Matthew 5:9
Blessed are the Peacemakers
Series: The Beatitudes - Jan 15th, 2006

A Real Christian…healthy Christian–will be a Peacemaker
• That is what want to talk about today
• Open Bible’s – Mat 5:9
• Blessed – happy, the blessed life
• Peacemakers….

Well used verse
• Used by United nations…
o Anti war, peace process…more
• Then also – police, guns, planes and missiles
• Seems, quite a difference of opinion as to what a peacemaker is in the world

Truth is, even in Church, Christians argue over
• Even the meaning of this verse
• Many see it as calling us to be kind, seeking to step in and solver problems, wars

Christians are called to greatness of character, peace
• Rom 12:18; Mat 18:15; Matt 5:23-24 
• These things – already covered in merciful

But not referring to Christians arbitrating, stopping conflict
• Notice, says we become sons of God – look just like God
• Yet, Jesus refused to arbitrate Luke 12:13-14 
• Jesus says did not come to bring peace – sword
• No peace for the wicked Isa 48:22

What does this term Peacemaker refer to
• Could talk about this all morning, but do quickly
o Want to focus on the how more than what
• Only other time word used – Col 1:20 – salvation
• The peace is peace with God – Rom 5:1-2
• We are called to this process 2 Cor 5:18-21

Christian – we have been given the great commission
• We are the salt of earth - light of the world

Put before you – one of main reasons still hear on earth
• Don’t misunderstand what I just said
• Did not say main purpose of church is evangelism
• Main purpose is always – to love God
• Yet, one of main reasons hear on earth is evangelism
• Think about it – worship, love better in heaven
• Why not just take us home when saved?
• One of main reasons is our impact here
• Bigger subject – but even part of why God has us live in world the way we do

I. How well are we doing?
1. If we are to be the light of the world…how doing?
a. Ask that question of church as whole
b. Then ask it of yourself
2. Put before you – not doing overly well
a. If statistics are correct, majority in this room are not actively involved in this
b. Personally – own heart convicted
3. So now the question – what do we do about this?

II. Want to speak to you–honestly
1. First – this is a struggle in my life, heart
a. Wish I could stand before you- bold, sure
b. Instead – struggling…and embarrassed that I am
2. Secondly – in talking about– don’t want to be critical
a. I want to talk about things taking place in church
b. Danger is – may come across as critical, condemning – don’t’ want to appear that way
c. Possible that some is jealousy, envy…admit
d. Instead – wrestling over
3. Third – call to the Bible
a. As seek answers, call you to this book
b. This is our guide, not experience, practice
c. This is where I am going…still seeking
d. We are to be a bearean

III. Critique of Modern Evangelism
1. Something drastic has happened –in last 150 years…50
a. Focus of church – God centered to man centered
b. As if asked – why not sharing gospel
i) Most – unsure of what to say, to do
ii) Then built a strategy on those felt needs
2. Creation of Evangelism programs - many
a. Probably most popular Evangelism Explosion
i) In this room, sure some have done
b. Aim – to give you an exact strategy, words
c. Memorize theses words, these verses – gospel
d. Made evangelism something can learn, train
e. Permeating world today
3. Add to this – sinners prayer, alter call
a. All of us in this room have grown up with
b. Understand – new in church history
i) No alter calls in Bible, no sinners prayer
ii) Yet today, without alter call –condemned
4. What is the Danger here? Problem
a. 1st - God is faithful – saving in spite of us
b. 2nd - Bible as guide – you don’t see
i) In fact, hard for me to imagine Jesus doing
c. 3rd - Replaced conversion with Decision
d. 4th – most conversion-more manipulation than conviction
e. 5th - Danger of “aborting” some salvations
i) Keeping from salvation– think are
ii) Come forward – teach assurance
f. 6th - Simply – doesn’t work – most fall away 95 – 99%
g. 7th– Made evangelism, salvation something we can do
IV. Is there a right answer?
1. Think of man who approached DL Moody, critical
a. Criticized his evangelism style – didn’t like
b. Moody – I don’t like it either, what is yours, learn
c. Man – I don’t evangelize
d. Moody – like my style better than yours
2. Look on church scene – many using man tactics
a. Seemingly they are being used by God
b. True of many we work with… Calvary Chapels
c. Me – our church – avoiding…but unfruitful
i) To critique…seems almost wrong
ii) Wish could say – look at us doing right
3. See Bible - description in Beatitudes – says we will be
a. Call you to a reminder of what have seen
b. This is God’s work in our hearts
c. There is a flow to beatitudes
i) See flow of Beatitudes
4. See how flow of beatitudes works to peacemaker
a. How each builds a true peacemaker
5. What am I saying?
a. Here in beatitudes – healthy sheep reproduce
b. If not reproducing…not healthy
c. View beatitudes as a level of maturity


Conclusion

Imagine in a church planning meeting
• Bring up lack of evangelism – what do?
• One option – turn to flesh, programs
• Second option – mourn, seek to bring health
• It is the second option, I see, feel
o Yet, confess lack of results yet…praying

What about you?
• What would be true in church meeting – true in you?
o What will you do
• If turn to EE or such– don’t have my condemnation
o Many do…most Calvary’s
o Honestly, I tried – God spanked me
• Some – see with me, cry out for God to do
o See lack lf evangelism as sign of mark of lack of health
o Cry out – seem health
• This is not an excuse to use, some would
o Idea is Lord, I want to be used this week
o Broken, surrender, power, love – today!

Blessed are the peacemakers – called sons of God
• Just like Dad…growing up
• 7th beatitude - Wonder if a picture of where we become complete – mature

Evangelism
Today – want to fulfill, give you word of reconciliation