Pt 6 The Peacemaker

Matthew 5:9

9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

Peacemakers are they who apply all their ability to bring peace between fueding parties, whether than be between themselves and others or as an intermediary between others.

These are makers of peace and their state is blessed.

Conversely there are they who are sowers of strife, sowers of division, the worst are they who sow division between brethren which is hated of the Lord (Prov 6:12-19). Whether it be dividers of families or dividers of them united in Christ. 

If the state of the maker of peace is blessed, logically the state of the sower of division is cursed.

CHOOSE to be a peacemaker with all your ability, and be blessed.

The American Dictionary of the English Language, defines the noun “Peacemaker” as;

– ‘One that reconciles persons when at variance’

The Oxford English Dictionary simply refers to a peacemaker as;

– ‘A person who brings about peace’.

The Bible gives to us a clear understanding;

James 3:18

18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.

Ephesians 4:3

3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

When considering synonyms to the word they are plentiful but often limited to an intermediary;

– Arbitrator, Mediator, conciliator, reconciler.

The antonyms are just as helpful, opposites often well highlight the meaning of a word in question;

– Instigator, troublemaker, agitator, warmonger, peacebreaker.

Matthew 5:9

9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

The State of the Peacemaker (Blessed)

Matthew 5:9

9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

We speak of these verses as a collective  and each one of them beginning the same way, and that with a single word, “Blessed”.

Here we have “Blessed are the peace makers”

We think of that blessed state not only in that which will be received in response to the act, but also that which is the very state of the individual in the performance of the act.

HAPPY is the man who is a peace maker. 

Happy is the man who does all he can to facilitate peace between people who are opposed one to the other.

HAPPY is the man who does all he can to help reconcile his OWN relationship that has been broken, that ought not to be broken.

It is incredible to think of the heart of those who understand that relationships are not designed by God to be in a faulty state. 

We were never created to hate one another, we were all created for fellowship, for love one to another, for relationship.

John 13:35

35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

You CANNOT have a right relationship with God if you WILL NOT have a relationship with a brother or a sister in the Lord.

1 John 4:20

20 If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?

We were created to love one another just as much as we were created to Love God.

 Peace one with another is testimony to our peace with God.

SOMETHING IS WRONG!

Terribly wrong, something is broken, someone lied, someone misunderstood, someone is covetous, someone sinned!

The first thing we all need to realise is that it is not the design, nor the purpose of God to have division in any relationship. 

Blessed are the peacemakers!

If we are happiest when relationships are in peace, we are most miserable when relationships are divided!

So, knowing FIRST that God would NOT be pleased in a divided state is vital to those who long to please God. 

Something therefore is wrong when division occurs, we all know this. None of us are happy when there is tension in a relationship, we know something is wrong.

When a component in the home does not work in accord with its design, we do all we can to repair the fault. Why do we not do so when relationships are not working in accord with design?

“BLESSED are the peacemakers”

Generally it is not a third party to the drama that is required. The Bible mostly does not present intermediaries. 

Go down to verse 23 of this sermons text.

Matthew 5:23–24

23 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; 24 Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.

Verse 23 is vitally important to understand while at the alter, while on your knees in prayer, 

and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;

This is an affirmative statement. It is does not say that “thy brother THINKS he has ought against you”, it does not say that “thy brother MIGHT have something against you”.

It says, “that thy brother HATH ought against you”, that there IS something that is certain that you did that you would not admit to at the time. 

That you lied, that you stole, that you hurt, that you did an act that was wrong, sinful, to your brother and as you go to the alter, as you go to pray, you remember that you sinned against your brother and he has just cause to be upset with you, he has “has ought(something) against you.  

“BLESSED are the peacemakers”

Assuming you have a conscience, (for many these days seem to have seared theirs) Happy are you when you now know what it is that will reconcile your relationship.

What a joy it is to know that your sin can be both washed by the Lord and forgiven by your brother.

“BLESSED are the peacemakers”

Turn to James 3

James 3:17–18

17 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. 18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.

This entire verse is so incredible to consider for us who are separated through malice, either part of that which we have done or a part of that which others have done to us.

The first thing we see is that we need “the wisdom that is from above”. Reconciliation, PEACEMAKING can never come about without prayer and humility.

Prayer itself IS testifies to a level of humility. We don’t go on our knees for help until humility governs our hearts. Prayer is the FIRST STEP.

The wisdom then gained through prayer is first “Pure” then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated,

easy to be intreated

Wisdom is easy to be asked for, sought for, requested. We “intreat” (ask) God for wisdom, it is one of the five prayer points we make that he always says YES to. (Salvation / Faith / Peace / forgiveness / Wisdom).

and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.

There is the FRUIT of such righteousness, it is sown in peace of them that make peace.

 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Romans 12:18

Be blessed as a maker of peace, this is your state.

There are rare times when it is not possible, I understand, but if there is a reasonable level of error which caused unrest then it is possible!

And BLESSED is that state of the peacemaker.

The Character of The Peacemaker (He is a peace-maker)

Matthew 5:9

9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

The Character of the peacemaker needs consideration, most particularly if the peacemaker is NOT a third party, but YOU. (We will look at the third party shortly)

Typically all division begins between two people. At least one of them ought to take the role of the PEACEMAKER if there is any chance PEACE MIGHT ENSUE.

What is their character?

Firstly it is a character that desires TRUE peace. Not superficial peace, not peace for the sake of peace, but a reconciliation of a relationship that ensures peace is the natural end.

For us to understand peace there is a part of us that needs to give consideration to that which may have caused the break up of the relationship, what is it that has taken away the peace between two parties. 

It is almost always SIN. 

But it is NOT always the sin of the person accused of sin!

Yes, sometimes the person who FEELS offended is not the one actually offended.

You recall the division between King Saul and David?

Did David sin against King Saul?

No. To the contrary, while Saul FELT he was offended by David, it was DAVID who ended up being the offended party by Saul. 

Without labouring the account too much, it was Saul who simply suffered insecurity through envy.

1 Samuel 18:7–8

7 And the women answered one another as they played, and said, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands. 8 And Saul was very wroth, and the saying displeased him; and he said, They have ascribed unto David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed but thousands: and what can he have more but the kingdom?

              Here we have Saul.… a choice young man, and a goodly: and there was not among the children of Israel a goodlier person than he: from his shoulders and upward he was higher than any of the people.1 Samuel 9:2

We have him suffering a deep level of insecurity respecting David, and tragically this is a huge cause of MANY divisions today

Saul had sinned against God and the kingdom was removed from him, and now he sees David as the one to take it.

Our personal sin often causes feelings of insecurity within us and we find ourselves hating on those by whom we feel threatened by.

(Expand?)

Now, in days when the world is having your children esteem themselves so highly, when pride is celebrated, anyone who may show you (like Saul), you are NOT the hero you thought you were, will set you against that person.

Just as Saul saw David.

Did Saul fight Goliath?

Was it Saul who stood against this huge man?

It was a young teenage lad named David, with a sling and with a stone and with a faith to kill a giant!

Who was the peacemaker between Saul and David?

1 Samuel 24:14–15

14 After whom is the king of Israel come out? after whom dost thou pursue? after a dead dog, after a flea. 15 The LORD therefore be judge, and judge between me and thee, and see, and plead my cause, and deliver me out of thine hand.

He had both the means and the opportunity to kill Saul, but he humbled himself before the Lord and trusted that the Lord will take him when it is his time. (1 Sam 26:10-11)

The same happened two chapters later against David, Saul again pursuing David with 3,000 men.

David found where he lay and went down while asleep and took the water jug from near his head and his spear, and again he was charged to kill Saul, but David would not.

1 Samuel 26:18

18 And he said, Wherefore doth my lord thus pursue after his servant? for what have I done? or what evil is in mine hand?

What was his character?

HUMILITY and TRUST in the Lord for the outcome.

Ecclesiastes 9:13–18

13 This wisdom have I seen also under the sun, and it seemed great unto me: 14 There was a little city, and few men within it; and there came a great king against it, and besieged it, and built great bulwarks against it: 15 Now there was found in it a poor wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city; yet no man remembered that same poor man. 16 Then said I, Wisdom is better than strength: nevertheless the poor man’s wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard. 17 The words of wise men are heard in quiet more than the cry of him that ruleth among fools. 18 Wisdom is better than weapons of war: but one sinner destroyeth much good.

What defines this peacemakers character?

Wisdom and Selflessness.

What character identifies those who would destroy much good?

Sinner.

One more passage before I close off this point.

See also war due to a simple misinterpretation. 1 Chron 19:1-6, 18-19. (2 Sam 10:1-7, 18-19)

The Death of 47,000 people due to a the judging of the heart of David followed by the simple and wilful sowing of discord.

The Primary Peacemaker (God)

Matthew 5:9

9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

This by far is the most blessed portion of the sermon to preach on. 

There are no other greater examples in all the world for a peacemaker than God himself.

At a time when we were yet enemies of him, he was willing to suffer the greatest of sufferings for our sakes.

He called from the Cross forgiveness for the lost. They separated his garments, and cast lots for his vesture. They mocked while he hung in the most appalling state in which a man might be seen.

Isaiah 52:14

14 As many were astonied at thee; his visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men:

Psalm 22:16

16 For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet.

So many are the ancient texts that speak of him, the messiah, the saviour, the one who would come to give his life as a ransom for our sins, that we may have peace with God.

The declaration of him was of old, from everlasting. 

Micah 5:2

2 But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.

He was spoken of at the death bed of Israel as he blessed his sons for their future days.

Jacob spoke of the tribe that will hold the Law and maintain it long into the future, until..

Genesis 49:10

10 The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be.

“Shiloh” is the ancient representation of Messiah. 

Jacob testifying to a sign, an event will arise when the right to capital punishment is taken away from the tribe of Judah, at such a time will Shiloh come.

The Romans took away that right around the time of the division of history. (BC/AD)

The Jerusalem Talmud has the cry of the lawyers, akin to “Woe unto us, woe unto us, for the sceptre has departed from Judah and Shiloh has not yet come”.

It was then when Jesus was being bought up in a home in Nazareth. 

Isaiah 9:6

6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

The knowledge that he would be through him that peace will be made between God and man was found deep in those ancient texts. 

But a few verses of Isaiah 53 is enough to see;

Isaiah 53:1–5

1 Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed? 2 For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. 3 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. 

4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. 5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

It was Daniel who gave the date, not by day, month nor year, but by number to a marker;

Daniel 9:25

25 Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times.

The marker was the commandment.

The number was the weeks of years accounting to 69 weeks of years, or 483 years exactly from the marker of the commandment. 

Then Messiah the Prince would come…and be killed, but not for himself;

Daniel 9:26

26 And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: ….

What do we see by way of application in this?

If God is the example of a peace maker, and he is, 

We see that the making of peace might be sacrificial.

Something of ourselves ought to be lost for the sake of peace. 

For you and I it might be the loss of pride. The loss of self righteousness. Or the recognition that there is nothing more we can do.

Sometimes it might be a sacrifice for the benefit of another relationship.

Jesus had done it all, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sin (Heb 10:26)

We see that the sacrifice for making of peace provides opportunity for reconciliation, but having it rejected may also lock the door on their own side.

Identified as The Children of God

Matthew 5:9

9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

LET ME BRIEFLY TOUCH ON THE OPPOSITE

If 

Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

What can we logically presume is the opposite, both in STATE and in Character?

If the ‘makers of peace’ are “Blessed”, what are those who cause division?

Cursed.

Turn to 

Proverbs 6:12–19

12 A naughty person, a wicked man, walketh with a froward mouth. 13 He winketh with his eyes, he speaketh with his feet, he teacheth with his fingers; 14 Frowardness is in his heart, he deviseth mischief continually; he soweth discord. 15 Therefore shall his calamity come suddenly; suddenly shall he be broken without remedy. 16 These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: 17 A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, 18 An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, 19 A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.

The sower of discord, those who actively sow division are seen here firstly as ‘Cursed’. Their “Calamity shall come suddenly” it says.

They run to do evil, they have you in their sights as their enemy and seek as much harm to be levelled against you as possible…they do not seek to be “Blessed” by making peace, they SEEK to be CURSED by facilitating division more and more.

YET they think they have attended to things right…astonishing.

Proverbs 14:12

12 There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

The passage says, he deviseth mischief continually; he soweth discord.

He quite literally believes he is doing right, even to the point of serving God himself. The Bible speaks to such an evil person;

Romans 16:17–18

17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. 18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.

Elsewhere the Bible says,

2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. 2 Peter 2:2

Respecting their own character we also see them as “proud” and deceitful, “A lying tongue”. Is spoken of in verse 17 of our text. An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,

These descriptions are given respecting the same person and these are an abomination to God.

Why? Because they are OPPOSITE to God’s character.

Therefore if “blessed are the makers of peace” The sowers of discord are both logically and biblically “Cursed”.

Now, if such sowers of discord betray a Character that is the OPPOSITE OF GOD, and the peacemakers are going to be called the Children of God, what are those who sow discord going to be called?

The children of the devil.

The Bible says Satan is a liar, and the father of it and even now causes division the world over. Jesus spoke to the Pharisees who demonstrated the very character of the devil with words of fierce condemnation;

John 8:44

44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. 

CURSED therefore, IS THE SOWER OF DISCORD, and such shall be called a child of the devil.

Not so the peace maker, for they shall be called the children of God.

Beloved, we have been given the very ministry of reconciliation.

2 Corinthians 5:18

18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;

The primary charge given us is to preach reconciliation of man to God to all who should listen. There are some who will not hear, and this to is just as real in our own personal life, nevertheless we try.

The unwillingness of people to make peace with you is just as evident in the many who will not make peace with God. He has done all that he can to reach out to the world that they may have eternal rest in him.

Let me ask you, have you yet made peace with God?