found it difficult to be a peacemaker, and how can you improve?
How can understanding the historical context of peace help us in our relationships today?
What role does forgiveness play in our everyday interactions to foster peace?
There are three kinds of people in the world -
Peace-breakers – create conflict
Peace-fakers – ignore problems
Peacemakers – restore relationships through truth
Peacemakers Leader is the God of Peace -
Peacemakers Aspire after peace with all men -
Peacemakers Proclaim the Gospel of Peace -
Peacemakers Pattern their live after the Prince of Peace -
Jesus says the blessed ones are not the loudest, strongest, or most dominant…
Matthew The Seventh Beatitude
True peace-makers are all those whose Leader is the God of peace (
