 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
|||||||
|
LOST RIVER CHURCH OF CHRIST | |||||||
|
|
Sermon On The Mount VII: Blessed Are The Peacemakersby Lawrence Kelley People like to fuss and many a professed conversion to Christ "just changes the subject,"but does not change the heart of a man given to quarrels. This fact is evidenced by the turbulent history of the church, which has too often been characterized more by infighting than peacemaking. Nevertheless, the blessing is upon "the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God" (Matt. 5:9). "Peace Peace Where There Is No Peace." Before addressing the attitude Jesus prescribes in this beatitude it is important to clear away a common misconception. All of scripture must be taken into account when dealing with any one passage. This means that the call to peacemaking issued here, is not a universal and absolute command. Jeremiah criticized the lying prophets of his day who declared "Peace, peace when there is no peace" (Jer 6:14). So, Christ is not mandating a "peace at any price" approach. As Paul puts it, "If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men" (Rom. 12:18). For the sake of a temporary and appeasing peace, we may not discard basic morality, and we may not sell the truth. Consider morality first. David was a biblical peacemaker. "I am for peace; But when I speak, they are for war" (Psalm 120:7). But at the same time he would have nothing to do with certain kinds of men (Ps. 26:4-5). Biblical peace does not require compromise with wicked men. And then there is truth. Christians are to contend for the faith (Jude 3). Elders are required to be the kind of men who can correct false teachers (2 Tim. 2:24-25). And it is not divisive to reject a divisive man (Titus 3:10). Ever since Cain murdered his brother Able there has been a necessary division in the world. There are those who are of the serpent and those who are of the seed of the woman. The serpent is forever striking at our heel and we are called to crush its head. We are called to peace but, we must never be lulled into thinking that a compromise with sin will bring shalom. This highlights the need for discernment. We must distinguish personal preferences from a Biblical mandates. We
must apply the reformer's slogan in essentials unity, in non-essentials liberty, in all things love. The Foundation Of All Peace. A man cannot bring to others what he does not have within himself. If he is at war with God, he cannot bring peace to others. Man, apart from grace, is at war with God (Eph 2:1-3). But God in the richness of His mercy and greatness of His love has saved us by His grace (Eph 2:4-5). Those who have received forgiveness through this gospel have peace with God (Rom 5:1). This is the foundation of peace within, which in turn is the foundation of peace with others. This means that all forms of ungodly "peacemaking," whether international diplomats, strike negotiators, et al. are chasing after vanity. Before a man can be used to bring true peace anywhere, the Lord must bring true peace into his heart. This is accomplished through the gospel of Christ, and nothing else. Seek Peace & Pursue It. Peter says, "He who would love life And see good days...Let him seek peace and pursue it" (1 Peter 3:10-11). Having an amicable disposition is not sufficient. One who is naturally placid might not take offence easily, but still will not pursue peace in the way Christ requires. As we pursue peace, we must remember what Scripture teaches in the following areas. In the interests of peace: we must hold our tongues (James 3:13-18). We must mortify our pride (Prov. 28:25). We must forgive sin (1 Pet. 4:8). We must provoke others to love (Heb. 10:24). We must conduct any necessary conflict biblically (Matt. 18:15). They Shall Be Called The Son's Of God. Here we have the promised result of being a peacemaker. The Son of God is the ultimate peace maker. He is the Prince of Peace. What greater compliment could be given to us than that we are like Him. It must never be forgotten how He established peace in the world. Col 1:20 says, God "is reconciling all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross." Everything that is at enmity is in that condition due to sin. Everything that is reconciled, truly reconciled, is due to the blood of His cross. Here is the peace offering on the table. The body and blood of Jesus. But this is not an alter where that sacrifice is being made. It is the table at which the risen Christ presides and invites us to gather around and eat and drink as those who are at peace with God and one another. Invitation: Our Peace With God. Detrich Bonhoffer's wife died early in their marriage leaving him with small children. As he drove his family to the funeral home his young daughter challenged his faith with an insightful question. She asked, "If Jesus died on the cross for our sins, why did mommy have to die too?" Bonhoffer saw a delivery truck passing by and he pointed it out to his daughter. The truck cast a large shadow accross the sidewalk and he asked her, "would you rather be run over by the truck or by the truck's shadow?" The little girl said, "Of course, I'd rather be run over by the shadow." Her father replied, "When Jesus died on the cross, he was run over by the truck of divine justice for sin. We are only run over by the shadow of death." |
Related Information:
Left click to play. Sermons on: |
|
||||
|
Copyright © 2006, Lost River
Church of Christ |
||||
