Introduction:
A. The story is told of a young girl who was working so diligently on her homework that her father became curious and asked her what she was doing.
1. She said, “I’m writing a report on how to bring peace to the world.”
2. Humored by this, her father smiled and said, “Well, isn’t that a pretty tall order for one little girl?”
3. “Oh, no. Don’t worry.” She replied. “There are three of us in my class working on it.”
B. It’s easy to be naïve about peace and peacemaking, but peace can be a very elusive thing and can be as temporary as something drawn in the sand.
1. Everybody likes the idea of peace in the abstract, but when it comes to doing concrete things that will lead to peace, that’s when we face resistance.
2. Here’s how I would like us to approach our lesson this morning: I want us to talk about:
a. The Call for Peacemaking
b. The Need for Peacemaking.
c. The How of Peacemaking.
I. The CALL for Peacemaking.
A. Being a peacemaker in a world of troublemakers is a tall order, but it is the call of Christ.
1. In the great sermon of Jesus called the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus laid out a series of characteristics for his followers that we call the Beattitudes – “the attitudes to be.”
2. One of those attitudes is: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” (Mt. 5:9) (TNIV)
3. The old statement, “Like parent, like child” is so true – and his is so important with God.
4. Our heavenly Father and our spiritual Brother, Jesus, are peacemakers.
5. What greater compliment can be given than that we resemble the heavenly family?
6. We are most like God when we are behaving in a way that brings peace to people and between people.
B. Here are a few other passages that challenge us to be peacemakers:
1. Paul wrote, “Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.” (Rom. 14:19)
2. Romans 12:18 is another good one, “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”
3. How about Hebrews 12:14, “Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy.”
4. Look again with me at the theme verse we have been using all weekend from James 3: Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.” (James 3:18)
C. So we see from these verses that we are called to be peacemakers and to live at peace with others.
1. Let’s talk for a few minutes about the need for peacemaking.
II. The NEED for Peacemaking
A. I don’t think that it’s possible to overstate the need for peace and for peacemaking.
1. That’s true for race relations and for relations between nations.
2. That’s certainly true for families and marriages.
3. And since this weekend is devoted to our young people – let’s emphasize the need for peacemaking between children and teens – in our schools, neighborhoods, and even in our churches.
B. I don’t know if you pay attention to the news, but lately the news has been filled with stories about conflict among teenagers.
1. Let me share a few of these stories that illustrate the kind of peacemaking that is needed.
C. In October of last year, we first heard about the story of Michael Brewer, the Florida 15 year-old who was burned by bullies.
1. Michael’s troubles started when another 15 year-old, named Matthew Brent, gave him a video game and expected to be paid $40.
2. Unfortunately, Michael never paid Matthew the money he owed him.
3. So what did Matthew do? He stole a $500 custom bike that belonged to Michael’s father.
4. Michael reported the theft and Matthew was arrested.
5. Matthew, then, gathered four of his friends, and went to find Michael to get some revenge.
6. They found Michael by the pool of an apartment complex, so they doused him with rubbing alcohol and set him on fire.
7. Michael likely saved his own life by jumping into the pool to put out the flames, but he was still burned over 65% of his body.
8. The five boys have been charged with aggravated battery, and the one who used the lighter is charged with second-degree attempted murder.
9. Just think how that situation could have been avoided by a peacemaker who sowed peace.
D. Ironically, our second story also comes from Florida and from the very same school.
1. It is the story of Josie Ratley, the 15 year-old girl who was almost beaten to death by another teenager, named Wayne Treacy.
2. It all started when Josie’s 13 year-old friend Kayla, borrowed her cell phone to text her boyfriend, Wayne.
3. Josie objected to Kayla’s relationship with Wayne and the texts between Josie and Wayne flew back and forth.
4. One of the texts that Josie sent to Wayne included a reference to the suicide of his brother five months ago, and that set him off.
5. Wayne texted some of his other friends saying that he was going to kill Josie.
6. Wayne got on his bike and rode to the middle school where Josie and Kayla were at the time.
7. He almost beat up the wrong girl, but then Kayla pointed out to Wayne which girl was Josie.
8. Wayne proceeded to beat and kick Josie with his steel-toe boots until she was unconscious.
9. Josie suffered extensive and traumatic injury to her brain, was in critical condition and has had several brain surgeries.
10. She still can’t walk or talk and she has been crying a lot.
11. Wayne has been charged with premeditated attempted murder, and Josie’s friend, Kayla, has been charged with accessory to attempted first-degree murder.
12. Just think how that situation could have been avoided by a peacemaker who sowed peace.
E. Let me also briefly tell you about two bullying cases that led to suicide.
1. A month ago, Jon Carmichael, a 13 year-old from Texas, committed suicide after being bullied at school.
a. Jon was a good student who was on the football and track teams.
b. He had been described as a very happy, friendly, personable young man who had a smile on his face and was full of energy and enthusiasm.
c. Jon’s mother had met with teachers the Monday before his death to get to the bottom of some bullying that was going on.
d. It appears that he had been bullied in a PE class and put in a trash can.
e. The superintendent said that they were trying to get to the bottom of it. Something obviously had happened, but they didn’t know the extent of it.
f. Unfortunately, Jon didn’t give them enough time to sort it out and bring it to an end.
g. Suicide is so tragic because it is a permanent solution to a temporary problem.
2. In January, the news reported the sad story of Phoebe Prince, a 15 year-old girl who moved from Ireland to Massachusetts and later took her own life.
a. You can imagine how nervous she was the first day she went to her new high school in a new country.
b. Phoebe had a brief relationship with a senior football player that ended weeks before her suicide.
c. What she had faced was relentless harassment, name-calling, stalking, intimidation, and threatened physical abuse over multiple months.
d. When the news of Phoebe’s suicide reached the hallways of her high school, her bullies did not demonstrate regret or remorse, instead, they took to Facebook to mock her death and continued badmouthing her at school.
e. About a month ago, 9 students (the majority being female) were charged in connection with Phoebe’s untimely death.
f. Investigators also found that Phoebe’s harassment was “common knowledge to most of the student body” and that certain faculty, staff and administrators were also alerted to the intense bullying.
3. What might have been different for Jon and Phoebe if there had been peacemakers who were sowing peace?
F. Are you beginning to get a picture of the need for peacemakers and for peace? I have chosen not to tell any gang violence stories, but about 150 teenagers are killed in gang violence every year in the US.
1. Blessed are the peacemakers and oh, how we need them!
III. The HOW of Peacemaking
A. First of all, let me say that we cannot be peacemakers without God’s help.
1. It is only through the power of His Spirit living in us that we can sow peace.
2. It is only with His wisdom guiding us that we can live at peace and be peacemakers.
B. That’s why I think that the passage from James is so important.
1. Let’s look at James 3:17-18: But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.
2. How’s that for a prescription for peace?
3. The wisdom that comes from God helps us to be pure, and peace-loving.
a. Are you the kind of person who loves peace? Or are you the kind of person who likes to cause trouble and stir up conflict?
b. The wisdom that comes from the Spirit will transform us and make us peace-loving and peace-making.
4. The wisdom that comes from God also helps us to be considerate and submissive people.
a. What a difference that makes in our relationships when we really take into consideration the other person, and even sacrifice our desires for their desires.
5. We also notice that the wisdom that comes from God helps us to be full of mercy – forgiveness is such an important aspect of peace.
6. When we are guided by that kind of wisdom, and have that kind of character then we can live at peace with others and help others to do the same.
7. If you don’t have that kind of wisdom and character, then James would tell you to ask God for it.
8. Pray that God will fill your life with that kind of wisdom and character that you might be peacemakers who harvest righteousness.
C. Let’s turn our attention now to the passage we read as the Scripture Reading – Matthew 5:38-48.
1. Look at the verses 38-42: “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ 39But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. 41If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. 42Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.”
2. The Old Testament justice system required reciprocal punishment – an eye for an eye.
3. This kind of justice was not to be metered out personally, but was to be carried out in an official capacity.
4. When we take these things into our own hands it usually escalates and becomes your two teeth for my one tooth.
5. Jesus suggests that His disciples are to be completely different than that.
6. Jesus wants us to live what some people describe as the “2nd Mile Lifestyle”.
7. If someone mistreats us or demands something from us, we should not retaliate, rather we should take control of the situation by doing the unexpected.
8. If they strike us on the cheek, then they are expecting we will strike them on their cheek.
a. But notice how everything changes when we don’t strike them back, rather we offer the other cheek for them to slug.
9. Roman soldiers were allowed to demand that someone carries their pack one mile. Jesus said go the one mile, then offer to go another.
10. This causes you to move from the victim to victor - the person in charge.
11. The evil person who is bullying you is immediately thrown off, because you are not reacting the way most people react.
D. Jesus continued: “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” (Mt. 5:43-48)
1. Here we see Jesus really upping the challenge.
2. It is natural and worldly to hate your enemies. It is completely unnatural and godly to love your enemies and to treat them well.
3. But if we learn to love our enemies then we will be just like our Father in heaven.
4. Anybody can love those who love them – the real challenge is to love those who hate you and mistreat you, but that’s what Jesus did – He has shown us the way.
E. Look with me at Romans 12:17-21: Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. 18If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. 20On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
1. Not taking revenge into our own hands is such an important part of being a peacemaker who sows peace.
2. I like the attitude of one person who refused to take revenge. He said, “I’m not going to get even. I’m going to tell God on you!”
3. God can handle the “just” punishment much better than we can.
F. I like the story told of some American soldiers who were stationed in Korea during the Korean War.
1. While there, they hired a local Korean boy to cook and clean for them.
2. Being a bunch of jokesters, they got a kick out of playing practical jokes on the boy.
3. They’d smear Vaseline on the stove handles so that when he’d turn the stove on in the morning, he’d get grease all over his fingers.
4. They’d put water buckets over the door so that he’d get deluged when he opened the door.
5. They even nailed his shoes to the floor one night.
6. Day after day, the little fella took the brunt of their practical jokes without saying a word.
7. Finally, the soldiers began to feel guilty about what they were doing to the boy, so they sat down and apologized to the boy.
8. They said, “Look, we know these pranks aren’t funny to you. We’re sorry. We’re never going to take advantage of you again.”
9. This seemed too good to be true to the houseboy.
10. He asked, “No more sticky on stove?” “Nope,” they replied.
11. “No more water above door?” He asked. “Nope.”
12. “No more nail shoes to floor?” He asked, “Nope, never again” they replied.
13. “Okay,” the boy said with a big smile, “Then no more spit in soup.” (Tale of the Tardy Oxcart)
14. Sometimes people seek revenge in very subtle ways, but that’s not being Christ-like.
G. Jesus said that when we treat our enemy well, then we will be overcoming evil with good.
1. Truly, the best way to get rid of an enemy is to make him or her your friend.
2. I like the story told about Wade Boggs the Hall-of-Fame third baseman.
a. He played most of his career for the Boston Red Sox, but eventually played for the Yankees, and then Tampa Bay.
b. When he played for the Red Sox, he hated playing against the Yankees at Yankee Stadium.
c. He hated playing there because of a specific Yankee fan who had a box seat close to third base.
d. The Yankee fan did everything possible to throw Boggs off his game.
e. He would swear at Boggs and say things like “Boggs, you stink! And You’re a loser!!”
f. Boggs tried to ignore it for years, then finally one day, he decided to take a different approach.
g. During the warm up for the game, the Yankee fan started taunting Boggs in the usual manner.
h. Boggs walked over to the edge of the field and said, “Are you the guy who’s always on my case?”
i. The man said, “Yeah. What are you going to do about it?”
j. Boggs took a brand new baseball out of his glove, autographed it, tossed it to the man, and went back to continue his pre-game routine.
k. Low and behold, the man never yelled at Boggs again; in fact, he became one of Bogg’s biggest fans at Yankee Stadium.
l. That’s what I call “killing them with kindness.”
m. It’s what Proverbs calls “heaping burning coals on their head.”
n. It’s what Paul called overcoming evil with good.
H. Let’s be peacemakers who sow peace and harvest righteousness.
1. Let’s learn to love our enemies to the point that they become our friends.
2. Let’s be ready to help others come to peace with each other.
3. Whenever we see troublemakers sowing their hatred and discord, we must never join them – we must not do what they do, but must do differently.
4. Let’s sow peace and reap a harvest of blessing and righteousness.
5. Let’s end with this prayer from the apostle Paul: “Now may the God of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.” (2 Thessalonians 3:16)
