The Peacemaker

Matthew 5:9

Intro:

There is something dreadfully wrong with our world. There’s war in the world, war in the home, and war in the church. Everyone’s offended. There is an urgent need for peacemakers.

I. The Nature of Peace:

a. Peace is not appeasement. Romans 12:18 says, “If it be possible, as much as lies within you, live peaceably with all men,” which means that it’s not always possible. Peace is not truce making. Peace is not the absence of war. Peace is a right relationship with God that leads to right relationship with oneself and guides us in a right relationship with other people. That’s peace. In other words, peace is the result and a fruit of righteousness.

b. Righteousness and peace are linked (James 3:17; Psalm 85:10; Hebrews 7:2) You cannot have peace without righteousness and peace is a right relationship with God, resulting in a right relationship in your heart, and then a right relationship with one another. It is the righteousness of God ruling and reigning in your heart.

II. The Enemy of Peace:

a. If peace is linked with righteousness, then war—lack of peace—is linked with sin. It always is. Isaiah 48:22, “There is no peace, saith the LORD, unto the wicked.” That’s it. Sin is the problem. Sin separates men from God. Sin brings inner warfare and separates men from men. (Jeremiah 8:11–12) There can be no peace without the Prince of Peace.

b. Jesus said in Matthew 10:34, “Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.” He was saying, “I didn’t come to make a truce with the devil.” When God’s standard of righteousness is established, there will always be a division. Without righteousness, there can be no Godly peace. The sword of Jesus is like a scalpel. It must first hurt before it heals. Peace can never come where sin remains. God will never make a peace treaty with sin!

III. Getting Peace:

a. Peace was the Father’s idea (Jeremiah 29:11). Peace bought by the Son (Ephesians 2:13-14) Peace is supplied by the Holy Spirit. (Galatians 5:22; John 14:16,26-27; Romans 8:16). The Father thought it, the Son bought it, the Holy Spirit brought it.

IV. Ambassadors of Peace:

a. (2 Corinthians 5:18) That is our ministry: soul winning – just introducing people to Jesus. He has given to us the ministry of reconciliation. We are ambassadors for Christ. The greatest thing you can ever do is to receive the peace Jesus made on the cross, and let Him rule and reign in your heart, and then be a peacemaker; not an appeaser, but lifting up the glorious Name of the Lord Jesus Christ.