A.In Matthew 5:9, Jesus declared, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.”
1.This means that those who make peace bear such a likeness to God that they will be identified as God’s own offspring both by God Himself and by others.
2.To be called a son of God is a great blessing, for it means that one is fulfilling the purpose of His creation in the image and likeness of his Creator (Gen. 1:26-27).
B.Unlike peacemakers, those who spread strife among brothers are hated by God and considered as abominations in His eyes (Prov. 6:16, 19).
C.What must we do to receive God’s blessing as peacemakers?This is the subject of the lesson.
II.WHAT IS A PEACEMAKER?
A.A peacemaker is a person who settles and prevents strife and division.
1.There are two kinds of peacemakers who settle strife and division.
a.One kind of peacemaker is a third party who helps to resolve a dispute between others.In today’s terms, we call such a person an arbitrator, but in Bible terms he would be called an intercessor.
b.The other kind of peacemaker is a person involved in a dispute who makes the effort to restore peace with his opponent.
2.Peacemakers work to prevent conflicts from occurring in the first place, for truly "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”
a.Peacemakers form godly relationships based upon the principles of God’s word that will prevent strife and division from developing.They understand that when Christians are like-minded in the word of God, they have peace and unity (1Cor. 1:10).
b.The substance and the style of peacemakers’ words will promote and preserve peace in their own relationships and in those of others.They will say what is true and good in such a way that their words will be understood and well-received.
B.Jesus Christ is the greatest of all peacemakers.
1.In Isaiah 9:6, the prophet described the Messiah as the "Prince of Peace.”
2.In Ephesians 2:14-17, Paul explained how Jesus made peace between Jews and Gentiles and between man and God.
a.Jesus removed the division between Jews and Gentiles "by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances” (v. 15).He took the Law out of the way when He "nailed it to the cross” (Col. 2:14).
b.He also reconciled both Jews and Gentiles to God in one body (i.e. the church) through the cross by putting to death the enmity (v. 16).
c.Finally, He brought the message of His work of peace to all men by the gospel (v. 17).
3.Jesus is both kinds of peacemakers.
a.He is a sinless Man who settled the conflict between sinful men and God.In this sense, He is a third party (our High Priest) who intercedes for us (Heb. 7:25).
b.He is also God who was offended by the sins of man, but He made the effort to reconcile us to Himself.Notice these verses of Scripture:
i.Romans 5:8 – But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
ii.Colossians 1:19-20 – For it was the Father’s good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, 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.
c.He is the giver of divine knowledge who prevents strife and division from occurring.His word is the "gospel of peace” (Eph. 6:15).
III.HOW CAN YOU BE A PEACEMAKER?
A.First identify the causes of strife and division, and then you can work to correct them and make peace.
1.Sometimes strife and division are due to sin – selfishness, carnality, evil, wickedness, laziness, etc.
2.In other situations, strife and division are due to misunderstanding – miscommunication, immaturity and inability to understand, overly emotional responses, sensitivity, etc.
3.Deal with each conflict as the situation requires.Not every conflict is the same, but the solutions are universal.
B.You can make peace through teaching the word of God.
1.In James 3:18, the Scripture says, "And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.”That seed is the word of wisdom that comes down from God.
2.The blessed word of wisdom should be preached by peacemakers not only when conflict occurs but also before.God’s word not only resolves conflict, but it also prevents it.
C.You can make peace by diligent effort.
1.In Ephesians 4:1-3, we are implored to "walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called,” which includes "being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”Peace among Christians is established by the Spirit and preserved by our diligence.
2.In Galatians 5:22-23, we learn that part of the fruit of the Spirit is peace.It is our responsibility to work and cultivate this fruit of peace among ourselves.
D.You can make peace by loving your enemies, praying for your persecutors, and doing good for them.
1.Shortly after Jesus pronounced blessing upon the peacemakers, He said, "But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous” (Matt. 5:44-45).
2.Paul goes even farther in Romans 12:18-21 by saying that we should make every effort to be at peace with all men and that we should even do good to our enemies.
3.The outcome of such efforts on behalf of our enemies is the blessing Jesus promised – "You may be sons of your Father…”
E.You can make peace by speaking gently.
1.Sometimes it is not a message that causes strife and division, but it is the way the message is delivered.Hearers should not be overly sensitive, but speakers should speak carefully (Eph. 4:29).
2.Proverbs 15:1 says, "A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”
F.You can make peace by deferring to your brother.
1.In the likeness of Jesus, we are to consider the interests of others above our own (Phil. 2:3-8).Such attitudes make strife and division virtually impossible among Christians.
2.This may even mean suffering a wrong for peace.In discussing Christians taking one another to court in 1Corinthians 6:7, Paul said, "Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be defrauded?”
3.A good example of such peacemaking can be found in Genesis 13:1-12.
a.When Abram’s herds and Lot’s herds were too large to coexist in the same land, Abram said to Lot, "Please let there be no strife between you and me, nor between my herdsmen and your herdsmen, for we are brothers” (v. 8).
b.Although he was in the right, Abram deferred to Lot and let him have first choice of land.
G.You can make peace by interceding for others through prayer.
1.In the likeness of Jesus, we can intercede on behalf of others even when we are not involved in their disputes.Our prayers can be effective in bringing peace.
2.For example, Moses interceded for Israel when God was set to destroy them for their sin with the golden calf (Ex. 32:11-14).Israel was spared because Moses spoke to God on their behalf.
H.You can make peace by accepting discipline.
1.Persons who are in the wrong can multiply trouble by refusing to accept correction.Their stubborn refusal to repent can drag others into the strife and division.
2.Consider Hebrews 12:11, which says, "All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness.”
3.Be thankful to those who offer you correction.Do not resist godly counsel, but accept discipline, and reap a harvest of peace."Listen to counsel and accept discipline, that you may be wise the rest of your days” (Prov. 19:20).
IV.CONCLUSION
A.In Psalm 133:1, David wrote, "Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity!”
B.The goodness and pleasure of unity and peace is well worth every effort.May we all be peacemakers who will be blessed to be called sons of God.
