Sermon Tone Analysis

Blessed are the Peace Makers

The word peacemakers does not imply pacifism, unlike later sections of the sermon.

It does not refer to those who do not fight, but those who actively bring conflict to an end.

“Hill notes that peacemakers is a rarely used word in the period, and that it was most commonly used to refer to Roman Emperors who had brought peace”

One after the other, the Beatitudes tell us that the blessings of eternity will be given only to those who have become new creatures.

For example, “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. . . .

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. . . .

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

If we don’t obtain mercy, we receive judgment.

If we don’t see God, we are not in heaven.

If we aren’t called the sons of God, we are outside the family.

These are all descriptions of final salvation, and it is promised only to the merciful, the pure in heart, and the peacemakers.

Intro

The memory of the Maccabees was vivid in the minds of the Jewish people throughout the time of Jesus’ earthly ministry.

The very sight of Roman soldiers was a painful reminder that, under the Maccabees (in the second century BC), the Jews had ruled their own kingdom.

Many, like the zealots, hoped for a military uprising to end Roman rule.

This included men like Simon the Zealot, one of Jesus’ disciples.

But from the beginning of His ministry, Jesus demonstrated that He had a different mission.

He had come to fulfill the ancient prophecy that He would be called the “Prince of Peace” ().

Peace was central to Jesus’ life and ministry.

Announcing His birth, the angelic choir declared,

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased”().

Jesus would tell His disciples, “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you” ().

And He gave them His Word “so that in Me you may have peace” ().

The message of peace was central to the Gospel.

Paul taught that peace was a fruit of the Holy Spirit ().

Believers also could experience God’s peace as they prayed about everything and let their requests be made known to God.

As they practiced the truths of the Gospel, they were promised that “the God of peace” would be with them ().

Today, God still promises blessings to those who are passionate about seeking Him and serving Him.

He gives favor to those who want to be instruments of His peace.

This means a quest to bring reconciliation to families…heal sick bodies…restore those who are worried…and offer peace with God to all who are troubled.

I “What does ‘blessed are the peacemakers’ mean?"

john

Broadly Speaking

Jesus laid down His life to make peace between God and sinners, and when we can carry that message of peace to others, we are peacemakers.

God delights in those who reconcile others to Himself—those who bring the gospel are “beautiful” ().

God “reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation” ().

So what did Jesus mean by peacemaker?

A working definition of a peacemaker is someone who is actively seeking to reconcile people to God and to one another.

Let’s look closely at the word peacemaker.

Easily we can see that this compound word is comprised of two very common words: “peace” and “maker.”

It is important to remember that peace in the Bible is always based on justice and righteousness.

Where justice prevails and righteousness rules, there you will also have peace.

But without those two virtues, lasting peace is not possible.

The word make in the term “peacemakers” comes from the Greek verb that means “to do” or “to make.”

It is a word bursting with energy.

It mandates action and initiative.

Someone has to drag the combatants to the table and give them a reason to put down their arms.

Notice Jesus did not say “Blessed are the peacewishers or the peacehopers or the peacedreamers or the peacelovers or the peacetalkers.”

Peace must be made.

Peace never happens by chance.

A peacemaker is never passive.

They always take the initiative.

They are up and doing.

So when these two words are taken together, “peace” and “maker,” it describes one who actively pursues peace.

The peacemaker pursues more than the absence of conflict; they don’t avoid strife (in fact, sometimes, peacemaking will create strife); they aren’t merely seeking to appease the warring parties;

God “reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation” ().

Those who bring reconciliation to broken relationships are carrying on the work of Jesus, the Prince of Peace.

Those who give of themselves as Jesus did in order that others may know God are called "blessed."

There is no real peace apart from a relationship with God ().

What may masquerade as worldly peace is merely a temporary lull in chaos ().

True peace is found only in a restored relationship with God.

“‘There is no peace,’ says the LORD, ‘for the wicked’” ().

Those who bring reconciliation to broken relationships are carrying on the work of Jesus, the Prince of Peace.

Those who give of themselves as Jesus did in order that others may know God are called "blessed."

There is no real peace apart from a relationship with God ()

Only children of God can bring the peace of knowing God to others.

A person must have a real relationship with God before he or she can help someone else know God.

Those who witness for Christ, share their faith with their friends, and serve others in the name of Christ are the ambassadors for peace this verse identifies (see also ).

Those who bring the wonderful message of God's peace to the world are "peacemakers," and Jesus calls them the "children of God."

A parent that bring peace with God to his child by leading them to the Lord

A co-worker that describes the peace with God through salvation in Christ

A child of God should be an active peace maker

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

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

II Peacemakers Have a New Heart

A peacemaker is someone that has made peace with God though salvation in Jesus Christ.

A peacemaker is someone that has made peace with God though salvation in Jesus Christ.

One after the other, the Beatitudes tell us that the blessings of eternity will be given only to those who have become new creatures.

One after the other, the Beatitudes tell us that the blessings of eternity will be given only to those who have become new creatures.

If we don’t obtain mercy, we receive judgment.

If we don’t see God, we are not in heaven.

If we aren’t called the sons of God, we are outside the family.

These are all descriptions of final salvation, and it is promised only to the merciful, the pure in heart, and the peacemakers.

John Piper - Thus, the Beatitudes are like long spikes holding down the lid of the coffin on the false teaching that says if you just believe in Jesus, then you will go to heaven — whether or not you are merciful, or pure in heart, or a peacemaker.

From beginning to end, the Sermon on the Mount cries out, “Get yourself a new heart!

Become a new person!

The river of judgment is at the door!”

You recall the words of verse 20: “Unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven” ().

At the very end of the sermon in , the Lord calls out over the crowds,

In other words, a life of disobedience to the Beatitudes and to the Sermon on the Mount will not stand in the judgment no matter what we believe.

III Peacemakers seek Peace with Others

I was convicted this past week that I have probably not treated this dimension of the Beatitudes with as much earnestness and seriousness as I should, and that the care that I have for your eternal good has not shown itself as genuinely as it must.

My conscience was pricked in reading an old book by Horatius Bonar to pastors in which he said,

Our words are feeble, even when sound and true; our looks are careless, even when our words are weighty; and our tones betray the apathy which both words and looks disguise.

(Words to Winners of Souls, 55)

“Jesus cries from beginning to end, ‘Get yourself a new heart.’”

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I want to impress upon your consciences this morning with as much earnestness as I can that Jesus is not making optional suggestions in the Beatitudes, and this sermon is not a series of suggestions on how to make the world better.