The Right Work
Notes
Transcript
Intro: As we’ve gone through the beatitudes, we’ve grouped several together each week so far.
Today is the exception.
Today we are looking at just one.
Why?
Peace seems to be in such a short supply right now—just like TP was last year; its rare, hard to find.
All you need to do is watch news headlines, scan social media, or have real conversation with enough people—we are not in a season of peace.
One small example:
In the local Irmo Newspaper, the one that is free you can find in small local businesses
—I was reading one recently; In letter to the editor, a local man wrote expressing strong opinion over how people ought handle COVID—to people who disagreed with him, in his own words “Please shut up and sit down. You embarrass yourself”
(The Irmo News, Oct 7, 2021—Letter to the editor, pg, 13)
I guess he at least said “Please” but honestly telling people who disagree to sit down, shut up, b/c they embarrass themselves—is hardly compelling, winsome....all it does is create a further division
*It’s further prof that we are not enjoying a season of peace with one another
Ecclesiastes talks about the seasons we go through
a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
a time to love, and a time to hate;
a time for war, and a time for peace.
We are not marked by a season of overwhelming peace
Under the blessings of God, there can be a season of peace (Acts 9:31)
This is why I think it calls for a deep dive into Jesus’s clear an compelling call for us to be peacemakers
AIM:
To be disciples who love peace, and be willing to do the hard work of making and maintaining peace.
To be disciples who love peace, and be willing to do the hard work of making and maintaining peace.
Of all the beatitudes, this one is the most assertive—calls for concrete action (Anchor Bible Dictionary)
Jesus does not say: Blessed are the peaceful, but peacemakers—i.e .those who are doing the right work
**All the other beatitudes tell us the right disposition, or attitude to have; this one tells us the right work to do.
The farming analogy in the James give us
And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
Apply: If we are not working at having peace—it denies the gospel we profess.
Just like marriage. If we take it lightly, it denies the gospel and the covenant.
5 Biblical perspectives to help us to do the right work of peacemaking
We need to be able to see this is worth valuing and fighting for. The Bible places a supreme value on Peace—the fact that the word appears in almost every writing in the NT.
What is it?
The word peace in the Bible can mean many things: wholeness, health, protection, even prosperity
—But here it’s relational peace; to be free of conflict, strive, division
1. Peacemaking does not come naturally
1. Peacemaking does not come naturally
When I say “naturally” —not denying that some people are nice, more laid back, easy to get along with (even non-Christians have those traits)
**It means that the default setting of our sinful heart is not to move towards peace, but move into conflict
Paul describes our “natural” condition is to be in conflict--
For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another.
Even the apostle Paul’s own testimony reflects this.
What was he doing before he was saved by Jesus?—no making peace…especially with disciples
though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief,
2. Peacemaking is central to the gospel
2. Peacemaking is central to the gospel
Peace is at the hub of the gospel; It’s a gospel of peace (
The German Pastor-matryr Detreich Bonhoeffer when he talked discipleship, he used a phrase “cheap grace” —
Disciples can’t be people of “cheap grace” —they need to know that grace is deep, rich concept.
Similarly, we can’t be people of cheap peace
Cheap peace—does understand who God really is.
Cheap peace—lacks God as the starting point; or at least the wrong view of God.
The default thinking about God is that he is pretty ok with us, especially if we are pretty decent people
*What’s often missing is the sheer holiness of God—and the depth of our separation from him if left in our sin
for our God is a consuming fire.
**Fire is not something you take casually or lightly; you fear it, respect it.
This is the starting point for grasping the God of peace and the gospel of peace without it turning into cheap peace
Yet throughout the Bible, God show us again and again that he is a God of peace
—God is Peace (Judges 6:24)
—Messiah is Prince of Peace (Is 9:6)
—The NC is a covenant of peace (Ezek 37:26)
For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility
Peace is not found in a principle, but a person;
and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.
It’s the precious blood of Christ that secures our peace
*That why the peace of the gospel is not a cheap peace—think of the cost; think of the cost friends!
Let it sink in!
Gospel: Peacemaking is not easy, cheap work. It cost Jesus everything. His sweat, toil, obedience, blood, tears, agony—all to absorb God’s wrath so that all who trust him can live in the promise of eternal peace.
3. Peacemaking marks our identity
3. Peacemaking marks our identity
Specifically, it’ proves our adopted status (Mt 5:9)
In the biblical world and times, to be a son almost always meant that you share in the same trade-work as your father.
E.G. Jesus is the carpenter’s son.
Similar to what is said in Mt 5:44-48
Apply: When we are actively pursing peacemaking, we do work that God the Father loves doing—reconciling enemies.
Just to be very clear—peacemaking is not a natural temperament
**A peacemaker is not a naturally easygoing, nice, laid-back person
A peacemaker is one who:
-- Knows God;
-- Knows doctrine, have a Biblical grasp of the doctrine of sin;
--and a firm confidence in the gospel
**One Bible Dictionary states that peacemaking: “Is the chief fruit in the transformed children of God” (Mounce’s Expository Dictionary)
Therefore: The appetite for peacemaking comes from Gospel Transformation
It does not just identify God’s children in the present—but will reveal who God’s children are in the future—especially at the Final Judgment.
For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God.
Apply: Our appetite and capacity to do the work of peacemaking should either give us confidence, or maybe cause some reflective concern.
This is the identity mark for those know God, and call him Father!
4. Peacemaking requires work
4. Peacemaking requires work
Aim: To be disciples who love peace, and are willing to do the hard work of making and maintaining peace.
A good place to learn this is in Romans
The final chapters in Romans are how to live out Gospel Transformation in the ordinary challenges of life—in ordinary relationships
If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.
Apply: When something or someones depends on me, it means I have work.
I have responsibility
It’s really kingdom work
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.
Practically, what else can we look for in a peacemaker?
“They must be content to bear bitter complaint from both sides, must exercise great self-control, unwearied patience, and loving tact, and must be manifestly impartial and unselfish.
There is no more Godlike work to be done in this world, than peacemaking.”
(John Broadus—Commentary on Matthew)
Does that description fit?
And Do you agree with Broadus that there is no more Godlilke work?
We can also take the application a step further—
Being peacemakers will also involve us bringing a gospel of peace
How beautiful upon the mountains
are the feet of him who brings good news,
who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness,
who publishes salvation,
who says to Zion, “Your God reigns.”
Apply: If we work hard, really hard at having good, harmonious relationship with everyone inside the church, great.
If we do the hard work of having peace with outsiders who oppose us, and keep a good reputation—wonderful
But if our lips stay closed, and we don’t ever share the gospel of peace.... I think we fall short of having peacemaking life that Jesus calls us to
What if we were at peace—no conflict, with every non-Christian in our lives.....But never shared with anyone how to have peace with God?
Bluntly: when was the last time you shared with someone how they can have peace with God?
Peacemaking is is the ability to reconcile enemies; We see this in Pauls heart---
It should be in our hearts to want to see other enemies of God reconciled
Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.
The hard work of peacemaking us also woven into our labor of evangelism and mission
5. Peacemaking requires maintenance and radical pursuit
5. Peacemaking requires maintenance and radical pursuit
I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call—
I Read once that it takes about 18 months relationship grow stale. The point being that it takes regular maintenance-conversation, work to keep things fresh and lively
How much more true is it, as we enter into human relationship as sinners, with other sinners, that we need to be “eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace”
Finally,
Peacemaking will radical pursuit—such a radical pursuit; the same radical purist that ought to mark our drive after holiness
Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.
Conclusion
Peacemaking takes work—hard work. Toil, tears, even blood and sweat.
Peacemaking is a costly work; but it’s always the Right Work.
Are we willing to do the work??
Apply:
There are multiple actions steps that can be taken.
—The first and most urgent is to be at peace with God of you are not. The only way is to come to Jesus Christ, confessing your sin, ask for forgiveness.
“I implore you, on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God”
—Some may need to take the first steps at reconciliation with someone; or a second attempt
—Others may need to relax a bit on how strong your opinions are; Is your opinion over a non-gospel issue causing sharp division with others?
—And some may need to move from being “nice” to being a peacemaker—which may include getting out of a comfort zone and overcoming the fear of man…being more bold in sharing the gospel of peace
Whatever the work, it’s the Right Work…it’s the work the Lord Jesus calls his disciples to