Sermon Cloud

The gospel of Jesus Christ is a call to repentance. Apart from genuine repentance there is no true knowledge of God and no participation in the Kingdom of God. Repentance and the Kingdom of Heaven go hand in hand (3:2; 4:17; 5:3 “Blessed are … the kingdom of heaven.”)

“Blessedness” refers to one who is in a right relationship with God; which in turn produces joy, happiness, contentment. Issue not how to enter the kingdom (repent), but assurance/evidence that one is in fact in the kingdom.

The 1st century audience of Jesus, those listening to the sound of His voice, were a people steeped in a religious system that was spiritually bankrupt; it was a religious structure that focused almost entirely upon externals - what they do - as a means of being right with God and bringing down His blessing.

Therefore, the beatitudes, would have come as a shocker; because the shoot right past the externals and deal directly with the heart. It is not the proud who are blessed, but the “poor in spirit”; it is not the morally superior, but those who mourn over their sin, are meek, and have a true inner “hunger and thirst for righteousness”; who are merciful, and pure in heart.

Here in our verse this morning 5:9, He moves it to the next level:

"Blessed are the Peacemakers, because they shall be called sons of God." 

This would have stopped them in the tracks; it would have arrested their attention; it would have been a blow to knock them off their spiritual balance, because it was so contrary to all their expectations regarding both the Messiah and the “Kingdom of Heaven”

Fueled by their religious pride they were expecting a Messiah to come to exalt Israel, destroy all of her enemies, particularly their current oppressor Rome. They were looking for a political and military conquerer, not a Suffering Servant; a warrior, not a “peacemaker”; One who would call for arms, not humility. Certainly Christ will come as a Warrior; a conquering King, but His kingdom is not of this world, and first He came as a peacemaker.

Trans: The concept of peace and peacemaking is both common and well understood among all peoples; even at that time the celebrated Pax Romana was in in full bloom throughout the Roman Empire. However, the reality of peace is something that has ultimately proven elusive to mankind.

War and conflict has defined the human experience ever since the fall. War between individuals, war between nations, social wars, political wars, racial wars, cultural wars, religious wars, marital wars: conflict, division, strife, aggression, mistrust are all irrefutable realities of fallen humanity.

It is noted, “That during the period from 1480 to 1941 Great Britain was involved in 78 major wars, France in 16, Spain in 64, Russia in 61, Austria in 52, Germany in 23, The United States in 13, China in 11 and Japan in 9.” In WWI, alone it is estimated that nearly 30 million people were killed, and in WWII over 90 million. In 1994, approximately 500 thousand Rwandan’s were killed through civil war and genocide.

This is not to mention the current wars: war in Iraq, Afghanistan, the mounting hostilities with N. Korea, Russia, Iran and the list could go on.

Trans: Now, before man’s 1st sin there was peace; but with the entrance of sin into the world there is war. War exist because sin exist. It is the heart of man that is the problem.

Note David’s words in: Ps. 140:1-2 “Rescue me, O LORD, from evil men; preserve me from violent men who devise evil in their hearts; they continually stir up wars”

The Lord’s words: Mark 7:21 “From within, out of the heart of men, proceed the evil thoughts, fornications, thefts, murders, adulteries, deeds of coveting wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride foolishness.”

Paul’s words: Rom. 3:10-17 “Their feet are swift to shed blood, destruction and misery are in their paths, and the path of peace they have not known, there is no fear of God before their eyes”

Trans: All of man’s attempts to promote peace apart from dealing with the issue of sin are futile. League of nations (WWI), the United Nations (WWII) are futile attempts of man to promote peace. Is. 57:20-21 “The wicked are like the tossing sea, for it cannot be quiet, and its waters toss up refuse and mud. ‘There is no peace,’ says my God, ‘for the wicked.” The only true foundation for peace is for man to be at peace with God.

Foundation of this peace: Peace with God.

Trans: But before peace can be realized the war needs to be recognized.

(A) Man is at war with God.

Trans: To understand this, we must first understand the reality of sin.

(1) The sin of man is nothing less than rebellion against God.

Deut. 31:27 “For I know your rebellion and your stubbornness; behold, while I am still alive with you today, you have been rebellious against the LORD; how much more, then, after my death?”

Ezek. 2:3 “Then He said to me, ‘Son of man, I am sending you to the sons of Israel, to a rebellious people who have rebelled against Me; they and their fathers have transgressed against Me to this very day.”

Sin is not simply a mistake, moral failure, or being human. Nor is sin, as defined by Robert Schuller, something that “robs me of my self-esteem,” nor is it simply that thing that limits me in experiencing fullness in life and relationships.

No, sin is rebellion against God; it is man’s mutiny against his Creator. Inherent in every sin is the desire to usurp God’s absolute authority and would, if possible, dethrone God Himself, and put oneself in His place.

(2) Therefore, man is described as being at “enmity” with God; as His “enemies;” as manifesting “hostility.”

Rom. 5:10 “For if while we were yet enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son …”

Rom. 8:6-7 “For the mind set on the flesh is death … because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so.”

Even the “good” person who rejects the gospel is at hostility with God (Rom. 8:7). Before men there is a relative human goodness, before the absolute and unbreakable holiness of God “there is no one who is good, not even one.” (James 2:10).

(3) Thus, man is in a state of real objective guilt before God whether they realize it or not: all people are by nature criminals against God

It is not a matter of whether you feel guilty, but whether you are guilty. The judgement will not be based on whether a sinner felt guilty, but on the fact that they are guilty; that they have in fact transgressed God’s commandments, have fallen short of His glory, and will receive a real, just, and objective recompense.

Every person enters this world a natural born enemy of God. If a person does not truly know Christ, God is their enemy, not their buddy, not a helper, not the “Big guy upstairs,” not on your side.

He is an offended Deity; an offended King with whom all men need to be reconciled - this describes everyone not genuinely in the Kingdom.

(B) (Most important) God is at war with Man.

Because the first point is not understood, this will surely sound like a very odd statement, most simply assume God’s favor toward them and mankind in general.

God, they presume, is kindly disposed their happiness and well being, and though they know they are not perfect, nonetheless are in His good favor because they do have some good in them.

God is repeatedly pictured throughout Scripture as a coming Warrior:

Ps. 7 “A God who has indignation every day. If a man does not repent, He will sharpen His sword; He has bent His bow and made it ready. He has also prepared for Himself deadly weapons He makes His arrows fiery shafts.’

Rev. 19:11-19 “He [speaking of Christ’s return at the end of the Tribulation] is clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God … From His mouth comes a sharp sword, so that with it He may strike down the nations, and He will rule them with a rod of iron; and He treads the wine press of the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty.”

John the Baptist pictured the ministry of Christ almost entirely in view of the coming judgment (Matt. 3:7-12).

Rom. 2:5 “Because of your stubbornness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God”

Trans: If there’s going to be peace between God & man; then it must be God who takes the initiative. It is not man who seeks peace with God, but God who seeks peace with men! Man was not extending his hand up to God, but shaking their fist at Him The incredible truth of the gospel is that God is the One who extends His hand to His rebellious creation! He both initiates peace and makes provision for peace.

God made the provision for Peace: Jesus Christ

Rom. 5:6-10 “For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

Col. 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; Aand although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds, yet He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach.”

He made provision by paying the price of the penalty that our rebellion deserved.

Rom. 4:25-5:1 “He was delivered over because of our transgressions, and was raised because of our justification. Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Eph. 2:14-17 “Now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far of have been brought near y the blood of Christ. For He Himself i sour peace, who made both groups in to one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, by abolishing in HIs flesh the enmity, he Law of commandments contained in ordinances, so that in Himself, He might make the two into one new man, establishing peace, and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the enmity. And He came and preached peace to you who were far away, and peace to those who were near, of through Him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father.”

Transition: For those who have turned from sin and trusted in the provision of Jesus Christ. The war is over. The enemy is now a friend; the rebel a servant. The one who knows God is at peace with God and seeks to be at peace in all of their relationships and dealings with men. Peace between God and man, produces peace between man and man.

Fruit of Peace with God: A Peacemaker. Thus, marking one in the kingdom.

This is not referring to being in a state of peacefulness, but one who actively seeks to maintain peace in their relationships with others.

But, before we look at what it is to be a “peacemaker” I would like to note what it is not.

(1) A peacemaker is not one who:

(a) Compromises the truth

Organizations and movements, such as World Council of Churches; some of the main line denominations today; and ECT are fundamentally wrong.

Ps. 84:8-10 “I will hear what God the LORD will say; for He will speak peace to his people, to HIs godly ones; but let them not turn back to folly. Surely His salvation is near to those who fear Him, that glory may dwell in our land. Lovingkindness and truth have met together; Righteousness and peace have kissed each other.

Ps. 34:14 “Depart from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.”

(b) Condones & Refuses to confront sin

Not simply appeasement, not condoning sin - saying it is ok - (Matt. 18:15 “If your brother sins, go and show him his fault in private; if he listens to you, you have won your brother.”

(2) Neither does being a “peacemaker” exclude justice.

God will punish all rebels; And God did established human government for the punishment of evil doers. But that is the responsibility of government, not every individual Christian. That is why we have law enforcement officers, courts, and military.

So the, what is a peacemaker?

A “peacemaker” is one who actively pursues peace based on truth and righteousness; and a “peacemaker” is one who in personal offenses is willing to be wronged (Matt. 5; Rom. 12:17-21; 1 Pet. 2:22-25) and entrust themselves to Gods’ care and sovereignty in their life.

A peacemaker pursues peace and is not offended, angry, bitter, or retaliatory when there attempts are requited or met with hostility and rejection.

(B) How are we to be a “peacemakers”

(1) Seek peace between God and man.

By preaching the gospel; It is a “gospel of peace” (Eph. 6:15). this is exactly how Paul saw his ministry:

2 Cor. 5:17-21 “Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation … therefore we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.”

We, as Christians, have the glorious message that though man is sinful, guilty, and rebellious: God has provided a means of reconciliation; He has paid the price in full; He extends His hands of grace. Man must but acknowledge the truth of God’s indictment and humble themselves before Him and, in faith, turn from sin to the Lord Jesus, who alone can give them peace with God.

A “peacemaker” is someone who is active in proclaiming the gospel.

Rom. 10:13-15 [borrowing from Joel & Isaiah] “Whoever will call on the Name of the Lord will be saved.’ How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news of good things!”

Now, at this point some might say, but what about Matt. 10:34-36?

Bible does not contradict itself; so if it appears that way, it means we don’t rightly understand each passage in its context.

Jesus is simply stating the obvious reality that the gospel invites persecution. Because the terms of peace in which the gospel comes (repentant faith in Christ alone) confronts the evil, pride dominated world system. Thus, the peacemakers will also be those “persecuted for the sake of righteousness.”

Illust: girl (TMC) beat by going to share gospel with muslim family. She was seeking peace, they rejected peace. The seeking is what Christ is referring to in Matt. 5:9; the rejection the gospel brings is what He is referring to in Matt. 10.

Trans: Sometimes peace is not possible, but the Christian is to pursue it nonetheless, and so fulfill Paul’s words, “If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.”

(2) Seeks peace between man and man.

(a) This is an essential quality to unity within the church (Phil. 2:1-3).

(b) Peacemaker has gentle speech: Prov. 15:1 “A gentle answer turns away wrath”

(c) A “peacemaker” is the one who is kind to his enemies 5:21-26, 38-48; 6:12-14.

(d) A peacemaker will refuse to participate in gossip Prov. 16:28 “A perverse man spreads strife, and a slanderer separates intimate friends” 17:9 “Whoever covers an offense seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates close friends”

(e) A Peacemaker is willing to give up supposed “rights” for the sake of unity in the church (1 Cor. 6:1-8).

(f) A peacemaker is a forgiving person, quick to release someone from a wrong committed against them, or a debt owed to them. One who, above all, seeks to be reconciled to an offender who is a brother or sister in Christ.

Un-forgiveness is a chief means of Satan to destroy peace within the body (2 Cor. 2:10-11).

(g) Peacemaker does not keep a record of wrongs committed against them

This is an expression of love (1 Cor. 13:4-7).

Trans: Being a peacemaker is not easy, but is a costly task As one older commentator noted: “They must often be content to bear bitter complaint from both sides, must exercise great self-control, unwearied patience, and loving tact, and must be manifestly impartial and unselfish. There is no more Godlike work to be done in this world than peacemaking.” Therefore it comes with some requirements:

B) Requirements of a Humility, self-denial, love.

(1) Humility, being poor in spirit

One cannot be a true peacemaker until they have first experienced the humbling of repentance; have become poor in spirit, who mourns over their own sin, is humbled and meek because of their own self-awareness, who truly hungers for righteousness and conformity to God’s character, who is pure in heart, only then can a person be truly a peacemaker.

(2) Self-denial: not seeking your own agenda, your own will but the glory of God, the good of the other.

(3) Love: one who seeks the interest of others above self.

(D) Hindrances to being a peacemaker.

Unregenerate - never been humbled by cross, so there is no desire to be at peace with others and humble yourself for the sake of unity and harmony.

Pride: self-seeking, unwilling to be wronged, unwilling to concede a perceived “right,” more concerned about your agenda than harmony, unwilling to notice the log in your own eye.

Our own lusts that wage war in the soul (1 Pet. 2 [“lusts which wage war”]; Gal. 5 [“deeds of the flesh”]).

James 3:14 “But if you have bitter jealously and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth … for where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing” He goes on, “What is the source of quarrels and conflicts among you? Is not the source your pleasures that wage war in your members? You lust and do not have; you commit murder. You are envious and cannot obtain; you fight and quarrel.”

Immaturity: not knowing where to draw lines, not knowing what is worth fighting over, when to fight, and how; and what is essential and non-essential worth letting go.

III. Future of the peacemaker:

“they shall be called sons of God” - identified as being in His family, as belonging to Him, and reflecting His character. God is often called the “God of peace” (Rom. 15:33; 1 Cor. 14:33; 2 Thess. 3:16).

It is significant that He uses the term “son,” which connotes bearing the qualities of, having a family resemblance. The KJV has “children,” which, in this case, is not the best translation because it is not the exact term used and it lessens the connection of bearing the qualities of.

Sonship, adoption into the family of God through Christ is one of the great truths of the gospel. (Rom. 8:14; 9:26; Gal. 3:26; Matt. 12:46-50).

Heaven is the ultimate and eternal place of peace. The curse of sin forever banished; God and man; man and man; Creator and creation; Judge and rebel, eternally united in peace and harmony. The war is over and will never again break the redeemed' perfect fellowship with God through Jesus Christ.

“Then he showed me a river of of the water of life, clear as crystal, coming from the throne of God and of the Lamb, in the middle of its street. On either side of the river was the tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit every month; and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. There will no longer be any curse; and the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and His bond-servants will serve Him; they will see His face, and His name will be on their foreheads. And there will not longer be any night ; and they will not have need of the light of a lamp nor the light of the sun, because the Lord God will illumine them; and they will reign forever and ever. And he said to me, ‘These words are faithful and true … blessed is he who heeds the words of the prophecy of this book.” (Rev. 21:1-6).