Sermons About Peacemaker
Marks of Maturity (Part 2)
The truth is that God wants every person to grow more mature with age--to learn to live life as a mature Christian. Today, we will consider two characteristics of a mature follower of Christ.
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Blessed are the Peacemakers (Matthew 5:9)
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."
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How to Recognize Children of God
When God's Spirit has His way with us our relationships will show it. Making peace still requires certain pragmatic practices that are consistent with the character of our Father.
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