Beattitude 7 Series

Beatitude Series # 7

Eric A. Snyder, Minister, Farwell Church of Christ

Matt 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called sons of God

Original date May 22, 1999

Revised June 10, 2001

Conflict Jokes

"If you were my husband, I’d put poison in your coffee."

-- Lady Astor

"If you were my wife, I’d drink it."

-- Winston Churchill

"You, sir, are drunk." --Woman "Yes. But you, madam, are ugly, and I shall be sober in the morning." --Sir Winston Churchill

As human beings we are going to have conflict between us. And this conflict carries over to nations and Government structures as well

One researcher has noted recently that in the past 4,000 years there has been less than 300 years of world peace.

World war one was supposed to be The war to end all wars

But wars have not ceased we just build more deadly weapons and recruit more people

There are an estimated three hundred thousand child soldiers around the world. Every year the number grows as more children are recruited for use in active combat.

Children are used in wars taking place in Sierra Leone, Liberia, Congo, Sudan, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and Burma.

The development of lighter weapons - such as the AK47 - means that boys as young as eight can be armed.

The smallest boys are placed closest to the enemy. In war, they are said to be fearless. Children are often less demanding soldiers than adults. They are cheaper to keep as they eat less and are easier to manipulate.

Both sides believe the unpredictability of small children makes them better fighters.

Some are sent into battle high on drugs to give them courage.

The Burmese military regime also uses children in combat. The children work as slave laborers, carrying army supplies or working on government construction projects

In combat children are often captured and threatened. They fight for whoever controls them in order to stay alive.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/people/features/childrensrights/childrenofconflict/soldier.shtml

Matthew 5:9 “Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called the sons of God”

Prayer

Jesus is not referring to peace–keepers but to peace–makers in Matthew 5:9. He said, " Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God." The difference is a peacemaker actively overcomes evil with good. Some people are never happy unless they are fighting with someone. A peacemaker on the other hand finds great satisfaction in removing hostilities and effecting reconciliation between enemies.

Peace keepers VS. Peacemakers

To be a peacemaker you have to understand the real definition of peace.

1. True peace is not Absence of conflict

2. True peace is not simply two enemies who are not fighting

B. What it is – an absence of conflict in which opposite sides are being brought

together in righteousness, ending in a right relationship

There are some that think a truce is a peace treaty

John MacArthur – “A truce just says you don’t shoot for awhile. Peace

comes when the truth is known, the issue is settled, & the parties

embrace each other.

"Peacemakers" are those disciples who strive to prevent contention and strife. However, they are not peacekeepers, but are active makers of peace. They use their influence to reconcile opposing party strife among individuals, families, churches, and the community. They change hostile attitudes to attitudes that seek the best interests of everyone.

Haden Robinson Writer of Salt and Light “No peace will exist between nations until peace reigns in each country. And no country will have peace until peace dwells with the people. And no people will have peace until they surrender to the prince of peace.”

Peace on earth a Christmas wish

When Christ was born the angels sang of peace on earth

Because Real peace lasting peace begins with Jesus

1. Making peace with the SAVIOR

The reason that we do not have peace is sin. The reason that a man walked into an elementary school and began stabbing 1 and 2 graders is because of sin.

Our problem is human greed, lust and selfishness, not political, economic or social. Those are symptoms of a deeper problem. It is sin and depravity in the heart of man. Until there is a change in the heart there will never be any solutions to the problems on the surface. The source of the problem is within man. Nothing but a new heart, and new man, will bring peace. What is in the heart of man inevitably comes out of him.

There are those who believe that the only value of religion is their moral value and not salvation.

What these people fail to understand is that we live by our values because of salvation. Even the apostle Paul said that if Christ was not crucified then our lives are in vain.