TEXT:  Matt. 5:1-12

INTRODUCTION:

A.      THE “BLESSINGS,” OR “BEATITUDES,” ARE WELL KNOWN.

B.      BOTH THE BLESSINGS AND THE TRAITS ARE COMPOSITES.

C.      SERMON’S THEME (5:20).

I.      THE PEACEMAKERS (vs. 9).

A.      NOT ONE WHO DESIRES PEACE, BUT ONE WHO MAKES PEACE.

          1.       Proper attitude, belief or knowledge must be accompanied by action (Jas. 2:15-16;  1 John 3:18;  Luke 6:46).

          2.       What we do is a product of what we are (Luke 6:43-45).

B.      THE PEACEMAKER TAKES THE INITIATIVE.

          1.       Abraham and Lot (Gen. 13).

          2.       Jesus’ teaching.

                   a.       Matt. 5:21-26.

                             - Proper disposition as opposed to anger or contempt.

                             - Right the wrong, top priority.

                   b.       Matt. 18:15-20.  Don’t wait, every effort, Jesus’ sanction (James 1:19-20).

          3.       Teaching of Paul.

                   a.       1 Cor. 6:1-11.

                             - Public spectacle, we judge the world.

                             - Why not rather take the wrong?

                             - In keeping with our redeemed character.

                   b.       Rom. 12:15-21.

                             - Be of the same mind, condescend to things that are lowly.

                             - If it be possible, all men (2 Tim. 3:3) implacable.

                             - What if peace can’t be had (Rom. 12:19-21).

                             - 1 Cor. 12:25;  Eph. 4:1-3.  Striving – Give diligence.

C.      PEACE IS THE NATURAL RESULT OF LOVE.

          1.       Commanded to love one another (John 13:34-35).

          2.       Even our enemies (Matt. 5:43-48).

          3.       Love causes us to look to others (Phil. 2:1-4).

          4.       It is the basis of our unity (Eph. 4:1-3).

          5.       Strife derives from worldliness.

                   a.       1 Cor. 3:1-3;  James 4:1-4.

                   b.       James 3:13-18.

                             - such conduct is not from God.

                             - it is earthly, sensual, devilish.

                             - accompanies every vile deed.

                             - describe the wisdom that is from above.

                             - result is Righteousness.

D.      GOD IS OUR EXAMPLE.

          1.       He took the initiative (Rom. 5:8;  1 John 4:9-10).

          2.       Motivated by love (Rom. 5:8).

          3.       How do we respond? (1 John 4:17, 11, 19).

          4.       Rom. 2:4.

II.     REWARD:  THEY SHALL BE CALLED SONS OF GOD (vs. 9).

A.      AGAIN, WE MUST BE GOD-LIKE (Eph. 5:1).

B.      CONSIDER GOD’S WORK IN RECONCILIATION.

          1.       Man and nature (Rom. 8:19-25).

          2.       Man and man (1 John 4:20-21;  Eph. 2:13-15).

          3.       Man and God (Eph. 2:16).

Romans 8:16

CONCLUSION:

A.      GOD OFFERS THE GREATEST PEACE THROUGH TRUST IN HIM (Phil. 4:6-7).

B.      ARE YOU AT PEACE WITH GOD?

          1.       Jesus died for it (2 Cor. 5:18-19).

          2.       Some turn it down (2 Cor. 6:1)