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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 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) 1 o o 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 2 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) 3 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. 4 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 5 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 7 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 8 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 9 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. 10