Beatitudes – Blessed Are the Peacemakers
Categories: Sermon Outlines, Textual Sermon OutlinesDate written: March 11th, 2006
Scripture ref: Matthew 5:1-12
SUBJECT: Peace, Beatitudes
TITLE: Beatitudes — Blessed Are the Peacemakers
PROPOSITION: Christians ought to be peacemakers because 1) God is the God of peace. 2) Jesus was and is a peacemaker. 3) Christians are instructed to be peaceful.
Objectives: That each would understand what it means to be a peacemaker through looking at what the scriptures teach.
INTRODUCTION:
1. Read: Matthew 5:3-10
2. About the Text:
1) This passage begins the famous Sermon On The Mount.
2) This sermon speaks concerning the character of those who will be in the kingdom of God.
3) All who would be citizens of God’s kingdom should study and understand the contents of this great sermon.
3. The beatitudes
1) In this sermon, we are going to focus upon the first part of the sermon, know as the beatitudes.
2) Each beatitude has a particular form. There is in each one:
a. A declaration of blessing.
b. A description of attitude.
c. A disposition of blessing.
3) Each beatitude begins with the declaration of blessing.
a. The word for “blessing” in Greek is MARKARIOS.
b. The word contains idea of happiness and contentment.
c. 1 Cor.7:40 “But she is happier if she so abide.”
4) There is then the description of the attitude.
a. Here is why these are called the “beatitudes.”
b. We are attitudes that describe who we are to be.
5) Then there is the disposition of blessing.
a. This is the actual blessing itself and the reason for the happiness.
6) This is also what we can expect will result from having the attitude described.
4. Some definitions.
1) Peace — (American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition.)
a. The absence of war or other hostilities.
b. An agreement or a treaty to end hostilities.
c. Freedom from quarrels and disagreement; harmonious relations: roommates living in peace with each other.
d. Public security and order: was arrested for disturbing the peace.
e. Inner contentment; serenity: peace of mind.
2) A peacemaker is then one who makes peace by settling disputes.
5. Ref. to S, T, P, O, and A.
DISCUSSION: Christians ought to be peacemakers because . . .
I. God is a God of peace.
1. Romans 15:33, Romans 16:20, 2 Corinthians 13:11, Philippians 4:9, 1 Thessalonians 5:23, and Hebrews 13:20 says that God is the God of peace.
2. We know that God doesn’t wish for anyone’s destruction. 2 Peter 3:9
3. God has provided a way for man to be at peace with one another and with Him through the gospel.
1) Peter preached in Acts 10:36 “The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:)”
2) Romans 10:15 states, “How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!”
3) Ephesians 6:15 “And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace.”
4) Consider Galatians 5:14 “For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.”
5) The entirety of gospel is motivated by love; if everyone would obey it, then we would have perfect peace in this world because no one would do any action that would be unloving.
4. We ought to note that God’s peace doesn’t come by way of tolerance of evil. God’s peace comes as a result of being transformed by His will.
II. Jesus was a peacemaker.
1. It was prophesied in Isaiah 9:6 that Jesus would be the prince of peace.
2. There is no scripture that teaches that Jesus ever advocated violence against his fellow man and Jesus never harmed any man.
1) When Jesus was betrayed, Peter took out his sword to defend Jesus. Jesus said, “Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword” (Matthew 26:52).
2) Jesus said in John 18:26 “My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.”
3. Jesus greatest accomplishment was not to preach physical peace, but spiritual.
1) Jesus brought peace between man and God. Ephesians 2:14-18 states “For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.”
2) Colossians 1:20 states, “And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.”
3) Romans 5:1 states, “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:”
III. The Christian is instructed to be peaceful.
1. Paul said in 2 Corinthians 10:3-4 “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal.”
2. Romans 12:18 states, “If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.”
3. Romans 14:19 states, “Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.”
4. Part of the fruit of the spirit is peace. Galatians 5:22
5. The Christian is to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Ephesians 4:3
6. Colossians 1:15 states, “And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.”
7. Hebrews 12:14 states, “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:”
8. God’s wisdom and righteousness comes through peace. “But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.” (James 3:17-18).
9. And Peter says, ” For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.” (1 Peter 3:10-11).
10. And if they behave in this way, they will truly be called the children of God.
CONCLUSION:
1. The peacemakers are blessed because they will be called the children of God.
1) God is the God of peace.
2) Jesus was a peacemaker.
3) The Christian is instructed to be peaceful.
2. Let us be peacemakers!
3. Invitation