We are coming to the end of our series on the beatitudes from the book of Matthew, last week will be the last sermon in this series and we will begin a new news series call taking a risk.  We will look at people in the Bible who stepped out in faith and see how God rewarded them for their faith.  As Meridian Woods moves ahead we too must step out and take some risk, and see what God has planned for us as a church.   Today, we look at a beatitude that is very needed in church, homes and people around the globe, peacemaker.

Matthew 5:9
Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called sons of God.

  1. God is the God of Peace
    1. 1 Corinthians 14:33 God is not the author of confusion but of peace. Apart from Him there is no peace.
    2. Hebrews 13:20 May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep,
    3. Romans 16:20 The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.
  2. God wants peace in our lives
    1. Jeremiah 29:11 says, I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace.
    2. John 16:33 Jesus said, “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world
    3. Examples of Peace that God showed
      1. The Garden of Eden
      2. He gave Christ so we might have peace
      3. When Christ returns he will be called the Prince of peace
      4. The new heavens and Earth will be at peace.
  3. God’s characteristics of a peacemaker
    1. Christ follower
      1. I Peter 1:2God the Father knew you and chose you long ago, and his Spirit has made you holy. As a result, you have obeyed him and have been cleansed by the blood of Jesus Christ. May God give you more and more grace and peace.
    2. Communicate the Good News
      1. Acts 10:36 This is the message of Good News for the people of Israel, that there is peace with God through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all.
    3. Care for Others
      1. Romans 12:18 Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.
      2. Ephesians 4:15 by speaking truth in love
  4. God promise for the Peacemaker
    1. Called a son of God
    2. We are in the family of God

You can download the PowerPoint presentation: Peacemakers