Download Series: Sermon on the Mount

Series: Sermon on the Mount
CDOBC – beginning on 6/8/08
Title: “True Peace”
Matthew 5:9 ~ August 3, 2008
OBJECTIVE:
To help us define God’s peace and our role in being peacemakers.
Announcements
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Welcome / guests – communication cards.
Prayer Service – tonight @ 6 p.m.
TKU Jimmy & Sandy Donaldson
Baby shower for Tammy Watts
Scott and Sarah Nichols here!
YMCA Swim / Ice Cream Social – Aug. 17th
AWANA – begins 8/20
Nursery – Alicia in ER this morning – need coverage 2nd hour
Check bulletin for ministry details
Opening Prayer
Matt. 5:9
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.”
Peace. It has been the goal – the obsession of many generations in
many eras and nations. All throughout history peace has been
desired by the just, but unattainable.
Some have estimated that in the twentieth century (1900 – 2000)
over 140 million people were killed in various wars and as a result
of the actions of totalitarian regimes. Others have the number as
high as 175 million (Zbigniew Brzezinski, Out of Control: Global Turmoil on the Eve of the
Twenty-first Century (1993)!
In a book by Rudolph Rummel (Statistics of Democide, by Rudolph Rummel, opening
sentence in Preface), he states that the evil regimes of The Soviet Union,
Communist / Nationalist China, and Nazi Germany have each
killed over 10 million people.
Of course, these totals do not take into consideration the 8.5
million murders worldwide for the 20th century.*
*Homicide:
o Very, very rough estimate until I research this more fully: 8.5 million murders worldwide, 1900-1999.
o What I do know so far:
 Brazil: 350,000 murders in 1990s (24 Oct. 1999 Guardian)
 USA 1960-96: 666,160 murders and (non-negligent) manslaughters (Statistical Abstract of the
United States, http://www.census.gov/statab/freq/98s0335.txt)
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o
o
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USA 1900-59: 390,136 murders (Watenburg, The Statistical History of the United States, 1976)
USA TOTAL: 1,056,296 (more or less -- depending on how you want to count manslaughters)
739,938 murders worldwide, 1986-90, excluding the USA
(http://www.ifs.univie.ac.at/uncjin/mosaic/ccrimes/tothom.txt). The USA produced 12.5% of the world's
murders during the years 1986-90, so if we apply that ratio to the entire century, then it would indicate that
7.35M murders were committed worldwide (but outside the US), 1900-96. It looks like the century total is
somewhere near 1.05M in US + 7.35M elsewhere.
Maybe this 8.5?M should be added to the wars and oppressions under the category of deaths "caused by fellow
humans", above. If you want to do this, go ahead.
We obviously don’t have peace politically, socially, or
economically. We don’t have peace in our marriages, between
nations, or within our own countries, states, cities, communities, or
within our own homes.
Matt. 5:9
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.”
Why is there no peace?
Why all this death? Why all this unrest / conflict / fighting /
wars – this lack of peace?
The ultimate cause of conflict is our sin.
We must realize that until the return of Christ and the eternal
state of Peace, the world will never be at perfect peace.
Why? Because our hearts are wicked / evil – and there is no
peace apart from the holiness and purity of God! It’s not for
a lack of trying that we don’t have peace!
The Olympics is an athletic event that many have hope will
foster world peace – but it never has.
Kellogg Treaty – 1928 – renouncing war as national policy
1931 – Japan invades Manchuria
1935 – Italy invades Ethiopia
1939 – Germany invades Poland
WWII – signing of the surrender documents in Berlin
Jimmy Carter and the Camp David Peace Accords
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Why don’t these efforts at peace work? Why don’t they last?
We have tried to make peace – but we have never addressed
the root cause of war – the root cause of discord – our sin!
Isaiah 48:22 “ ‘There is no peace for the wicked’ says the Lord”
It is the evil in the heart of man that is the enemy of peace.
Every conflict we have can always be traced back to sin.
You cannot have a lasting peace if you simply try to cover-up
the sin.
Jesus offers us peace.
Jesus calls us to be peacemakers. The first four Beatitudes
gave us a correct self-image – a correct understanding of
ourselves before God. We should be poor in spirit – unable
to commend ourselves to God because of our sin. Because of
this, we mourn over our sin and we are meek as we realize
God’s goodness over us. As we see our sin more clearly, we
crave the righteousness of God more.
The next three Beatitudes give us instruction on how to apply
these truths in every day life. Our first thought from the
depths of our spiritual poverty is that we are merciful
because of the mercy we have received in Jesus. We then
develop His righteousness not only externally but primarily
in our (pure) heart – and we then begin to share the peace of
God in Christ with the world around us.
Jesus is the Prince of peace – the angels declared this to the
shepherds at His birth – Luke 2:14 “Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.”
God is the God of peace (Lev. 26:6; 1 Kings 2:33; Ps. 29:11; Isa. 9:6;
Ezek. 34:25; Rom. 15:33; 1 Cor. 14:33; 2 Thess. 3:16)
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1. We have no peace because of sin – 2. Jesus offers us peace…
What is the peace Jesus offers us?
Many would define peace as the absence of conflict –
the absence of war. However, this is not God’s
definition. God’s definition is not an absence of
something, but the presence of something! It is the
presence of God actively living through you both in
attitude and deed. It is when you as a Christian live
according to the Word of God as the Spirit directs you.
It is when you display love, joy, peace, patience,
kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and selfcontrol (Gal. 5:22).
John MacArthur calls this “aggressive goodness”.
Typically, the world’s version of peace is simply an
avoidance of the issues. The elephant in the room is
never really addressed because if the issue is brought
up, tempers will flare – people will get defensive – and
conflict will ensue. This is not true peace…this is not
Godly peace – this is superficial and weak peace. We
are never told in Scripture to avoid confronting error or
sin, to ignore it. No, we are instructed – and wisdom
tells us that sin and error must be lovingly and clearly
addressed or confronted. True Biblical love concerns
itself with the truth and loves the other person enough
to ask difficult questions and walk with the person as
they repent and repair the damage of their sin. Biblical
peace does not appease sin but it conquers sin and
celebrates when evil is defeated!
True, Godly peace should never be a result of
compromised holiness, a by-product of sacrificed truth,
or a result of spiritual indifference.
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The recipe for peace (These verses define what the peace of Jesus is!)
Col. 1:20b
“…to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or
things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on
the cross.”
Eph. 2:13-14
“But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have
been brought near through the blood of Christ. For he himself
is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the
barrier, the dividing wall of hostility…”
The most important ingredient in the recipe for peace is
faith in Christ and His work on the cross – His shed
blood as payment for your sins is the key ingredient!
Peace comes as a result of truth.
Ps. 85:10b
“…righteousness and peace kiss each other.”
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.”
(no strong-arm tactics used by peacemakers!)
The next main ingredient for peace after the blood of
Christ is the truth of God’s Word. After we place our
faith in Christ, the next step is to begin obeying His
Word. The Bible’s instructions to us for everyday life
become more important than our natural, sinful
inclinations. Peace is only attainable when you deal
with your sin through Jesus, and then you hunger and
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thirst for God’s righteousness and purity of heart and
make that the focus of your daily efforts.
Our duty is to try and be a peacemaker.
Isaiah 52:7
“How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who
bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good
tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, "Your God
reigns!"
The Gospel is a proclamation of peace!
Rom. 12:18
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with
everyone.”
Hebrews 12:14 “Make every effort to live in peace with all men
and to be holy…”
We are called to try and be peacemakers by sharing the
truth about Christ. However, no matter how great our
intentions – no matter how sincere we are and how
strong our desire to bring peace to a situation, Jesus
does not promise that we will be successful.
(Liberals view the SOTM as the greatest ethical teaching – the greatest
moral teaching ever. They deny any doctrinal positions – they deny Paul’s
writings and the doctrinal and moral truth he states – insisting that it is
sourced in his legalistic, Pharisee training. However, as the read the
SOTM, they interpret it incorrectly, stripping away the culture and
context, and they ignore Jesus’ other teaching in the process.)
When you put your faith in Christ – when you uphold
the truth of God – peace is not guaranteed!
Matthew 10:34-39
Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I
did not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 For I have come to
turn" `a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a
daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law-6
MT 10:36 a man's enemies will be the members of his own
household.'
MT 10:37 "Anyone who loves his father or mother more than
me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter
more than me is not worthy of me; 38 and anyone who does not
take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39 Whoever
finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake
will find it.” (Luke 12:51-53 – parallel passage)
If you are in a house with unbelievers – if your primary
friends are unbelievers – if your co-workers are
unbelievers – and you declare your belief in Christ –
then there will not be peace as you live out your faith,
you will experience conflict and unrest.
2 Timothy 3:12 (Paul says:)
“In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus
will be persecuted…”
True unity is found in the truth of God and the person
of Christ. Diversion from the truth of Christ and His
message will foster conflict.
The wrong way to be a peacemaker:
Church shooting in Tennessee
Faith and peace cannot be forced – coerced.
Was Jesus the greatest peacemaker to ever walk the
earth?
Yes – because He came to give us eternal peace with God.
Was Jesus a controversial person whose teaching and
miracles caused unrest and conflict?
Yes. Not only the elite and privileged class in Israel wanted
Jesus dead but many people all along national, economic and
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geographical classifications also wanted Him dead. Even
after Pilate pronounced His innocence, they killed Him.
Why? Because His message was troubling to their souls!
His message cut to the heart of the issue and revealed their
evil heart and their need for a Savior. Jesus’ truth forced
people to take a stand – to make a judgment – to make a
change in their life.
The same is true for us today. Jesus’ teaching – His truth
calls us to a point of decision – a point of real and genuine
change in our heart. When we embrace Jesus’ truth – when
we proclaim Jesus’ truth – it will change the life of some –
but others will not respond with understanding or tolerance
but with hatred and conflict. When this happens, you are still
brokering peace! What is a peacemaker? A peacemaker
is someone who lives out – and shares with others the truth of
God and Christ’s death on their behalf. Ultimate – eternal
peace is only found when we are at peace with God, so a
peacemaker is first of all at peace with God – reconciled to
Him through the blood of Jesus – and then they apply the
truth of God into their life. But, a peacemaker is not selfish
about peace – they share the peace that God offers and tries
to help others realize the peace of God in their life.
The promise to peacemakers
“They shall be called sons of God.”
Teknon = child
Huios = son
The word Jesus uses here is Huios – which has a deeper,
more significant meaning than teknon. Huios / son carry a
meaning that speaks to the similarity to the Father. It has the
idea of one just like the Father. A peacemaker is not just a
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child of God – not just someone who is in the family, but one
who is actively living in a way that reminds others of the
very character and heart of the Father!
What about the Christian view of war – of self-defense? Is
pacifism the only Christian option? (We will discuss this in
subsequent sermons.)
Application
Salvation and righteousness lead to God’s peace.
The first step to being a peacemaker is making sure you
are at peace with God! This is not some new age or a
subjective ‘feeling’ about God – but an objective reality
based on the truth of God’s Word.
Learn to listen and be quiet.
Many of our quarrels and disputes can find their birth
from the words someone speaks. Many words we say
are not helpful, but hurtful, or they needlessly ‘stir the
pot’.
James 1:19-20
Don’t be a spiritual nag.
Don’t nag other believers about their sins.
Love does cover a multitude of sins
We do sometimes looks past a transgression
We should not be eager to create strife and ‘police’
each other.
This idea is based on the humility we should have
according to Beatitudes #1-4! (Poor in spirit / mourn /
meek / hunger and thirst for righteousness)
MacArthur says we are “…to contend without
being contentious, to disagree without being
disagreeable, and to confront without being
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abusive.” (Matthew Commentary, by Dr. John MacArthur, Moody Press,
p. 217)
A peacemaker needs to be humble.
Arrogance never cultivates peace. Humility is the
model Jesus gave us – it’s the only attitude that will
foster peace – and it’s the best attitude / posture for
presenting the Gospel of Peace.
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