The Blessings
7 – The Peacemakers
A. THE “BLESSINGS,” OR “BEATITUDES,” ARE WELL KNOWN.
B. BOTH THE BLESSINGS AND THE TRAITS ARE COMPOSITES.
C. SERMON’S THEME (5:20).
A. NOT ONE WHO DESIRES PEACE, BUT ONE WHO MAKES PEACE.
1. Proper attitude, belief or knowledge must be accompanied by action (Jas. 2:15-16; 1 John 3:18; Luke 6:46).
2. What we do is a product of what we are (Luke 6:43-45).
Do we want peace, real peace, or merely to avoid hassle?
Quiet atmosphere is not the same thing as peace.
B. THE PEACEMAKER TAKES THE INITIATIVE.
1. Abraham and Lot (Gen. 13).
2. Jesus’ teaching.
a. Matt. 5:21-26.
- Proper disposition as opposed to anger or contempt.
- Right the wrong, top priority.
b. Matt. 18:15-20. Don’t wait, every effort, Jesus’ sanction (James 1:19-20).
3. Teaching of Paul.
a. 1 Cor. 6:1-11.
- Public spectacle, we judge the world.
- Why not rather take the wrong?
- In keeping with our redeemed character.
b. Rom. 12:15-21.
- Be of the same mind, condescend to things that are lowly.
- If it be possible, all men (2 Tim. 3:3) implacable.
- What if peace can’t be had (Rom. 12:19-21).
- 1 Cor. 12:25; Eph. 4:1-3. Striving – Give diligence.
C. PEACE IS THE NATURAL RESULT OF LOVE.
1. Commanded to love one another (John 13:34-35).
2. Even our enemies (Matt. 5:43-48).
3. Love causes us to look to others (Phil. 2:1-4).
4. It is the basis of our unity (Eph. 4:1-3).
5. Strife derives from worldliness.
a. 1 Cor. 3:1-3; James 4:1-4.
b. James 3:13-18.
- such conduct is not from God.
- it is earthly, sensual, devilish.
- accompanies every vile deed.
- describe the wisdom that is from above.
- result is Righteousness.
D. GOD IS OUR EXAMPLE.
1. He took the initiative (Rom. 5:8; 1 John 4:9-10).
2. Motivated by love (Rom. 5:8).
3. How do we respond? (1 John 4:17, 11, 19).
4. Rom. 2:4.
A. AGAIN, WE MUST BE GOD-LIKE (Eph. 5:1).
B. CONSIDER GOD’S WORK IN RECONCILIATION.
1. Man and nature (Rom. 8:19-25).
2. Man and man (1 John 4:20-21; Eph. 2:13-15).
3. Man and God (Eph. 2:16).
Romans 8:16
A. GOD OFFERS THE GREATEST PEACE THROUGH TRUST IN HIM (Phil. 4:6-7).
B. ARE YOU AT PEACE WITH GOD?
1. Jesus died for it (2 Cor. 5:18-19).
2. Some turn it down (2 Cor. 6:1)