Lessons from a True Peacemaker

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• Lessons from a True Peacemaker Genesis 131-12
• Keep the Lord first in all you do Gen. 134
• Keep eyes open to recognize troubles early
  135-7
• Be the one to initiate the making of peace 138
• Value relationships over possessions or power
  138
• Be truly humble, let others have their way 139
• Be content with what you have, even when others
  have it better (perhaps at your expense)
  1310-12

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• Christians Are Not Just Interested in Any Peace
• The peace of God/Jesus/Christianity is different
  than any peace the world knows or understands
• Jesus is the Prince of Peace Isa. 96
• At the birth of Jesus Glory to God in the
  highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward
  men! Luke 214
• Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you
  not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not
  your heart be troubled, neither let it be
  afraid. John 1427
• These things I have spoken to you, that in Me
  you may have peace. In the world you will have
  tribulation but be of good cheer, I have
  overcome the world. John 1633

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• Christians Are Not Just Interested in Any Peace
• The peace of God/Jesus/Christianity is different
  than any peace the world knows or understands
• For God is not the author of confusion but of
  peace 1 Cor. 1433
• And the peace of God, which surpasses all
  understanding, will guard your hearts and minds
  through Christ Jesus. Phil. 47
• The God of peace will be with you. Phil. 49
• Let the peace of God rule in your hearts
  Col. 315
• Now may the God of peacemake you complete
  Heb. 1320-21

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• Blessed Are the Peacemakers Matthew 59
• A true peace-maker is more than a
• Peace-lover
• Peace-hoper
• Peace-wanter
• Peace-wisher
• Peace-talker
• Peaceful person

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• Blessed Are the Peacemakers Matthew 59
• A peace-maker understands that peace is more
  than
• The mere absence of trouble, difficulty or strife
• The simple cessation of conflict
• Sitting in silence, tolerating each other
• Simply being contented or resigned to
  difficulties
• A true peace-maker
• Truly desires peace does all he can to maintain
  it
• Is forgetful of self, self-interest and
  self-concern
• Is actively involved in bringing people together
  (not passive)
• Searches for peace by going to the right/only
  source for it

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• The Peace-Makers Challenge (from God)
• MAKE PEACE with our fellowman brethren
• Promote harmony among men (and between men God)
• If it is possible, as much as depends on you,
  live peaceably with all men. Rom. 1218
• Be at peace among yourselves. 1 Thess. 513
• But God has called us to peace. 1 Cor. 715
• Let him seek peace and pursue it. 1 Pet. 311
  
• Pursue peace with all people, and holiness,
  without which no one will see the Lord. Heb.
  1214
• Let us pursue the things which make for peace.
  Rom. 1419

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• Areas Where We Need to Be Peace-Makers
• Promote pursue harmony/peace with God
• This is where it must start!
• Jesus came to make reconciliation between God
  man
• He signed the peace treaty with His own blood
  Eph. 213-17
• When we each have peace with God, it will impact
• Our homes,
• Our congregations,
• Our community,
• Our nation,
• Our lives, etc.
• Mans greatest realization of peace (his only
  basis for real peace among men) is found in a
  right relationship with God!

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• Areas Where We Need to Be Peace-Makers
• Promote pursue harmony/peace in the home
• Between husbands wives
• Between parents children
• Between brothers sisters
• Too many homes are characterized by fighting,
  fracturing, tension, uneasiness, unhappiness
• Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, Than
  a fatted calf with hatred. Prov. 1517
• Better to dwell in a corner of a housetop, Than
  in a house shared with a contentious woman.
  Prov. 219
• He who troubles his own house will inherit the
  wind. Prov. 1129
• Where is God in the home? Where are the
  peace-makers?

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• Areas Where We Need to Be Peace-Makers
• Promote pursue harmony/peace in the church
• What the church needs
• With all lowliness and gentleness, with
  longsuffering, bearing with one another in love,
  endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in
  the bond of peace. Eph. 42-3
• What the church doesnt need
• If you bite and devour one another, beware lest
  you be consumed by one another! Gal. 515
• One who sows discord among brethren. Prov.
  619
• The Lords church needs peacemakers, not
  troublemakers.
• The Lords church needs bridge builders, not
  bridge burners.
• The Lords church needs forgivers, not
  grudge-holders.

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• Areas Where We Need to Be Peace-Makers
• Promote pursue harmony/peace in the church
• We need to remember who the real enemy is 1
  Pet. 58
• When we forget and fight among ourselves
• Sinners are not being converted
• Brethren are being discouraged
• Satan is winning all around
• Harmony peace in the church does not mean that
  we compromise the truth or the purity of the
  church!
• The wisdom that is from above is first pure.
  James 317
• We are not interested in peace at any price!
• The church must pray for peace, preach peace,
  pursue peace and perpetuate peace.

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• Areas Where We Need to Be Peace-Makers
• Promote pursue harmony/peace in our community
• Our community includes our workplace, our
  neighborhoods, our nation, our world, etc.
• Jesus brought a peace for Jews Gentiles, Jews
  Samaritans, Greeks Barbarians, etc.
• True peace between fractured peoples comes by
  removing sin and breaking down walls of
  separation and bringing men into equal
  relationships with God Eph. 211-18 2 Cor.
  518-21 Col. 120
• The Good News of Jesus is the greatest
  peacemaking message Rom. 1015 Eph. 615
• All of this is only possible through the peace of
  God!

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• How Can I Be a Peace-Maker?
• A man of understanding holds his peace. Prov.
  1112
• When a mans ways please the Lord, He makes even
  his enemies to be at peace with him. Prov.
  167
• Great peace have those who love Your law.
  Psa. 119165
• The antithesis of peace
• For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion
  and every evil thing are there. James 316

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• How Can I Be a Peace-Maker?
• Gods key to true peace
• But the wisdom that is from above is first pure,
  then
• peaceable,
• gentle,
• willing to yield,
• full of mercy and
• full of good fruits,
• without partiality and
• without hypocrisy.
• Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace
  by those who make peace. James 317-18

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• Lessons from a True Peacemaker Genesis 131-12
• Keep the Lord first in all you do Gen. 134
• Keep eyes open to recognize troubles early
  135-7
• Be the one to initiate the making of peace 138
• Value relationships over possessions or power
  138
• Be truly humble, let others have their way 139
• Be content with what you have, even when others
  have it better (perhaps at your expense)
  1310-12

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• The Lesson for Us to Learn
• The number one need in our world, our community,
  our home and our congregation is peace.
• Peace begins with us and within us.
• It begins when men submit to the rule and reign
  of Christ in the heart.
• Christians must be promoters of peace in every
  area of life. We must remember we are Christians
  first.
• This is not a peace at any cost, but a peace with
  a purpose to bring all into peace with God
  through Christ.
• Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be
  called sons of God. Matt. 59