The Priority of Peacemaking

Sermon OverviewScripture Passage: Matthew 5:9Matthew 5:9 says, "Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.”Where do wars come from? James 4 claims that men wage war against one another due to the war within ourselves. Furthermore, this inner war is proof of war with God. People are not at peace within themselves; this is why they cannot be at peace with anyone else.Until we are right with God, we will be troublemakers and not peacemakers. We must understand the priority of peacemaking.First, we must consider the attributes of peace.Peace is not appeasement. In fact, appeasement never brings peace. Adrian Rogers says, “There is something desperately wrong with the person who can get along with everybody.”Though the Bible says to be at peace with all men if it is possible (Romans 12:18), this is not always possible. Jesus Christ, Himself, did not get along with everybody. We will be known by the enemies we make.Adrian Rogers says, “Peace is a right relationship with God that leads to a right relationship with self, and guides us in a right relationship with other people.”Second, we must recognize the adversary of peace, which is sin.Sin brings inner turmoil because it separates men from God. There can be no peace without the Prince of Peace. Jesus will never make a truce with sin. Jesus came to put a line of demarcation between truth and error, between light and dark, between sin and righteousness.Matthew 10:34 says, "Think not that I've come to send peace on the earth: I came not to send peace but a sword.”When God's standard of righteousness is set, there will always be division. Without righteousness, there can be no godly peace. And the sword that Jesus has is like a scalpel: it must first hurt before it heals.Peace has been planned by the Father, purchased by the Son, and provided by the Spirit. We are ambassadors and agents of peace, called to share the hope of reconciliation with a world in turmoil.Apply it to your lifeWe are agents of peace. Share the hope of reconciliation with others today.