Matthew 5:1-10

1 Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2 and he began to teach them. He said: 3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. 6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. 7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. 8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. 10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew chapter five opens with Jesus teaching us a powerful truth starting with His attitude and actions, unless we see and serve people we will never live out our purpose. Jesus saw stopped and served, and what He taught was the truth focused on relationship not rules. The first three Beatitudes dealt with how we enter the kingdom of God, Humbleness (poor in spirit), Brokenness (mourning), and Meekness. The next three dealt with how we express the kingdom of God, a new heart that is upward (hunger and thirst after God), a new heart that is outward (merciful), a new heart that is inward (pure in heart). The last two deal with how we can enjoy the kingdom of God. The way Christ calls us to enjoy the Christian life is a surprise too many for it happens when we eliminate strife (peacemaker) and endure spite (persecuted because of righteousness). Many Christians I know say they want to enjoy the Christian life, yet they consistently opt for the easy life. The way to enjoy the Christian life involves work but it is worth it. Today I’m going to focus in on the seventh beatitude, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God” Peacemakers work to eliminate strife, instead of stirring the pot they practice peace. When it comes to peace in this life there are three types of people, peace breakers, peace fakers and peace makers.

• Peace Breakers

Peace breakers are those who go out of their way to cause conflict, and are deliberately confrontational. They are not just peace breakers they are trouble makers. They act like confrontational children with a chip on their shoulder, walking around looking for a fight. Not only are they disobedient but they are discontent, filled with disagreement. They will fight about anything and everything, including things that don’t really matter. They disagree just to disagree, Proverbs 16:28 calls them troublemakers, “A troublemaker plants seeds of strife” God does not delight in discord, and He doesn’t take kindly to troublemakers, He desires peace makers not peace breakers. Proverbs 22:11 says: “Whoever loves a pure heart and gracious speech will have the king as a friend” Notice the word friendship; friendship at its core is characterized by learning to get along with others. Christians should be friends because they are family, we should work together not war with one another. Instead of being a pain we should pursue partnership and peace. Are you difficult to deal with, do you desire discord or team work? What is interesting is how God’s Word directs us to deal with trouble makers: “Kick out the troublemakers and things will quiet down; you need a break from bickering and griping!” Proverbs 22:10 (MSG). The problem with this proverb is that most of us are outward focused; we fail to see the hardness and hostility in our own hearts. We see others shortcomings much sooner than we see our own.  When we search scripture it’s usually not to sift our own hearts. Like David it’s easy to see others sin, to give yourself a pass while pointing out the problems in other people. We use scripture to challenge others more than we do to confront self. But we need to examine our own hearts and see if we are peace makers or peace breakers. Proverbs 22:10 points to one of the greatest problems of a trouble maker, the tongue. Gossip, slander, and being a judgmental busy-body are not things that belong in the Fathers family. We need to kick these things out, its not the people that need removed it’s the perceptions and prejudices. It’s the attitudes that need to be adjusted to reflect the actions. We should be building each other up not trying to tear each other down. We are here to promote unity not propagate division. We are called to be peace makers not breakers, are you a builder or a breaker? Before we look at others we need to listen to what we are saying ourselves. We need to hear and take and inventory of the words that come out of our own mouths. Do your words hurt or heal? Do they wound or bring wisdom? Are you blessing or bruising? The next group are the:

• Peace Fakers

Peace-fakers will go to any and all lengths to avoid confrontation and conflict. In so doing they settle for a counterfeit peace that is based on avoiding the real issues not on the relationship. They seek comfort at all costs, they are willing to sweep over and stuff under for the sake of false peace. They avoid talking things through because it could be unsettling and upsetting. They tend to give up and give in for the sake of false security. They are the “don’t rock the boat” people, who are plagued with a pretending peace and become preoccupied with getting others to participate and play along. They will often change their conviction, and try to ride both sides of the fence just to avoid conflict. They will agree with everyone, no matter the issue is. They will tell people that they agree with them and then turn around and tell that next person who has a differing opinion that they agree with them too. They are faking peace, because peace is not appeasement, peace at any price is not peace. Being compliant to avoid conflict is not peace. When you know you need to tell the truth don’t be timid, be very careful what you say or don’t say to keep the peace. Remember what Paul told us in Ephesians 4:25: “Tell your neighbor the truth. In Christ’s body we’re all connected to each other, after all. When you lie to others, you end up lying to yourself” (MSG). Don’t fake peace at the expense of truth, instead seek peace for one another. Now let’s look at the:

• Peace Makers

God wants us to promote peace not problems and peacemakers pay attention to what they say. Peacemakers are prepared to tell the truth and to trust God for the results because they want peace without compromise. They want peace that is lasting and worthwhile not words that are worthless. They are willing to deal with being uncomfortable because they know that it’s not about the wants of their feelings but the Will of the Father. They know better than to try and put a Band-Aid on peace. But when they are telling the truth and help people they do it gently so as to heal. Proverbs 15:1 says, “A gentle answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger.” When they tell the truth they lead with love. Peacemakers also attack the problem not the person, you can’t focus on fixing the problem if you’re focused on blaming.  If you think you’re peacemaker yet all you do is blame the other person for the problem, then you’re not a peacemaker you’re a pretender. The truth is that you’re still trying to pick a fight, you’re trying to gain control of the conflict not the cure. If you’re still trying to establish blame then chances are you’re still bitter. Focus on the problem not the person, Ephesians 4:31-32 says to: “Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ forgave you.” Peacemakers also chose to cooperate instead of compete, Romans 12:18 reminds us “If possible, on your part, live at peace with everyone.” Yes sometimes there are some people that are hard to get along with, but we are to do everything we can. The truth is that peace always has a price, if you want peace in your home, in your marriage, with your children and your church then there will be a price. It will cost you your self-centeredness, your callousness and your carelessness. You will have to surrender your selfishness and your self-inflated ego. You may need to say, “Maybe my spouse was right, Maybe my kids have a point.” Peace has a price because it involves letting go of self and giving God control. Peacemakers also emphasize relationships above resolution, they place the relationship at a higher priority than the problem. One simple fact that seems to slip our minds is that people are different from us because God loves variety. They are not just being difficult they are diverse, God made them that way and as a result they don’t always see things the way you do. Our commonality is not found in are likeness with each other but in our likeness with the Lord. Because our commonality is in Christ we actually have more in common that in competition.  We may not always see eye to eye but we do not have to be disrespectful in our disagreement. Building relationship is what matters to the Master and 2 Corinthians 5:17-18 reminds us: “Now we look inside, and what we see is that anyone united with the Messiah gets a fresh start, is created new. The old life is gone; a new life burgeons! Look at it! All this comes from the God who settled the relationship between us and him, and then called us to settle our relationships with each other.” (MSG). So what kind of a person are you, a peace breaker, faker or maker?

Romans 12:17-19

17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath

Romans 12:1-2 starts by reminding us that the Christian mind should be a transformed mind. One that instead of being conformed to the world around us is molded and renewed by our relationship of love with God. Then we see how this transformed mind affects the way we think about ourselves: soberly, not too low and not high and mighty. Followed by how the transformed mind will think about and treat other people. We live in a world that seems to always be at war with someone, we are people that have become captivated by conflict. There is an intrigue to fighting, early on we learn to view fighting as interesting and entertaining. Many of today’s popular movies portray fights and wars, where we cheer over conflict because we love to see people duke it out. We have become so intrigued with the story of struggle that we are no longer content with fictional fights. Many waste their day watching as day time talk shows parade people in front of them who are on the edge of conflict. Why do they do this, because they know that their audience secretly yearns for a violent confrontation. But this desire for war and conflict is nothing new, the world may have gotten older, but humanity has not grown up. Technology may have advanced but it has not transformed our sin nature.  Conflict and control was common place in the Roman world that Paul lived in and when you consider this call to peace you realize just how radical a call this is. A recent movie called “Gladiator” depicts not only the Roman desire and drive for conflict but also ours. The movie centered on conflict, depicts a gladiator in Roman times who is forced to fight in an arena for the amusement of others. After he has finished fighting against unrealistic odds he gives us the line that echoes through the hollow core of our empty hearts “Are you not entertained?” Today many have become callused to conflict, and just like the citizens of Rome we too have bought into the belief that it’s just entertainment. But a transformed mind turns from the madness to the Master; it cheers for His Will not the worlds. Ever since sin entered the world there has been the potential for war. It was Cain’s conflict that caused the death of his brother, and when we fail to do right in God’s eyes we unleash a plethora of evil possibilities. Yet contrasting this conflict is Christ the peacemaker who said if someone slaps you on the cheek give them another chance to do it again. He was a man who was powerful yet constantly promoted peace. Even when they came to arrest Him in the garden and the disciples exclaimed, “Lord, should we fight? We brought the swords!” and Peter drew a sword and started slicing off the guard’s ear it was Jesus who picked it up and put it back on, Luke 22:49. Instead of hurting Jesus healed and then turning to Peter He said Matthew 26:52 “Put away your sword,” Jesus told him. “Those who use the sword will die by the sword” His disciples came armed, they were prepared for a fight why, because they thought that that was the way to win. They were willing to kill to protect the Prince of peace, but what they failed to realize was that their way would only lead to death. Many in their marriages are showing up armed ready to reduce the one they say they love, instead of winning we are wounding. You may win the battle but you will lose the war.  Romans 12:17-19 echoes Christ’s teaching, “Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” When it comes to peace Paul points out a powerful truth “as Far as it depends on you.” This text is not just making a statement it’s forcing us to asking a question, when are we going to start accepting responsibility for the condition of our circumstances? God is saying I know you don’t think it’s your fault, I know you think it’s not fair but I’m calling you to take responsibility, so what are you going to do? As kids we learned the phrase early “I didn’t do it” unfortunately many of us have never grown out of that.  Someone burns themselves with hot coffee but rather than taking responsibility they blame and sue the restaurant. Today we are plagued with the rejection of responsibility but the process of living at peace demands that you take responsibility. The bad news is that there will always be fights wars and conflicts but you don’t have to resign yourself or be reactive you can be proactive.  But being proactive and participating in the process of peace means that we have to hear God and act on his questions. Are you denying responsibility for your life? God knows what you have been through, He knows that you had it rough growing up and that your road has been rocky, but you can’t deny responsibility. How are you going to get honest with God and give him your burdens when you won’t even get real about what those burdens are? You need to accept responsibility for your life and your choices. Are there any areas where you are not owning your choices and owning up to your life? God is first asking us, “Have you accepted responsibility?” But second he is also asking, “Do you believe that peace depends on You?” We are masters at moaning about the problem but do we participate in the process of peace? We will never be desperate for peace until we see how it depends on us.  This is not what is everyone else going to do but what am I called to do? You are crucial to resolving conflict, and you need to ask yourself are you doing what you can to live at peace with those around you? There may be an extent to which you can do nothing to live peacefully but you need to exhaust every opportunity to defuse the situation. The sad truth is that in general the followers of Jesus don’t have a reliable reputation for being the most peaceful people in the world. This is incredibly ironic considering that the One we are following was the greatest peacemaker. Following Jesus peaceful example means forgiving, it is probably one of the most difficult aspects of the Christian life. Forgiving is not forgetting it is choosing to remember no more, forgiveness takes its focus off of the fault and puts it on the Father. Isn’t it funny how we all feel so strongly that others should forgive us, but we often forgo forgiving them? If we are doing our best to live at peace with all people, we must learn to treat people properly. Throughout the ages self-professed Christians had committed horrific acts of violence and carried on wars in the name of the peacemaker. Today we may not be participating in the crusades but our cynicism, complaining and bitterness is being broadcasted load and clear. Living at peace means putting aside anything that keeps people from coming into the presence of Christ. There may be times when someone will not live at peace with you but the command says “as long as it depends on you” How often do your fights depend on you, more often than many are willing to admit. Lastly we are reminded to let God fight our battles, “Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath”. When you are wronged God can do a much better job of taking care of the conviction and consequences than you. What if we put as much effort into promoting peace as we did pondering and planning the paybacks? We are quick to repay and resent but what if we were quick to reconciliation. People will wrong you but how you respond will reveal whether you are going to be mature or just mad. If you really want to help God out then let Him do His job and stick to what He said you should do. Are you living in the prison of trying to make people pay or are you promoting peace? Are you going to repent or resent? Are you going to justifying your angry attitude and actions or adopt Jesus heart of healing? What will define your life murder or mercy?