Life Group Leaders’ Notes
Title: How You Can Be Blessed By Becoming A Peacemaker
Key Text: Matthew 5:9
We live in a world that is desperately in need of peace. So many are longing for peace of mind, peace in their home, peace in their community but few know where to find it. So, they look for any temporary escape they can find.
Today there are conflicts of every kind and at every level. The nation of Israel for example has been at the centre of conflict for many centuries. In the time of Jesus, Israel was under Roman occupation and that brought many hardships. People looked forward with great anticipation to a lasting peace prophesied by the prophet Isaiah (Isaiah 9:6-7). For many right up till the time of Jesus’ return to heaven, there was an expectation that Jesus would bring peace by restoring the nation of Israel politically, overthrowing Roman rule. In Acts 1:6 they asked him ‘are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?’ (Acts 1:6). It was this turbulent context that Jesus that said in Matthew 5:9. ‘Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God’, which is our key text for today. What an amazing promise! Those who make God’s peace will be called God’s children. But what is a peacemaker? It is someone who reconciles people who were formerly in conflict, making peace!
But what kind of peace? We know from Isaiah 9 that God’s peace will grow endlessly, so it isn’t man-made. Jesus is talking about an eternal peace that God alone can give. He later told his disciples John 14:27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
So how can we become the peacemakers God wants?
To be a peacemaker, we must first be reconciled to God (Psalm 139:23-24, Proverbs 28:13; 1 Samuel 16:7, Mark 7:21-22) Our Hearts Can Only Be Cleansed By God (Ezekiel 26:25- 27, John 1:13, 1 John 1:9) A Pure Heart Will Lead To A Blessed Life (Matthew 5:8, Revelation 1:17-18)
Apply
1. To be a peacemaker we must first be reconciled to God
The great Christmas carol ‘Hark the herald angels sing’ that speaks of reconciliation:
Hark! The herald angels sing
"Glory to the new-born king
Peace on earth and mercy mild
God and sinners reconciled"
Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Sun of Righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings
Risen with healing in His wings….”
God wants us to be reconciled to him, and so he made the first move toward us by sending his son to make it possible: John 3:16 NIV: For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
We may not realise it but if we have no relationship with Jesus, we are living in opposition to God and need to be reconciled to him!
Romans 5:10 says: For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.
The greatest reconciliation of all comes when we make peace with God in our own hearts. We do that by admitting that we have sinned and that we need a new life from God. That will happen when we stop fighting God, and instead, start pursuing him.
In any conflict, peace comes when there is a surrender.
When we surrender to Jesus, the prince of peace comes to make his home in our hearts and settles all conflicts and disputes. He comes to occupy us by his Holy Spirit which we receive in that surrender.
He heals our emotional wounds and teaches us how to live an eternal life from the very moment we believe in Jesus and fully trust him every day of our lives.
You see Jesus came to bridge the gap between us on the one side and God the father on the other. He did this through the cross where he hung with arms stretched wide.
Eph 2:13-14 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, That barrier between us and God is our sin and rebellion, which Jesus took upon himself in order to bring us near to God because he loves us.
If you will surrender to his love today you will receive the peace you are searching for and have not yet found.
When we are reconciled to God:
We are at peace; we’ve surrendered our lives to Jesus, all hostilities are over We can have a healed heart - all the emotional wounds you have received can be healed by Jesus when we receive him We can know that our sins are forgiven - we have a clean slate, no more guilt We have made room for God in our hearts - he rules our hearts from within
Are you reconciled to God today? Do you know that if you were to leave this life today that you would spend eternity in his presence because you invited him into your heart? Are you at peace with God or are you still fighting?
2. To be a peacemaker we must be reconciled to others
Hebrews 12:14: Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy;
Jesus taught how important it is to put relationships right with others.
Matthew 5:23 “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.
We need to make the first move to end conflicts. In God’s eyes, no amount of sacrifice and outward worship can compensate for us failing to try and mend a broken relationship. He says FIRST go and be reconciled, THEN come and offer your gift.
The apostle James speaks of how we can work against peace by being jealous of others or selfishly ambitious. But we can reap a good harvest of righteousness by making peace:
James 3:16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
Let's look at the characteristics of peacemakers. James indicates that a peacemaker has wisdom from above that is:
First Pure: It puts God’s concerns first. Our primary concern in peace-making is the glory of God. Our peace efforts must not compromise by lowering God’s standard. Peace loving: God wants us to love peace, not seek out conflict. A peacemaker is someone who will ‘turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it’ (Psalm 34). Our words and actions must promote lasting peace, not endless conflict. Gentle: God’s wisdom makes us gentle, NOT harsh. Proverbs 15:1 A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. If we speak harshly we stir up conflict but if we speak kindly with gentle words we will immediately see how an atmosphere of peace comes. So maybe we ask need to ask ourselves this question Can I be more gentle? Open to reason: We must help people to see reason and be reasonable themselves. Full of mercy and good fruit: Instead of rushing to judgement, give people time to make the right choices. 2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. - God wants all men to come to a knowledge of the truth Impartial: God wants us to be free of selfish ambition, to be on HIS side - balanced and fair. No hidden agenda, no selfish motive or manipulation. Sincere: Romans 12:9 NIV: Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. We can't be pretending to pursue peace whilst having hate in our hearts. Sown in peace: If we sow peace by the words and actions we choose, we will reap a harvest of righteousness. Here are some good seeds you can sow, that will make peace spring up Make the decision to love people the same way you’ve been loved by God: 1 John 4:16 And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. 1 John 4:20 We cannot say we love God and hate our brother or sister at the same time. Forgive from the heart, not the head. Jesus offers us the wounds he suffered as payment for the wounds we have suffered at the hands of others - accept what Jesus offers and release those who offended you. Isaiah 53:5 NIV But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. Don't let the sun go down while you are still angry: Eph 4:26 “In your anger do not sin": Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, Do whatever you can to make peace: Romans 12:18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Colossians 3:15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.
3. To become a peacemaker we must reconcile others to God
A peacemaker is an ambassador for God. An ambassador is a representative of a government that is sent on their behalf:
2 Cor 5:18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19 .And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 20 We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us.
We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. God has given us all this ministry of reconciliation. Here's how we can play our part in this:
Tell others your story of how you were reconciled to God. Show them how they can do the same.
Pray for all those in authority:
1 Tim 2:1 I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—
2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.
Make a stand for peace where you can
One familiar example of peace making happened in South Africa when Nelson Mandela became president at the end of Apartheid. When he was released from prison and became president, he chose the path of reconciliation between all racially divided people instead of vengeance.
Nelson Mandela said: If you want to make peace with your enemy, you have to work with your enemy. Then he becomes your partner.
And he added: the first thing is to be honest with yourself. You can never have an impact on society if you have not changed yourself... Great peacemakers are all people of integrity, of honesty, but humility.”
Never more was that humility more evident that when God’s own son came to earth as a baby. The Prince of Peace had come to establish a reign of peace and you can be part of this.
Today you can know the peace of God. You can make your peace with God and you can become a world changing agent of peace for God. May the peace of God rest on each one of you this day and every day.
