Blessed are the Peacemakers | Kyle Warren
Peace is possible for and through the people of God.
Matthew 5:9 ESV
9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
Understanding Peace
1. Peacemaking is not a personality trait.
2. Peace is not the absence of conflict...
John 16:33 ESV
33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
Understanding Peace
2. Peace is not the absence of conflict...but the presence of God.
Ephesians 2:14 ESV
14 For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility
Matthew 5:9 ESV
9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
peace-keeping = guarding against conflict
peace-making = bringing solution into conflict
Colossians 1:20 ESV
20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.
James 3:18 ESV
18 And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
John 14:27a ESV
27 "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you..."
Matthew 10:34b ESV
34 "...I have not come to bring peace, but a sword."
Understanding Peace
3. Peacemaking requires building bridges through conflict.
"[Peace] confronts problems and seeks to solve them, and after the problems are solved, it builds a bridge between those who were separated by the problems." - John MacArthur
Peacemaking is building (not burning) bridges.
Ephesians 4:15 ESV
15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,
What does peacemaking look like
...in our homes?
Choosing forgiveness instead of bitterness
...at church/work?
Working for unity instead of gossip
...in our neighborhoods?
Confronting injustice with truth and love – not hatred and violence
...in relationships?
Stepping into conflict – not to win, but to reconcile
Understanding Peace
4. Peace is only made by the cross.
Colossians 1:20 ESV
20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.
Ephesians 2:14 ESV
14 For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility
Ephesians 2:16 ESV
16 and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility.
We can't make peace until we experience peace.
“When He tells us to love our enemies, He gives, along with the command, the love itself.” - Corrie Ten Boom