Matthew 5:9

Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called sons of God.

1. The world needs peace.

   1. People make efforts at peace: treaties, institutes, conferences, councils, studies, movements, activists.

   2. Feelings and fights: the problem is the human heart.

• James 4:1 Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members?

  1. The world needs help to subdue the evils of the human heart.

• Romans 8:6 For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

• The world needs peacemaking.

  1. "There is no peace," says the LORD, "for the wicked." Isaiah 48:22

• Psalm 10:4-5 & Proverbs 15:26 & Isaiah 57:20-21 - situation
• Isaiah 26:10 Let grace be shown to the wicked, Yet he will not learn righteousness; In the land of uprightness he will deal unjustly, And will not behold the majesty of the LORD.
• Psalm 37:35-38 - results

  1. The world needs God's message of peace.

• Isaiah 52:7;
• The church: Isaiah 40:2 "Speak comfort to Jerusalem, and cry out to her, That her warfare is ended...;
• The wicked: Isaiah 55:7 Let the wicked forsake his way, And the unrighteous man his thoughts; Let him return to the LORD, And He will have mercy on him; And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon.
• The world: 2Cor 5:18-19 ...that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation."
• Acts 26:18 ... that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me

• 1. The world needs the active peacemaking of the God of peace.

• Psalm 129:3-5 If You, LORD, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? But there is forgiveness with You, That You may be feared. I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, And in His word I do hope.
• Father: Romans 16:20 And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.
• Son: Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
• Holy Spirit: Luke 4:18; Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

• The God of peace blesses his children with peace.

• Galatians 3:26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.
• Romans 14:19 Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another.

  1. Thanksgiving and praise are the first fruits of peace.

• Isaiah 53:5 and Romans 5:1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
• Luke 2:14 and Revelation 7:12 "Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom, Thanksgiving and honor and power and might, Be to our God forever and ever. Amen."

  1. We pursue peacemaking in the bond of holiness.

• We become holy peacemakers, imitating Christ. (Mark 9:50)
• We know peace because we are forgiven, so we in turn forgive. (Matthew 6:14-15.)
• True peace is holy peace. (Heb 12:14 )

  1. The children of God celebrate peace.

• Ezekiel 37:26 "Moreover I will make a covenant of peace with them, and it shall be an everlasting covenant with them; I will establish them and multiply them, and I will set My sanctuary in their midst forevermore.
• In worship, in the Lord's Supper, in fellowship.
• Colossians 3:15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.