PEACEMAKER
(Message by Tanny Keng)
a) Introduction
a) In his longest recorded sermon, Jesus began by describing the traits he was looking for in his followers. He called those who lived out those traits blessed because God had something special in store for them. Each beatitude is an almost direct contraction of society's typical way of life. In the last beatitude, Jesus even points out that a serious effort to develop these traits is bound to create opposition. The best example of each trait is found in Jesus himself. If our goal is to become like him, the Beatitudes will challenge the way we live each day.
1. Beatitude: "Peacemaker"
i) 9 Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God. (Matthew 5:9 NKJV)
a) Old Testament anticipation: Isaiah 57:18-19; 60:17
i) 18 I have seen his ways, and will heal him; I will also lead him, And restore comforts to him, And to his mourners. 19 “I create the fruit of the lips: Peace, peace to him who is far off and to him who is near,” Says the Lord, “And I will heal him.” (Isaiah 57:18-19 NKJV)
ii) 17 “Instead of bronze I will bring gold, Instead of iron I will bring silver, Instead of wood, bronze,
And instead of stones, iron. I will also make your officers peace, And your magistrates righteousness. (Isaiah 60:17 NKJV)
b) Clashing worldly values
i) Personal peace is pursued without concern for the world's chaos.
c) God's reward
i) Be called sons of God.
d) How to develop this attitude (see Romans 12:9-21; Hebrews 12:10-11)
i) 9 Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. 10 Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; 11 not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; 12 rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; 13 distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. 16 Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.
17 Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. 18 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. 19 Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. 20 Therefore, “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (Romans 12:9-21 NKJV)
ii) 10 For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness. 11 Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. (Hebrews 12:10-11 NKJV)
The End ...
a) Introductiona) In his longest recorded sermon, Jesus began by describing the traits he was looking for in his followers. He called those who lived out those traits blessed because God had something special in store for them. Each beatitude is an almost direct contraction of society's typical way of life. In the last beatitude, Jesus even points out that a serious effort to develop these traits is bound to create opposition. The best example of each trait is found in Jesus himself. If our goal is to become like him, the Beatitudes will challenge the way we live each day.
1. Beatitude: "Peacemaker"
i) 9 Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God. (Matthew 5:9 NKJV)
a) Old Testament anticipation: Isaiah 57:18-19; 60:17
i) 18 I have seen his ways, and will heal him; I will also lead him, And restore comforts to him, And to his mourners. 19 “I create the fruit of the lips: Peace, peace to him who is far off and to him who is near,” Says the Lord, “And I will heal him.” (Isaiah 57:18-19 NKJV)
ii) 17 “Instead of bronze I will bring gold, Instead of iron I will bring silver, Instead of wood, bronze,
And instead of stones, iron. I will also make your officers peace, And your magistrates righteousness. (Isaiah 60:17 NKJV)
b) Clashing worldly values
i) Personal peace is pursued without concern for the world's chaos.
c) God's reward
i) Be called sons of God.
d) How to develop this attitude (see Romans 12:9-21; Hebrews 12:10-11)
i) 9 Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. 10 Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; 11 not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; 12 rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; 13 distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. 16 Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.
17 Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. 18 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. 19 Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. 20 Therefore, “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (Romans 12:9-21 NKJV)
ii) 10 For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness. 11 Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. (Hebrews 12:10-11 NKJV)
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