Good morning and welcome to the Panhandle. Come on in, the Bible is open and His Word is great so let's do some surfing. We will be looking at Matthew 5:9.
Telemachus was a monk who lived in the 4th century. He felt God saying to him, "Go to Rome." He was in a cloistered monastery. He put his possessions in a sack and set out for Rome. When he arrived in the city, people were thronging in the streets. He asked why all the excitement and was told that this was the day that the gladiators would be fighting and killing each other in the coliseum, the day of the games, the circus. He thought to himself, "Four centuries after Christ and they are still killing each other, for enjoyment?" He ran to the coliseum and heard the gladiators saying, "Hail to Caesar, we die for Caesar" and he thought, "this isn't right." He jumped over the railing and went out into the middle of the field, got between two gladiators, held up his hands and said "In the name of Christ, forbear." The crowd protested and began to shout, "Run him through, Run him through." A gladiator came over and hit him in the stomach with the back of his sword. It sent him sprawling in the sand. He got up and ran back and again said, "In the name of Christ, forbear." The crowd continued to chant, "Run him through." One gladiator came over and plunged his sword through the little monk's stomach and he fell into the sand, which began to turn crimson with his blood. One last time he gasped out, "In the name of Christ forbear." A hush came over the 80,000 people in the coliseum. Soon a man stood and left, then another and more, and within minutes all 80,000 had emptied out of the arena. It was the last known gladiatorial contest in the history of Rome. Source Unknown.
Stuart Weber in the Holman New Testament Commentary on Matthew says, “Peace is first and foremost, internal and spiritual. It isn't primarily physical, military, or political. Peace for the nations flows from peace in the hearts of individuals. Peacemakers are not power brokers but people lovers.”
The promised kingdom is characterized by peace, as described in Micah 4:3:
And He will judge between many peoples
And render decisions for mighty, distant nations.
Then they will hammer their swords into plowshares
And their spears into pruning hooks;
Nation will not lift up sword against nation,
And never again will they train for war.
Matthew 5:9
9 Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called sons of God.
1. Our Quest for Peace.
I think it is safe to say that almost everyone if not everyone wants peace and serenity. We seek peace in a world of strife. In the past 4,000 years there have been fewer than 300 years of peace in our world.
In Quincy Wright’s “A Study of War,” we learn that, in the 461 years between 1480 and 1941, the following countries were involved in the number of wars as listed: Great Britain, 78; France, 71; Spain, 64; Russia, 61; Austria, 52; Germany, 23; China, 11; Japan, 9; the United States, 13.
In recent years there have been more than 80 wars occurring in the world within a year’s time. Why do some not find lasting peace? Maybe it is because they misunderstand the meaning of peace. Peace is no vague dream or pleasant hope. It is of this tangible reality that Isaiah spoke when he said, "The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace, Because he trusts in You.” (Isaiah 26:3). The “You” in this verse is God.
Peace is not just the removal of our problems or just the absence of strife. When Christ Jesus preached, there was strife between the Jews and Romans. The Roman Empire had forced most of the known world to its knees, and this included Israel. There was strife between Christ Jesus, His followers and the Jewish Leaders.
I would be lying if I said as a Christian you would not experience strife in your life. But you must also remember that peace overcomes your problems even in the midst of strife. How does peace overcome strife? Because peace is from within, not from without. Paul said, “And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:7). The Greek word for keep or shall keep is a military term. It paints the word picture of the sentry who walks back and forth guarding his camp during the night. While he is there, the camp is safe. In this same manner, God will guard your heart and mind when you ask Christ Jesus to become your Lord and Saviour. Once you do that the Holy Spirit will come into your life and bring you the peace which surpasses all comprehension.
Will you give control of your life right now to Christ Jesus?
People look to a lot of different things to bring them peace. Beth Burgess wrote on a web site titled “Little Buddha,” that there are eight things that can bring you inner peace. A few of these are:
Know your ideal self. - Make a list of all the good qualities you intend to cultivate
Let go of perfectionism. - Allow yourself to be imperfect, and yet still make progress.
Let your head and heart support you. - You won’t have a peaceful heart if you allow negativity to dominate your thinking.
These things are good advice and I'm sure they help, but peace, real peace comes from only one source.
2. Our Peace Is Found In Christ Jesus.
The only true and lasting peace to be found in this world is found in Christ Jesus. Even before Christ Jesus was born, it was prophesied that He would bring peace: For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6).
Also at Christ Jesus’ birth the heavenly host announced peace on earth: "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests." (Luke 4:18).
Throughout Christ Jesus’ ministry He brought peace to others. He taught His disciples that they could know peace in a world of tribulation: "These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world." (John 16:33).
Christ Jesus instructed His disciples to spread peace: "Whatever house you enter, first say, "Peace be to this house.' (Luke 10:5).
In times of despair, Christ Jesus brought peace to His disciples: "Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.” (John 14:27).
Only those who are justified (made righteous in the sight of God) by faith in Christ Jesus can posses everlasting peace: Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, (Romans 5:1).
What is keeping you from finding true and lasting peace? Why not turn it all over to Christ Jesus right now? Why not find the peace that only God can give you, today?
I have talked about the quest for peace this morning and I have shown you that true peace only comes through Christ Jesus. So what is there left to look at? Well just this, the role of the peacemaker and the promise given to the peacemaker.
3. The Role Of The Peacemaker.
It is only logical that Christ Jesus would assign the role of peacemaking to those who have found true and lasting peace in Him. The peacemaker is not merely a peaceable person, a peace lover, or a peacekeeper. The peace-at-any-price person who just does not want to get involved is not the person that our Lord and Saviour, Christ Jesus is talking about in this beatitude either.
The peacemaker is an active, positive force in the world. They start by making peace with themselves. Every person is challenged with the decision to do right or wrong. Some who call themselves Christians never find peace because they are double-minded. They have not given Christ Jesus complete control of their lives, and so they battle with their wrong desires.
When you can say, "I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.” (Galatians 2:20), then you have made peace with yourself.
Peacemakers makes peace with others. In many areas the peacemaker is actively engaged in their Christian task — in the home, in the community, in the church, in every part of their life. As a peacemaker you will go out of your way to find new ways of making peace with others. You do this by what you do not say or do, by what you do say or do, and by how you say or do it.
You will go the second mile, turns the other cheek, and loves your enemies. The most important task of the peacemaker is the task of witnessing to the unsaved. As a peacemaker you should strive to make peace between rebellious humans and the God of peace. As a Christian you should be sharing your faith in Christ Jesus with those who do not know Him as Lord and Saviour. When you do this you becomes a peacemaker in the best sense of the word.
What is the promise for the peacemaker? You are called, “a son “child” of God.” You are never more like Christ Jesus than when you are spreading the Gospel, and helping others make peace with God.
Billy Graham often told the story of a man who had fallen from a high scaffolding. A preacher was called to the scene to witness to the man. He said, “My dear man, I am afraid you are dying. I exhort you to make your peace with God!”
The injured man replied, “Why that was made nineteen hundred years ago when my glorious Savior paid all my debt on the cruel tree. Christ is my peace and I do know God!”
Thanks again for dropping by and sharing in this time of study of God's Word. I pray that God will bless you and yours as you go through the week and I'll see you back here next week Lord willing.
Biblesurfer
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